The way things have been in the past, we had to vote for President, Vice President, Senator, Congressman, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, State Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, Commissioner of Public Lands, State Senator, State Representatives, before finally finding the candidates for County offices. How do people with short attention spans manage?

The public officials whose decisions have the most immediate and frequent effect on our lives have always been overshadowed on the ballot. In election after election, I have seen the media and water- cooler discussions center on high profile offices leaving very little oxygen for local candidates and issues.

The new charter will elect county officials in odd years. That elevates our local needs and concerns to higher status. That means greater scrutiny when electing sheriff, county executive, council, treasurer, auditor, and assessor.

Sincerely,
Nancy R. Hamilton
Kingston, WA.