There is quite a contrast between our District 1 San Juan County Council candidates.

One’s career was as a land use lawyer. Her campaign cites support from our construction and farming communities while she describes our tourism industry and environmental stewardship as out of balance. The banner at the top of her campaign is “Protecting the island way of life.” Can you guess which island way of life she will protect?

Of course, there is no one “island way of life.” Yes, we have farmers, construction workers, real estate agents, and developers here. They are an important part of the islands’ history and economy. And, to be viable, to make a living, they need to make a profit. But we also have teachers, waiters and waitresses, business owners, kayak guides, mechanics, nurses and doctors, artists, retirees, firemen and women, well diggers, fisher-people, garbage collectors, etc… Like the rest of the world, our microcosm includes a spectrum of “ways of life,” but living on small islands makes it especially obvious that we need to be good neighbors, not adversaries. We must share our resources, not fight over them (in court or otherwise).

Kari’s long career was in public service, not residential rental. Her experience as an administrator is far more relevant than “business owner” when it comes to effective governance. Her skills are in organization and communication, not litigation. The banner at the top of her campaign is “Securing our islands’ future.”

Kari’s focus is on long-term sustainability, not short-term development. If there is a threat to our future here, it appears to be affordable housing. Facing this as Shaw Island’s school superintendent, Kari took the lead on building their teacher housing…not for profit but to Shaw Island’s future. Before we can build housing, she must and does ask what are the state and federal mandates we must meet? What is the capacity of our water table? What growth can our infrastructure support? What IS an affordable price per square foot for housing? How do we balance the use of our resources not just for ourselves but for our neighbors and for future generations?

Talk about “hitting the ground running,” Kari has already individually interviewed over 75 past and present county employees from every department…especially the planning department as the “linchpin” to building and growth on the islands. Kari is a communicator, open to ideas and committed to transparency because that’s what works.

Thank you, Kari! For being willing to step into public service again. I look forward to the progress I am confident you will shepherd.

Jon Howe

San Juan Island