To the Editor:

Executive of the County, sounds like a mighty overwhelming job, doesn’t it? Full responsibility for the total operation of the entire County. Jamie Gebert was Assistant to Mayor Wescott before she became Admin Assistant to the very position she is applying for. She possesses a decade of civil servant experience. Whereas, Chris Holman touts offering a fresh perspective as his experience. He proudly says he thinks outside the box. You know who else thinks outside the box? Act 10 was kind of outside the box. And the current resident of the White House went from zero government experience to President. How’s that working out for you? No experience leads to strange places.

If experience is not crucial to your vote, let’s talk endorsements. Jami is endorsed by the esteemed George Kraft and the entire Democratic Party of Portage County. Holman counts among his supporters Pat Testin, albeit quietly, and a fellow whose claim to fame is attending Trump’s Inauguration. Endorsement not your thing? How’s about character? Speaking to some of Holman’s colleagues the adjective “ruthless” came up. “He’ll feed any side to get what he wants.” Direct quote. Now, Jami was deemed sincere, earnest and ethical. The definition of civil servant is just that. Politics is not a solitary endeavor.

When I asked both candidates if they voted in 2016, and if so, who did they vote for President. Jami told me and said she was darn proud of her vote, Holman said “I don’t want to tell you.” I would think a person would be proud of their vote, especially a politician. In the Democratic party, we call it transparency. This is not 1950, and the 2016 election was not a normal election.

Let’s take an  issue near and dear to our hearts. The Health Care Center. While neither would pledge  to keep it public, Jami says she will roll up her sleeves and work with all parties. She has a three point plan already in the works with a county wide survey leading to a referendum. Holman said the future of the HCC is his decision because citizens are ill informed on the matter, and if folks don’t like his decision, they can vote him out next time. Shorthand for some people are less equal than others. The pirates become concerned with the new captain’s desire to ram the ship into the rocks.

I am voting for Jami Gebert for County Executive April 3rd for the above reasons and so many more. And I will proudly march with her this Saturday at the March for our Lives. Please join me on both accounts.

Jody Hurrish
Stevens Point