Before publishing my letter, editor Margie Doyle, very correctly, asked me if I had read the reports of the various candidate forums that have appeared on Orcas Issues. I had, but I read them all again. The one sponsored by The Eagle Forum elicited more position statements than the others. It was easy to pick out the candidates with experience with the democratic process and those knee deep in it for the first time.
My problem with getting information from public meetings or debates is that every candidate for public office from local elections on up to the national forum has learned from the get-go to use phrases like “I was mis-quoted”, and “that qoute has been taken out of context” more often than a simple “yes” or “no”.
I think this primary is the most important county government election we have had in the 17 years we have been on Orcas. Some of the issues already on the agenda, and most of which that will follow, are absolutely critical to the “quality of life” for most Orcas Island permanent residents. The recent election to adopt or reject the recommended number of the Council will not bode well for the wishes and needs of Orcas Island unless the Council member with Orcas responsibilities has a clear mandate of what Orcas Island life is all about – and for all – not just a few. Here is my original submission, unedited and un-ashamedly published. In my role as provocateur? Maybe just a tad!
“I have been diligently reading all the County Council Candidate recommendations published in the last few weeks and there seems to be a thread of commonality which is hard to ignore. So far I have read that the candidates are (in alphabetical order) Collabortive, Creative, Effective, Enlightened, Fair, Humble, Intelligent, Logical, Perspective, Practical, Pragmatic, Princilpled, Qualified, Straight Forward, Strong, Transparent and Unique.
Since the election is for a political office, I can accept the fact that “honest” is (and it really is) missing but I think I remember that the rest are the same qualifications required for Miss America candidates.
When and where do we get to the candidates clearly stated and repeatedly published positions on the issues already on the table? Do we have to dig out some obscure web site to find where each candidate’s finances are coming from? Can we pick the right candidate just because he/she did something good in the last decade? Can our candidate stand up to the bias now inherent in the system? Or is this really just a beauty contest?”
Charlie Binford
Deer Harbor
I also believe that this may be the most important election the County has had in a decade. It is clear that we are looking down the barrel of a serious financial crisis resulting from structural spending obligations. The format of the LWV forum allowed the candidates who chose to do so to surround themselves with a fog of generalities. The Eagle Forum was better in that it presented the opportunity for some follow-up. But the two-minute sound-bite really doesn’t help us decide. I think we need more time for focused questions and intelligent follow-up with the candidates, perhaps not all together at one time. I would suggest that there be at least one-on-one sessions for the general election. For example, both candidates for Orcas at one time, in more of a debate setting. Then on another night, the San Juan candidates, and then the Lopez candidates.
Mr. Binford! I’m your friend for life! Seriously, that’s how elated I was to read your expression of EXACTLY what has been floating around in my brain in a very disquieting way lately. I went to hear the candidates answer questions on Orcas at the senior center. They all spoke and behaved well. I cannot tell you what any of them said.