Since June when we started registering voters around the island, many people have confessed a first-time interest in politics. Others have expressed a desire to help shape the future of our country.

To those people and to all who have registered to vote or who have asked for voter information or who have just stopped by to visit with us, we say “thank you.”

Perhaps more importantly, we wish to express our appreciation to a few who helped make this possible: Sheilah Crider, Island County auditor and her helpful office staff; Peg Tennant, manager of the Oak Harbor and Coupeville farmers markets; Mike McIntire and Roxann Dunn-Terry of the Oak Harbor Senior Center; Bob Brennen, manager of Albertson’s; Marjorie Erickson, and the very cooperative staffs of Regency on Whidbey, Summer Hill and Harbor Tower Village.

But our work is not over! God willing, we will continue to register voters until Oct. 4, the deadline to register for the general election. All we need is fair weather and the continued good will of all our friends. Thanks, again!

Ken and Helen Bates

Oak Harbor