Is there enough talent for a Birch Bay government?

1.21.08

About eventual incorporation, Bob Aiken wrote a letter published in The Northern Light stating, “I don’t see any good coming from this.’’ Then he attended his first meeting of the governance subcommittee and questioned the talent pool available to run a city.

This Bob Aiken should not be confused with respected former aerospace engineer who is active in the Chamber of Commerce and leader of the popular 49th Parallel Dixieland Jazz Band. This Bob Aiken is a determined letter writer who wanted to save the Blaine airport. But we shouldn’t be too quick to put him down because some others in the community agree with him about potential office holders.

But compared to what? In our view, public people are about the same – a combination of strengths and weaknesses – whether it’s in the local school board or the U.S. Congress.

Here’s a list of people we know who we expect would be thoughtful and dependable in leading a city government:

Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth, who’ve kept the Steering Committee going;

Kelvin Barton, who has 30 years experience in the Everett city government;

Elie and Alan Friedlob, who early on began working on storm water problems and are making BBWARM happen;

Jerry Larson, their collaborator, and defender of shellfish in the Bay;

Ted Morris, the Northwest Parks and Recreation commissioner, who worked hard for passage of the levy in the last election;

Cynthia DeJong Colinaris, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Tammy Pearce, the Chamber's vice president and the dynamo of the Bay Café;

Lisa Guthrie, chair of this year’s successful Polar Bear Plunge, who, while representing Homestead, demonstrates a broad view;

Mike Kent, the inspiration and enabler of the New Year’s Eve Ring of Fire and Hope;

Bruce Montegani, who made sense when he spoke during the first open meeting with the Feasibility Study consultants;

Valery Anderson, president of Birch Bay Village Homeowners Association, a steady participant in Steering Committee meetings;

Jeri Smith and Tom Vuyovich, if they ever come back.

Tell us your candidates at birchbayblog@hotmail.com