To the editor:

To make our decision between Sarah Blossom and Michael Pollock (South Ward City Council position), we took a look at the city’s guiding principals, found at the end of every city council agenda.

Contrary to Principal Nos. 1, 2 and 5, Sarah Blossom regularly votes for policies that assist developers, and she appears to us to work to thwart attempts to protect trees, aquifer recharge, and open space through not only her votes, but by her foot-dragging leadership presence on committees that are charged with drafting protective legislation (including her resistance to the Critical Areas Ordinance, and long-standing presence on protection committees that fail to protect, such as the Tree Ordinance Committee).

While Sarah Blossom did recently vote to fund the groundwater management plan, she has expressed the opinion that the city cannot regulate pumping, signaling a lack of support for Principal Nos. 2, 3 and 5. Her support for 100 units at Suzuki (at a cost to taxpayers of about $7.5 million) and desire for high density at Island Center reveal her commitment to high density development outside of the Winslow core, as well as her desire to place the needs and wants of off-islanders (future residents) over those who live here now, contrary to Principal Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

In Michael Pollock, we have found a candidate (and climate scientist) who promises to put the environment and current residents first, not last. We are voting for Michael on Nov. 5, 2019. Please join us.

LISA AND CHRIS NEAL

Bainbridge Island