We are extremely lucky to have two very capable women running for District 2 in the County Commissioner race. While both have extensive background in our community, I’m supporting Lorna Smith. Here’s why:
In 1979 I met and started working with Lorna, covering her work with Seattle Audubon as liaison to Eleanor Stopps in the fight to protect Protection Island. Over the years, I’ve worked with Lorna on a variety of environmental causes and watched her on the Planning Commission, crafting a Comprehensive Plan.
I have always valued experience as well as good intention over friendship when it comes to people running for governmental positions. While I consider myself a good friend with Lorna and her husband Darrell, I am supporting her because I believe she brings the best experience and proven results to the position. She will not need on the job training to step into the role and start producing positive outcomes for our county and her district.
She is a three term Jefferson County Planning Commissioner. She spent 8 years on the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Committee and Planning Commission, protecting thousands of acres of farm and forest lands. She took a hard and ultimately correct stand on the controversial shooting range.
She is the only candidate to have worked in management for county government. That experience counts. She had a 25-year career as a Snohomish County lands use manager. In that role she worked in planning, transportation, public works and budgeting.
She was the governor appointment to the Washington State Economic Development Board.
She has been on the board of the Olympic Forest Coalition, the Washington Environmental Council, Seattle Audubon and the Snohomish County Wetlands Alliance. She speaks fluent Spanish and has been a volunteer on the Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates.
Lorna worked on conservation issues impacting the Peninsula and the Salish Sea for her entire career. Her family roots here go back generations. Her grandparents were lighthouse keepers on Destruction Island and Dungeness light.
Most recently she was part of the coalition to protect our native salmon from the harmful diseases found in Atlantic salmon raised in pens in our marine waters, protecting the jobs of our local fishers. She co-authored one of the first Habitat Conservation Plans prepared by a local jurisdiction in Washington state and also authored one of the country’s first local ordinances for wetland and stream protection.
Lorna combines a strong administrative and fiscal management background with passion, persistence and a respect for science and nature.
I’m hoping you will support her also. And thank you to all three talented women who decided to put themselves and their families in the harsh spotlight of a campaign race.
VOTE.
Filed under: Environmental Activism, Government, Jefferson County |
Thank you, Al, for the stellar endorsement! I am honored! Lorna Smith, Candidate for Jefferson County Commissioner, District 2