Editor,

Our country’s founders believed the government they envisioned would succeed as long as its citizens worked together to build “a more perfect union.”

They were clear that it is the civic culture we build together that makes our nation work.

However, according to the Pew Foundation, 91 percent of the country is worried that current levels of polarization are leading us to distrust and disrespect one another in ways that make it hard for us to work and solve problems together.

With that in mind, during the Month of October, Civility First … So We Can Work Together and Sno-Isle Libraries are co-sponsoring Civility Month.

In libraries across Island County there will be civility book displays, workshops on communicating across political divides, a “Capturing a Moment of Civility in Your Community,” art and photography contest and civility story hours with puppet shows where young ones can meet the “Three Nice Mice.”

Please join us in working to maintain Island County’s traditions of civility and neighborliness.

The Civility First … So We Can Work Together Board of Directors

Kate Bracy, Jim Campbell, Tom Ewell, Alice O’Grady, Sandi Peterson

Cathy Whitmire and Bob Wolters