Editor,

If you were not able to watch the candidate forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island, I highly recommend you watch the video recording of the forum to be a vastly more informed voter. The link is on the league’s Facebook page.

Here is a list of what you will see with regards to the candidates for Island County Commissioner District 1.

1. It becomes obvious who has real qualifications and real accomplishments; who knows the job of commissioner and can finalize the job started; who does not talk like a “politician” with a muddy or hidden agenda, but rather speaks with clarity, conviction, first hand knowledge and experience; who has an attitude to listen to and benefit all of us in Island County; who does not belittle or berate any one of her opponents implicitly or explicitly; who leads with authority and knowledge; who provides transparency on all Island County Commissioner work; and, lastly, who has been doing and will continue to do an excellent job for us in District 1.

2. I respect Helen Price Johnson, but even she can make mistakes. Her candidate may not realize that being a “5th generation” local is not an actual qualification to do a specific job. If it were, I would be running for president. Is ageism, a snarky attitude and reading prepared answers from a cookie cutter playbook truly inspiring? Aren’t we looking for a person with applicable life and professional experience, achievements, substance and the ability to listen and work well with others?

3. A platform of financial expertise is certainly important, since a large part of the job of commissioner is county budget, but it can not be the only lens through which to assess and prioritize needs and govern.

4. Needless to say, the platform of one-can-do-whatever-they-want-on-their-own-property is perverse. We need to care about our neighbors, our towns, our environment. And, we can all see through “politician speak”.

I hope you will also come to the conclusion that Melanie Bacon is by far the best candidate, and you will vote to RE-elect her as Commissioner of District 1.

Susan Lindsey Cohen

Langley