My forty years of county lawyering and part-time judging have convinced me to vote for Deborra Garrett as Whatcom County Superior Court judge.

Retiring Judge Steven Mura explained in a recent column the need for broad experience in all of the areas of law that a superior court judge faces. His experience as a local private attorney prepared him for the important cases heard only in superior court: family law (custody, support, divorce), juvenile crimes, landlord-tenant, parental rights termination, involuntary mental commitment, probate, tax legality, large lawsuits, real estate, felony criminal and appeals from lower courts.

Deborra Garrett is the only candidate with this broad professional experience -- an outstanding 30-year Whatcom County career in business, family, criminal and civil law. She is the current president of the Whatcom County Bar Association, a private attorney and small business owner.

Deborra has represented individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, abused and neglected children and other crime victims. She's handled criminal, family, housing, landlord-tenant, employment and personal injury cases. Her substantial trial work in the Superior Court and the federal court system shows she knows her way around a courtroom.

It is time for an experienced, accomplished woman to preside as a Superior Court judge. Deborra Garrett has earned my vote.

Edwin Simmers

Bellingham