To the editor:

My support for Ron Peltier for city council is based on Ron’s honesty and authenticity, his willingness and interest in studying the issues while consulting with the community, and what I view as a profound understanding of the principles and concepts of sustainability.

Having spent 20-plus years as a city planner in several beautiful waterfront communities with issues very similar to those of Bainbridge, I knew soon after meeting Ron and experiencing his impressive leadership skills and abilities during the community discussion of the Visconsi shopping center development that we needed him on our city council.

Ron will carefully study issues before making a decision, consult with his constituents and seek consensus. He will consistently show up with head and heart and represent those on the island that understand that development and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand and, indeed, can be one in the same. This is what is meant by sustainability.

On the matter of growth, Ron demonstrates extraordinary insight, knowing that we must understand the island’s carrying capacity in order to know when and how to grow and at what pace.

Related to this is Ron’s firm grasp of the importance of local economy, local food production, housing that meets the needs of the community, and alternative modes of transportation and energy production.

Ron has the temperament, wisdom and spark that I would like to see in all our leaders. In the big picture, if we are to succeed as a society, I want Ron on the team leading the charge.

JANE SILBERSTEIN

Bainbridge Island