To the editor:

I believe Matt Tirman has the life and business experiences citizens of Bainbridge Island want in a city council person.

His background in data analytics will prove invaluable as the city implements the comp plan.

During the last economic down cycle city government was caught financially unprepared to continue paying staff salaries. The city redirected utility ratepayer’s money from the utility fund to pay city workers salaries through overhead charges.

I expect Matt will encourage the city to move toward increasing the reserve fund as preparation for any future downturn in revenue.

I think the Island’s concerns about the city permitting “mixed use” like Visconti where only the commercial part was built without any housing is not the kind of development Matt is looking for in the downtown core.

The city’s lease of the M&E Tree Farm violates the title restrictions requiring preservation only. With Matt serving on the council I am sure every effort will be made to get the city to comply with its fiduciary responsibilities.

It appears to me Matt will support Islanders’ vision of the future over city’s push to seek grant money.

Matt’s concern for keeping Bainbridge’s rural feel will be an asset when the city applies for another Sound to Olympic Trail grant to clear cut more trees in the Highway 305 Scenic Byway.

I expect Matt will push for another review of the pedestrian “Bridge to No Where.”

I fully endorse Matt Tirman for a seat on the Bainbridge Island City Council.

DOUG RAUH

Bainbridge Island