Stern for mayor
To the editor:
I first met Ed Stern 30 years ago when our oldest son, who worked for Visio, asked his younger brother, Marshall, to be his teammate in a golf tournament at work. Marshall knew nothing about golf!! We got 24 hours’ notice. We just happened to have a gift certificate from a Rotary Auction years before, where Ed Stern donated golf lessons. We did not even know Ed, but we called him that morning and were shocked when he jumped at the chance to do it that day! That’s the kind of person Ed is.
Since then, I have gotten to know Ed much better as he is a fellow Rotarian and outstanding community volunteer. The guy just knows and understands the best way to get things accomplished. He was instrumental in getting Olympic College’s 4-year program up and running. He completely understands what steps work best.
Ed is serving his 7th consecutive term on the Poulsbo City Council and was voted unanimously to serve as deputy mayor. His experience provides our community with an amazing advantage. His knowledge and expertise with municipal law, operations and concerns are unique. He is widely respected across the state. Ed was elected to serve the 281-member Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors and also served as president for the AWC in Olympia. This is just one of dozens of organizations he has served.
Ed has built valuable relationships. We can’t afford to lose him.
Margene Smaaladen
Poulsbo
Kudos to St. Michael
To the editor:
As a retired nurse and grandmother of a fourth-generation nurse, I want to applaud St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale for ratifying a new nurses’ contract that clearly recognizes the value of those who provide exceptional care.
This agreement represents significant progress — improving safety through continued education, implementing a weapons detection system to protect staff and patients alike, and increasing staffing to ensure nurses can take the breaks they need and deserve.
Exceptional care comes from professionals who are respected, supported, and well cared for themselves. I commend both St. Michael’s leadership and the dedicated nurses who worked together to reach this important agreement for the benefit of the entire community.
Diana Allen
Kingston
