The current council campaign has gotten a bit ugly. Instead of serious and civil discussion of critical issues facing our city, we have attacks on candidates’ integrity and intentions. On every issue, the most important question always seems to be “what’s in this (or not in this) for me?” When I first moved to Kirkland in 1991, I expected to find this kind of ‚“me-first” attitude. Instead, I found a community with a commitment to “the common good,” with beautiful parks, comprehensive community services, and competent city staff. This is the surprising “heart” of Kirkland. For me, the person who most exemplifies the heart of Kirkland is Councilmember Joan McBride. She loves this town and all the people in it. She thinks that Kirkland is the jewel of the Eastside and she will work indefatigably to make sure that others see it and experience it that way, too. She deserves your vote. In these challenging economic times, it’s easy to succumb to narrow, me-first thinking. I urge my fellow citizens to look around for the opportunity to think bigger and better. Protect the heart of Kirkland.

Sharon Sherrard, Kirkland