To The Eagle:

I recently attended a candidate forum that was held here in Wahkiakum County. After listening to the prospective candidates speak and the public-submitted questions, I felt urged to voice my thoughts.

First off, the high attendance at the event was impressive. For being such a small county, I was amazed at how many community members took time out of their day to come listen, to inquire, and to observe each candidate in action. This was the first thought that sparked my enthusiasm. Democracy, as described by Merriam-Webster, is a government by the people, a rule of the majority. From there, the dictionary definition goes on to explain it as a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. Now while that does sound complex and a bit wordy, the basis of it is spot on. We the people, the residents of Wahkiakum County, are trusted to elect the right person for the job. That’s the bottom line. Seeing democracy in action is a wonderful thing. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing each and every hopeful contender state their case. Although I didn’t agree with some of the answers or stated platforms, I walked away with a greater wealth of knowledge, and in turn educated my vote a little more. This is the beauty of our democracy.

After heading home from an evening well spent, I started really thinking. I pride myself on being an educated voter. While no one can be a total expert, I personally try to gather as much information on whatever I am voting on. As registered voters, we are trusted to uphold our democracy. We are trusted to be a voice. We are trusted to choose the right person. As a concerned Wahkiakum County voter, I want to simply urge the community members to do their due diligence. While it’s easy to be schmoozed by the newest, hottest thing, I encourage you to look at the background behind it. Whether it be a funding issue, a change initiative, or some big proposed savings, do the research. It’s easy for a candidate to say something that earns the support of a voter; it’s another matter to act on it and truly benefit the community. Each prospective candidate, both incumbent and hopeful, should know the full job duties of the office they are competing for. As a citizen, don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions, don’t shy away from facts, and don’t be fearful of requesting further credentials. A qualified candidate is eager to be challenged and ready to showcase his or her competency.

I am passionate about our elections process. I am invested in Wahkiakum County. These are the two driving forces behind my desire to speak out. Now, while I get off my metaphorical soapbox, I am asking each county member to cast his or her educated vote. This effort to inform the voters comes from an entirely bias-free stance. Vote for who you think will be the right person for the job. We don’t have to agree.

As citizens of this great nation, we are so fortunate to have a voice in not only our country’s government, but our local government as well. In an election like our upcoming Primary, the decisions that are made will directly affect our county’s welfare, prosperity, and future. With that right comes great responsibility. Be informed, do your homework, and most importantly, vote!

Kaelee Dearmore

A Wahkiakum County Resident