To the editor:

My goodness there has been a tremendous amount of “I love Helen Price Johnson” letters to the editor of late. Given her lackluster performance as a District 1 county commissioner over the last three years and demonstrated lack of ability to act civilly toward her elected Republican counterpart, for the life of me I do not understand why.

Then I read the strange letter to the editor written by Mr. John Watson in the July 11 South Whidbey Record purporting himself to be a “moderate Republican,” yet spending most of his time bashing Jeff Lauderdale without providing any evidence to support his position or make his case, and stated that “if you don’t like the incumbent then at least vote for the incumbent’s other rival.” Could it be that this “other rival” is a political decoy, planted by Island County’s Democratic Party to take votes away from any Republican candidate thus ensuring victory for the incumbent?

In my opinion two things are abundantly clear: 1) Mr. Watson is not a Republican and 2) Mr. Watson has never met Jeff Lauderdale. When you meet Jeff you are immediately impressed by his depth of knowledge of important county issues that are having a critical impact on the lives of Island County citizens and his non-evasive solutions to address these issues.

Here are some facts:

Jeff Lauderdale is a critical thinker. He researches and analyzes issues then solves problems with available resources.

Jeff Lauderdale has studied and understands local issues such as the mandatory septic system inspection program, clean water utility district, numerous Growth Management Act requirements, urban growth areas, our rural character, the proposed Shoreline Management Plan and the Freeland sewer controversy.

Jeff Lauderdale is an expert in budget processes ranging from establishing budgets, using zero-based budgeting practices and managing billion dollar budgets.

For the past two years Jeff Lauderdale has attended Island County commissioner meetings, hearings, workshops, Island County Council of Government meetings and many other local government related activities.

Jeff Lauderdale knows what is going on in local government and how it impacts all of us. Jeff Lauderdale is a researcher and analyzer of local and state issues who provides practical solutions to our real problems.

My vote is for Jeff Lauderdale. There has not been a candidate for Island County commissioner of his caliber in a very, very long time, if ever. Island County needs Jeff Lauderdale.

Curtis Morgan

Coupeville