Darlene devoted herself Bainbridge | Letters | June 12

Larry Koss’s belief in “the politeness and patience of this community” is belied by his June 5 letter, which lacked those very attributes.

Like any other election, the recent decision by Bainbridge voters to move to a council-manager form of government was the result of diverse motives.

The majority were disillusioned by the inability of our elected officials to work together effectively, and voted in hope that a machine with fewer moving parts will do a better job.

Some, apparently including Mr. Koss, were driven by a more personal agenda.

Reasonable people can disagree about the cause of dysfunction in our local government in recent years.

And reasonable people can believe that Mayor Kordonowy bears some responsibility for allowing that dysfunction to persist.

Reasonable people cannot disagree, however, about Darlene’s “integrity and commitment to the greater well-being of this community.”

Since moving to Bainbridge Island in 1985, Darlene Kordonowy has devoted herself tirelessly to making this island a better place to live.

Before running for public office, she spent years on the boards of Helpline House and the Bainbridge Island Land Trust.

She was active in the League of Women Voters.

She served on the city’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board, and then on the Planning Commission.

Darlene helped make the acquisition of Pritchard Park a reality, both through her leadership in government, and by donating a significant portion of her salary to the public fundraising effort.

Now that this chapter of her public service is over, it seems appropriate for both friends and worthy adversaries to recognize and thank Darlene for her many years of devoted service to this community.

Certainly more appropriate than to kick sand in her face.

Val Tollefson

Bainbridge Island

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