As longtime residents of Kitsap County, we have serious misgivings about electing Edward Wolfe as county commissioner.

It is clear from their professional backgrounds and experience that Linda Streissguth is far more qualified for job responsibilities that include long-range planning, coordination and delivery of essential public services, ordinance review, budgeting and resolution of land use, housing and environmental issues.

The incumbent county commissioner, Linda Streissguth, has chaired the Bremerton Housing Authority and Bremerton Planning Commission; and serves on the boards of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Kitsap Transit. She is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Wolfe’s professional experience is as an attorney. He also held appointed positions in the Reagan and Bush administrations, which are not directly relevant to the responsibilities of county commissioner.

According to their statements in the League of Women Voters Guide, Streissguth’s priorities are: “Ensuring a thriving economy that is sustainable and diversified; ensuring our community has safe, healthy neighborhoods with affordable housing, transportation options and basic human services, while preserving our forests, farms and natural areas; review the county’s economic policies to ensure employment targets are reflected in industry sectors; expand education and technical skill development opportunities to create a workforce tied to those sectors.”

By comparison, Wolfe states that “crime is the most important issue impacting our county,” that “it is critical that our County Commissioners encourage cooperation and coordination between city police chiefs and our county sheriff.”

Perhaps Mr. Wolfe is not aware that funding for law and justice services already occupies the lion’s share of the county budget. The incoming sheriff, Gary Simpson, already works with Streissguth emphasizing interagency cooperation.

Channie Peters, Doug MacKenzie, Stefan Paskell and John Muenster
Bainbridge Island