I find myself compelled to make a strong comment regarding the November ballot measure, “Formation of Public Utility District No. 1 of Island County Washington.”

With the recent beginning of our national and world economic meltdown underway, the concept of starting an electrical public utility district from scratch on Whidbey Island replacing Puget Sound Energy (PSE), an established electrical provider, appears to me as both ludicrous and suicidal economically.

I make this comment based on the fact that public statements by both opponents and proponents of this ballot measure acknowledge no defined time lines or factual cost estimates only suppositions regarding requirements necessary to setting up an operational electrical PUD. In conjunction with setting up this electrical PUD the proponents ask voters to elect an unknown governing body of district commissioners with unlimited dictatorial taxing and rate setting authority. The dictatorial taxing authority by itself should be a red flag to any and all voting taxpayers.

Has common sense intelligence left our collective bodies? Hopefully not.

The formation of an Electrical Public Utility District of Whidbey Island as proposed in this ballot measure should not be approved in the best of times, much less during these difficult economic times we are about to face. This ballot measure as proposed built on a foundation of unknowns should be a no-brainer to any voter with common sense intelligence screaming, Vote no!

Thomas F. Strang

Coupeville