Editor,

A letter to the editor by George Edmundson on Sept. 21 stoked my curiosity. It included comments about 13 tax increases associated with state Senate candidate Angie Homola while she was a county commissioner. A little digging revealed that writer doesn’t live in Island County, nor in the 10th legislative district.

Those 13 tax increases Mr. Edmundson laments were for the annual general fund, road and conservation levies for four consecutive years. They provide for public health and safety, courts and law enforcement, property recording, birth certificates and marriage licensing, coroner services, land use planning, roads and snow plows, clean water and environmental protections, and so much more. Over four years they accounted for 12 increases. While inflation averages 3 percent per year, for things like your cell service and beer — it also increases for the asphalt, immunizations and modern technology needed for the many services government provides for a safe and modern American way of life.

While Angie and her fellow Democrats raised these basic funds 1 percent per year, the previous conservative board of county commissioners raised them 6 percent in 1998 and 1999, and higher than 3 percent on numerous occasions. Angie was not only fiscally responsible with prudent increases, she and her colleagues reduced government spending by 20 percent earning the county a AA bond rating in midst of the recession. One of the reasons those increases were needed was to provide services to indigent veterans.

The 13th tax was the implementation of a Clean Water Utility, a much-needed protection for a county in which over 70 percent of its residents rely on aquifers for clean and abundant drinking water.

In contrast, Barbara Bailey has little vision about fiscal responsibility. To pay for education she supported a budget that cuts millions of dollars in services to seniors, the blind and childcare. She supported the over 200 million dollars in cuts to the Public Works Trust Fund that enables municipalities’ low interest rate loans for sewage treatment facilities, schools, roads and bridges; and she cut millions from the Housing Trust Fund that helps secure affordable housing to those who qualify.

Angie Homola makes prudent and informed decisions in the interest of the public at large. She’s got my vote

Allison Warner

Camano Island