| I attended the June 9 Freeholder meeting in Silverdale. I was impressed at how most of the 21 Freeholders were able to put their personal political agendas and prejudices behind them and followed the will of the people who responded to the Freeholder Feedback forms and Public comment, then voted accordingly.
It was refreshing to see politicians actually listen to the folks they represent, it was disturbing however to observe six Freeholders: Appleton, Boyd, Madison, Maron, McKinney, and Wilson totally disregard the overwhelming desire of the people to elect our Commissioner/Council Members by district. 168 People responded to their Feedback Forms. Sixty percent of the people preferred elections by districts. Twenty four citizens unanimously testified eloquently why nominations, election by district represents the best form of council representation for the entire citizenry of the county. Yet the partisan “Gang of Six,” refused to listen to the persuasive common sense explanations offered by the people and they continue to try and overturn the desires of the people by demanding the Freeholders revisit the issue by threatening to take their toys and go home, thus attempting to maintain the status quo.
The people spoke clearly, they want the ability to nominate and elect their Commissioner/Council members from their respective districts. Our county is so large a council member from Kingston doesn’t know the issues in Port Orchard or vice versa. Additionally, we hear all the time we supposedly want to limit the “money” in politics this is a natural way to do just that. Countywide candidates have to raise more cash to compete, this makes special interest money an almost necessity. District-wide campaigns eliminate that mess.
I urge the citizens to write the Freeholders, toneill@co.kitsap.wa.us, tell them district wide elections make good government. We want our council members to represent us exclusively.
Robert Knight
Kingston. |
