Vote Haugen
To the editor:
Fellow islanders, we need at least one person on our City Council who represents Bainbridge Island first and the city second. The prospective interests of the two are not one in the same.
Our elected officials are effectively seduced by membership into an exclusive club where regardless of whatever you said as a candidate campaign pledges and ideals fade into the background. That won’t happen with Dick Haugen.
Do you know what really goes on at City Hall? Newspaper articles don’t tell the whole story. Dick believes in transparency and will help us understand what’s really going on at City Hall—warts and all. The city won’t like it but you and I will, and the island will be better off for it.
We need councilmembers who truly believe in fiscal responsibility and won’t put personal loyalties above accountability when it comes to how our tax dollars are spent. Dick led the lawsuit by Bainbridge Taxpayer United challenging the $8.75 million purchase of the Harrison medical facility, millions over its actual value. The suit was dismissed on a technicality, with the city more interested in protecting former officials from allegations of malfeasance than in promoting fiscal responsibility.
I don’t always agree with Haugen but I do know him as honest, principled and someone who is easy to work with. Dick is not motivated by personal gain or political ambitions. Haugen will put islanders first over the city government they created in 1990.
Ron Peltier
Bainbridge
Pick Goodlin
To the editor:
I am pleased to write today to encourage Bainbridge Islanders to cast their vote for my friend and neighbor Tom Goodlin for Bainbridge Island Metro Parks and Recreation commissioner, Position 5. Tom and I became acquainted several years ago when he was president of the BI Land Trust. He advised me of several options Bainbridge residents have to contribute to the Land Trust as he walked my property with me and explained how the island community works so hard to preserve open spaces and enhance and expand recreational activities on the island.
Tom’s tenure at the Land Trust was for many years, and he has now served two years on the park board. Those experiences, combined with his background as a volunteer and organizer for conservation efforts and athletic and recreational activities on the island, have spanned over two decades. Renewing his position for a new six-year term on the park board will ensure continued experienced leadership, and stewardship, of our parks and recreational facilities.
Laura O’Neill
Bainbridge
Vote Hytopoulos
To the editor:
I am writing this letter because I support Kirsten Hytopoulos for reelection to the Bainbridge Island City Council At-Large position.
What draws me to Kirsten is her strong desire to listen to her constituents – with an open mind, before openly discussing, debating and voting on city policy issues.
Kirsten seeks out relevant and beneficial input from constituents that further clarify, and fill information gaps so she has a good context on city issues.
Kirsten always demonstrates a practical, down-to-earth mindset that mitigates human emotional aspects as much as possible.
She demonstrates tremendous “grounding” of thought on the council. Kirsten thinks through policy questions, “pro and con,” before casting her vote, up or down.
Join me in casting a vote for Kristen.
Bob Russell
Bainbridge
Not right
To the editor:
The more I find out about Dick Haugan the more I know that he’s not right for Bainbridge Island City Council. Recently, he exploited the city’s legal obligation under the Public Records Act by requesting the personal email addresses of community members receiving the city’s weekly updates. The city required he not use the list for commercial purposes, but it appears he is using it for his political campaign. Were you as surprised as I was to receive his “surveys” sent to “email lists of people interested in city government” in your email account?
Haugan also sent a letter to waterfront homeowners making numerous false accusations against his opponent, Kirsten Hytopoulos, including that she’s “at center court for the crazy, massive $6 million overspending on the police station project.” Yet Hytopoulos wasn’t even on council when they voted to purchase the building.
In his litany of criticisms and call to unseat Hytopoulos, Haugan never even discloses that he himself is a candidate for council, let alone for the same position, or that funding the mailing was a political expenditure, as mandated by state law.
Haugen’s willingness to undermine the trust between the city and its residents for his own political gain, and to play fast and loose with the truth, campaign financing and disclosure rules, is enough to convince me he’s not right for our council.
Brian Anderson
Bainbridge
