Editor,

It is truly ironic that in the same edition of this newspaper in which Rick Hannold announced his desire to be reelected as a county commissioner there is another article pointing out how unsuited he is for that responsibility.

He criticized the settlement agreement between Island County and the Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN). He is quoted in the article as saying, “I’m not usually in favor of negotiating with anybody.”

Hannold does not understand that he was elected to represent all of the people in Island County, not just developers, and that involves negotiating among competing interests. He does not seem to understand that negotiation is how things get done in society. He even indicated he was irritated with WEAN for raising the issue. WEAN was doing their job. He needs to learn how to do his.

Hannold mumbles his way through meetings. Jill Johnson yells insults at those she disagrees with. There have to be people better qualified than these two to be attending to our interests. We need to elect commissioners who can speak civilly and act rationally.

Babette Thompson

Coupeville