Bill Weissinger for Farhad Ghatan

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to support Farhad Ghatan’s re-election for Mayor of Friday Harbor.  I spent thirty years as a practicing attorney in Friday Harbor, and I have known Farhad most of that time.  He impresses me both with how well the Town is running through his leadership, and with his good works in the community:

  • for affordable housing, he serves on the County’s Housing Advisory Committee, and built one of the Town’s only privately funded affordable housing developments.
  • for the Community Theater, he served as a Trustee and a hands-on volunteer for gardening, landscaping, and rebuilding the kitchen.  Plus for its fundraisers, he contributed as auction items trips and dinners he made (!) which earned more than $60,000 over the years.
  • for the Soroptimists, for which he has been involved in fund raising and is the regular auctioneer for the annual St Patricks day event.  He also has worked on scholarships and was an original Eagles member, flying patients off island for cancer care. 
  • He regularly plays the piano for the residents at the Senior Center – and indeed is currently fixing their piano after a leg was broken. 
  • He has also been involved in fundraisers for both the Whale Museum and the Mullis Center, as well as the San Juan Nature Institute, for which he served as board president for ten years.
  • He is a past member of the Standup Men and also helped raise moneys for DVSAS.

I’m more selfish with my own time, and so I am particularly grateful to people – like Farhad – who are more giving to the community than I. 

I also like Farhad’s experience in government, which isn’t only as Mayor.  He served on the Town’s Planning Commission for six years, first as a member, and then as the Chair.  Farhad was then elected to the Town Council in 2013.  He has been endorsed both by our Congressman Rick Larson and our State Senator Liz Lovelett, and, I understand, by all the Town Councilors.  And now by Duncan Wilson, the Town manager.

“Experience matters” isn’t merely his campaign slogan, but a fact.  And Farhad has the experience.

Sincerely,

Bill Weissinger
Friday Harbor, Washington