In the past few weeks our letters to to the editor cup has flowed over. By far the most comments have surrounded the contentious race for Poulsbo mayor, between incumbent Kathryn Quade and Councilwoman Becky Erickson.

While most of the comments elevated one candidate over the other, there was one letter that stood out in the crowd. It was an accusatory letter, claiming that Erickson was sharing some untruths in her statement in the Kitsap County voters’ pamphlet.

“Councilmember Erickson’s comments in the voter pamphlet that there will be ‘no more decisions behind closed doors’ ‘no purchases without clear purpose, and no extravagant expenditures’ clearly attacks the integrity and wisdom of the City Council on which she serves,” stated the letter, which was signed by Kim Crowder, Connie Lord, Dale Rudolph, and Ed Stern.

“Decisions of our council are not always unanimous, but contrary to Erickson’s assertions, they are made in public with careful attention to needs, budget constraints and are fully transparent,” the letter continued.

Our readers took exception to council members endorsing one mayoral candidate over another:

From Don Sarles of Poulsbo: “This citizen would like to say that I do not believe that the endorsement of any particular candidate by members of the city council is in any way appropriate. I feel that it is prudent that members remain neutral in their opinion of this matter.”

Poulsbo resident Tom Foley also wrote in.

“The point of my letter is this: We, the voting citizens of Poulsbo, did not elect, nor do we pay, these councilmembers to use their elected office to influence or attempt to sway a political election to their benefit,” Foley wrote.

While we’re staying neutral on whether the council members should have written the letter, we certainly applaud the two-way conversation that has occured this election season.

Let’s keep the conversation flowing.