| I attended and took notes at all Freeholder meetings for six months. I find Sherry Appleton’s statements against the charter contradictory and hypocritical to arguments she made throughout the charter development process. She was unhappy the executive salaries were too low; she argued and voted for an ombudsman and county councils even after research revealed they are very expensive.
She claims the new Charter increases the size of government, but ignores the fact the County doubled the size of the planning department, created an Administrator position, and increased the Commissioners staff.
Listening to the presentations I learned that the new Charter requires adding four people to the payroll. But better utilization of current staff could save us more than we spend for those four positions. If not, when was the last time the County only increased by four? Considering the obvious advantages of better representation and separation of powers, this Charter receives my whole-hearted support.
Carrie Riplinger
Seabeck, WA. | 
