Edwards and Hutch will follow the law.

I endorse Gary Edwards and John Hutchings for Thurston County Commissioner. These two leaders will bring balance back to our Thurston County government.

Edwards and Hutch are leaders who will follow all the law, not just the parts that suit them best.

Commissioners Wolfe, Valenzuela, and Romero were so overzealous about protecting the environment that they used their relationships in state and federal government to list an animal that is demonstrably not in danger. This is not in the spirit of the law, which calls for best available science to not just be considered, but to be utilized in environmental planning decisions. It was also not in the spirit of the law when they violated the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine. That was the Maytown Sand & Gravel case, and it cost taxpayers $12 million. They endorse more of the same — activism instead of governing. Cooper has already shown us his willingness to create lawsuits to fit an activist agenda.

Edwards and Hutchings have a strong record of following the law. They also have a history of getting ahead of problems before they turn into $12 million mistakes.

When I was a boy Gary Edwards policed Yelm as one of our neighbors. Those who remember Mario’s Tobacco Shop have known the kind of cop Hutch was in the street. I endorse them because they will follow the law, and because I know the next time I hand a Commissioner a peer-reviewed journal it will be taken seriously.

This story was originally published October 31, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Edwards and Hutch will follow the law.."