To the editor:

This letter is to recommend Kirsten Hytopoulos for the Bainbridge Island City Council.

Many know Kirsten for her long residence on, and knowledge of, Bainbridge Island, her strong concern for environmental protection, and her commitment to sustainable development and fiscal responsibility.

However, she also has another strength making her ideal for the council: her experience fostering cooperation and obtaining consensus in sometimes difficult situations.

Kirsten has long been a mediator for the Kitsap Dispute Resolution Center, the association responsible for mediating civil disputes out of court. Mediating involves finding the parties’ common interests and areas of compromise, and using those factors to reach a resolution both sides can accept. Mediators have no power to force settlements, but instead have to get the parties to arrive at the resolution themselves, avoiding trials by reaching settlements that benefit both sides. Kirsten also runs a collaborative-law practice that specializes in working with the opposing party and lawyer to reach agreements, especially in marriage dissolutions.

On city councils, differing interests and politics can lead to opposing factions, setting council members against each other and sacrificing citizens’ interests when conflicting council members cannot cooperate to act efficiently. This has happened more than once on the Bainbridge council, such as when liberal environmentalists fought against conservative members who prioritized monetary restraint.

Kirsten’s ability to consider all interests and work toward compromise and dispute resolution will make the council more productive. For this reason, but also for her other strengths, I highly endorse Kirsten for the council.

FRANC FISCHER

Bainbridge Island