DuMont’s independence is needed on council | Letters | Oct. 30

Published 2:47 pm Friday, October 30, 2009

Our City Council desperately needs people like Dee DuMont now more than ever. The transition to council/manager form of government and hiring a new city manager will present the council with challenges that will require independent thinking, integrity and serious backbone in our council. Dee has the qualities that will help us make the changes we need in city government.

Dee has a refreshing, common sense approach to solving problems. She has successfully operated a small business for many, many years, so she knows how to juggle many balls at once and wear many hats. She also knows how to balance a budget and live within her means. Boy, does Bainbridge Island need those skills right now!

The most important point to make about Dee though, is that she is not tied to special interests. Not by marriage or family dynasty or business interests.

To be frank, when I first considered which candidate to support, I was fairly impressed with her opponent’s endorsements from organizations around the area. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Dee is far more likely to exercise completely independent decision making in her role as a council member.

Again, we need that so badly on the council right now. I’m voting for Dee, Debbie Vancil and Kirsten Hytopoulos. I want to see Bainbridge Island get a council that is free of the special interests we have seen operate here for the last few years.

Annette Wilson Skinner

South Beach Drive