To the editor:

Both the Island County sheriff and prosecutor departments should be funded at robust operating levels, because their first duty is to protect and maintain the rights of people. Protecting and maintaining our individual rights is the constitutional purpose of our state government and therefore a higher priority than any other services our state and its county subdivisions provide.

Article I, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution says, “All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.”

Our county commissioners fail to recognize that wants and even needs do not surpass individual rights when spending tax dollars.

Brett Wilhelm

Greenbank