Letter: Track record as an attorney, judge make Cliff best choice

Published 3:30 pm Friday, September 18, 2020

Editor,

During the five years that I have lived and worked on Whidbey Island, I have been continually amazed by its residents’ “old-fashioned” approach to daily living:

The constant acts of kindness, neighborliness, the honest and ethical approaches to business, and the plain old good citizenship.

One of the first examples of this was when I needed an estate attorney and contacted Carolyn Cliff.

She told me right off that she was retiring from private practice but asked what kind of help I needed.

I explained our situation and criteria, and she recommended two other local attorneys, taking the time to explain their differences in approach and experience.

That made it easy for me to decide who would best fit our needs. We were quite pleased with the referral and impressed by Carolyn’s willingness to take the time to help us.

Over the past few years, Carolyn has become a friend.

In discussing her with many different local business people, I have heard countless stories of what she has done for clients and how she has fought for justice.

I’ve learned that, in addition to her private practice, she’s been a judge here in Island County for over 20 years.

Carolyn has a reputation for being fair and impartial, thoroughly prepared, and willing to tackle tough issues while remaining compassionate to those involved.

Carolyn has devoted most of her career and adult life to the betterment of our community.

Carolyn is now running for Island County Superior Court to replace Judge Vickie Churchill, who is retiring.

I strongly believe that, when choosing our next judge, we should vote for the candidate who has strong judicial experience, a proven ability to be fair-minded, is experienced across a wide range of the cases that come up in our court, and who has the respect of so many who interact with her while on the bench.

That candidate is Carolyn Cliff.

As a business person, I understand that past behavior represents future behavior.

Carolyn’s track record as an exemplary attorney and experienced judge make me confident that she will be an outstanding judge.

Janis Machala

Langley