I listened with interest to the radio interviews of the two people running for the position of Grays Harbor County Commissioner District 1. One of the candidates sounded vacuous on the issues and the other was Jamie Nichols. One candidate appeared to be a one-trick pony running against the needle exchange program and the other was Jamie Nichols.

Nichols had a wealth of ideas on a multitude of issues. She commented articulately while outlining her visions for Grays Harbor. The other candidate ranted about a program proven to achieve its intent. Studies have shown needle exchange programs substantially reduce the risk of Hepatitis B and C, and HIV. Similar studies have demonstrated the financial benefits of needle exchange programs. The lifetime costs of treating the aforementioned diseases is astronomical. With, in some studies, a 60% decrease in the risk, the total cost savings to taxpayers is huge.

Jamie pledges to help working families maintain living wage jobs. She wants to ensure rural and agriculture needs are addressed responsibly. Jamie is someone committed to fixing our aging and outdated infrastructure. And, not last, she wants to encourage and mandate honest, transparent government. And, these are just from her website: www.friendsofjamie.com. On the radio I also heard her talk about supporting property rights, the Second Amendment, and pies for everyone! Well, the third is my idea, not hers.

Her opponent wants to eliminate funding for a program proven financially sound and effective; a program saving Grays Harbor citizens’ lives and tax dollars. Oh, and no one starts doing drugs and becomes an addict because of the availability of clean, safe syringes. Jamie wants to help Grays Harbor to big things again, move forward, and grow responsibly.

I’m a fan of Jamie Nichols. I’m proud I get the privilege of voting for her. I urge Grays Harbor voters to share my pride and vote Jamie Nichols for County Commissioner, District 1.

Jim Eddy

Hoquiam