Former commissioner endorses Edwards and Hutchings

As a former Thurston County assessor and commissioner, I am cognizant of the challenges that the next Thurston County commission will face. The shameful poor decision making at the board level since 2008 cannot be turned around by a traditional party candidate. I endorse Gary Edwards and John Hutchings for Thurston County Commissioner, so the citizens may have a Thurston County Commission independent of Democrat or Republican influence.

In the next few years key decisions will come before the board. We will need experienced, tested leadership. Bud Blake led the way in getting the jail open after it languished for years. Gary Edwards has spent his life here enforcing the law with an even hand, and has gotten to know his neighbors across our county. Hutch is a tested leader in downtown Olympia with decades of service as a police sergeant. The leaders who would be the first independent elected county commission in our history are tested in handling budgets, law, and operations. They would create one of the most competent trios that ever sat on the Board.

Their opponents cannot say the same. They may bring activism and youth, but not good judgment when compared to the team we could create with Gary Edwards, John Hutchings, and Bud Blake. The independent candidates have more education, more experience, more time in our community, and tested leadership the other candidates cannot offer the voters.

So please vote for Gary Edwards and John Hutchings for Thurston County Commissioner before Nov. 8.

This story was originally published October 11, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Former commissioner endorses Edwards and Hutchings."