To the editor:

I’m getting tired of giving the city council this same advice: Hire locally and promote from within.

A few months ago the city manager left and now it is the chief of police. In both cases the city council conducted a “nationwide” search for a replacement.

Look locally or, at most, statewide. There are plenty of talented people on our island or nearby.

How many times have we hired someone from afar with no loyalty to the island who used us as a stepping stone to another job? How many times have we spent big bucks on far-flung searches with short term results? How many times do we make the same mistake until we hire someone local who is already familiar with local issues and doesn’t have to spend umpteen months or years learning what makes Bainbridge tick?

City council: Learn from past mistakes, don’t repeat them.

GARY PETTERSEN

Bainbridge Island