In support of Bertha Clayton

Dear Editor, Waitsburg Times,

I encourage you to get to know Bertha Clayton, candidate for Walla Walla County Commissioner, Position 1. She holds Walla Walla County and Waitsburg dear. Her great-grandparents were among the first homesteaders who settled near the Mormon Grade in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. “We have found heaven on earth,” they said. Bertha and her family know exactly what that means. Her parents have lived on their 163-acre family farm near Waitsburg for forty years. A quote from Bertha, “I love Walla Walla County. While our county has a rich and diverse history, I believe the best is yet to come!”

Bertha has had her eye on public service for years and I’ve had my eye on Bertha, volunteering alongside her in our community.  She is an impressive candidate who is bright, talented, genuine, dedicated, fair and kind. She is eager to serve and has the legal training, administrative and fiduciary experience, integrity and vision to do it well.  Bertha is a lawyer and a successful state agency director. Her community volunteerism runs deep. Her vitality and dedication to her profession, family and this valley are the foundations for informed, moderate, strategic and wise leadership.

Bertha’s record includes developing diverse teams and leading cohorts of leaders representing competing interests. For her, this campaign is about sensible ideas, energized leadership, and County staff working together in meaningful community partnership without partisan allegiance.

I believe this is the most important local race on our ballots this year. Please consult electberthaclayton.com or her Facebook page of the same name, attend a public candidate forum, of visit with those or us who have committed our votes to Bertha.

Cindy Widmer

College Place, Wash.