Editor,

The primary election for the District 1 county commissioner seat is fortunate to have a field of candidates that are all relatively good choices. Especially for Democrats, the August primary is a complex choice between an incumbent doing a decent job, and an upcoming leader with already acquired capacities and potential to lead Island County through many challenges. It is in this spirit we support Marie Shimada.

Marie Shimada has a lifetime commitment to Island County, with proven leadership, administrative skills and needed visionary ideas. Moving to Whidbey in elementary school, she has left the island only to get her BA from the University of Washington and her law degree from the University of San Diego Law School. Most recently, she served as executive director for Ebey’s National Historical Reserve until she resigned to work full-time on her campaign.

In that role she worked with diverse community members and agencies, including Coupeville City leadership, National Park Service and State Park personnel, and Island County commissioners. She stood firm in her commitment to serve the highest good for the nation’s first National Historical Reserve. These skills and relationships will translate well to the commissioner role.

The issues that lie ahead for our county — maintaining infrastructure that allows both projected growth and protected resources, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, affordable housing, to name a few — are immense. Marie has the energy, vision and talent to tackle these issues. She asks important, probing questions, and then does the necessary work.

We are delighted to see someone with combined youth and experience willing to offer her skills to Island County. We are 30-year residents of South Whidbey, 44 and 47 years older than Marie. We see her as someone able to help an aging community bridge into the future and make a welcoming place for coming generations.

Ann Linnea and Christina Baldwin

Freeland