Support for Krebs | Letter

Published 4:03 pm Tuesday, October 21, 2014

I have been a social worker, administrator and community advocate and – most importantly – wife of a police officer for nearly 20 years. We currently live and work on Orcas Island. When I look to the qualities of an effective leader I look at attributes such as honesty, communication, confidence, commitment, creativity, a positive attitude and the ability to inspire others.  There are so many problems under the current administration that the general public just doesn’t know (and I cannot possibly list all in the allowed 350 words); but all can be traced back to ineffective leadership.

An effective leader would be always honest and take responsibility and accountability when mistakes are made; blame others, minimize or ignore situations, and then remove himself from the problem. However, I believe his opponent, Ron Krebs, when he states he desires to be held accountable and looks to the public to hold him to a higher standard of honesty and integrity.

An effective leader shares information. A leader who fails to communicate is one who either doesn’t know the information himself, or one who doesn’t trust people to receive the information. Ron Krebs will have regular public town hall meetings to give and receive information. He will initiate regular staff meetings with his employees. He will be present in the office more than he is away. He will be available to the public and his employees. An effective leader leads with confidence, commitment and creativity. No longer can the same problems be viewed through the same lens of solution.  I believe Ron is a creative leader who’ll look for alternative solutions rather than to give up and say “that’s just the way it is.”

Finally, an effective leader is one who can inspire others. The current sheriff has lost the trust and faith of his own employees. There is really nothing left.  Ron Krebs will be an inspiring leader because he is already doing so. His department members are looking to him to lead them out of the dark place the sheriff’s department has become. He is the light at the end of their tunnel and their faith in his being elected is what keeps most of them coming to work each day.  I shudder to think of what will happen to the department if Ron Krebs is not elected your next sheriff.  Please join me in casting your ballots for Ron Krebs for sheriff.

Marla Johns

Orcas Island