By Mike De Felice
Special to Kitsap Daily News
PORT ORCHARD — Two candidates are vying to represent District 2 on the Kitsap County Board of Commission: incumbent Charlotte Garrido, a Democrat, is facing challenger Oran R. Root, a Republican, in the general election on Nov. 3.
The Board of Commissioners is the governing body of Kitsap County. The board consists of three members, each representing one of three geographical districts, who serve four-year terms. District 2 represents most areas of South Kitsap. Commissioners work to ensure the delivery of services and programs essential to Kitsap County and its citizens.
Here are brief outlines of the candidates and their backgrounds.
Charlotte Garrido (Democrat)
Garrido, the incumbent commissioner for District 2, lists her elected experience as serving as a parks commissioner and precinct committee officer in Kitsap County. Her professional experience includes small business ownership, teaching and creating local university options, coordinating housing for domestic violence survivors, promoting local transportation options, and international trade. She also reports holding leadership positions with the American Planning Association and the Washington Boundary Review Board Association.
The candidate lists her community service work as helping to create new organizations such as the South Kitsap Community Council and co-founding the Port Orchard Farmers’ Market, and working with community groups to improve job opportunities, human services, water quality and land use.
She earned a B.A. in Sociology at the University of Oregon, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in urban planning from the University of Washington. She lives in Olalla with her husband Ray.
Her voter’s pamphlet statement includes, in part: “Kitsap County is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Our future depends on a strong economy, a healthy environment and local people working together. These are my priorities as your county commissioner. I will continue working with you on community-wide efforts to protect public health, support local businesses and workers, maintain transportation systems, and help our neighbors in need.”
Email: info2020@charlotte garrido.com
Website: www.charlotte garrido.com
Oran R. Root (Republican)
Root is a 48-year-old South Kitsap High School graduate and decorated Marine Corps combat veteran. He spent most of his youth in Manchester and attended South Kitsap schools beginning in the second grade.
His professional experience includes being a retired Marine Corps Special Operations combat veteran and entrepreneur who founded and runs OSCAR 6, which provides high-specialized military training to Air Force and Navy personnel, and co-founded RuckPack Nutrition.
The candidate and his wife, Melanie, have five children.
He lists his community service as doing volunteer work as a youth team leader for young men without fathers, a self-defense trainer to survivors of domestic violence, and as a mentor to victims of child trafficking.
His education includes attending Olympic College, South Kitsap High School, U.S. Marine Corps and American Military University.
His statement in the county’s voter’s pamphlet includes: “Over these next years, we’ll need to make some difficult decisions to support the families and taxpayers of our community. My fiscal conservatism, small business perspective and leadership experience will provide a critical role on our County Commission during the challenging time ahead. It may take years to rebuild our economy, and we will be tested as perhaps never before.”
Email: info@electoran.com
Website: www.electoran.com
