Examination of the PDC files for Patty Hale, who lives in Ridgecrest, reveals some interesting facts. The largest proportion of her contributors come from ZIP code 98177, which is the wealthiest section of Shoreline and includes The Highlands, Innis Arden and Richmond Beach.

Contributors from this ZIP code contributed, according to the latest PDC report, a mean of more than $92 per person. In contrast, her supporters from ZIP codes 98133 and 98155, which includes the Ridgecrest neighborhood, each reported a mean contribution of approximately $55 per person. Do the richest Shoreliners want to control all of this city?

Of greater concern, however, is that so many of Hale’s contributors are former council members who lost their re-election bids, such as Paul Grace, Rich Gustafson, Scott Jepsen, Connie King and Bob Ransom. Current council member Ron Hansen, up for re-election, is also a contributor. Many of Hale’s contributors are familiar as pro-Shoreline members. The largest contributors to Hale’s campaign are big businesses, such as a financial services firm, a RE firm, Aurora Rents and other businesses. Do these folks really support a candidate who employs questionable campaign strategies over the staunch and honest environmentalist Janet Way? Why? This is a question that demands an answer.

Virginia M. Paulsen Shoreline