We were surprised by Duane Illg’s negative letter in the Oct. 24 Reporter. His comments are completely at odds with our experience with local government in over 45 years of living in Kirkland. Our beloved city is what it is today because of the selfless devotion of many people over the years.

Retired mayor Joan McBride has contributed years of service to help make Kirkland the special place it is today. In the process she has become a quiet, sensitive leader who can get things done.

We encouraged Joan to run for state office, and strongly support her bid to represent us in the 48th District in Olympia. We need Joan’s steady hand on education, transportation, environment and quality of life issues in an increasingly confrontational environment.

Dave and Hazel Russell, Kirkland