As a member of the millennial generation, voting is one of my top priorities now that I’m in college. Even though I attend school in San Francisco, I’m still a Whidbey Island voter, 100 percent! After my recent election to student body president of my university, I was excited to hear that my dad, Craig Platt, was also thinking of entering his name for election, as Superior Court Judge of Island County. I was glad to hear that there would finally be positive change to the judicial system of Island County.

Growing up in Coupeville, I loved going to the courthouse to watch my parents work. With both my mom and my dad as lawyers, when I was little I assumed that everyone became a lawyer when they grew up! It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that I wanted to go into media, but watching my dad in court is still thrilling. At his mention of the election, I immediately designed his entire campaign; the red, white and black signs that you’ve seen around town.

The work that I put into those signs is not because Craig is my dad, but because Criag Platt is absolutely the best candidate for the job. I won’t explain his resume, because it’s easily accessible online, but I will remind the citizens of Whidbey Island what it means to be a judge. A judge is someone who is fair and honest, and most of all, level headed. My dad is a constant figure in the community. He goes to the Farmers Market, he frequents the gym, and he loves Penn Cove mussels.

He has not only attended every school event my younger brother and I have been involved in, he has taught our classmates as well. Both of my parents were very active in the Coupeville school system, and teaching the moot court program in both the middle and high school, giving a glimpse of the legal system to Coupeville’s young people.

Obviously, growing up with my parents, I have met Vickie Churchill on a few occasions, although I doubt she remembers. These meetings were in the courtroom itself while watching my parents in action, or once for an interview for a school project. Not once in my 18 years on Whidbey Island have I seen Vickie out in the community, or supporting the island’s activities. Having a position as important as Superior Court judge, I would expect a larger presence not only in Coupeville, but the island as a whole.

I was quite surprised to read on Vickie’s website that one of her plans for change is to implement a teen court. My senior year of high school, I was a part of the first teen court in Coupeville, started by myself, a few members of the school, as well as Kathy Snowden and my parents. Every student that was part of the program was very excited to see it get off the ground and into the courtroom, but by the end of the year we had been given zero support by the court, and were unable to keep it going. It amazes me that she wants to try to start a new teen court under her supervision, when she had given so little interest a few years ago.

If you want to read Craig’s long list of qualifications, you can go to his website. But everyone in our community already knows that he will make the best judge. He supports this community 100 percent. My dad is my biggest supporter, and through this election I am his. I hope that come election time, everyone will realize that you already know Craig, and you already know he’s the best for the job.

Alexandra Platt

Coupeville