Letter: Let's Remain Civil This Election Season

Editor,

As we approach the local and national elections in November, we might consider how we will engage in public dialogue with our fellow citizens.

The members of the Mercer Island Clergy Association would like to urge our friends and neighbors to participate in public discourse in a respectful and thoughtful manner. 

Recently, many in the community have expressed concerns that the tenor of public meetings and letters have, at times, not reflected the appropriate measure of civility that we desire to foster in our close-knit Island community.

Vigorous debate on the issues of importance to our community and nation are appropriate and necessary, and can be conducted with respect and consideration for other viewpoints. We believe that the whole community benefits from the contributions of each of its members, and so we recommend having the intention of listening to one another as well as speaking.

We hope that Mercer Island residents will express their opinions on the issues, whether national or local, in an agreeable manner, thus contributing to a healthy and productive community forum.

Signed,

Susan Price, Member, Baha'i Faith

Ken Tracy, Bishop, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Mark Travis, Pastor, Congregational Church on Mercer Island

Marlowe Shoop, Chaplain, Covenant Shores

Hunt Priest, Rector and Beverly Hosea, Associate Rector, Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Kristin Jamerson,

Jay Rosenbaum, Rabbi, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation

Deanna Wildermuth, Pastor and Sue Wanwig, Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Julie Steel, Pastor, Mercer Island Covenant Church

Paul Barrett and Sherri Edwards Dalton, Co-Senior Pastors, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church

John Chae, Pastor, Mercer Island United Methodist Church

Gene Baade, Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church

Fr. Patrick Freitag, St. Monica Catholic Church