Editor,

Let me say right from the start that I completely, wholeheartedly, and unequivocally endorse Rick Hannold for election to the District 3 seat on the Island County Board of Commissioners. I strongly urge all of you who were so kind as to honor me with your votes in last month’s primary to cast your vote for Rick this November. I firmly believe that the election of the Karla “Tax”/Mary Margaret Haugen ticket (and don’t kid yourselves, that’s exactly what it is) to the board will result in nothing but higher taxes, bigger government, more burdensome and unnecessary regulations, and a general decline in the overall quality of life here in Island County.

If you believe in retaining Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Outlying Field Coupeville and providing our brave men and women in uniform the training which they need to oppose the new barbarians of ISIL, then you should vote for Rick. The tax/Haugen ticket, with their COER backing and money, will close OLF and, eventually, NASWI as well. Rick Hannold will protect both of them.

If you believe the government is not entitled to your private property, either through taking it or through diminishing its value, then you should vote for Rick. The tax/Haugen ticket will threaten your property rights. Rick Hannold will protect them.

If you believe that Island Transit should be placed on a firm financial path, then you should vote for Rick. The tax/Haugen ticket will let Island Transit continue doing the same old things in the same old ways until our public transit system becomes a thing of distant memory. Rick Hannold will make sure it stays among us, so all can enjoy its use.

Allow me to sum it up this way: If you believe that government should not be the first remedy for problems but the last; if you believe, to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, “That government governs best which leaves us alone;” if you believe that our men and women in uniform must be afforded the training they need to fight in our defense; and if you believe that there should be no free rides, then I strongly urge you to vote for Rick Hannold for the District 3 seat on the Island County Board of Commissioners.

MARC HENNEMANN

Camano Island