I attended the League of Women Voters candidates Q & A in Hoquiam on Oct. 4, which included candidates for County Commission, Districts 1 and 2, and PUD Commissioner.

It struck me listening to all the candidates that the only candidate who spoke little or not at all about his relationship with his constituents or reaching out to the public was Randy Ross, running for County Commissioner, District 2. All the other candidates stressed and recognized public input and outreach as very important to their job. Mr. Ross repeatedly stated that the most important part of his job was balancing the budget.

Although a balanced budget is required and important, it is dependent on the needs of county departments and the citizens of Grays Harbor. There is so much more to what a county commissioner should do and what they are responsible for.

The only way to be successful is to reach out to the community, to be creative, and have the imagination and vision to improve the lives of the people who live and work here.

I did not hear Randy Ross talk about that.

Mr. Ross may be a competent bureaucrat. We need much more from a leader.

Linda Orgel

Aberdeen