I’m grateful to The Columbian for reporting the murky particulars of John Ley’s place of residence (“John Ley again defends his right to run for office in 18th Legislative District,” The Columbian, Oct. 3).
I sadly expect he will avoid disqualification. Mr. Ley’s thin legitimacy, however, will be a fig leaf at best. If it meets the “letter” of the law, his candidacy flaunts its “spirit.” Residency requirements codify the common sense that living in a community is the best basis for representing it well. When politicians do what’s “technically legal” just because they can, the lasting effect can be cynicism among citizens, who may conclude that “politics is dirty.”
The antidote to this poison is to be found in the classroom of Mr. Ley’s opponent, John Zingale. As his students — many of whom are among his campaign’s most dedicated volunteers — declare in both word and deed, a takeaway from “Mr. Z’s” civics teaching is practical hope: “Here’s how democracy works. Now take these tools and make your community and your country a better place.” That’s the spirit I hope reaches Olympia to represent the 18th Legislative District.
