I am writing to ask everyone in the 45th District to vote Ramiro Valderrama for our representative. He has proven time and again that the citizens are his highest priority.

Here are some reasons I believe we should make him our representative in Olympia:

• During his time in city government, issues have arisen where he sees our council’s actions are limited because of state laws and ordinances.

• He sees the 45th District suffering from lack of representation, and sees we need a strong person in Olympia to speak for all of us.

• He is very qualified. He can work with both sides and has earned citizen’s respect all over the 45th.

• He really cares about the welfare of the Eastside.

If Mr. Valderrama moves on from Sammamish City Council, I among many would find it sad and hard to take. But we should support him for having his dream to advocate for citizens at a higher level, after all he has done for us. It is wrong to hold people back. It’s like not wanting your child to move away from home or go to college. Sure we would miss them, but we need to share them with the world. They know where home is.

Mr. Valderrama knows who he is working for. How often do we as citizens have a direct, open line to someone in Olympia who is willing to listen and act on our behalf?

He’s your choice on Nov. 8.

Respectfully Submitted,

SaSa Kirkpatrick, Sammamish