To the editor:

With Bainbridge High School Principal Duane Fish leaving after two years on the job, I have some advice for the replacement committee. Don’t hold a statewide or nationwide search for someone with no loyalty to our island. Hold an island-wide search instead. Promote from within and we will do away with the revolving door at principal and other positions.

We have lots of talent on the island. Let’s value those already in the system.

To me it’s similar to the telephone and cable companies. Who gets the best deals from them? Not the loyal multiyear customers, but newcomers who flit constantly from one company to the next. Let’s value those already here working to make the island better.

I would also like to give similar advice to the city government. Look locally for talent to fill vacant positions. Also use common sense instead of throwing money away in $10,000 to $100,000 studies on all manner of subjects. To me, the main benefit of a study is that council members have the study to blame for any unpopular results.

Instead, form a subcommittee of two or three council members and let them come up with the basic facts. That’s why we elected you. This would save money with the added benefit of having the subcommittee members already being educated on the subject.

Buy, hire and think locally.

GARY PETTERSEN

Bainbridge Island