Back Tawresey
To the editor:
Having been a national and local leader, and for the last eight years as a Kitsap County commissioner, I believe I know leadership when I see it. I have watched Alice Tawresey develop her skills as a leader for over 20 years. During that time, she has served on numerous local, county and state leadership positions. She is well-prepared, goal-oriented, builds consensus among board members, and knows when it’s time to make a decision.
These are critical qualities for the Board of Commissioners of the Kitsap Public Utility District as they continue to supply and distribute water, implement state-of-the-art wastewater treatment, and deliver fiber optic cable to unserved and underserved areas of the county.
The ballots will be in the mail on Oct. 20 for the Nov. 8 election. This position is nonpartisan and is voted on by all county voters. I encourage you to mark your ballot for Tawresey for KPUD, Commissioner Position 1.
Ed Wolfe
Silverdale
Select Lester
To the editor:
I am writing to say why I believe that Debra Lester should be re-elected as our Kitsap Public Utilities District commissioner. Since 2002, I’ve watched how effective she’s been as a community organizer. Unsurprisingly, since being elected she’s done a stellar job for the citizens of the county, bringing her experience as a nonprofit board member and business owner to the job of an elected official. She gets real results because she listens to concerns, answers questions and invites real conversations, not just public comments.
Here’s a list of county accomplishments that she’s worked on since getting elected:
• Working with Sen. Rolfes and Rep. Hansen, Debra advocated for better broadband service by testifying before the state Senate and House Committees, resulting in increasing PUD (internet) fiber from 200 to 800 miles.
• Understanding that Kitsap communities are more resilient when there’s effective collaboration, Deb helped bring PUDs, tribes, cities and the county into more coherent and effective working relationships.
• Caring deeply about our environment, Deb has helped build stronger Kitsap community alliances that more carefully manage our precious water resources. She’s supported treating wastewater so that more H2O is held in our freshwater systems, and also helped ensure safer drinking water.
• Deb has bolstered Kitsap PUD’s disaster preparedness efforts by working on a disaster plan, encouraging disaster drills, and promoting the need for people to get mobile backup generators.
Please re-elect Lester!
Cara Cruickshank
Indianola
She is grace
To the editor:
Grace. That’s the word I’d use to describe state Rep. Tarra Simmons, her story, and how she serves the people of the 23rd District and beyond.
My first encounter with Tarra was when she was the speaker for a women’s luncheon at a local church. She talked about her early life that led to a prison sentence, as well as a turning point when women from church visited her. The women followed Matthew 25:36 — “I was in prison, and you visited me” — and embodied the grace of the gospel. This experience helped Tarra see her life as valuable and meaningful.
Thanks to intelligence, hard work and a strong desire to make the world a better place, Tarra earned a law degree, fought for and won State Bar accreditation, and successfully ran to become our newest 23rd District representative in 2020.
In Olympia, Tarra has championed many causes that extend grace to less fortunate people. She fights for an economy that works for everyone and never forgets the “least of these” when making decisions. Check out her website atwww.electtarrasimmons.com/issues to learn more. Simmons deserves our votes so she can accomplish more good for the state and district.
It all comes down to Grace.
Alice C. McCain
Suquamish
Low morals
To the editor:
Trump has destroyed the morality of the Republican Party.
PJ McEwan
Bainbridge
Pick Lester
To the editor:
Debra Lester is an exemplary public servant who cares deeply about her community. She is energetic, collaborative, inclusive and thoughtful — all wonderful qualities to bring to a leadership role.
I encourage everyone to look at her website to see the numerous ways Debra has made positive impacts in the lives of Kitsap County residents through her work on boards, councils, committees, as a business leader, and as a friend and neighbor. She understands that our lives are enriched by access to clean water, improved communication and the arts. She has made important impacts in all those areas.
I wholeheartedly support her re-election to this increasingly important job.
Kate Gormley
Bainbridge
