Decision 2008

Endorsing Clark for county auditor

Why does electing the right person to the position of auditor of Kitsap County matter? It is a position which does not get much publicity or headlines except when something goes wrong, like four years ago in Seattle when votes were found in some very odd places.

Kitsap County has a record of honest voting procedures. It is important that we elect a person who will continue that tradition in a bipartisan way.

We need a county auditor who will protect the integrity of our voter registration process and will ensure our ballots are secure and counted accurately. Candidate John Clark shows the leadership and integrity to fill this important position.

Please vote for John Clark for Kitsap County auditor.

Karin Quinn

Poulsbo

Bauer, Danielson are strong choices

Having lived in Kitsap County more than 30 years I have witnessed many changes, from land used for cow pastures to shopping malls. Having children born and seeing what really matters in life, grandchildren and their futures.

Politics can get mixed up sometimes, supporting positions but perhaps not the best qualified.

Supporting a person, but no knowledge of where they stand.

The older I get, it appears to me the most needed attribute in government we need are people who are fair. Not to one political party, not to those who build or those who don’t.

Not just to those issues that are important to all of us, but being fair when no one is looking.

Two positions on the ballot have my strong interest for moving forward and taking a step for the whole community for a change: for Kitsap commissioner District One, Steve Bauer; and for Kitsap County Superior Court Bruce Danielson.

Mr. Danielson because I know him, he is concerned about the rule of law, he cares about the victim, and will make sure the accused is treated fairly in court.

He will not take money from those lawyers that may be in front of him one day defending someone.

Steve Bauer I know also, his management budget skills from past government experience is a plus, his desire for strong responsible government and family wage jobs we all can support.

Political rancor has been quite evident in my 30 years here, I have seen open space turned to nice homes, places of business and shopping malls.

But I have not seen homes, places of businesses, and malls where many of our grandchildren could work and live in this county. Vote for Steve Bauer and Bruce Danielson, maybe it’s time we all can get a fair break.

Mick Sheldon

Kingston

Grant Romaine

Coverage of Romaine is biased

I am writing to question the objectivity and thoroughness by reporters of the North Kitsap Herald in their coverage of the claim for $10 million against the city of Poulsbo by Grant Romaine, a former city of Poulsbo police officer.

Disputes amongst elected officials and municipal employees that result in lawsuits and large monetary damage awards have become very common these days.

While the North Kitsap Herald reporters have quoted the mayor and council members about the allegations of officer Romaine’s conduct, the Kitsap County prosecutor found nothing worthy, in any of those allegations, to be the basis for bringing any charge against officer Romaine.

We, the readers, are consistently told that officer Romaine was a school public safety officer and then a Poulsbo police officer, and then worked his way up to detective.

Then it is always added that officer Romaine was discharged from the Navy for psychological reasons.

So was that an honorable discharge, the reader is left to wonder?

Many people are discharged from military service for psychological reasons, especially these days.

The Americans With Disabilities Act protects people with disabilities from getting their civil rights trampled on.

Everyone deserves their day in court to answer allegations brought against them.

Hopefully, the North Kitsap Herald and its reporters will be objective, thorough and just in describing officer Grant Romaine’s claim for $10 million against the city of Poulsbo.

Incomplete or biased coverage of the details of the lawsuit could be cause for any trial that may ensue to be moved to another jurisdiction to insure that the plaintiff gets a fair trial.

John Eastman

Poulsbo

City Hall

Giving an apology where it’s due

I have an apology to make to the city.

I was in error in assuming the city had provided the erroneous financial information given in the 2006 voter pamphlet that $3 million would be saved by building the new city hall downtown.

According to a recent letter to the editor in the Herald, the assessment was done by “five different architects and builders” and their conclusions were the same.

Now, our only hope is that the city hasn’t hired any of these five experts as financial advisors.

Muriel Williams

Poulsbo