Most important, Val writes, respective to Section 4, county charter government, “There is absolutely no ability, either now or in the future, to look at other functions of governmental services that might benefit by being run as countywide organizations such as park or water districts.”

That point of information is incorrect, untrue, false and misleading.

For years, tools have existed to help us “...look at other functions of governmental services that might benefit by being run as countywide organizations.” Most, if not all, Kitsap governmental leaders know that to be true. Most, if not all, Kitsap community leaders know that to be true. The long available, ready-at-hand tools, known by various names, are Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Agreement, Inter-Local Agreement and more.

As an ordinary citizen, as a Democrat, as a dumb donkey, as a dumb turtle, even I know that.

So, our mission for better government, for Section 4, county charter government arises because too many of our leaders have failed for too long to listen to and heed us. And thereby, have failed to use long available, ready-at-hand tools to help create better government for Kitsap County for us.

Second, Val writes, “Home Rule I is a group, is mainly Republican...” and “Home Rule II is a group composed mainly of Democrats.”

Again, that point of information is misleading.

Yes it’s true, our Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee has yet to endorse Section 4, charter county government. That’s fine. It’s not as if our train has stopped picking up freedom riders for better government.

But it’s also true, many fellow Democrats for better government have endorsed Section 4, charter county government. Visit with our Kitsap County Home Rule Committee at our Kitsap County Fair, and you’ll be able to read and recognize those names of many fellow Democrats for better government.

And it’s true, as well as more important, many fellow voters for better government have endorsed Section 4, charter county government, to break the barriers of partisan fear and partisan politics. And more fellow voters for better government continue to get on board.

Simply, for better government our Kitsap County Home Rule Committee compared and contrasted Sections 4 and 16, and found Section 4, charter county government, to be best suited for Kitsap County at this time.

No county in Washington State has passed Section 16, charter county-city government. Spokane County and Thurston County have tried to pass Section 16 and failed to do so.

Our Board of Kitsap County Commissioners when presented with our Section 4, charter county government, petition did not object.

Section 16, charter county-city government, requires more resources (e.g., time, commitment and dollars) to implement than does Section 4, charter county government, or inter-local agreements.

When comparing and contrasting Sections 4 and 16, five counties of Washington State (Clallam, Whatcom, Pierce, King and Snohomish) have chosen Section 4 charter county government.

For the immediate future, inter-local agreements fulfill the purpose of Section 16, charter county-city government. Inter-local agreements do not sacrifice or threaten local sovereignty, territoriality, egos, et cetera.

Gene David Hart
Bremerton.