I’m writing to support the candidacy of Lynne Wilcox for Island County Commissioner. She will bring a well-rounded, balanced point-of-view to the issues challenging our county.

On the one hand, she sees the consequences that uncontrolled urban sprawl would bring to Whidbey (strip-mall construction along 525, increased traffic congestion and ferry lines, higher taxes to support increased demands for services and infrastructure, greater pollution, etc.). She would bring greater fiscal responsibility (stopping the wasting of $1.5 million in taxpayer money on fruitless, unsuccessful fights against implementation of the Growth Management Act, ending the $1.5 million boondoggle proposed for Glendale Canyon, etc.). And she will begin to consider taxpayer voices beyond the development community, rather than ignoring the input and concerns of citizen groups, such as the Freeland Subarea Planning Committee, the Friends of Glendale Canyon, etc.

Lynne Wilcox should bring a balanced view to these issues. She has the experience to understand the perspectives of all sides, having worked as a realtor, small business owner, paralegal and being a member of the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. She knows that being concerned about business and our local economy does not have to require sacrifice of key environmental and quality-of-life concerns – the things that make living on Whidbey so special. As a certified mediator, she knows how to work with different sides to come up with solutions that are focused on the common good.

It’s time for a new, up-to-date approach to the public matters that confront Whidbey. I hope people will vote for Lynne Wilcox for county commissioner.

Robert Kenny

Clinton