To the editor:

There are five people running in the race for Island County District 1 County commissioner.

Who is the best candidate?

Jeff Lauderdale is by far the best candidate. Island County is very fortunate to have a person of his integrity, experience and dedication running for this position.

Lauderdale uses the basic principles of business, engineering and science to make decisions. This is the kind of decision making that taxpayers desperately need today; not political based decision making.

We have all witnessed the millions of dollars wasted on the $40 million  sewer proposed for Freeland that Helen Price Johnson promoted. Further waste of our tax dollars were her fruitless trips to Washington, D.C.,  where she advertised Freeland as the “dirtiest beach in Washington.” Her statements were based on false presumptions and incomplete data, but her charade served her personal goals well. She fully advocated the huge assessments and yearly tax on Freelanders for a sewer system that was never even justified in the first place. A taxation that potentially would have evicted my low and fixed income neighbors.

When I asked her face to face what is going to happen to my neighbors who cannot afford the assessment fees or annual taxes, her reply was “what normally happens to people who do not pay their taxes?” Evictions!

Those evictions could have meant fixed income modest homes being replaced by million dollar waterfront homes. Very expensive homes that would set the pattern for more tax money flowing into Island County coffers. Very expensive homes that custom home builder Price Johnson Construction is very familiar with. Is there a conflict of interest here … or just high prices?

In contrast, Jeff Lauderdale wants tax money used effectively. He understands how to properly examine issues from a scientific and engineering standpoint based on his degrees in engineering. He can prioritize how to best spend our limited tax dollars based on his work in the U.S. Navy where he retired as commander after 26 years of service.

Ask Jeff a question and you will receive a straight forward answer. In contrast to this, I have emails from Helen Price Johnson when we asked for answers to the simplest questions on the $40 million sewer she advocated. Her answers, in email, were typically open ended or convoluted, or your question dismissed.

We honestly need Jeff Lauderdale and the disciplined skill set he brings to making  decisions and communicating clearly. It is time for all government to be of service to the community and not a tax burden to its citizens.  Jeff’s track record of military service is proof of his leadership, dedication and personal ability. We will all be served very well by Jeff Lauderdale.

Richard Delmonte

Freeland