Library props will help patrons, Friends group
The Friends of Sequim Library (FOSL) is a respected library partner in serving the Sequim community.
FOSL raises funds through popular monthly book sales and ongoing library lobby sales. With these proceeds FOSL provides generous financial support for the Sequim Library programs and events enjoyed by thousands of community members each year.
The new Sequim Library, which is on the Nov. 6 ballot, will provide abundant and efficient space to continue all FOSL operations and sales.
FOSL will be able to launch sales utilizing the 400 square feet of dedicated operations space within the library itself. The monthly sales will be held inside in library meeting rooms and/or in the sheltered outside patio space. No longer will loyal FOSL book sale patrons stand in hot sun, freezing rain or blowing wind.
In addition, library users will have ongoing access to more FOSL-sponsored book sale shelves prominently displayed in the main entry lobby. Everyone will be able to browse hundreds of sale books all the time.
Voting Yes on Propositions 1 and 2 supports the community by supporting the new Sequim Library, FOSL and the new FOSL sale space!
Amy Fortier, Nancy Watson, Barbara VanderWerf
Members of FOSL and Sequim Library Vote Yes Committee
Benedict worth our votes
Clallam County citizens should be proud of the Sheriff’s Office and its leadership.
For the past 12 years we have been honored to have the most qualified and effective sheriff in the history of the department. Sheriff Bill Benedict is unique, he is the first sheriff in recent history to raise through the ranks to the position of sheriff. His demeanor, leadership and decision making skills have been tested while climbing through the ranks, but more importantly while serving as our sheriff.
His ability to collaborate with others, develop professional relationships with other agencies and seek input from subordinates is unequaled. He has carefully selected his leadership team, staff and department members. By surrounding himself with this talent he has elevated the department to one that sets the example throughout the state.
Sheriff Benedict makes sound decisions during a crisis which is the test of true leadership. Most people can lead and manage an agency during calm times. He has proven himself throughout his tenure by making rational and good decisions when it has come to personnel misconduct, shooting and tense situations, and other crisis related events.
I know that his critical decision making as a U.S. Navy aviator was successfully tested. This ability has been used time again while serving as the Clallam County Sheriff.
His education is also an added bonus – he has a master’s degree in applied physics, oceanography and meteorology.
As a resident of Clallam County I have had the good fortune of working with five sheriffs — Harley Bishop, Jim Callaway, Joe Hawe, Joe Martin and Bill Benedict. Each sheriff brought a unique skill set to the department. Bill Benedict, in my opinion, is the best sheriff we have had since the 1960s and likely the best in the State of Washington.
I urge you to join me and vote for Bill Benedict for sheriff.
Steven T. Kernes
Clallam County Sheriff (retired, 1979-90)
Vote for the library propositions
I’m a Sequim resident and a Sequim Branch Library patron. I’m also a member of the NOLS (North Olympic Library System) Board of Trustees and served on the Community Taskforce on the Sequim Library Expansion. These relationships give me a behind-the-scenes perspective on the Sequim Future Library project.
I always read NOLS monthly activity reports and am constantly amazed at all the creative ways Sequim branch staff find to meet community needs. I’m awed to know that those services are magically delivered from a minuscule workroom where every square inch must serve multiple purposes.
When my neighborhood blog lights up over the latest addition to the “NOLS gear” collection, I know how challenging it was to allocate room in the library work space for the guitar, ukuleles, and strum sticks when they’re not checked out.
Reviewing monthly statistics reveals that Sequim’s single tiny meeting room is used more frequently and by more people than the larger meeting rooms at other branches. I’m saddened that Sequim’s current library building can’t meet community needs for more meeting and study space.
When I read an entry in the library’s Highlight Log applauding a lively children’s program, I understand the challenges to accommodating large programs – and how staff must regularly mediate conflicting expectations for lively and quiet library activities.
I’ve watched NOLS staff work hard to involve the community in planning for the library that it wants and deserves. I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to cast my own citizen’s yes vote (twice) for a new, larger library in Sequim. I hope you will join me. Now is the time.
Betty Gordon
Sequim
Vote for McEntire
Jim McEntire needs no introduction. He is running for our District 24 Legislative Representative and has worked as a public servant before and done a great job.
He has always worked hard for the individual taxpayer as well as small businesses. He has never raised taxes and has worked to reduce them.
I hope that people vote for Jim McEntire — you won’t go wrong.
Perhaps even more important, please vote. Complacency can result in disappointing leadership. Please vote!
Bobbie Piety
Sequim
Vote twice for library
Libraries are places where people come to know themselves and their communities.
In the words of Robert Putman, “People may go to the library looking mainly for information, but they find each other there.”
New moms connect at baby story-times; elderly often facing difficult life transitions, attend events and find that they make new friends; youth meet up in libraries teen spaces after school; and readers discuss current events in the periodicals room. In libraries, community-building connections are happening all the times; libraries serve as the community university.
Please joining me in supporting Sequim’s university and vote twice for our library!
Jim Stoffer
Sequim
Vote for Neupert
As a lawyer for many years, I am constantly approached by friends and family about whom to vote for in judicial races. From personal knowledge I think the choice is clear: Dave Neupert should be elected to assume Position No. 1 in the Clallam County District Court. Neupert is the current pro-tem sitting judge in that position in Judge Porter’s absence.
In addition Neupert has 25 years of civil and criminal defense practice mostly in Clallam County. Both my wife Jen Gouge and I are board members of non-profit Peninsula Behavioral Health. Jen also is a board member of the Peninsula College Foundation. Dave Neupert is a board member of both. We personally experience his wise counsel. We respect his approach to a variety of community challenges including mental illness and addiction; and higher education to prepare our youth for good careers. He is also a volunteer in other well known non-profit organizations one of which provides funding of a great variety of services that affect the lives of so many in our community.
In our opinion, Dave Neupert is the most qualified to hold this position, not only because of his experience as a pro-tem judge and lawyer, but also because of his common sense judgment.
J. Richard Manning
Port Angeles
(Editor’s note: Manning was Washington State Bar Association president, 2002-03)
Coffee with cops a special treat
Our Sequim Starbucks treated us to the most special Oct. 23 afternoon of coffee and a chance to meet our Sequim Chief of Police and actually visit with her and several of our Sequim police officers.
It was a highlight of our day to be able to ask questions in a cozy corner and recognize how safe we are in Sequim.
We are all so grateful to Starbucks for such a personal and kind and caring opportunity.
Most sincerely,
Mary Bell
Sequim
