Letters to the Editor, July 22

Harris an involved advocate for community, school district

I am writing to encourage you to vote for Marcia Harris for Peninsula School District School Board, Position 1. Marcia is an involved advocate of the Key Peninsula community and the Chair of the Peninsula Schools Education Foundation, an organization that directly supports classrooms in our district. As a career educator and retired educational leader, Marcia understands leadership and financial needs of school districts and would be the best person to help move Peninsula School District forward.

For positive change and someone who will get the job done vote for Marcia Harris. She is the best advocate for our children and for the future of Peninsula School District!

Gig Harbor

Harbaugh a hard working, honest school board candidate

Let’s face it, most of us will have a hard time choosing among candidates for many local positions because we don’t know the candidates and election pamphlets usually contain only broad statements short on specifics. That’s why I want to share what I know about Leslie Harbaugh, candidate for Peninsula School District School Board.

Leslie is hard working, dedicated, intelligent and knowledgeable. She’s skillful at negotiating and capable of building the kind of consensus that can actually get things accomplished. She is, above all, principled and honest and has experience that makes her perfectly qualified for this job. She has a child in the school system right now so she’s got “skin in the game.” She will be an asset to the community and will work tirelessly to improve our schools.

We need people like Leslie on our school board. She deserves your vote.

Gig Harbor

Dedication, selflessness distinguish Smith for school board

As the school board race develops, I wanted to provide a unique perspective on one of the candidates. My husband, Zachary Smith, is one of the most dedicated and selfless men I know. From volunteering to family to military service, he always puts others before himself.

Zach is also exceptionally well qualified to serve on the school board in spite of the false narrative that the best or only qualification is years of service with the PTA. He runs a successful local business, has given thousands of hours of volunteer service since we’ve been married and was a proven leader and determined problem-solver in the military.

In 2013, during an exercise in Thailand, Zach managed the evacuation and medical care of four casualties of a helicopter crash in the mountains. One Marine probably would have died, but survived instead. Zach doesn’t normally say much about his role in that because he feels he was just doing his job. That’s the type of man my husband is.

I know other candidates are also qualified, but I truly feel Zach has the most to offer and is the most dedicated. Please support Zachary Smith for Peninsula School Board, position #4.

Gig Harbor

Harris knows district finances, will keep in mind stakeholders

Please voters, consider carefully your vote for board members of the Peninsula School District.

The past few years have been a challenge for the school district and leadership. Marcia Harris gets it. She knows school district finances. As a 20-year resident, she has a heart for the Key Peninsula and will ensure that all decisions, moving forward for the district, keep in mind all the stakeholders of the Peninsula School District. She is absolutely the best choice for PSD school board position district #1.

Gig Harbor

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Letters to the Editor, July 22."