Letter to Editor | In support of Justin Paulsen for county council

||| FROM JIM CONNELL |||

I’m Jim Connell. I was a member of the Orcas Island and San Juan County communities for twenty years until a month ago when I retired to Arizona. I was involved in non-profit work across the county in the areas of addiction recovery and early childhood education.

I met my friend and colleague Justin Paulsen in 2005 when he and his new company Terra Firma framed and helped build my home. I worked with Justin 5 years later in his role as First Gentleman and strong supporter of his wife and preschool director Amber.

Several years ago, Justin became a volunteer, corporate partner, and eventually a board member and treasurer for Recovery Rides, a county wide program that provides transportation and other supports for folks challenged by addiction and mental issues.

Here’s what I’ve seen:

First, he has shown me repeatedly and increasingly, an ability to remain passionate about his ideas while trying to improve them by sincerely listening to others. Second, he has rich and diverse lived experience — as a foster parent and child advocate, in the service and construction industries from entry level to leadership, as an effective volunteer in vexing and critical areas such as housing, transportation, and addiction recovery. This lived experience anchors him and his values and it brings credibility to his
policy proposals. Finally, I’ve seen an increasing commitment not to overpromise. Justin has always had ideas about how to get something done and the energy to do it. What I see now is his ability to hold back the easy promises and come back with measured, well-thought-out ways to make progress.

I’m grateful to know Justin well, and I have learned much from him. In my view, Justin is now the most qualified candidate for this position. I believe he will effectively prioritize the challenges, read the nuances, and act and react in ways that benefit San Juan County residents. I strongly encourage you to give Justin the opportunity to show what he can do as a San Juan County Council member.