Readers should know that the Public Defenders office is a department of the county Prosecutor’s office.  The county Prosecutor signs their paychecks.  He has sway in their job security.  He is their boss.  This is not an independent opinion in any way.  The review writer has his paycheck signed by McEachran.  

John, Great job writing a clear and crisp reasoning, as always.

 Whoa, John! That is not true!  Although the Whatcom County Public Defender is funded by county government, the office is an independent agency separate and apart from the prosecutor’s office and the courts. By the way, all county paychecks are signed by the County Executive.

Indeed, I errored.  The payroll checks are signed by the executive.  

It is strange that a county paid public defence attorney is doing opposition research on Erb in an effort to aid Richey to be elected head prosecutor.  All the more reason for us to elect James Erb.  Something is fishy with this website with public defenders involved in the prosecutor’s campaign.  Now why would that be? 

The attorney from the Public Defender’s office is openly acknowledging his position, but speaking for himself as any citizen is able to do.

He feels he has “a dog in this race”, because he works daily with his clients negotiating with the Prosecutor’s office, and isn’t looking forward to dealing with inexperienced leadership over there.  He has done the research because he really cares.

Nothing more or less than that, and not strange at all.

In my decade-and-a-half of sitting on the County Council, I gained tremendous respect for the hardworking legal minds on both sides of the prosecutorial/defense establishment serving us in Whatcom County.

Mr. Erb is a thoughtful and well-spoken man (more eloquent at times than Eric Richey), and this Prosecutor race has been a needed exercise in debating critical criminal justice issues. As you may surmise, after considering the positions and experience of both candidates, I’ve concluded Mr. Richey is the best person for the job. FWIW, I’ve never personally met either of the candidates.