Poor choice for 10th District

I could not disagree with The Herald more in your endorsement of Mary Margaret Haugen over Norma Smith for senator from the 10th District (“In talented field, Haugen, Barlean, Sehlin stand out,” Oct. 18). Since you pointed out Haugen’s position as chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, I ask why, then, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ranked Washington state as having the second worst congestion level among all 50 states. The following statement is a clear example of Senator Haugen’s leadership: According to the “Governing Transportation File” by the Washington Roundtable Economic Climate Committee, over the past decade, our state added only 47 system miles – at most – of new roads despite the population growth of over 1 million people.

No wonder there’s such highway congestion and no wonder our highway system is in such a state of disrepair! Think about it next time you’re stuck in all that congestion during the morning commute from Arlington to Seattle and all points in between.

And when Initiative 695 was brought to the table, what did Mary Margaret bring with her? White knuckles but no solutions. What kind of leadership is that?

Further, Sen. Haugen has spent five terms in the state Legislature. That’s enough – enough for her to lose touch with the common people, enough to become self-centered around her own agenda, enough to be enamored with her own power. Obviously, the power that comes with a senate seat has gone to her head. Five terms is enough.

Norma’s years of experience in Congressman Jack Metcalf’s office plus her own political savvy is something we desperately need to represent us in the 10th District. She is well respected by Washington state legislators, as well as those in Washington D.C. We need a fresh face, a fresh start and a fresh voice in Olympia. That’s why I’m voting for Norma Smith and you should, too.

Clinton