To the editor:
How ironic that the staunchly Republican Wall Street Journal published a feature article on October 20 by Samuel Culbert, entitled “Get Rid of the Performance Review!”. Culbert states, “Inevitably reviews are political and subjective, and create schisms in boss-employee relationships. The notion of objectivity is absurd.”
The schism between ICC candidates Angie Homola and Phil Bakke is a case in point.
We believe the recent bad press about Angie Homola smells of Karl Rove smear tactics and is, in particular, directed against her for not wanting to perpetuate the status quo.
Sure, she was critical of the system. When any organization is on the wrong track, good employees should be expected to criticize. Unfortunately, bad bosses always seem to interpret even constructive criticism as destructive.
We have worked in jobs where our bosses lacked management skills and people skills. And to make matters worse, these bosses were jealous of any employee who was ethical, capable, forthright, and didn’t want to go along with the “good old boy” network.
We have attended a number of ICC meetings ourselves to protest duck hunting on Deer Lagoon. While we stated our case, Mr. Bakke just offered a non-committal stare. Mr. McDowell studiously avoided eye contact by looking down at various papers for distraction. After four years of complaints from 300 residents who live next to Deer lagoon, the Island County Commissioners still have not passed a decision to ban duck hunting so close to people’s homes. The grant for the purchase of this land — your tax dollars, folks — stipulated specifically that the area was to be used for a park and for passive recreation.
So what did Mike Shelton and Mac McDowell do? They proceeded to ignore the terms of the grant so that their tiny cadre of hunting buddies could enjoy duck hunting. Mr. Bakke continues to support this decision, the desires of the majority and lawful use of public funds be damned! This is just one example of Republican good-ol-boy bad governance. Now we are given the opportunity to elect a thoroughly ethical, capable, and qualified candidate who will fight for what is right and fair and best for all the people of Island County. We remain proud supporters of Angie Homola!
Paulette Becker
Paul Thompson
Langley
