To the editor:

A popular campaign slogan for Washington state last year was, “I want Washington to be the very best place to raise a family and the very worst place to be a criminal.”

Clearly this well-intentioned, common-sense slogan fell on deaf ears here in Island County. By slashing the budget for our county sheriff’s department by almost $200,000 , our county commissioners — all three Democrats — have instantly sent the message that Island County may now become a very unsafe community for families, but a good place for criminals.

Voters, please see what we have done. We have upset the balance of power in our county government so that we are now ruled by the whim of three very liberal Democrats. They have increased taxes overall, decreased services overall and increased liabilities and regulations on the backs of those who can least afford them. Unfortunately, they aren’t done yet.

The first chance we have to begin replacing this bad-news-board of Island County commissioners is in 2010 when District 3 Commissioner John Dean’s term will expire. District 3 consists of the area of Oak Harbor and all of Camano Island. I have to admit that I had some hopes for John. I thought he might be more sensitive to the needs of our communities; I am disappointed.

We all need to contact our commissioners and beg them to keep our communities as safe as possible. Give the county sheriff all the tools and resources necessary to protect kids, parents and grandparents — all of us. Don’t compromise public safety.

Mary Jane Aurdal-Olson

Clinton