There must be plenty of qualified candidates for the auditor’s office in Kitsap County, but be warned: Kelly Emerson is not one of them.

At a campaign meeting four years ago, Kelly raised audience eyebrows by blaming her husband for failing to obtain proper permitting of their home improvement project, saying: “Some husbands need adult supervision.”

After her election, she filed a losing countersuit against Island County — and then failed to pay her fine promptly. And so now, she now claims particular interest in your county’s financial operations and wants “to ensure transparency.” Really?

Whatever Emerson’s political leanings, she is widely considered to be a difficult personality—obstructive and petulant when faced with rules she doesn’t like. Her county commission peers (including a Republican) saw fit to remove Ms. Emerson from the Island County Commission chairmanship. Her contributions to problem solving on issues of her constituents’ greatest concern were unhelpful at best.

On a personal note, she never responded to the emails I sent to her regarding important issues, complaining at various meetings that she was just too busy.

Once Republicans understood what Kelly Emerson was about, many were embarrassed and distanced themselves from her. In the end, Emerson blamed her colleagues, threw up her hands, and resigned early. Thank goodness.

Kitsap County, do yourselves a favor: learn from our mistake here in Island County.

Paulette Becker

Langley