Betty Bode for Washington County Commissioner

I want to take just a couple of minutes to share with you how I made my decision to run for a seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners. I reflected about the challenges we’re all facing and then how we work together to solve them.

FIRST…

We do not have to look far to realize we’re facing increasingly difficult economic times here in Washington County. As a result, there are increasing demands upon our county government to protect and support our region’s most vulnerable citizens. Coupled with the demand for public safety, human services has become more significant to a greater share of our population and it is placing enormous pressure on our budget and causing our leaders to have to make tough choices. These are things we all know!

However…

There is a very direct correlation between the health of our economy and the health of our community! Washington County cannot just generate more money for needed community services without supporting and nurturing the health of our economy. These two extremely important aspects of our community can and must exist together and prosper simultaneously… We must nurture them both at the same time!

The citizens of District 1 need and deserve a stronger voice in the county about how we address these critical issues. We need and want a collaborative voice and an individual who can bring balance and common sense.

My service as an elected leader demonstrates that I will bring fresh ideas and better balance to conversations at the county level. That is the choice I am bringing to the voters in this election.

It’s time to take a new look at how we manage the issues we face together!

In my vision it takes more than attempts at collaboration, it requires a fresh inclusiveness to bring different interests into the conversations to identify and implement mutually beneficial solutions.

Ideas and positions that are often considered to be conflicting, when considered in a constructive environment, can lead to innovative solutions that serve all the parties well.

I have a track record of bringing people and ideas together to generate innovative solutions. I will always look for solutions that demonstrate a respectful stewardship of tax dollars while at the same time invest in a positive, prosperous future for the county and its citizens.

We must nurture both the health of our economy and the health of our community at the same time!

• We need good jobs at all skill levels
• We need more housing that offers a choice of cost, location to work, to school, and to nature!
• We need to maintain integerity and equity in our neighborhoods, they are the backbone of the county
• We need to safeguard the green grass under our feet and keep the green in our pockets!
• We need to respond to the employment and transit needs with our regional business partners

That means better balance and better choices
for all of Washington County!