Support Deets
To the editor:
I had the pleasure of serving on the Bainbridge Island City Council alongside Joe Deets, doorbellled with him when we were first-time candidates in 2017, and saw his tireless work ethic up close. Let me be blunt: Joe’s the real deal, and he deserves another term.
His opponent? A carbon copy candidate run by the same anti-affordable housing and myopic policy-generating group of islanders that gave us so many ineffective councilmembers in the recent past. Joe’s a relentless champion for the environment, fiscal responsibility, and affordable housing. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he digs into the details of our Comprehensive Plan and municipal code to make balanced, forward-thinking decisions.
While NIMBYs clutch their pearls and scream about “preserving character,” Joe fights the good fight against their short-sighted, self-serving nonsense and delivers real results. He knows cherry-picking policies to block progress isn’t leadership—it’s cowardice. From late-night council meetings to committee grunt work and holding weekly community office hours at Cups (good luck finding another Councilmember that does that consistently), Joe shows up, every time.
He’s not here for accolades; he’s here to build a better Bainbridge—one which is financially sound, environmentally sustainable and actually livable for more than just the wealthy few. When your ballot lands next month, the choice is dead simple: vote Joe Deets for City Council. Keep experience, integrity, and a (no-nonsene) approach to progress in office.
Matthew Tirman
Bainbridge Island
Groundwater concerns
To the editor:
Friends of Little Manzanita Bay is a nonprofit on Bainbridge Island dedicated to preserving the Manzanita Creek watershed, which supports one of the island’s few remaining salmon streams. Our efforts are backed by over 400 islanders who subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.
We are deeply concerned that the city’s draft Groundwater Management Plan contradicts our Comprehensive Plan and the State Growth Management Act by prioritizing growth over sustainable groundwater management.
Our Comprehensive Plan emphasizes the critical importance of managing and sustaining our “finite groundwater resources,” particularly regarding the impact future development may have on groundwater quality and quantity for future islanders. The plan explicitly states that the purpose of a groundwater management plan is to ensure the “long-term health of our freshwater aquifers” (Guiding Policies 2.1, 2.2, 2.5).
Given the significance of our groundwater, our Comprehensive Plan advocates for the precautionary principle, which mandates environmental protection even amid scientific uncertainty.
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated Bainbridge Island as a “sole source aquifer,” meaning our single aquifer provides at least 50% of the drinking water for our area, with no reasonably available alternative sources.
The GMA exempts Puget Sound islands with sole-source aquifers from its density requirements. However, these density rules are being used to justify the draft Groundwater Management Plan and the upzoning of Winslow, which is widely acknowledged to threaten our aquifer’s sustainability.
The council must halt this process. The consequences of failing to protect our groundwater are irreversible.
Cheryl Coon
Bainbridge Island
Re-elect Deets
To the editor:
I don’t often write letters endorsing candidates, but in the case of Bainbridge City Councilmember Joe Deets, I’m happy to do so.
I’ve known Joe as a neighbor for many years. Early on, his knowledge and passion for the environment, housing and community became obvious. It was not surprising that Joe decided to run for City Council.
Recently, I worked with Joe and City Council on matters of short-term rentals and their impact on the community. As a host and business owner, Joe invited me to participate in addressing issues with the industry. I first met with Joe at “Cups” to chat informally, his regular practice.
He was in demand that Saturday morning. I watched how he thoughtfully listened and answered concerns other islanders presented. This is not a common practice. Joe goes above and beyond the call of duty to stay connected to the community. In subsequent meetings with the city manager, hashing out policies, Joe provided a voice of reason, guiding the conversations productively. It was greatly appreciated on many levels… a chance to see democracy working in action. The outcome was positive, reasonable and fair.
This history is why I am confident in Joe Deet’s role as a city councilmember. He has grown as a person and legislator. The job suits him well. Joe offers well-honed experience, much needed as we face many more challenges. I am confident that Joe Deets is the clear choice this election.
Keith Brofsky
Bainbridge Island
Vote for Lant
To the editor:
I’m excited to support Lara Lant for our North Ward City Council seat. Having known Lara for more than 30 years, I can say with confidence: she’s not running for political ambition—she’s running because she cares deeply about our island and its people.
Lara has called Bainbridge home her whole life. She grew up here when the island had just 12,000 residents, went to our schools, and raised her family here. She knows our history, appreciates our character, and has the thoughtful perspective we need to honor our past while planning wisely for the future.
What makes Lara the right choice is her unique experience: more than 14 years working inside City Hall in planning and permitting, plus eight years as a union leader representing people and building consensus. She understands how government works—and how to make it work better for everyone.
I’ve seen firsthand Lara’s ability to listen carefully, find common ground, and follow through. She leads with honesty and transparency, and her approach is steady, practical, and grounded in community values: protecting natural resources, spending wisely, and ensuring no neighbor is left behind.
Bainbridge is facing important decisions about growth and how to preserve our hometown feel. I trust Lara to approach these challenges with fairness, practicality, and heart.
Please join me in voting for Lara Lant for City Council, North Ward.
Beth Crittenden
Bainbridge Island
Vote for Deets
To the editor:
Please join me in supporting Joe Deets for City Council in November.
There are many issues our island faces that Joe has provided strong leadership on, but one that is particularly important to me is our resiliency in the face of climate change. As the former owner of a solar business, Joe has consistently supported action to build resilience to climate change on Bainbridge. He was an early advocate for our Climate Action Plan and a supporter of the city’s Climate Change Advisory Committee.
We have the opportunity to make ourselves more self-reliant by broader installation of local clean energy, and Joe has supported the 150 kW photovoltaic system at Woodward Middle School. We have to mitigate risk to our water supply and vulnerability to wildfires, which Joe has also taken action on by working with BIFD and Bainbridge Prepares, and integrating water conservation measures into the Groundwater Management Plan.
Joe is a reliable voice for the long-term sustainability of life on Bainbridge Island and gets my vote for City Council.
Mike Kelly
Bainbridge Island
