Mayor Linville, explain yourself! Your recent decision decision to select an external, controversial candidate over Bellingham's qualified internal candidates baffles me. I recall one of your campaign initiatives was to promote and hire qualified women in city government positions. Twice now, once with a city attorney position and now again with the city police chief position, you have chosen not to appoint a highly qualified woman in either of these positions. Are you perhaps afraid of competent women in high positions? If your chosen external candidate was indeed was the best choice for this job, your decision would be of no consequence to me. But the chosen chief, Clifford Cook, has a mired reputation at best. His own police guild rendered a no-confidence vote in his abilities after his three-year tenure. Mayor Linville, you requested the help of the Bellingham Police Guild and other local official and peers in this selection process, yet I believe you chose to ignore their advice and recommendation. To me this shows your lack of management ability. I believe this decision shows how ill-prepared you are to manage a city. A legislator legislates, a mayor manages a city and all of its departments, creating unity and cohesion. Our local candidates were qualified, deeply committed to our community and well respected and yet you had another "idea." You have lost my respect and my vote!

Paula French

Bellingham