Kingston has a charm of its own. We choose to live here and enjoy the parks, trails, events, schools, marina, and the quaint character of little unincorporated Kingston.

We have an active and enthusiastic community dedicated to preserving and improving our area, with hundreds of volunteers. Coupled with all the other amenities of our area, we can take pride in who we are. As we do so, it is prudent to recognize that we are changing and to take note of the factors that are beginning to influence our future.

Disturbing economic trends over the last decade show a declining school enrollment, an increasing number of business vacancies, struggling retailers in the off season and the effect of too few employment opportunities. We have positive trends as well, and the good news is that we have the resources to influence these trends and our future.

We have the Port of Kingston, with the primary objective of maintaining and improving the economic health and vitality of our entire port district. Your vote for port commissioner not only affects how your tax is spent, it determines how additional port revenues are used as well. These additional revenues far exceed our port taxes and come from port leases, sales, grants and moorage fees — making your choice even more important.

If we are to step forward and focus on our future and not let trends continue by default, we need to elect a commissioner who will listen, learn and carry out what we citizens want our community to become. Chances are you may have recently seen or spoken to Bruce MacIntyre in one or more of our many community events, public meetings and monthly committee gatherings. I personally know that Bruce has spent hundreds of hours reaching out to our citizens.

If you want your voice and ideas heard, Bruce is the right choice. He has a full complement of qualifications and will work well with the other commissioners.

My vote goes to Bruce.

Ron Karzmar
Kingston