Editor,

I grew up in a household where, if someone felt they had a valid concern, they would explain the concern and give good reason for change to be made. This was respected.

Mr. Hazelo seems to have been raised differently. In August of last year, several of the over-65 election workers came down with COVID, having been exposed in the election counting room.

Auditor Sheilah Crider, respecting and caring for her volunteer workers, knowing that over-65 is the most vulnerable group of people to the devastating effects of covid, made a rule that people in the counting room would wear masks to protect these fine people. This would include the observers. She also made it possible to observe without actually being in the room.

These are all reasonable requests for anyone who gives a damn about other people and should have been respected, whether or not one’s personal beliefs aligned. No one was prevented from observing.

I’m hoping the new Island County Republican leadership will be a more understanding and open-minded group.

Rita Dybdahl Cline

Oak Harbor