Fundraising letter
Fellow Citizens,
My name is Bob Biles and I am running for a position on the Board of County Commissioners because the current Commission lacks vision, leadership and a clear direction that equally benefits all citizens of Walla Walla County. As a result, the County is moving away from the basic character and traditions that have defined this region for generations. While change is necessary and inevitable, we are drifting in a direction that will, I believe, prove permanently detrimental to the health and the well being of our lands and our people. I hope to gain your support for my campaign and your vote in the election.
Many people believe the main issue in the upcoming election for County Commissioner is about Illahee, the Pennbrook/Abito development. Clearly, this issue has been handled very badly from the start. However, at the heart of this conflict is a systemic problem played out over and over by an out of touch Board of Commissioners. The problem is a repeated failure to effectively engage, inform and work with the public to foster interdependent relationships built on integrity and trust. This must stop. Change begins now with your vote for Bob Biles.
I want you to know how much I care about the Walla Walla Valley, and how much I admire the people who have made it one of the best places in the world to live.
My roots run deep within this community, and I already know and respect many of you. You may know me from my work as a landscape maintenance specialist at Whitman College, or perhaps you have purchased flowers, vegetables or Thai food from our family booth at the downtown Farmer’s Market. I also serve on the Walla Walla City Planning Commission and am involved with the upcoming revisions of the city’s comprehensive management plan.
As a member of the Whitman College Budget Advisory Committee I helped plan a multi-million dollar budget. From 2003 to January of 2006 I served as treasurer for the Walla Walla County Central Democratic Committee. I refereed basketball with the Blue Mountain Officials Association and volunteered two years of my life with the Peace Corps, stationed in the country of Nepal.
In the future, I would like to be able to add that I had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Walla Walla County as your County Commissioner position #3.
The current Commissioners have forgotten the traditions that define Walla Walla County
First, a firm grounding in sustainable, regional agriculture.
This region’s well being is rooted in our agriculture, and our farms are necessary to Washington State and our nation. Now more than ever, I believe that we must be innovative in responding to new opportunities and challenges in food production. We can not allow multi-national corporations to control our food supply. As a nation, we are learning painful lessons about being dependent on foreign oil and the energy it supplies, so let us not repeat that mistake with our agricultural industries. Ultimately, I believe our sovereignty, independence, and control over our destiny from one generation to the next will be ensured through maintaining profitable local farms.
Second, respecting our land, our water and planning wisely.
Farmer and writer Wendell Berry once said, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago.” As adults know, twenty years passes quickly. The decisions we make today will have profound effects on the next generation. Will our children thank us for our wisdom or judge us harshly for our lack of foresight?
Third, preserving the values that have defined Walla Walla for generations.
People who live here value the friendliness, the warmth, the strong support for schools, the community organizations, and the caring relationships that have knit this community together for generations. We all want to preserve this vibrant, safe and vital community where families can prosper. We want even better schools for our children, beautiful parks and plenty of recreational opportunities in a healthy environment. We want to care for aging members of our community. We want to compassionately support the most vulnerable among us, who through no fault of their own cannot care for themselves. We want our tax dollars used efficiently, to support necessary infrastructure so private enterprise and small businesses can flourish.
A crucial challenge facing us is to preserve our values in the face of dramatic demographic and economic changes. These issues concern me deeply, as I know they concern all of us who live here.
Fourth, ethical leadership and community democracy.
We want leaders who share a common vision with our citizens, leaders who are honest, have integrity, passion, compassion, and can make tough decisions.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
As a community, we must preserve our core values and traditions as we take innovative risks in responding to the challenges we face. I pledge as your next County Commissioner to work with the community through these changes, understanding the tremendous responsibility and honor such a position entails. I care deeply for Walla Walla and am committed to this land and its people.
Please join me in this endeavor with your financial contribution, by writing a letter of support to the local paper, placing a campaign sign in your yard, and talking with your friends and neighbors about our shared vision and hopes for our great county.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Biles
Talk with Bob
I want to continue to share what other members of the community have told me matters most about living in Walla Walla and the surrounding farms in this county, and what they may find they are losing that matters the most to them. Every human being wants to leave a legacy, to make a contribution to living, important community relationships. Let's learn together what we can do to be inclusive and get the job done. Government is a relationship that can make a difference. Please contact me: Tel.525-7139, 1982 Wallula Ave., Walla Walla, Wa or via email through this page.
Paid for by the Committee to elect Bob Biles, P.O Box 1981 Walla Walla, Wa. 99362