On July 1, the Washington State Grange submitted 305,000 signatures on I-872, The People’s Choice initiative, ensuring that the initiative will be on the ballot in November. As the person assigned by the state grange to handle the gathering of signatures in the Snoqualmie Valley, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the businesses that supported our effort.

Those businesses accepting petitions for signature were The Valley Record, Sterling Savings Bank, Cascade Office Supply, North Bend Auto Parts, Whistle Stop Barbershop, Kutter’s Hair and Nail Salon, Tanner Electric, Fall City Grill and Carnation Auto Parts.

We also want to thank the Factory Stores at North Bend for allowing us to set up a table at the mall for three days to gather signatures, and QFC in North Bend for allowing us to gather signatures there for two days before the company policy changed.

This was a truly grass-roots effort that could not have succeeded without help and support such as this. Now the real fight begins!

Anyone wanting additional information about the Initiative may log on to the Web site www.blanketprimary.org. Preserve your right to vote for whomever you choose, inform yourself and vote in November. By then, you will have been through one closed primary controlled by the political parties.

Boots Fischer

North Bend