I attended the Erickson-Moon debate at the Slippery Pig in Poulsbo on Oct. 17.

Mayor Erickson was poised, informed, and clearly the best qualified to lead the city for the next four years.

I accept Mr. Moon’s contrition that he has learned from his mistakes and, to the point, offenses outlined in the Kitsap Sun occurred 10 or more years ago, so I discount those.

But Mr. Moon has an unrealistic vision of what Poulsbo should look like. For example, establishing an electric train between Poulsbo and the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal? And, of course, “there are grants out there to pay for it.”

Or establishing a bus service, just for Poulsbo? And again, there are grants to pay for it? Nice dream. Nice to hear. People may applaud the vision.

Fight or oppose the Growth Management Act in its density requirements: Nice idea, but unrealistic; we have to comply with state law.

Mayor Erickson has proven her mettle and dedication to the city of Poulsbo over the past several years. She has been a driver of progress. In a free society with such things as private property ownership and free enterprise, a city government cannot stop growth but it can control it. And the city government (City Council and the mayor) have done a pretty good job of making our town a good place to live.

Let’s keep the confidence and re-elect Mayor Erickson, the only mayor I have experienced who keeps Saturday office hours to speak to any resident.

D. Rand Hillier
Poulsbo