2006 ELECTIONS

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Candidates for positions up for election in November 2006 in San Juan County

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Supporting Greg Hertel for county Auditor

Dear Editor,

posted 10/30/2006

As a resident of San Juan County for the last 16 years, I am voting for Greg Hertel as County Auditor. Greg has been my supervisor/manager at Granville Marine for the last year and a half, and I’ve also known him as my high school and middle school science teacher. I believe that Greg is the best candidate for County Auditor because of his skills as a manager and his experience as a Port Commissioner. As a manager, Greg has been a very professional, fair, honest, and reliable co-worker. He listens to employees and if he makes a mistake he accepts responsibility. He backs his employees and he has also supported me 100% in getting the training I needed to succeed in my career. Greg has always been able to balance the discipline needed to get work done with a fun working environment. Please vote for Greg for auditor.

Robin Dyer

Dear Editor,

posted 10/29/2006
Greg Hertel is running for the position of County Auditor. Neither of the candidates for this position are CPAs, nor is that a requirement of this office. Rather, this position calls for good management and communication skills in working with the people that staff this department.

I worked with Greg as a Freeholder in constructing our County Charter and can attest to his skills. Greg is throughly familiar with the budget process in working for fifteen years on the Friday Harbor Port Commission. Greg can work closely and cooperatively with the new County Administrator in the annual preparation of the County's budget.

Please join with me in electing Greg Hertel as the most qualified person to fill the shoes of our departing auditor, Si Stephens.

Walt Corbin
Olga WA

Dear Editor,

posted 10/27/2006
We enthusiastically support Greg Hertel for County Auditor. As a classroom teacher, Greg spent 29 years patiently working with large numbers of students at a challenging age- students on the brink of adulthood, brimming with energy and excitement for the future but also beginning to realize all of the responsibilities of being on their own.

The qualities Greg Hertel developed in working with this diverse group- the skills to listen, reason with empathy, communicate clearly and effectively with large groups, and take the time to know them as individuals and not just faces- demonstrate why he is such an effective leader. We need to elect a manager with these qualities to be our next Auditor.

As a former Freeholder, Greg is in a unique position- he helped write the Charter, and as Auditor, he will help implement it. We are very fortunate to have the chance to place a former Freeholder with strong communication and interpersonal skills in a management position as the new Charter becomes a reality. Greg Hertel's passion and dedication for our community are reflected in his widespread background in community service, and his energy for the future of our county is contagious. Please join us in electing Greg Hertel as our next County Auditor.

Dennis and Dori Sears

Dear Editor,

posted 10/26/2006
We are writing in support of Greg Hertel as the next County Auditor. We urge all voters to remember the position we are filling this November: we need an Auditor who is an administrator with proven service in pubic office, not an accountant. The Auditor’s office is filled with 11 very intelligent, skilled employees who are currently doing a tremendous job. Now we need to elect a proven leader who has strong communication skills, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a cooperative management style.

Greg Hertel is the only candidate who fits the job description. He has excellent communication skills; has proven his effective leadership as a teacher, a business owner, and Port Commissioner; and demonstrates fairness, professionalism, and balance in all aspects of his life and work. Greg Hertel is confident, competent, and compassionate. He will be an excellent leader as the head of the Auditor’s office, and is the best fit for the County Auditor’s management position. Please join us in voting for Greg Hertel– quality leadership for a quality staff!

Thank you.

Jerry and Kate Sears
Friday Harbor

Dear Editor,

posted 10/09/2006
I am writing this in support of Greg Hertel for San Juan County Auditor. Greg has all the attributes to make the Auditor’s Office responsive to both the County Council and to the citizens of San Juan County.

Greg has lived in San Juan County for over 30 years and has been a Teacher, Businessman, Commercial Fisherman and a Realtor. He has 14 years experience in public financing as a Port Commissioner for the Port of Friday Harbor. He was instrumental in turning the bankrupt San Juan Marina into the successful business center/passenger boat destination at Spring Street Landing. He was President of the local teachers association and was successful leading negotiations for six contracts. He was also a member of the Freeholders who designed the new charter form of county government.

Greg has the ability to communicate with both the Council and the public. His experience in management, finance, and both public and private business makes him the best candidate.

Remember, we are not electing an accountant. We are electing a leader and a manager.

John Jensen
Friday Harbor

Dear Editor;

posted 10/03/2006
I'm writing in support of Greg Hertel for County Auditor. Greg has fourteen years experience in public finance and has worked with numerous agencies around the town and county during his time as Port Commissioner and as a Public School Teacher.

No matter who is elected in this election there will be a huge amount of learning. Greg has an amazing staff that he's worked with these last couple of years and knows how to listen and learn from them. There is an excellent staff in place at the Auditor's office. I believe Greg will work well with them and let them continue to work effectively together.

Keri L.Talbott

Dear Editor;

posted 09/27/2006
I’d like to add my voice to those supporting Greg Hertel in his bid for San Juan County Auditor. Experience is key to handling this job, and its responsibilities call for a wide range of experiences. As County Auditor, Greg will have to manage a staff of eleven capable people who care for such matters as elections, public finance, licensing, and legal recording. A County Auditor must demonstrate problem-solving and management skills, enabling and trusting his staff to do their own jobs well. The County Auditor must be respected and be able to endure the unique stresses of service in the public sector. As a teacher for 30 years in the Friday Harbor School District, Greg demonstrated his ability to work with people.

As a Port Commissioner for the past 14 years, he has also become familiar with, and competent in, the processes of government projects and finance. As a former Freeholder, Greg will be familiar with the changes in local government, and has a proven track record of the type of leadership and cooperation this job demands. For these reasons, I support Greg Hertel.

Greg has the wide range of experiences that this position demands. We are not electing an accountant. We are electing an individual who will take responsibility for, and hone the efficiency of, a department of local government. Greg’s ability and longevity in other areas of service have proven his potential to do the job well for a good, long time.

Tim Daniels

Dear Editor;

posted 09/10/2006
I feel it would be a great asset for the county to have an auditor well versed in the charter and its' intent. Working with Greg on the Board of Freeholders I found him to be a thoughtful, insightful and objective person to work with. He did his homework and came prepared with input based on his research but was willing to listen to others and acquiesce for the good of the whole.

Also, Greg has served as a Port Commissioner for the past 13 years and has had first-hand knowledge of dealing with public finances - which are not the same as in the private sector.

Thirdly, he has had experience working with all kinds of people. In Greg's teaching career he worked with students, parents, school administration and fellow teachers, all very diverse groups requiring separate perspectives.

These are some of the reasons I'm voting for Greg Hertel for Auditor. I hope you'll join me.

Jeri Ahrenius
Friday Harbor

Supports Greg Hertel and Joan White

To the Editor:

posted 10/16/2006
From the perspective of having served as the San Juan County Commissioner from Orcas Island for 12 years, I know how important other elected officials, such as the County Auditor and County Clerk, are to the functioning of County government and the quality of service the public receives. I encourage you to vote for Greg Hertel for County Auditor and Joan White for County Clerk.

Greg has a strong background and level of experience in serving the public and in public finance. As a career teacher at the San Juan Island high school and teachers union representative and as the a 14-year, (12 years as President) elected member of the San Juan Island Port District, Greg has extensive experience in dealing with budgets and accountability for public agencies. He understands how important quality staff is to the success of an organization and how it takes a team effort to bring forward successful results within government and between government agencies. Greg will bring that understanding and management insight to the position of County auditor.

Greg Hertel also takes other County auditor responsibilities very seriously. The integrity of our elections process, licensing and legal recordings are also responsibilities of the County Auditor. I believe Greg has the management skills to make sure that the citizens of San Juan County are well served by the Auditor’s staff.

For County Clerk, I would recommend you support for Joan White. The County Clerk is the elected official who works hand-in-glove with law enforcement, the Prosecutors office and the attorneys of San Juan County to keep the County court systems functioning properly. I take note of the support Joan White has from many members of the legal community. Joan has served in the Clerks office for 12 years including the position of Deputy Clerk. In this case, direct knowledge and hands-on experience are very important.

We will all miss the long and distinguished public service we have had from retiring County Auditor, Si Stephens and County Clerk, Mary Jane Cahail. Our newly elected Auditor and Clerk will, however, have the advantage of taking over their responsibilities with experience trained and seasoned staff in place. A special thanks to Si and Mary Jane for a job well done.

John Evans
Former San Juan County Commissioner

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