Like Walters
To the editor:
As Kitsap County continues to rebound from the pandemic and grow, we need a warrior and champion like Katie Walters in a County Commissioner seat. I have worked and volunteered with Katie for over a decade and in that time, I have watched her build a career as a connector of people, place and purpose.
In her tenure as executive director of Leadership Kitsap, she developed the unique combination of community relationships and leadership experience required to facilitate the difficult conversations needed to tackle our most pressing issues. Issues like affordable housing, homelessness, workforce development and sustainable growth require a servant leader who has earned the respect of fellow community leaders and who will honor each constituent’s vote.
Katie is the sole candidate who is poised to make immediate impactful progress in Kitsap.
Lin Arnsdorf
Bainbridge Island
Back Lester
To the editor:
I am supporting the re-election of Debra Lester for Kitsap Public Utility District No. 1. Over the last four years, I have known Lester to have always listened deeply and responded to the concerns of her constituents. She invites dialogue and does the research to be as informed as possible. She understands the unique challenges of Kitsap County, whether it be aquifer recharge or broadband infrastructure.
She is a powerful advocate for all and the most qualified for this post, as she has the experience of the last four years, which she has accomplished with aplomb. With the challenges of the changing climate, whether it be environmental or the needs of a growing population, we need someone with up-to-date knowledge and practice to do this work. That person is Lester.
Margaret Tufft
Poulsbo
Vote Seaman
To the Editor:
I support Shane Seaman for Kitsap County District Court judge.
I have known Shane for over 30 years. When I left the Jefferson County prosecutor’s office and became Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo prosecutor, Shane took my place.
Shane has been a prosecutor and defense attorney. He has the most judicial experience. As Bremerton Court commissioner under the last two municipal court judges, he is the only candidate with formal judicial training at the National Judicial College. As a frequent judge pro tem in district and municipal courts, Shane has handled the same types of cases that he will handle as District Court judge.
Besides his experience, Shane has the heart of a judge. To him, being fair and impartial are not just buzzwords. He lives that ideal.
If you ever have a case in District Court, you’ll want Shane to be your judge!
Steve Olsen
Poulsbo
Prefer Tawresey
To the editor:
Alice Tawresey is the preferred candidate for Kitsap Public Utility District, Position 1. This is nonpartisan elected for a six-year term. KPUD is big business as it employs 74 people full-time with an annual budget of over $20 million. It is funded from property taxes and ratepayers. It owns and maintains over 190 water wells, providing drinking water to individual homes. Additionally, KPUD is expanding internet service and is providing advanced Membrane Bioreactor wastewater treatment where drain fields are inadequate.
Why Tawresey? She is a smart, careful manager of public funds. A past commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, an outstanding public educator, former mayor of Winslow, Olympic College trustee, Bloedel board member, currently on the board of Kitsap Community Foundation and chair of the Board of The Arc of the Peninsulas (an organization that provides services for neuro-diverse people).
Look at her resume on page 23 of the Kitsap County Voters’ Pamphlet. Her wide experience and personal temperament have prepared her for this important job.
Bruce Brunton
Re-elect Lester
To the editor:
I strongly support the re-election of Debra Lester for Kitsap Public Utility District No.1 commissioner. Debra is, in so many ways, an exemplary public servant: community-oriented, hardworking and laser-focused on service delivery and cost savings. Thanks to her leadership, KPUD has built public and private agency collaborations to create cost savings for its customers. Debra has encouraged the KPUD board to coordinate its work plans with other agencies, providers and tribes so project costs are shared and construction impacts limited.
Further, Debra is an incredibly effective advocate and fundraiser. KPUD has asked for and received, significant state funds for internet fiber during her tenure, along with funds to build internet nodes throughout the county and to improve a failed water system. As a fiscal conservative, I support officeholders who spend public money wisely and know how to leverage partnerships for improved service and cost savings. Debra has excelled as a KPUD commissioner, and I’ll be voting to return her to the role.
Kimberly Hendrickson
Bainbridge
Pick ex-mayor
To the editor:
I have lived on Bainbridge Island since 1986 and have known Alice Tawresey for 30+ years, including her time as mayor of Winslow. As an attorney, I had the occasion to represent clients before Tawresey and the City Council. What most impressed me about Tawresey was how responsive she was to input from citizens.
Here are two examples. Standards were developed for fast food restaurants in response to citizen concerns. Those standards are still in place today, limiting the location of freestanding take-out fast food and maintaining the character of downtown Winslow. Another example is her fairness with respect to a Local Improvement District assessment involving properties along High School Road to pay for new sidewalks between Highway 305 and Madison Avenue. The engineers had mistakenly included St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, as the church had already installed sidewalks as part of its own development. She supported the church’s request for exemption due to the engineer’s mistake.
I have also worked with Alice in her role as chair of the American Marine Bank Board during the hostile takeover by the FDIC. She was successful in resolving the claim with insurance money and without contribution by the individual board members sued by the FDIC. Tawresey is familiar with LIDs, water source and distribution issues, sewer treatment systems, and how an elected official needs to be responsive to constituents and board colleagues. Please join me in voting for Alice.
Jeffrey D. Laweson
