After eight years with Mike Chapman, Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege representing the 24th Legislative District in the state Legislature, Chapman asks, “is this district in a better place than it was eight years ago?”
Is it?
Average annual wage remains well below the state average, as does median household income and gross domestic product growth.
And another major mill is closing.
Drug overdose deaths and homelessness are up.
Affordable housing availability is down.
Ah, but they delivered funding for critical projects, Chapman brags.
The Elwha Bridge replacement and Port Hadlock sewer certainly fit that description.
But these big spenders also funneled taxpayer dollars into popular nonprofits that could, and should, have been fully funded by voluntary donations.
The three spenders have supported laws that add a cumulative $89,000-plus to the cost of each residential unit built, fomented disregard for public safety and tapped each of us for more taxes and fees.
With most public school students reading below grade level, they voted to require local school boards to instead focus on social engineering and indoctrination.
Chapman makes the case against promoting him or retaining his seatmate.
For better representation, put Marcia Kelbon in the Senate, Matt Roberson in the vacant House seat and have Terry Roberts replace Tharinger.
They’ll “be in the minority,” Chapman warns, so let’s elect Dave Reichert as governor.
The 24th Legislative District and all of Washington state will be in a better place.
Martha McKeeth Ireland
Sequim