To the editor:

In his Opinion Piece, “Let’s watch where the money goes” (Oct. 18) Brian Kelly claims that “many fear” Common Sense Bainbridge’s independent expenditure campaign could “inject partisanship” and create “polarization” in island elections.

Without identifying these “many” fear-ridden folks, he suggests they are also concerned about the residency and party affiliation of the campaign’s Public Disclosure Compliance officer: a registered Republican living in Seattle!

Mr. Kelly further speculates such campaigns can generate unsavory activities such as hit pieces and push polls. He’s correct; such campaigns can generate that stuff. Mr. Kelly’s timing is good: Halloween is a great time to scare people with imaginary tales of horror.

In other words, dirty tricks ain’t gonna happen.

Rational island voters – when presented with positive, compare-and-contrast information – are capable of making up their own minds on candidates. To assist them Mr. Kelly just had to call us with a couple of questions.

Who’s behind Common Sense Bainbridge?

Gary Tripp and Sharon Gilpin. Gary has been a passionate civic activist on the island most of his life. Sharon has been an islander for 22 years and active on issues such as the environment and affordable housing.

Who is this Seattle Republican, Glenn Avery?

Ms. Gilpin has worked with Mr. Avery on a state-wide Costco initiative and hired him for his campaign compliance expertise, not after some partisan litmus test. He has no strategic campaign input – check our C1 form filed with the Public Disclosure Commission which was available to the editor before he wrote his piece.

Most importantly, all three candidates we independently support run their own campaigns. Some have the same endorsers. Some will have national organizations endorsing them. All will be endorsed by various groups and individuals.

Common Sense Bainbridge invites all islanders to ignore partisan rumor mongering, do your own homework and vote for the individual candidates you believe makes our city the best it can be.

SHARON GILPIN

Bainbridge Island