Yes, elections are polarizing. Yes, elections have gotten more negative. Unfortunately it’s a sign of our times, not exclusive to our little community of Kirkland. Someone once said, “there’s more than one person involved in a dysfunctional relationship.” In our council-manager form of governance, there are eight people in that relationship. If council is dysfunctional, eight people are responsible for the dysfunction.

Glenda S. Schmidt, Kirkland