I’m looking for candidates! I’m looking for people who truly care about the health and welfare of our Enumclaw community. By this I don’t mean those who kowtow to just the business segment, but to those who are concerned about Enumclaw’s unacceptable track record when it comes to COVID vaccinations and our large loss of citizens to this terrible disease. Those who don’t continue to embarrass us in the news with their lack of masking during close-contact, indoor meetings and who don’t do humiliating double-talk interviews, thwarting CDC and Washington state guidance. I’m looking for candidates who encourage the health and welfare of our community and who embrace diversity, equity and a broader view of what our Enumclaw community can become.

So, I did not vote for any of the Enumclaw candidates, except for one. That one was the only candidate who didn’t spew boilerplate-type mush and who actually mentioned health resource issues. For all the rest, I wrote-in community member names of those who have impressed me with their sound judgement and concern about issues that affect the toxic environment around us each day; those who care for equity, truth, diversity; those who have truly shown concern for the health of our citizens.

Now, I’m not foolish enough to think this will matter in the end. Since just about every candidate ran unopposed (a sad situation in my mind), each of them will win their seat and I can only hope to see improvement before the next election. However, by the next election, I’m hoping that COVID will be behind us, despite Enumclaw’s deplorable work in that area, and that more citizens with a broader perspective will come forward and put forth their vision for a healthier and diverse Enumclaw that we can be proud of.

With the holidays approaching, I’m reminded of this quote from Dickens regarding business: “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” Enumclaw is more than a business community and let’s remember that.

Donna Smith

Enumclaw