There are several characteristics that we would all like in our elected officials: honesty, compassion, intelligence, common sense, persistence and humility would be a good start to the list.

I have had the opportunity to work with Ramiro Valderrama on more than one occasion. Without going into all of the details of our most recent dealing with a large governmental agency and the City of Sammamish, on a neighborhood issue, suffice it to say, we didn’t even have a constructive dialogue with the two agencies until Valderrama came onto the scene. Our city leadership ignored our concerns and the county officials were simply, openly antagonistic. With his new position (at the time) on the Sammamish City Council – Valderrama became the voice of reason in getting everyone back to, at the very least, talking about solutions to problems created by the county, and at best actually fixing problems brought about by significant paving by the county. Valderrama took the step necessary to listen and understand the issues and concerns of all involved, gather the parties who could address the issues and concerns and is now attempting to marshal the resources necessary to resolve the problems. He listened, understood and acted to resolve.

There is a famous relationship expert at the University of Washington. Some of his research indicates that in a relationship, one of the key factors in cultivating a good, healthy relationship is that the parties involved AT THE VERY LEAST feel heard and understood. In my dealings with Valderrama – he has been exceptional at making sure we were at least heard and understood. I can only hope that we, his constituents, send him to Olympia as our next 45th Legislative District State House representative so that he can put his qualities of honesty, compassion, intelligence, common sense, persistence and humility to work for all of us in his district. In my book, six for six is worth my vote.

James Stenson

Sammamish