If there’s one thing retired military people know about it’s duty.

Steve McLaughlin is a retired U.S. Navy commander and he knows all about duty. Steve is our best candidate for commissioner of Public Lands — the elected head of Washington’s Department of Public Lands.

Steve knows that the commissioner has the duty to manage our millions of acres of state trust forest lands for the broad public interest. That means making sure that millions of dollars in revenues continue to support our public schools and making sure that trust lands already set aside for recreation and environmental protection stay set aside—protecting salmon runs and enhancing habitat restoration.

Steve also knows the commissioner has the duty to protect our forests from forest fires. Fortunately, Steve’s background in emergency management will stand him and us well.

Steve knows his duty includes providing thousands of jobs in timber country for Washingtonians who don’t live in high tech Seattle — living wage jobs growing trees and milling wood products for our homes.

The commissioner position has the duty to protect habitat in conjunction with the tribes and the state department of Fish and Wildlife. Steve appreciates and accepts the commissioners’ duty to meet sustainable harvest levels — for timber and for salmon— and to implement forest practices rules to protect critical areas. That means protecting our vulnerable ecology as well as our vulnerable economy—especially in the rural areas of the state.

And we have a duty also—to know the candidates and to vote— my vote is for Steve McLaughlin and I urge everyone to vote for Steve.

Mike Alfe

Issaquah