Islander Debbi Lester is also a bit miffed about John Waldo's last minute bait-and-switch for a city council seat. Here's the letter from Debbi that Kitsap Sun Reporter Rachel Pritchett posted on her blog, "Bainbridge Conversation":
Waldo did a disservice to the community in switching races at the last minute. No council race should be run unopposed.
Portraying him, as a nice guy, “listening to the community," and comparing himself to Barry Peters, are media spin. My take is that Waldo saw out the gate himself loosing to Peters.
Why did Waldo not announce his change of heart on Monday? Why did he wait until the last moment possible to file and switch races?
Everyone thought the Peters / Waldo race would provide a lively discussion of the community issues, as these are two candidates with very different approaches and
perspectives. In waiting to the last minute, Waldo gave no one else the time or the opportunity to consider running against Peters.
Were his supporters given notice of this sudden move?
Were they given the option to get their endorsement money back when it became a different race?
Is this how Waldo is going to perform if elected? If things aren't going in his favor - he'll jump ship?
Waldo paints himself as listening and responding to the community (his reason for not running against Peters).
On the Ericksen Avenue/Hildebrand Lane connection issue, he's stated that the council just needs to make a yes-or-no decision. How many times does the council need to say no? Since 1989, the community has said no.
Who's not listening? Who's not responding?
Waldo should also be straight up and let everyone know that he has been legal council for a few Hildebrand property owners. He has been paid to lobby the council and advocate for the connection of Hildebrand and Ericksen.
If elected, and should this issue come to a council vote, would he uphold the promise made by the city to the community or would he advocate for his clients?
Where's Waldo?
Debbi Lester
