Countywide elections are not logical. The current method of voting only in your district ensures that all voters are properly represented on the council. This system provides objective and reasonable representation for all citizens. The existing model is similar to U.S. House of Representatives and is the best method for our county.

It has been proposed that three council members will be better than the present six members. There is no evidence to support this proposal. It is nonsense to have one council member from Lopez Island, one from Orcas Island and one from San Juan Island when the population of these three islands is not equal. The answer is the best-qualified six people are selected to be council members. This is the responsibility of the voters of each district.

Council members should not be responsible for daily management of general functions of the county. A professional county manager who is responsible to the council should supervise these activities. This method provides improved accountability and performance.

Vote no on proposition one and two.

Tom Ritter

Orcas Island