Mr. Bock of Poulsbo has it all wrong.

First, in adding two seats to our Council, we do not add additional salary. The salaries of the three existing commissioners was totaled and then divided by five to get the salaries of the five council members. That reduces the salaries of the Commissioners from $85,000 to $52000. 'Looks like Zero Sum Gain to me…

Then the salary of the current county administrator was given to an Executive elected county wide. Again, Zero Sum Gain.

The idea that we will need new support staff is ridiculous. We have separated the power structure and transferred administrative work to the Executive. Just move the staff! We need to elect folks who agree with this concept. That means changing the way the entrenched bureaucrats think.

Opponents say that it must cost more to change. I say that we must fight that mind set and get enough rights so that we have the tools to fight.

Those rights are Initiative, Referendum, Agenda Petition and performance audits. Rights not currently available at the County level.

I agree that dwindling county dollars need to be carefully spent, but adding an average of 10% each year for the last several years to the cost of County government is not what I call well spent money. Adding 170 employees in the last couple of years doesn't seem right either.

Vote yes for the Charter. Let's stop runaway government.

Jim Martin
Port Orchard, WA.