Ballots coming soon; thoughts on election

Our vote-by-mail ballots for the general election will soon arrive, and many people will pick up a pen and fill them out right away.

I learned a long time ago to wait till just before election day to make my choice. I had endorsed a candidate in the last issue before the election, and she came to our town and made some statements that changed my mind about her. It was too late for the newspaper but not the ballot.

We have an overwhelming number of letters to the editor this week; it’s good that citizens are taking the election seriously. Next week, the Oct. 25 edition, will be the last we’ll publish campaign letters, for it gives an aggrieved person a chance to respond before the election.

And as I said, I won’t fill out my ballot until the calendar reads November, but if anyone cares, here’s I how I would be voting if I were voting this week:

Wahkiakum County Assessor: Bill Coons—He knows the job and does it very well.

County auditor: A very hard choice—Matt Kuhl is a sharp young man with a lot of potential, but I think Nicci Bergseng has been well groomed for the job.

County commissioner: Blair Brady has grown into the job and is one of the better commissioners I’ve seen since I started covering county government in 1979.

District court: Heidi Heywood, one year on the job, is unopposed and working hard. [Editor: This endorsement was inadvertently omitted from previous posting.]

Prosecuting attorney: Dan Bigelow for sure. He has a long history of distinguished legal and volunteer service to this community.

Sheriff: Mark Howie has done a good job and maintained a culture in the department that serves the residents of the county very well.

Treasurer: Tammy Peterson is unopposed. Her office is well run, and she’s made some changes in operations that have benefitted county investments.

Wahkiakum PUD Commissioner: Bob Jungers, very experienced, is unopposed.

State Representative, Dist. 19: I’d mark boxes for Brian Blake and Erin Frasier. Blake has grown into the job and has tremendous influence on the House Natural Resources Committee, which is good for a county with natural resource industries. Frasier has impressed me with her knowledge of education, health care and natural resources, and she would be a positive force for Wahkiakum County residents.

US Representative—We need change in Congress, and Carolyn Long would be an influence for positive change.

US Senator—Maria Cantwell is aware of Wahkiakum County issues and is a positive influence on the dealings in D.C.

There you have it, for what it’s worth. I haven’t had time to delve into the statewide initiatives; I urge you to check out the voter’s pamphlet on your own.

Whatever you do, please vote.