Welcome to another installment of “Jason’s Wading into Rough Waters,” a.k.a. my local election commentary. After this column, perhaps the only additional thing I could do to ensure I’ve made it onto some readers’ “Up Schitt’s Creek / Do Not Fly” lists is to start naming 1,001 reasons why building housing on the Blaine Street side of the Port Townsend Golf Course is a good idea. But since I don’t think it’s a good idea—I don’t believe that last ditch option should even be considered until construction of permanently affordable housing has begun on every suitable city property—I don’t have single reason to cite.

Skipping the immensely important Port Commission race and a few others which I don’t know enough about to offer informed commentary, I’ll start with our local school boards. Both are no contests. 

In Quilcene, where the current conservative “Christian” majority has consistently violated the needs and wishes of students and teachers by proposing an LGBTQ book ban (failed), trans-exclusionary sports policy (passed), Bible curriculum (on pause), religious rally (abandoned), and limiting public commentary (abandoned), Naomi Stern, whose kids attend Quilcene public schools, is running against self-proclaimed “right wing conservative Christian” Jon Cooke. Cooke, a former chair of JeffCo Republicans and twice failed Republican candidate for JeffCo Commissioner, may claim to push for improving student learning above his personal opinions, but he voted to appoint outgoing board member Shona Davis, who recently asked for silence in memory of Charlie Kirk and posted on Facebook, “The best anyone can do for their children is to homeschool them.”

Stern, whom you can converse with (along with unopposed fellow candidate Richard Fitzgerald) at a BBQ meetup at the Quilcene Campground Picnic Shelter on Saturday, October 25 from 11a.m.-1:30p.m., recently said, “The extreme politicization of our nonpartisan school board’s role is jeopardizing school funding and exclusionary of certain groups of students and their families. My goal is to refocus the school board, prioritize students and teachers, and get us back to the business of education and away from the religious and political theater that the current board is trying to push through.” Stern’s win is essential to the future of Quilcene’s youth.

Similarly, Amanda Grace, a former PT student and parent to three PT high school graduates, is the only viable candidate for Port Townsend school board. “My success as an adult is because of a handful of really caring, considerate individuals in our small community who saw my potential and showed up for me,” she told me. “For that reason, I’ve always had a deep sense of commitment to pay that forward to our youth.

“I really feel we need to not overly politicize our children’s protection and safety. My values are around making sure that our children are safe in our community—all of our children, regardless of where they’re from and how they identify—and that they have a safe place to learn. I really believe in science-based learning and mathematics. I don’t think that our tiny school district should be the place for the national toxic political system to play out.”

Contrast that with Timothy Hawley, whose social media feed contains deplorable anti-vax and anti-trans posts. He may call his personal opinions “of secondary importance,” but numero dos is but one digit behind numero uno. Amanda Grace all the way.

Over no race have I agonized more than hospital commissioner. Concurrent to publication of this column—right before I leave for a week’s work in Warsaw—I’ve posted to my Facebook page, with public access, my recording of the Rotary Club hospital commissioner candidates forum where a current commissioner tried to shut down discussion after I had posed “the” question. The audio, recorded from a distance, isn’t pristine, but some of it is delicious. Don’t miss our charged interaction.

Stu Kerber is a solid, dedicated candidate with a strong background in finances. If I read his comments in the last Leader correctly, he’s also tacitly acknowledged the truth in Matt Ready’s string of whistleblower actions. My concern is that, as the husband of the former CFO of Jefferson Healthcare, he’s too close to hospital management to serve as an independent commissioner tasked with oversight. Given that current commissioners engaged in secret negotiations between Jefferson Healthcare and Olympic Medical Center, his election could potentially impact transparency and increase the lack of critical distance between the board and hospital governance.

Fifteen-year commissioner Matt Ready is not without faults. (Who isn’t?) Nonetheless, he tirelessly fought for the right to record public board retreats and exposed illegal board meetings regarding a possible hospital merger. (See his website for transcripts, video, and recordings.) Given the board’s history of behind closed doors dealings, awarding another term to a commissioner who strives to keep board members honest is both wise and prudent. 

Jason Victor Serinus is a critic of culture, music, and audio. A longtime advocate for rights, equality, and freedom, he is also a professional whistler. Column tips / feedback: jvsaisi24@gmail.com