Rep. Sherry Appleton

Bainbridge Island Fire Chief Hank Teran and B.I. Fire Commissioner Susan Cohen (right) stopped by my office in January when they were at the Capitol with fire chiefs and commissioners from all over Washington. I appreciated the chance to spend some time with Hank and Susan. We're in good hands.

February 10, 2012 – Legislative Update

Dear friends and neighbors,

I am proud to represent the people of Washington’s 23rd legislative district, which includes Silverdale, Poulsbo, Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Suquamish, much of Bremerton, and surrounding areas of the beautiful Kitsap peninsula.

These are momentous times in our state, our nation, and the entire world. A global recession has taken jobs from hard-working people, homes from good families, and customers from small and large businesses.

An unavoidable ripple effect of a depressed economy is that public services at every level of society are being scaled back or eliminated entirely, just when demand for those services is on the rise.

We wrestle with these issues at our kitchen tables, in boardrooms, and in legislative chambers. We are all making sacrifices and adjustments, some immediate and some over the long term. Some are saying we should lower our expectations. I disagree. As Washingtonians, as Americans, we have shown time and again our ability to overcome adversity, and I see hopeful signs that we are doing so once again.

One important indicator of this is that even in the midst of this economic storm, individuals, families and groups all over our district continue to tell me that the priorities we share, the values that unite us, have not changed:

• Diversifying our economic base throughout the region and the state.

• Providing incentives to our small businesses so they have opportunity to succeed — to prosper, to provide jobs, and to keep our Main Streets healthy.

• Finding common-sense transportation solutions, especially regarding the ferry system that is truly a lifeline to countless Kitsap families and businesses.

• Building a world-class education system, from early childhood through graduate school.

• And maintaining a human-services safety net for our most vulnerable citizens – our children, our elders, the disabled.

These are core values, and again, I’m proud and humbled to work on behalf of my friends and neighbors.  But please — I need your help.  In these tough times, more than ever, your good ideas, your thoughtful questions, your suggestions and your criticisms, are all needed, and appreciated.  What do you think? Please take a moment to send me a quick e-mail or call my office.  And if you’re going to be in Olympia during the legislative session, please let me know.  I always like to see the people I work for.

Sincerely,

Rep. Sherry Appleton