Dylan Quarles has our vote

After listening to the League of Women Voters candidate forum and the KPTZ candidate round table (both still available on KPTZ), as well as several “Meet and Greets,” it became clear that Dylan is our choice for city council. Dylan is genuinely curious, open-minded and has excellent communication and critical thinking skills – all traits we need as we face the challenges of governing our city with an eye towards the future.

As Dave Thielk stated so well in his Sept. 10 letter to the editor (“Wrong Conversation”), we want our city leaders to be asking questions that lead to discussions and decisions that move us towards a healthy and diverse economy that nurtures working families.

Having lived in the city for 63 and 52 years, respectively, we understand how decisions that are being made now shape Port Townsend’s future.

If you would like the opportunity to converse with Dylan, there are two upcoming “Meet and Greets.” One from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Brigid’s Loft (280 Quincy) and another from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the Port Townsend Recreation Center.

James (Robbie) Roberts and Debra Bouchard | Port Townsend

Thank you, and farewell

This letter is to thank Meredith Jordan for all of her timely articles which I always appreciated how she presented many ways of looking at an issue. And thank you for sharing my letters and poems. It was such a joy to discover all the different letters people write to the Leader.

My hope is that James Robinson will continue that tradition, allowing all diverse ways of looking at both political and personal values that are relevant in our community. A good newspaper needs to open people’s minds and hearts wider. Enjoy your vacation Meredith! I will miss you! Safe journeys.

 Nan Toby Tyrrell  | Port Townsend

Support for Hasse

I am writing to endorse the re-election of Carol Hasse as port commissioner. Jefferson County is fortunate to have two excellent candidates for the position. I firmly believe that Carol Hasse is the better choice. Over the last four years the Port’s operations have been extraordinarily successful. Much credit goes to Port staff.

But that staff has been guided at critical junctures by the Port Commission. Hasse was particularly important in guiding the Port to avoid an unfortunate design for the reconstruction of the breakwater at Point Hudson Marina. The plan adopted and executed with her leadership is environmentally sound, aesthetically consistent with our historic downtown, and significantly safer for marine traffic entering the harbor. On Hasse’s watch several long- term land leases were struck with Marine Trades businesses. She has been a voice of reason encouraging acceptance of terms that both sides could accommodate. The Port’s finances have been sound to the point that important purchases of equipment were possible, including a new 300-ton Travelift. Likewise, the Port has developed extensive infrastructure at Boat Haven in preparation for the westward expansion of the heavy haulout storage yard. This means increased employment in the trades with responsible stewardship of the environment.

I’ve known Hasse since I went to work in the Port in 1979. For over 40 years, her strength of character has been evident in the quality of her work, her relationship with her employees and her customers and her concern for our community. She is one of the most trustworthy people I know.

We should return Carol Hasse to the Port Commission for another four years. She will build on her established relationship with Port staff, tenants and the marine trades. She’ll guide the Port with an eye that equally balances financial responsibility, community impact and environmental stewardship.

Ernie Baird | Nordland

No kings in PT

Many of us are frustrated by what’s happening in Port Townsend right now because we have no say in it.  Things are being done to the community rather than for and with it.  That’s because having a city manager rather than a strong mayor is like having a king rather than a president.  The city manager is appointed by the city council, and although city council members are elected, they have never represented the needs and wants of the community as a whole.  Instead, they align with the tourist and real estate contingents, who are interested only in making money.  The only way to restore the balance is to put decision making back where it belongs, in the hands of the community.  Let’s start organizing “No Kings Day” protests right here to get rid of the town manager position and return to a strong mayor who is responsible to all the residents, not just some.

Sharon Bryan | Port Townsend

The Way We Are

I found being lectured by Marcia Kelbon (10/01/2025) on how to behave and communicate with each other across the political spectrum to be insulting. Though not on the same level as the arrogant lectures our military leaders had to endure at Quantico recently, they are similar in their righteous approach and largely ignoring why we are increasingly divided, fearful, anxious, distrusting, and as was pointed out, too often, violent.

Ms. Kelbon asks us all to speak and listen politely to each other: a laudable goal. For nine years, the biggest impediment to this has been Donald Trump, this being overlooked in her call to action. The president won’t model unity, forgiveness or civility.  He panders to his base by promoting hate, bigotry, racism, greed, criminal behavior and mockery of the law. This is how he wants it: no empathy, compassion or good will, and he has ensured that all those who speak for him have a similar mindset. Name-calling prevails: former cabinet members are low-lifes and degenerates, women are nasty, scum, low-IQ and birdbrained, and Democratic senators are sleazebags, naming only a small fraction of his verbal meanness.  

It’s easy to call for courtesy and respect when one person holds the megaphone, tries to punish and seek revenge on critics large and small:  ABC, New York Times, John Bolton, James Comey, Letitia James, federal employees, etc., and is, in general, a firehose of us vs. them rants, always assigning blame but never accepting it. Yes, indeed, Mr. Trump, the enemy (to our democracy, free speech, and the rule of law) is within. 

I wish a simple phrase like, “Have you no sense of decency, sir?” would do the trick, but this is not 1954. 

Steve Chappuis | Port Townsend

Support for Stern

Quilcene has an opportunity in the next election to return the School Board to a student-based program.

Naomi Stern is a parent with students in Quilcene School.  She has been regularly attending Quilcene School Board meetings.  She has a background in finance and experience in budgeting, capital improvements and governance.  

I am concerned that the current school board is focused on issues that are a detriment to our school, from book banning to limiting LGBTQ rights, Bible curriculum and religious rallies on school grounds. Naomi will support programs focused on our students’ well being and success.  

Naomi Stern is the right direction and deserves your vote. Please join me in voting for Naomi Stern for Quilcene School Director District 2.

Judith Lucia | Quilcene

Kerber for hospital commission 

We will be voting for Stuart Kerber for East Jefferson County Public Hospital District Commissioner #3 because he is the best qualified candidate. His strong background in finance and his other attributes complement the skills of other commissioners and will strengthen the Hospital Commission.

Stu has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance and banking and professional experience in banking as well as developing practical financial strategies for organizations transitioning ownership. Although there are many challenges to running rural healthcare systems, financial strength and sustainability could be the most important in the coming years.

Stu will provide balance to the Hospital Commission. His expertise complements those of the other continuing commissioners with backgrounds in operations and medicine. Living in Port Ludlow, he adds geographic balance.

And as a parent of school aged kids, he adds generational balance.

Our county is fortunate to have a strong and accessible healthcare provider, and we must maintain this position of strength. We believe Stuart Kerber is the right candidate at the right time to help steer Jefferson Healthcare through the challenging times ahead.

Earll & Rena Murman | Port Townsend

No housing at golf course

The fate of the only publicly owned golf course in the State, an asset tended by volunteers and praised by locals and visitors alike, may become a high end housing project - an extremely lucrative real estate deal. It appears that, although the city is bleeding reserves through mismanagement and inexperienced staff writes policy, autocratic rule remains in place commanding the incompetent and insensitive restructuring of this once lovely little town.

Thousands of people have stepped up via testimony, extensive research,  petition, public demonstration and volunteering letting city councilors know this community treasures this park land and golf course; beauty and recreation for everyone, but not for a housing development.  And yet the lease terms for the lawyer- mayor’s housing amendment will continue. What a deal.  Acres of greens and treed lands stewarded by volunteers; an irreplaceable legacy passed on from the turn of the 20th century now being groomed for future housing.

Try to envision a wall of boxes rising three stories along Blaine St - cutting a swath through this unique public asset; south views over Kah Tai and the bay; north views over acres of treed parkland; playground and golf links  just out the back door.One might ask why the city manager has not been directed to investigate housing possibilities on the old tennis courts across the street - an obvious consideration so far left dangling.

The lease agreement overrides the policies in the Strategic Parks Plan and disrespects the community sentiments while furthering the mayor’s strategies. More than once, when feeling crossed, he has vented his frustration, castigating and intimidating community members who try to participate in the public process of governance,i.e.updating the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, providing experience and research -  history and legacy, and making public comment before commissions and council.   Autocratic governance is at work; not dissimilar to how federal agencies are being directed to remove protections for public lands.

Julie Jaman | Quimper Peninsula

Honor the flag

Curtis Vieke is both absolutely right and timely. We need to show and honor the flag more often. And starting gatherings with the Pledge of Allegiance would remind us that our allegiance is to the republic, not any individual or party.

Roger Andersen | Port Townsend

Re-elect Dave Seabrook 

Far too often elected officials see themselves as managers, empowered by the voters to actively engage in day-to-day operations …. to run the business. Dave Seabrook understands that the role of commissioner is to approve a budget, to set policy and to hire and evaluate a professional, chief executive to carry out the mission. In other words, find the best person to lead the organization, set the priorities, ensure the resources to carry them out and be prepared to adapt to myriad and unexpected challenges. Dave learned this first-hand as a career fire and EMS professional where he worked his way from an entry-level firefighter/paramedic to a chief officer with broad, and trusted, authority to make quick and independent decisions. It has been my privilege to know Dave as a friend and colleague for nearly forty years. He is smart, level-headed, community-oriented and kind. Moreover, he understands the critical function of public safety. Please join me in casting your vote to re-elect Dave Seabrook to the Board of Commissioners for East Jefferson Fire and Rescue where he will continue his legacy of devotion to the essential mission of emergency services.

Alec Jensen | Port Townsend

Support for Obee

Fred Obee is the clear choice in the upcoming City Council election. 

There’s no question in my mind and I have no reservation in making this recommendation. Fred is the candidate with the needed experience and knowledge as a decades long former reporter in and around governmental operations and finances, and knows how as a former reporter, to dig for and get answers to what’s really going on in City Hall. He has good judgement, perspective, and the depth and experience to help steer the city forward.

Vote for Obee.

John Watts | Port Townsend