Of our state’s 39 counties, one is huge (King), several are very large (Snohomish, Pierce and Spokane), and 35 range in population size from 4,000-400,000. Island County ranks as a small county, with a population of 80,000.
Sadly, small counties can get lost in Olympia’s political environment (heck, large counties can too). All counties are better off when they send strong, effective voices to Olympia – people committed to developing and implementing sound policies for all Washingtonians.
The state’s 39 elected prosecuting attorneys are one of the most important voices in Olympia on criminal justice and victims’ rights issues. We act through the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA), and particularly through our Board of Directors and our Legislation Committee.
I serve as the Snohomish County prosecuting attorney and have had the honor of working with Greg Banks on both the WAPA Board of Directors and its Legislation Committee since 2003. Greg is a thoughtful, reasoned voice for criminal justice policy and ensures that the criminal justice needs of Island County’s residents are addressed in Olympia.
This year, the elected prosecutors chose Greg to serve as WAPA’s board secretary. If retained as your Island County prosecutor, he will serve as board president in 2009. That is quite an honor for Greg and for your community. It will ensure that Island County’s voice will continue to be heard loud and clear on criminal justice issues in Olympia for many years to come.
It’s been a pleasure working with Greg since 2003, and I look forward to working with him for four more years.
JANICE E. ELLIS
Snohomish County prosecuting attorney
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