To the editor:

I am writing in support of Anthony Oddo’s bid for the at-large city council seat.

I first met Anthony several years ago when I was mayor and he applied for a position on one of the city council’s advisory committees. Although new to the Island at the time, he was committed to active citizenship. In the years since he has developed deep roots through that city service and through his involvement in the Bainbridge Ometepe Sister Islands Association, the Rowing Team and Housing Resources Bainbridge.

In Anthony, Bainbridge Island has the rare opportunity to elect a councilmember with deep academic training and practical experience in public policy and problem solving. Island environmentalists should welcome the knowledge and skills he developed in working on clean water and power issues in the Department of Justice and the White House Office of Management and Budget in the pre-Trump era. Those concerned about the council’s role in fiscal management should be delighted to have a representative with deep experience in budget analysis both at the federal level and as a consultant in private practice.

An important way to make certain we get the best Bainbridge Island City Council we can is to encourage new talent.

When someone steps forward with the abundance of skill, civic knowledge, and energy that Anthony possesses, we are presented with a golden opportunity. Vote for Anthony Oddo.

VAL TOLLEFSON

Bainbridge Island