QUOTES FROM NEWS SOURCES AS WELL AS
THOSE WHO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT
COMMISSIONER MELANIE BACON
There are a lot of divas out there. Melanie is not one of them. No drama for Melanie, who never makes it all about her. She's a public servant in the truest sense who cares about what you and I think. She listens and collaborates, including with those who hold different views from her own, to find solutions that most can support. At the same time, she holds strong in the face of opposition when the future good depends on it.
- Sue Sell
As a longtime South Whidbey resident, I wholeheartedly support Commissioner Melanie Bacon. Her caring, empathetic leadership style helps create consensus for greater impact. She takes time to listen and actively works with others to problem solve.
- Shawn Morris
Every Friday I receive an email from Commissioner Bacon that details the goings on at the county, complete with transcriptions, names, where things are agreed and disagreed, upcoming meetings, and much more. Melanie has hosted "Tea with Melanie" sessions weekly to be available and listen to constituent concerns and issues. These efforts demonstrate her principled intention that government should be transparent. I have followed local political goings on for many years and have never before had this much access or information about what is going on with the county.
This is exactly the transparency and openness I expect in my government.
- Billie and Richard Draves
She is working with the Washington Association of Counties, making friends and influencing people. She learns from more senior members of that organization and others, and she gets the kind of advice that turns into action. Melanie has made friends in the legislature; she has learned how to get legislators to work for us; and how to successfully present our requests.
- Georgia Gardner
Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon is speaking up about the dire need for better ferry service on Whidbey Island. Bacon, whose district encompasses Central and South Whidbey, occupies a unique position in the state. The Coupeville-Port Townsend and Clinton-Mukilteo ferry routes are both located within the district that she represents. Last month Bacon testified via Zoom about the necessity for more funding during meetings of the state Senate and House transportation committees. She urged state lawmakers to prioritize the funding of ferry staff initiatives and expansion of the fleet.
- Whidbey News-Times
"I've had dealings with Melanie Bacon since she first declared her candidacy 4+ years ago. I found then, and still find, a fundamentally decent human being who truly seeks the best for all Island County residents."
- Marianne Edain
"Judith and I are voting for Melanie Bacon because we've seen her in action. Melanie has supported climate initiatives, especially our water resource sustainability on many occasions. She has instigated funding for water and septic studies, listened to concerned citizens and worked to influence the County towards sensible climate resilience. Melanie interacts directly with citizens and listens attentively. She has the steady hand and experience we need to guide our County."
- Perry Lovelace
Bacon said her shorthand philosophy for growth planning is as follows: "Complex. Time-consuming. Extremely important." She has been deeply involved in the comprehensive plan update since the county started in earnest late last year and hopes to continue with the process in the coming year. She said she's especially excited with the process because the commissioners have identified a clear vision for the county - climate resilient, equitable, healthy for all life.
"And we're looking at every policy and code through those three lenses, in order to ensure that over the next 20 years every one of our residents will have the best quality of life that's within the county's scope to provide," she said. "The Growth Management Act does not require us to do any of that."
- South Whidbey Record
Melanie has been a dedicated and effective Commissioner since her term began four years ago. She has kept her constituents fully informed about our County government's actions through her weekly email messages and informal Monday meetings. She is especially attentive to the quality and quantity of our drinking water and cares deeply about our environment. Her experience, leadership, honesty and integrity have earned our vote in November.
- Tom and Sally Cahill
Melanie has been a great commissioner for four years after serving as the county HR for some time. Her outreach telling voters what is happening within Island County government including links to the relevant audio transcripts is truly outstanding. What an incentive to that citizen involvement which makes our government work. She's sharp and people orientated and a hard worker.
- Dean Enell
Commissioner Melanie Bacon is planning an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and to honor veterans and their spouses. The news came out just before March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
