To the editor:

Yes it’s true, we probably are a microcosm of contemporary U.S. politics.

On the left are liberals favoring a strong and compassionate government that keeps a tight leash on special interests and takes an active role in quality of life issues. On the right are those proponents of a more independent and unshackled life relying on capitalism and personal integrity to deliver the goods.

But here in Island County, we’re all in it together. We live, work, raise our kids and play together. We’ve evolved a county government which takes care of basic necessities and tries to enforce the will of the community while protecting the rights of the individual. In short, give us all an even chance.

Being a county commissioner is not a glamorous job. It’s a lot of work, if you want to do it right. Your signing numerous contracts for everything from drainage ditches to mental health services, bargaining with unions, administering a $65 million budget and trying to lay tracks for the future, all while keeping citizens informed, involved and not after your throat.

So our choice in the commissioner race is an articulate middle-of-the-road incumbent with 30 years of active community involvement whose tenure has been marked by reasonableness, an open mind, welcoming to all citizens and professionalism. His opponent has been here for three years with no previous community involvement and minimal profession management experience before successfully initiating a local Tea Party organization with the stated goal of eliminating progressive Democrats from county government.

In my view it’s hard enough for we Islanders to get along and forge agreements that respond to the challenges of modern life. It would seem the last thing we need is someone driving a thorny wedge between us and exploiting our differences.

I’m voting for John Dean.

Dean Enell

Langley