Letter: Vote Mary Verner for commissioner of Public Lands

Commissioner of Public Lands elections typically receive little attention. Yet the actions of the commissioner dramatically impact our lives every summer during fire season.

Mary Verner is the former mayor of Spokane. She is the only candidate for commissioner of Public Lands with executive branch experience. Furthermore, Mary has served as deputy for wildfire and administration with the Department of Natural Resources for the last three years. She will not need two or three years of on-the-job training. Mary would be ready to hit the ground running the day she is sworn in.

Washington has suffered back-to-back record fire seasons due to exceptionally hot and dry summers. Mary Verner has worked tirelessly with fire chiefs and other officials to address the daunting challenges faced by the fire service and those affected by wildfire. She has earned the respect of fire service professionals around Washington. She has solid roots in rural Washington. Mary Verner is the only candidate with experience who understands our needs firsthand.

Please join me and fire service professionals around Washington, and vote for Mary Verner, commissioner of Public Lands.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 3:56 AM with the headline "Letter: Vote Mary Verner for commissioner of Public Lands."