To the editor:

I’ve been watching the letter writing campaigns and studying some of the issues and opportunities around the possibility for publicly-owned power on Bainbridge Island. I have friends and neighbors who question the city’s ability to oversee such a responsibility, but I beg to differ.

I moved here in 2011 when things “weren’t so good” at city hall and I’ve seen a complete turnaround since. I’m proud to live here and appreciate the democratic, thoughtful and cooperative process I generally see at council meetings. There are plenty of small communities in Washington and elsewhere that have had terrific results managing their own power choices and system.

Aside from what I hope will be vastly improved service and keeping money here on Bainbridge Island,

I think this is a huge opportunity to, as Governor Inslee says, “do something” about climate change. We islanders like to think of ourselves as progressive. This is an opportunity to create a legacy of being leaders in clean energy choices.

Right now the debates over public power are emotional. No city council member or resident will be able to make an educated decision without a feasibility study.

I, for one, hope to have the opportunity to vote on public power for Bainbridge Island armed with sound data on the risks and opportunities. I trust the city council will make the choice to properly inform themselves and the residents of Bainbridge Island by approving a feasibility study for public power on Bainbridge at their July 12 meeting.

LAUREN ROMAN

Bainbridge Island