Back in 2005, when my fellow freeholders and I crafted the home rule charter for this county, we deliberately made the County Council positions non-partisan on the basis that strong ideological views were inappropriate in local politics.

We simply wanted elected officials to make sound, unemotional and reasoned decisions to make this parcel of the U.S. a better place in which to live and bring up our families.

We have not consistently been rewarded with council members that fit that image. In one particular case, however, we have an individual who has demonstrated good judgment and, most of all, a courageous willingness to thoroughly work to understand the issues — and then make decisions in the interest of the county regardless of the political risk.

Rich Peterson is that man!

There may have been an occasion where you and I did not totally agree with Rich’s position on an issue, but let me assure you that he reached the decision with careful and reasoned thought.

We Americans consistently say that we are fed up with Washington, the political hacks, the backbiting, etc. When someone stands up on a tricky issue however and calls the shot in total honesty with well reasoned analysis of what he or she feels is good for the people, we write him or her off if they didn’t toe the line to match our belief. Not very smart and horribly hypocritical.

I have observed Rich thread his way through the thicket of issues in which we get embroiled and how he has agonized over the process of balancing the often contradictory input he gets from constituents. Then he has to call the shot as he sees it after taking all of this input and his own analysis into account. He does it with careful integrity, and deep concern for us all.

We have a precious asset in Rich Peterson. Let’s retain it and demonstrate appreciation for a sound honest individual who diligently serves us well.

Please re-elect Rich this Nov. 2.

Charlie Bodenstab
Friday Harbor