Don’t let party loyalty play part

With Janice Ellis stepping down to work for the Tulalip Tribes, a difficult decision has to be made with regard to her interim replacement. I am writing in support of Mark Roe.

My concern is that the County Council may make this very important decision based on party loyalties rather than professional experience and qualifications for the job. The prosecutor will be ultimately responsible for the safety of our citizens; he or she must have the experience to lead the department’s efforts to prosecute and incarcerate dangerous people in order to keep them apart and away from our citizens.

The prosecutor also has one of the most difficult decisions any human has to make — whether to seek the death penalty for the most violent offenses imaginable. Mark Roe has tried numerous murder cases and has the depth of experience and honorable character it takes to make this life-or-death decision.

Jim Kenny is an honorable person and an active and dedicated member of the Democratic Party, but his undeniable loyalty to his friends holding elected office is not a substitute for prosecutorial experience. With a dozen or so years of prosecuting misdemeanor crimes, Mr. Kenny has little or no experience prosecuting violent felonies, much less a death penalty case.

Think of your closest friend — one with impeccable integrity, honorable character and unquestionable loyalty. Would you support him or her piloting the aircraft on your next trip to Hawaii because they have a burning desire to fly a 747? Some decisions are too important to rely solely on a person’s desire. We should support people to attain their goals, but only to the extent their experience qualifies them for the position.

Dennis Taylor

Stanwood