Vote for diversity and affordability | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 10:38 am Monday, November 2, 2015

To the editor:

Ron Peltier is exactly how he describes himself — a long-time island steward.

I have always respected him for that. He has lived his life as a steward, and now he will bring that stewardship to city hall.

It’s hard to reconcile all the changes that have happened on Bainbridge that have led to me being described as part of our “diverse” population! But that’s how people describe my hidden neighborhood, islander Mobile Home Park on Madrona Way. There are wonderful pockets of diversity on Bainbridge — people who love our island and have figured out how to live here. Folks say they want to keep our demographic.

Yet, I heard that at the candidate Q&A last Wednesday at city hall, Ron Peltier was the only one of the five candidates who firmly stated that he opposed the $15 million Prop. 1 we’re all being asked to support. Ron was the only candidate who understands that we can potentially spend half as much if we build elsewhere. Ron was the only candidate who understands that increasing taxes for working folks on the island means another expense that makes Bainbridge unaffordable.

We all understand we need a new police station, but Ron is the only candidate who understands that we need to maintain affordability.

True stewardship includes representing everyone’s interests. True leadership includes standing up for principles — and for Ron those are the five overriding principles in our comprehensive plan.

One of those principles supports diversity and affordability. Vote for Ron Peltier.

MARIA COOK

Bainbridge Island