Editor,

Watching the District 3 commissioner race from afar, I was baffled by the recent article on the candidates that addressed only one issue pertinent to them and two that weren’t.

The pertinent issue was Island Transit, but then the article went on to address their stance on legal marijuana and the Navy base/OLF. These two issues are totally out of their realm.

As far as legalized pot goes, this was the result of a statewide voter mandate. There is nothing the commissioners can do individually or collectively to change that, so why is this even being addressed?

Likewise, the status of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and its OLF is in the hands of the U.S. Department of Defense. The commissioners have absolutely no control or jurisdiction over it. Some letters (including one from a losing Republican candidate) and blogs are suggesting the board does have a say-so over its fate. This is ridiculous and naive.

Those concerned with the status of the base should direct their concerns to the 2nd District congressional candidates since Navy base decisions are made in the other Washington, not Coupeville.

We know where these candidates stand on Island Transit but where do they stand on taxation and on public safety, on budget priorities and on land use and planning, on water/sewer districts or on the fairgrounds?

The voter should be informed of their stand on matters that pertain to the board and not on matters that don’t.

The two candidates and this publication can help keep this race in its right perspective by addressing only those issues that concern the office they seek.

BOB PRASCH

Lakewood, NJ and former Dog House bartender