Commissioner candidate mocks environment protection

In a recent Nisqually Valley News article about the Rainier Parade Aug. 27th, I viewed a picture of Gary Edwards with a giant mallet poised over the head of a large replica of a pocket gopher. Who thinks a candidate pretending to brain a creature on the endangered species list is funny or admirable? By mocking environmental protection, is this a candidate that will respect the law and ensure that county permitting practices conform to federal, state and county regulations?

A county commissioner candidate who disagrees with the Endangered Species listing should not advocate killing the gophers or circumventing habitat protection.

I will vote for Kelsey Hulse and Jim Cooper, candidates who pledge to have Thurston County adhere to legal permitting practices and still promote smart land use policies and growth management.

This story was originally published October 8, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Commissioner candidate mocks environment protection."