Banks is best for prosecutor

I smell a rat in the campaign for Island County prosecutor. I’ve seen dirty politics before, and I’ve seen the excellent work Greg Banks has done as prosecutor. That’s why this Republican is supporting Democrat Greg Banks. I have only once before supported a Democrat in my 65 years so this decision does not come easily.

I have been a diehard Republican since I moved to this country at age 25. I had a successful career in the logging and shipping industries in southeast Alaska. I held elected office for eight years as a borough assemblyman in Ketchikan, and was appointed by the governor of Alaska to the state Board of Marine Pilots. I’ve been through all kinds of political battles in those years and I’ve crossed paths with people that I’d just as soon never see again. I’ve been sued by adversaries who dropped the suit after I’d incurred no small expense.

My personal experience with Mr. Banks, in a case he prosecuted over four years ago, convinced me that the Island County Prosecutor’s Office is in good hands. He proved he is a tough prosecutor who holds criminals accountable. I’ve watched the media coverage of his office since then and have been impressed with how he runs it.

In fact, I have never heard of a complaint about the prosecutor’s office under Banks’ leadership until Selby betrayed Mr. Banks’ trust and blasted him in the media. I haven’t got much time for cowardly and childish antics like that.

A real man, if he had something to say to Mr. Banks, would have said it to his face. A real man understands the virtues of trust, loyalty, and honor. Mr. Selby made up my mind for me when he showed he had none of the above. Now I find myself in the very weird position of supporting a lawyer.

The recent endorsement of the deputy prosecutor’s union only strengthens my resolve to support Mr. Banks. Mr. Banks is the boss of a high pressure office. I’ll sleep better knowing the office is in the hands of a tough boss like Greg Banks.

I have trusted Mr. Banks to protect us for the five years I’ve lived here and he has lived up to my trust in him. I say, in this one race, stay with a proven winner and vote Democrat.

Bob Watt

Greenbank

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