Setting facts straight regarding commissioners | Letters | Aug. 20

Published 12:34 pm Friday, August 20, 2010

Lately some letters to the editor have expressed anger at our current Kitsap County Commissioners for poor financial management. It’s time to set the record straight.

First, in 2007 the county’s general fund was $93 million. In 2011, it will be about $78 million. That is a reduction, not an increase.

As for the issue of the $40.5 million loan the commissioners backed for the Harborside Condo project the Housing Authority was unable to repay, let’s not forget how the county got into this predicament. None of the current commissioners were involved with the initial decision to back this project.

That decision was made by a Republican-dominated board, which included Patty Lent, the current Bremerton mayor, and Rep. Jan Angel, now a 26th Legislative District’s representative.

When asked about this recently, Rep. Angel blamed the budget staff. If she wasn’t capable of sorting it out herself, why should we trust her to sort out state financial issues?

Had this current board not backed the loan, the county would have owed $37 million immediately. Refinancing it bought them time to sell the condos.

The myth is that Republicans are smart money managers, while Democrats tax and spend. If that is so, why is it that when Republicans rule the results are financial chaos?

Jo Fox Burr

Poulsbo