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08/13/2005: "Wagner Commends Ranker For His Support"

Stan Wagner

I want to commend Commissioner Ranker for supporting the Democratic Party choice to fill the vacant District 3 chair. That choice was made after a rigorous process by a group of people deeply concerned about the welfare of the islands. Because the candidates had to come from Lopez, the PCO's from other Islands did not know them, and the process was designed to acquaint us with their views, their personalities and their seriousness about filling the position. All candidates submitted résumé's, completed an extensive questionnaire concerning island issues and were then interviewed on July 14th. On July 23, each candidate made a presentation to a Democratic Central Committee meeting on Lopez and answered written questions from the group. We also received many letters of recommendation from supporters, many outlining their experience in working with the candidates and we made our own inquiries to people who knew the candidates and had worked with them.

This process gave us a chance to gauge their commitment to the job, how well they were prepared, their positions on issues of interest to all Islanders, and their public presence and their commitment to a campaign and their commitment to Democratic values. We certainly went much deeper than an examination of a resume, because we know that a resume is not the measure of a Commissioner, but is only a starting point. What does count is an ability to take on hard issues, complete them successfully in the political context by building consensus and seeing the larger picture.

The Precinct Committee officers, a majority of them elected, but all concerned with the best interests of the islands included working people making a living on the Islands to professionals with advanced degrees, people who had hired professionals as well as folks who recognized the qualifications of a good boss. These are folks concerned about the environment and retaining the sense of community that we all cherish. They work hard on many community projects and individually were responsible for holding the presidential caucuses that many of you attended last year.

After completing the process it was clear to a wide majority of us that Jamie Stephens met the qualifications that we wanted in a county commissioner. Those qualifications indeed exceed the criteria set by Commissioners Lichter and Ranker in their sessions. Commissioner Ranker, while making his own decision, publicly did give substantial weight to a hard working group of fellow Democrats who brought much insight to their selection and did their job well. I believe he should be given a vote of thanks for his work.

Stan Wagner
Chariman, Democratic Party
San Juan County