Olsen displays his disdain for public safety | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 4:39 pm Friday, September 7, 2012

To the editor:

The story of James Olsen’s little orange flags just gets better and better. Now it develops that after tipping off the press that he’d been busted because his campaign signs violated an ordinance, he was dissatisfied with the consequent newspaper coverage.

Olsen’s original comments beg examination, because they explain a lot about Olsen’s beliefs and priorities.

When informed that his signs violated a city ordinance because they could be a threat to public safety, he stated that “the dispute was ‘much ado about nothing.’”

So, first, for Olsen, an issue of public safety is much ado about nothing.

He also said that he had used such flags in previous elections without “comment or issue.” Second, then, for Olsen, violating an ordinance only matters if you get caught.

Do we want as a representative someone whose own statements are conclusive evidence of his disdain for his potential constituents’ safety? Do we want a representative whose view of the law is that it only matters if you get caught violating it? Those questions answer themselves.

GEORGE JARECKE

Bainbridge Island