As the September primary grows near, Valley voters are encouraged to go to the polls for King County Executive Candidate David Irons. If you are tired of the rural area being misunderstood by the current King County executive, it is time to vote with your feet.

Ron Sims does not understand the rural area as evidenced in the recent Grouse Ridge gravel mining permit; his imposition of the critical areas ordinance that is being challenged in the courts as a “taking” of land; and his opinions on how the North Bend aquifer should and should not be utilized.

Sims has utilized the power of his office to define the rural area as the backyard playground of Seattle. His administration makes it nearly impossible for cottage industries to survive in unincorporated King County in the rural area. Sims plunders the Eastside Rail Corridor in an inflated deal with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) to purchase the tracks to make a north-south trail connector while leaving businesses depending on the rail line high and dry. The result is that all of the freight will be required to go by truck on state and King County roads and will cost millions of dollars in road repairs.

Sims wants to cost the taxpayers millions of dollars by taking Southwest Airlines from Seatac and placing it in the deal of the century at Boeing Field.

Last week North Bend residents attended a local fund-raiser for King County candidate David Irons and raised $5,200 to elect him to office. At that event Irons demonstrated that he understands the rural area, the people and the values that go with living in the Snoqualmie Valley. He is against the CAO and will eliminate it. He vows to support cottage industries with the kind of permitting and allowed uses that make it possible to earn an independent living in the rural area. He will assist the North Bend City Council in getting the water decisions needed to allow appropriate, planned, economic development within the incorporated and designated growth areas.

David Irons is in favor of open space and trails and vows to strike a win/win negotiation with BNSF for rails and trails, yet at an appraised fair price that is several times lower than the number Ron Sims pulled out of the air. That means you and I will not see an increase in our taxes to pay for Sims’ whims.

Let’s get Sims out of office while King County rural and urban residents can still afford to live here. Let’s elect someone who will make each vote count, who understands and supports the rural area and who is not desperate to keep power and control in Seattle. David Irons is your candidate.

See you Sept. 20 at the primary.

Susan Bond

North Bend