I am writing this letter in reference to city council candidate Richard Elfers.

I became better acquainted with Rich when, through marriage, we became family members in 2004. I wanted to share with the community what I have come to learn about Rich these past seven years: he is a person of character and integrity. He is a rock solid individual who lives out his values daily. He has a strong sense of priority and duty.  He is open and honest and speaks the truth with candor even under difficult circumstances.

In addition to his character, he has 30-plus years of experience as an educator specializing in history and political science. He also came to live in Enumclaw in the 1970s and has had a heart for this community for over three decades. He now teaches part-time at a local community college and has both the time and the talent to do this job well.

I want to stress that no one asked me to write this letter. Rather, I am submitting this because I wanted to share that both my husband and I have benefited from Rich’s influence in our lives as a mentor and a friend. I have said throughout this election season that voters need to know more about Rich and what a wonderfully qualified candidate he is – the right career background combined with a good heart and sincere desire to take care of this city.  Finally I decided to say it myself.

Anna J. Burt

Enumclaw