Editor,

I vote for a candidate, not based on their political affiliation, but for their values, experience and what they can do for our incredible community. I want a community leader who can make a difference and guide us through these times.

Curt Gordon is running for Island County commissioner, and he is that candidate. He is the most experienced of all the candidates currently running.

I have known Curt for 20 years and, in that time, have done business with him through many different avenues. The most impactful was my time with him as my co-commissioner at the Port of South Whidbey. I learned a lot from him as a commissioner; from community leadership to transportation, budgeting, proposal writing, securing grants and government project management, to name a few.

I have seen what he has done to improve the Port, and I know he will do this for the county as our commissioner.

Curt also served as a member and president of the Council of Governments, which is comprised of leaders from all major branches of government in our county. This gives him, not only the knowledge and skills needed for the position of county commissioner, but also the relationships with those who will be necessary in making impactful changes for our community.

With 30 years of experience, Curt has a long history of supporting Island County. He has been a community leader throughout our entire professional relationship. This goes as far back to helping save Double Bluff in 1993, to leading the port in rejuvenating the Island County fairgrounds in 2018. Curt was the brains behind the fairgrounds’ deal and instrumental in making it a reality.

I absolutely trust him to help steer the county through these tough times. We are in crisis, and we have not seen the end of the economic and social impacts to come due to COVID-19. The economic impacts will make the 2021 budget one of the biggest challenges that our county commissioners will face.

We need to have a commissioner who understands budgets and how to adjust them to best benefit our community and local economy. Curt is the candidate we need to navigate this.

This community is his home. Curt owns a business here, understands the needs of those in this community and has a desire to improve it for everyone. He knows and experiences the impacts that government decisions can make on small business owners and residents.

Curt is passionate about the issues and has the drive and knowledge to make a difference.

I encourage you to research and learn more to see what an ideal candidate and clear choice Curt Gordon is. You can find more information on his website.

Curt has my vote.

Jack Ng, commissioner

Port of South Whidbey