I am voting for David Tobin for Pacific County Commissioner Position 2. I invite you to please consider voting for David.

I have known David since 2008/09. I was the superior court judge for Pacific County and heard most juvenile truancy cases. I knew him then as Mr. Tobin, principal for Ilwaco Jr./Sr. High School. He was thoughtful, polite, professional and very composed. I immediately saw that David had a genuine compassion for the student(s). He was respectful in his presentation to both the student and the student’s parent/guardian. He suggested positive and helpful solutions to get the student back into school and on track for completion of that school year. The court’s juvenile officer and I appreciated David’s candor and practical suggestions. My court orders usually reflected Mr. Tobin’s recommendations. I saw Mr. Tobin off and on for years while he remained the principal, and his demeanor has remained constant. His demeanor reflects what I expect in an elected official, especially a commissioner who functions include both legislative and quasi-judicial matters.

I have worked in the Pacific County legal system for 27 years. I was the elected Pacific County prosecutor, North Pacific District judge, and the Pacific County Superior Court judge until my retirement in January of 2017. I watched as county commissioners came and left, came and left. I learned during those years that Pacific County needed county commissioners who demonstrated patience, manners, thoughtfulness, honesty, were good listeners and who had no “axes to grind.” I watched some commissioners work together, agreeing to disagree, not holding grudges, and moving forward to consider the next problem or issue. Sadly, at times I also witnessed the opposite. The results were refusals to make reasonable compromises, rudeness, vendettas, a polarization of the county commissioners as well as a waste of time and resources.

We need to retain David Tobin as a county commissioner. He reflects the good behaviors listed above. He is very experienced in working with people from many walks of life in his work as a teacher, coach and school administrator (about 40-plus years), reserve police officer for the City of Long Beach (five years), and EMT/Firefighter for Fire District 1 (six-plus years and ongoing), to name a few. He has worked well with the present, other two commissioners. I believed him to be a genuine, sincere, reasonable person in 2008 and still find that true today.

A narrow-minded thinker David is not. Again, David has no “axe to grind” nor is he going to “set everyone straight.” He will listen to everyone, open-minded even to those who disagree, even strongly disagree, with him. David will legislate to the best of his ability after fully considering all the varied facts and arguments. Our friends, spouses, strangers, neighbors, concerned or frustrated citizens, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or “Others” deserve the best candidate. David Tobin has my vote.

Thank you for your time to read this endorsement.

Judge MICHAEL (Mike) SULLIVAN, Ret.

Menlo