Would it surprise Commissioner Emerson to know that many citizens view her as the threat, and not the “Government”? (Sound Off, June 18, 2011).

While not perfect, my experience of Island County government over the past half decade has been a good one; intelligent men and women of both parties conducting the public’s business in an honest way. Police, courts, jails, schools, parks, utilities, infrastructure, and so many other ways local, state and national government touches our lives in exceptional ways, making life in this amazing part of the United States one of jewels of our democracy. We are blessed; but Ms. Emerson choses to see our government as corrupt, and members of the opposition as enemies, and herself and her husband as above the law.

Before anyone knew the name Emerson, Commissioners Homola, Dean and Price-Johnson were working hard to responsibly carry out the public business in a transparent way, often thanklessly, even being rudely demonized at public meetings by our own carnival barkers. The deep partisan divides that afflict our culture currently are not new. We stand upon the bones of other civilizations that could not find a way past their differences. Indeed, many wars across history grew out of such misguided animosity. The saving grace of democracy is the ability of good and reasonable men and women of different views to come together and make hard decisions. Our nation, our state, and Island County have a rich history of doing just that. We are neighbors, not liberals and conservatives. We are fellow Americans who disagree on the details of government, not adversaries determining who is and is not true blue.

If Commissioner Emerson actually believes what she says, I feel sorry for her being so misguided. But my feeling is after watching her interactions as commissioner is that she deliberately misguides for selfish ends, sowing fear and distrust among neighbors. If the former is true, shame on her for so violating the integrity of her public office.

Phil King
Oak Harbor