Editor,

I reviewed the qualifications of the candidates for Island County sheriff and concluded Rick Felici is, by far, the best candidate. He will bring appropriate education, a strong law enforcement background, decades of experience, professional skills and proven leadership to be the next sheriff. He clearly has the experience by serving in various positions and levels of the Island County Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff needs to understand how to lead and manage the entire organization and not just know about one aspect of the department. Rick Felici has experience at all levels and with all aspects of the department.

The position of sheriff requires the organizational skills, leadership and management skills and experience as well as a clear understanding of the roll of law enforcement in our community. Rick Felici is the only candidate with the accumulated skills and experience to be our next sheriff.

Additionally, Chief Rick has served as a deputy on Camano Island as well as on Whidbey Island, he knows both islands from serving as a deputy on both islands. Please join me in electing Rick Felici as our next Island County Sheriff.

I also studied the candidates for the District 10 position in the Legislature and find Dave Hayes is the most qualified candidate and should be returned to Olympia to represent District 10.

Dave is making a difference for us. He supported the legislation that reforms the education system, which is most important to prepare students to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

He proposed a budget amendment to provide school resource officers to schools, which do not have such officers. The safety of our students is a key concern to all of us.

Dave is working to reduce the time and expenses of meeting permitting bottlenecks, which could be processed in parallel in lieu of the present serial permitting process.

The present process is costly and wastes precious public dollars which could be better applied. Dave used his unique skills and experience to build a coalition that passed school safety and security bill on a compromise bill regarding police officer’s use of force, a big step forward for Washington. Dave is making a difference for all of us.

Please join me in voting for Dave Hayes for District 10 representative.

Gerald Betts

Camano Island