Vote for Nance
To the editor:
In my decade in Olympia serving in the Governor’s Office and State Senate, I’ve witnessed incoming legislators who were either show horses, do-nothing horses, or work horses.
Representative Greg Nance is a bona fide workhorse, with more accomplishments in one year than many several-term legislators, among them creating a bipartisan coalition that provided $80 million in new ferry funding, bolstering state ferry staffing and vessel maintenance, which has helped cut sailing cancellations by half.
Greg is a hard-working member of the House Transportation, Education, and Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Committees, and he is widely respected by his peers, elected to the leadership role of Assistant Democratic Whip – nominated by his seatmate Tarra Simmons – and earning the endorsement of 46 Democratic representatives.
Growing up in Kitsap County, Greg is in touch with our district, including hosting seven Fix Our Ferries Town Halls and attending countless community meetings and events.
I’m proud to endorse Greg, and he’s just getting started.
Never change a successful workhorse mid-stream.
Let’s send Greg back to Olympia.
Clarence Moriwaki
Bainbridge
No on I-2124
Washingtonians should say no to Initiative 2124.
As the state Director of the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging, it’s my responsibility to advocate for older adults and people with disabilities. Initiative 2124, which would essentially bankrupt Washington’s new long-term care insurance program, would threaten a support system designed to help the people I’ve dedicated my career to serving.
We need the WA Cares Fund because health insurance and Medicare do not pay for long-term care, which includes assistance with bathing, dressing, eating and other daily activities of living.
I-2124 will limit options. Before the WA Cares Fund, people could only buy private long-term care insurance, if they were lucky enough to find it and afford it, or were uncovered and at risk for financial disaster if they needed long-term care to stay at home.
What concerns me most is the effect this initiative will have on women, who are most often the ones to leave their jobs to become caregivers when a family member falls ill.
Protect current workers who will need long-term care in the future. Protect their caregivers. Let’s be the state where we all age with grace!
Cathy Knight
Bainbridge
Vote for Franz
To the editor:
In 2024, Bainbridge Islanders can make history by electing the first woman to represent Washington’s Sixth Congressional District in its nearly 100-year history. To seize this moment — and to throw their support behind a leader who embodies the best of our community — Islanders should vote for Hilary Franz.
Until last month, I had the best job in Washington politics: serving as Congressman Derek Kilmer’s communications director. I witnessed firsthand how Derek approached every conversation with a local leader, veteran, law enforcement officer, tribal official, climate advocate, service member, educator, faith leader, small business owner, and every other concerned citizen with an open mind and heart. For nearly 12 years, his commitment to our region has been unwavering, and we should be grateful.
In 2014, one of Derek’s first legislative achievements was to push a bipartisan bill through Congress to officially recognize the former site of the Eagledale Ferry Dock as the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. In 2023, Derek’s first major decision following his announcement to not seek re-election was to endorse Hilary Franz to succeed him.
Hilary’s values are Island values. Her vision for a stronger community, a thriving economy, and a better future will drive her decision-making and ensure that our island and its people will continue to thrive.
Ian O’Keefe
Bainbridge
No on I-2217
The July 19 Bainbridge Island Review reported on a Bainbridge Island City Council proposal to approve a resolution against Initiative 2117. I encourage all of our city councilmembers to support that resolution.
I-2117, which will be on the state ballot in November, is dangerous. This initiative would dismantle our state’s Climate Commitment Act and set us backward on our path to significant cuts in carbon pollution, making the effects of climate change much worse. Hats off to the city council for considering a resolution that asserts this position.
Now is not the time to unravel good climate legislation at the state level. Vote No on 2117 because it actually means that we support our state’s strong climate legislation.
Bobbie Morgan
Bainbridge
Putt Putt
To the editor:
Here’s to Blackmouth Design for creating a truly fun community event. I went up to their business on Day Road to see what crazy ideas people had come up with. I met Conner Markham and his dad, Blake, who, in a week, had built a ski hill with a chair lift and skiers and piles of snow to get around to get to the hole. It was so fun to watch people try several times to get their ball up the “mountain.”
Then there was the pinball machine that was really clever and complicated. There were 11 in all. We were given homemade wooden clubs and scorecards. People could keep track of their scores and then vote for their favorite. I don’t know who won but they were all super fun. What a great way for families to work together and to come together for a really fun event.
Kudos to Blackmouth!
Susan Anderson
Bainbridge
