To the editor:

Island County is blessed with talented retired people with excellent accomplishments from their education, professional training and fiscal and management expertise.

We’ve often asked these retirees to consider being  elected officials using their experiences to improve county government’s decisions.

Most respond they want no part of politics; they will not subject themselves and families to the hostile world of the county’s political culture.

Recently,  Robert “Jeff” Lauderdale, accepted the challenge and announced he is a candidate for County Commissioner District 1.

Jeff is a self-motivated professional with hands-on experience and drive for success, including:

He identified and redirected more than $100 million in budget flexibility, solving numerous fiscal year 1993 submarine force budget shortfalls.

Next, he managed a $21 billion six-year defense plan for Trident II weapons systems.

His last assignment was Airborne Emergency National Command and Control of nuclear forces improving operations to an unprecedented three years of flawless performance.

The processes Jeff used to accomplish excellent results in service to our nation will be used in serving Island County citizens.

His road to success was and will continue to be to stop guessing and use best available science to first identify root causes of environmental issues prior to committing limited resources on ineffective solutions.

He understands needed basic services have suffered because of funding ineffective solutions. His top priorities include roads to build, laws to enforce,  justice to render, health, environment and the weakest among us to protect.

He will not ignore these as commissioner.

His amazing ability to research complex problems, analyze possible solutions and then explain those so average laymen understand how and why his plans work will be great value in solving the problems of the past four years and those projected in our future.

We need Jeff Lauderdale to implement change to positive, conservative, fiscal  management in county government.

He will be a trusted custodian of taxpayer dollars and property owner’s rights.

BILL STROWBRIDGE

Oak Harbor