I have had the privilege to act as a “Moderator” at two different venues or forums recently where candidates for various city council positions spoke and fielded questions posed by the Chamber of Commerce, the Maple Valley Reporter and audience members.

Although, from the beginning I have backed Bill Woodcock for position # 1 in the Maple Valley Council race, I couldn’t help but take note of the cordiality and courtesies extended from Bill to his opponent Sean Kelly, and Sean to Bill.

When they openly stated that they were friends, it was believable. So what is a voter to do when two smart, engaging young men are running for local office. Flipping a coin, or as they used to say in Colonial days, toss up cross and pile, would be one way to make the choice; but we can do better than that.  As I pondered the dilemma for those voters who have not yet made up their mind because they don’t know enough about either candidate, I offer the following.

Would the country be in the same economic quandary had Hillary Clinton been the Democrat standard bearer instead of a young inexperienced congressman from Illinois?  I think not.  Like President Obama, Mrs. Clinton too, would have successfully ridden the anti Bush campaign and a need for something different feeling so many Americans were expressing.  I believe that her coalition building skills and experience would have moved our country to a better place economically.  The point of this comparison for me is that there is a place and a time to acknowledge experience and that experience and commitment make for sound leadership.

Bill Woodcock has the experience and working knowledge of the many issues confronting the future of the city of Maple Valley.

He can hit the ground running, representing the interest of all of the stakeholders not only within the city but also those from outside the city who view the city as part of the greater community.

Gary Habenicht

Maple Valley