Pick Streissguth gets my vote for commissioner | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 10:37 am Friday, October 17, 2014

To the editor:

Voter turnout on Bainbridge Island will help determine several important outcomes in this November’s General Election. Here are two among many reasons for Bainbridge voters to live up to our tradition of caring enough to vote.

First, Bainbridge votes can help get enough “yes” votes on I-594 to require common-sense background checks on all gun purchases in Washington state. If we don’t vote, NRA money could tilt enough votes to defeat this community-safety ballot measure, or to pass the pro-gun counter-measure I-591.

Second, Bainbridge voters will be significant in the county-wide vote to retain our Kitsap County Commissioner, Linda Streissguth, who shares our Bainbridge values.

For example, last month Linda courageously voted for an improved set of safety measures for shooting ranges in our county. She has since received hostile emails from some extremists. Linda’s Republican opponent could pick up votes as a result.

That opponent was the local chair for John McCain in 2008, and the county chair for Jay Inslee’s Republican opponent for governor in 2012. That year, GOP Kitsap votes outweighed Bainbridge Island support for our island neighbor, giving Jay’s opponent 50.13 percent of the Kitsap vote. Let’s not let that happen to Linda.

Linda shares Bainbridge Island values. As one of our three excellent county commissioners, she is open to community input and she brings professional experience in community planning. She works for programs for better health, housing, transportation and public safety, and to preserve parks, open spaces, shorelines, farms and forests.

Please join me in voting for 594, against the counter-initiative 591, and for retaining Linda Streissguth for our county.

Please preserve our proud Bainbridge tradition of caring enough about community by caring enough to vote.

BARRY PETERS

Bainbridge Island