To the editor:

I am a BAKKE BACKER! And I hope you’ll join me in voting for him on Aug. 19.

I’ve known Phil since he began volunteering in the Island County Planning Department and then watched as he started full time employment as assistant planner and worked his way up the ladder to become the director of Planning & Community Development. You don’t get there by not knowing your job. Nor do you get appointed to fill an Island County commissioner position if you aren’t qualified to fulfill the duties of the job.

I worked closely with him as the office manager/executive secretary in Planning & Community Development until I retired recently. On several different occasions I witnessed constituents enter his office who were really angry with their perception of not being treated fairly by the rules we in the planning department had to work under.

I also witnessed these same people end their meeting with a smile and a handshake after having their objections heard and sometimes solutions offered or alternatives explained that they weren’t aware of under the zoning code rules; rules, often complex, which had gone through debate and compromise in many public hearings prior to adoption.

I know Phil to be very intelligent, capable, compassionate and caring about these beautiful islands and working to see that all who live here get the fairest treatment available. We all know that not everyone is going to be pleased 100 percent of the time. It isn’t possible.

Phil also has the training, knowledge, experience and background to fulfill the duties of Island County Commissioner.

In short, he is by far the best-qualified candidate for county commissioner, District 1, and I urge you to retain him for the next four years.

Edie Elerick

Oak Harbor