Letters to the editor

Published 1:30 am Friday, August 7, 2026

Vote for Ilgen

To the editor:

After a century of life, you learn how to read people. You learn who is genuine, who listens, and who will still do the right thing when nobody’s watching. Daria Ilgen is that person.

I have seen him at Rotary, community events, and with his children. I also watched him manage Poulsbo Mayor Ed Stern’s campaign, bringing people together around a vision for our community.

Daria listens to understand. He does not rush or talk over people. He treats everyone with kindness and respect. When he speaks about this community, nothing feels rehearsed. It comes from the heart.

Through my 101 years of life and serving on the NK School Board and leading legislation in Olympia, I have known many public figures. Daria stands apart. He has a steady mind, a good heart, and rare humility.

He has lived and worked around the world, built partnerships across cultures, and learned to bring people with different perspectives together. Yet he remains rooted here, devoted to his family and community.

I am not easily impressed. I know the difference between promises and character. And Daria has both.

He is among the most capable people to step forward for public service here in years. We are fortunate he is willing to serve, and we should not let this opportunity pass us by.

I hope friends and neighbors will take a close look at Daria and vote for him.

I am proud to support Daria Ilgen for Washington State Representative in the 23rd Legislative District, Position 1. Our community needs new leadership.

Ardis Morrow

Poulsbo

Great EMT article

To the editor:

Thank you for publishing the article on the EMT service of the Bainbridge Fire Department. I have been the beneficiary of this service and can’t describe the feeling of relief when EMT firefighters like Max Hale appear in the middle of the night, providing first aid, and rushing the patient to the hospital.

Having reached an age when the human body shows the stress of a long life and needs a little bit of outside help, I can’t think of any profession more important and more welcome than EMTs, nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers. I am alive, thanks to you.

Unfortunately, while healthcare professionals try to save lives, the present administration is making health care insurance more expensive for millions of people by dismantling Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare, cancelling the enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act patients, and shifting costs back to providers and patients. Shouldn’t Congress try to make life better for the folks who need help?

While the U.S. healthcare system was never as generous as the EU universal healthcare system, getting sick today in the U.S., under the present administration, can become a huge financial burden for many people.

Thanks to Max and all the healthcare providers in Kitsap County who work to save lives.

James Behrend

Bainbridge Island

Wrong lead story

To the editor:

I was surprised that the Bainbridge Review chose allegations against a Bainbridge police officer arising from an incident approximately 250 miles from Bainbridge Island as the week’s lead story. The story occupied nearly one-fifth of the newspaper’s front page.

Reporting that criminal charges have been filed against a local public employee is a legitimate editorial decision. Making those unresolved allegations the week’s dominant news story is another matter.

Would the Review have devoted its lead story and nearly one-fifth of its front page to similar charges involving an accountant, teacher, physician, business owner, or other Bainbridge resident? If not, why should a police officer be treated differently?

The incident occurred in another state and another jurisdiction. According to your reporting, the assault and harassment charges remain pending, and the officer has entered a plea of not guilty. Our justice system is founded on the principle that allegations are not convictions.

The issue is not whether the story should have been reported. The issue is whether events occurring 250 miles away, before any finding of guilt, deserved to be elevated to the week’s lead story. I believe the Review exercised poor editorial judgment in making that decision.

David Schutz

Bainbridge Island