There is an old truism that; “Ineffective people can make a great organization structure fail, and conversely, good people can make a bad structure work”.

This saying is particularly pertinent in our county today since we have been dealt an abominable structure with its three council members simultaneously directing county operations and one largely impotent “manager” standing by to do their will with no separation of powers.

In this next primary election we better elect at least one individual with some proven experience in administration and management or we are going to have a re-run of the decades past. The person that comes immediately to mind for me is Mark Forlenza, who has great management credentials. Marc has strong drive, proven accomplishment, and experience that will allow him to navigate in a fundamentally dysfunctional governance structure.

Do not fool yourself that the so-called manager in the surviving charter will solve the issue. I wish the county well in their efforts to hire a strong person; I’ll be amazed, however, if they find such a person who will even consider that position with its clearly deemphasized description.  Moreover, if he or she shows some independent gumption, it takes only two council members to fire them. Not the place for a strong independent thinker, and potential applicants will know it.

Marc’s background includes strong experience in business and management along with exceptional work in volunteer efforts that make life better for other people without a self-serving approach. His energy and determination to be a highly effective council member will serve all of us well in the coming months.

Please join me in re-electing Marc Forlenza.

Charlie Bodenstab, San Juan Island