Letter to Editor | Paulsen, O’Day have the qualities I look for in a leader

||| FROM DEBORAH STRASSER ||| 

When considering the people I want to support in the role of County Council Person here in the islands some of the attributes I look for are:

• Strong familiarity w/the area; Some long-term acquaintance, friendship, and understanding of the families who call our county home.
• Awareness of the collective memories of the long-established families here; Personal history with the area.
• Knowledge of: Current issues and challenges our community faces, local regulatory systems, how the local regulatory systems have proven positive or negative.
• Also: An ability to listen well w/out a vulnerability to peer pressure from county personnel and a willingness and commitment to reading the material and a background in law would be a bonus.

I attended a candidate forum just before the primary and I was especially impressed by two of the candidates. Those two are:  Stephanie O’Day from San Juan Island and Justin Paulsen from Orcas.  I have to say…. Stephanie stood out for me in all the ways I’ve just described  This is a rare opportunity to have an amazingly qualified person in this role. Justin appears to be a problem solver with business ownership and management skills that are impressive.   
 
Please consider Stephanie and Justin for County Council.