Letter to Editor | Why I support Swanson for Council

||| FROM SHEILA GAQUIN |||

I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3 position, and I hope you will too.

I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years and have seen her in numerous community service roles, including school board, Ferry Advisory Committee, The Shaw Community Land Trust board, the teacher housing committee, and more.  Of all Jennifer’s volunteer roles, none could have been more challenging or meaningful to the community than the seven years she served as Shaw School District’s superintendent without pay in order to free funds for additional teachers. 

The challenges of a school superintendent are similar to those of a county councilor:  managing tight budgets and allocating resources wisely, adhering to complex state and federal regulations, team building, navigating difficult public conversations with patience and tact, remaining flexible through ineveitable changes–Jennifer was superintendent during the pandemic–and communicating clearly with the public, colleagues, and staff.

Our county has many challenges, and I believe Jennifer’s experience will translate well into her role as County Councilor.  She’s got my vote.