I met mayor Deborah Stinson 13 years ago through launching Local 20/20, Jefferson County’s non-profit transition initiative to “work together for community sustainability and resilience, while balancing the triple bottom line of economy, ecology, and community.” No easy task, but then Deborah Stinson does not shy away from hard work. Now, with Deborah up for reelection to city council this November, it is time we go to work for her.

One of Deborah’s first initiatives through Local 20/20 was reaching out to the County Dept. of Emergency Management’s (DEM) head, Bob Hamlin, in proposing to him that Local 20/20

partner with the DEM to foster organized neighborhoods throughout Jefferson County. These

neighborhoods were intended to ensure a self-help network in the event of a local disaster, since a major earthquake meant it could be weeks before help might arrive. With the DEM, easy rapport and trust grew, and what began back in 2007 with 20 or 30 neighborhoods committed to plan together has now grown to almost 150 neighborhoods, with more motivated every year. This network is a national role model for such public/private partnership and strong connectivity.

Deborah’s skills were central to making this happen.

Since Deborah has been in elected leadership, her capacity to network and partner for the common good has thrived with her excellent relationship building skills. Her connections with our local police, sheriff, emergency responders, 911 operators, fire department, even with the Navy (discussing the Growlers issue) would vanish unless we work hard to reelect this person who is so committed to serving on our community’s behalf. Do not let her skilled leadership slip away!

Please get out and vote for Deborah Stinson, for the safety and security of our larger community.

Judith Alexander
Port Townsend