The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

I have run some sizable operations in the international oil business and think I understand what it takes to make an organization go.

Tammy Peterson strikes me as someone who is qualified for Treasurer. I have no disagreement with anyone who supports and votes for her.

But there is an intangible that makes organizations go: someone around whom the department will solidify and rally as a constructive element of transformational leadership. I think Marlena Silva exhibits this quality. She supports county employees and their functions across departments and is tenacious in her individual fiduciary responsibilities, a factor in her hesitancy regarding further staff reductions.

I was irritated by the question at the Pioneer Church about being strong enough to layoff people. I've performed layoffs and, truth be told, most layoffs are a failure of management and often do more harm than good. I found the question thoughtless. Treasurer of Wahkiakum County is a serious position. Taking nothing away from Tammy, about whom I know little, I have come to the conclusion that Marlena is an individual who will keep the department on track, cooperate across department lines, reduce conflict, without mistakes, without failure.

She is there now. What more could we ask for?

James Reed

Cathlamet