Gary Piazzon is running for town council against the incumbent Bob Clay and another challenger, Sue Cunningham. I want to tell you why I think he is the right man for the job.

The current administration that governs the town appears to have a consistent consensus of what needs to be done and how to do it. What I have observed by the council and mayor is a tendency to not ask the difficult questions and a lack of willingness to challenge old ways of thinking and old assumptions.

In a question period at a town council meeting, I commented that the mayor and council members seem comfortable working with each other and tend to think in similar ways about the issues. I asked the mayor why that it is. She responded that she would not bring an issue to the council that wouldn’t get their support. The town government seems to run without a system of checks and balances.

At the League of Women Voters’ forum the issue of the how the mayor became administrator was raised. Bob Clay said he thought the town got a bargain by having someone as qualified as the mayor become the administrator. He commented further that the mayor’s power is not an issue because the council checks and balances her. I am very curious how many times Mr. Clay has voted against the mayor in his six years on the council.

The council and the town need creative leadership to work for solutions to help Coupeville fulfill its historic legacy. As a physical therapist he will bring a healthy, diverse perspective to town council deliberations. He has a vision of how to support local business while preserving Coupeville’s historic heritage and promoting a sustainable ecology. He has an awareness that growth that preserves and respects the environment is good for Coupeville and its citizens.

I believe Gary Piazzon has the skills, courage, and vision to provide that kind of leadership. A vote for Gary Piazzon is a vote for a healthier future.

Jerome Rosen

Coupeville