Paul Andrews is the clear choice for assessor. We have an opportunity to elect a 19-year Kitsap County resident who has truly worked for us. He is endorsed by the current assessor and he knows the job. Andrews has worked at the county office and has made the commitment necessary to ensure the Assessor’s office works for every property owner in Kitsap County fairly, with honesty, transparency and without favoritism.

As an information technology specialist, Andrews knows, and has begun, the work necessary to bring the assessor’s office, and its records, into the 21st Century, assuring accuracy and security in the system.

Phil Cook is a mistake Kitsap County cannot afford. Before moving to the county from Southern California, Cook worked for Countrywide Mortgage and when the feds forced Countrywide to merge with Bank of America, Cook moved to Bank of America. Bank of America continued to write bad mortgage loans and foreclose on military homeowners, even while they were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, clear violation of U.S. laws protecting our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen.

Corporate ethics reflect individual ethics. Cook’s motivation in running for the office is unclear, in public forums he can’t explain why he wants the office. He lacks any involvement in the community that isn’t attached to a commission check and shows little interest in understanding the future of the office.

Do we really need another politician with an ego as big as his signs? I say “no.” And I say “no” to Cook.

Jacquelyn Williams | Port Orchard