Letters: Vote Palmateer, Hughes

By Steve Ulvi and Lynette Roberts, San Juan Island

There is so much to be concerned about these days.

Much of it well beyond our abilities as individuals to effect any change. Except that we each have a vote.

Please do your homework and vote.

Here in our little watery corner of America, we face our own unique challenges and uncommon opportunities to effectively cope with a troubling future. Before the national debacle of COVID-19, this county already faced a need for drastic reformulation of socio-economic goals just as we are surrounded by a sickly Salish Sea and a cascade of issues are generated by climate change.

The current race for two seats on our three-person council, amid COVID-19 and serious economic downturn ongoing, is of existential importance. We are so fortunate to have smart, well-intentioned citizens step up to run for these very tough, 24/7 leadership jobs that now must function not only with moving chess pieces but on a moving chessboard as well.

Now is not the time to elect two candidates with limited pertinent experience. The learning curve is way too steep, the overlapping issues a minefield.

It would be foolish to dismiss Hughes, a most energetic, productive and connected incumbent, proven over 8 years, who is willing to give us more.

Palmateer is energetic, smart, congenial and well-versed in the technological new world we must rapidly embrace.

We support incumbent Rick Hughes for District 2 and newcomer Ryan Palmateer for District 1.

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