The problems that face Island County are neither simple nor easy to fix. They are the result of some factors that can be controlled and others that require response at other levels before the county can do its part.

I had the privilege of working with Helen Price Johnson when she was on the school board and I was superintendent of schools in South Whidbey School District. I saw how aware she was of the diverse views of people in her community, what a good listener she was, how decisive she was in difficult times, how intelligent she was in selecting among difficult options, how persistent she was in pursuing a vision of excellence for the future, how compassionate she was for the employees, how much she cared about the education of the children here, and how open she was to hear the views of others that opposed her own views.

I am a Vietnam veteran and volunteer working with veterans here on South Whidbey. Helen cares deeply about veterans and their families. During the past six months, despite a demanding schedule of work and campaigning, she has been present at three activities held in our communities to honor the contributions of veterans.

Helen is a person of the highest integrity. She is humble, positive, intelligent and has a work ethic that is second to none. She takes very seriously her role to represent her constituents and that she is elected to make the best decisions possible for the residents of Island County. In Helen, we have a county commissioner who has the background and experience to lead us out of these difficult times and into a better tomorrow.

Fred McCarthy
Langley