Letters to the editor -- July 25

• Published July 25, 2008

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During one of her terms there was no majority party in the House. There was a 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans. During this term Romero served as one of the co-chairs of the Government Reform and Land Use Committee.

Though she and the Republican co-chair differed philosophically, good legislation was created due in large part to Romero's mediation skills and ability to recognize and respect the views of others. She applied the same skills in her work on other committees, including local government and transportation.

As Thurston County faces its current growth and fiscal concerns, Romero will use the same negotiating skills and abilities to find workable solutions for the county's issues.

As a state representative, Romero served her constituents well and will do so again as a county commissioner.

Mary Anderson, Olympia

Don't chop the sheriff's budget

Where are the priorities of our Thurston County commissioners? Protecting the public should be No. 1. I think that they need to reconsider a proposed 9 percent to 10 percent cut to the sheriff's office.

We need a sheriff's department that is adequately staffed and trained and has the resources that they need to respond to criminal activities.

I am sure that there are other programs that are not as high on the list of what impacts our citizens as a whole that could be trimmed or eliminated.

Please restore the funding for our sheriff's office.

Kay Mielke Crookshanks, Rochester

Romero has cost taxpayers dearly

Sandra Romero is a board member of a powerful special-interest group called Futurewise. Her group filed a growth management appeal in 2005 challenging Thurston County's comprehensive plan and cost the county an estimated $1.5 million defending against this frivolous claim.

The county commissioners have a duty to administer the state laws and provide for public safety, heath and roads. The commission doesn't need to be sidetracked by having to deal with lawsuits generated by special-interest groups.

In Romero's own words, "(The) budget is the biggest problem right now, it is the driver of all of our woes ... with almost a $4.5 million shortfall it's going to be very difficult to get out of it."

Romero's special-interest group is responsible for over 25 percent of the current budget crisis, and I'm not willing to send her in to try and fix it. This would be like sending the fox to the hen house.

Please join me in voting for any one of the other three candidates.

Cathy Franzmann, Lacey