Locally, our biggest issue was being included in the Port of Bremerton and all the associated Mary Ann @untington taxes. Secondly, property rights. Finally, the proliferation of convicted sex offenders in our neighborhoods. This, of the three, was the only unanimous issue our district agreed on. Moving to the state level, transportation was a hot topic as was the fact that King County should be split as it tends to carry statewide elections and is not truly representative government.

Jan Angel and Randy Neatherlin, two local Kitsap County politicians, showed up to address the crowd. Any reader of this blog knows that as much as I love and admire Jan Angel, I have had some very serious issues with her in the past regarding the NASCAR and some property rights issues, but I've grown up a bit and put them behind me.

We had five delegate candidates, so we each stood and gave a little mini campaign speech about why we would be the best choice to represent our district at the county convention. I spoke of my thirteen years at the Kitsap Sun newspaper, which allowed me to meet many local politicians and get become intrinsically familiar with local issues. I was president of the local Kiwanis club and have been very active on many fronts, including chairing the 2007 South Kitsap Relay for Life and chairing the local Homebuilder's Association Home Show two years in a row. (Yes, Robin Vance, I said TWO years. In a row.)

After being elected as a delegate to the county convention, I admitted that I am "Uncommitted" regarding a Presidential choice. It's no secret that I voted for Romney in the Primary, but it was basically a vote against McCain. But I'm no Romney lover ... I enjoy my second amendment rights and am a proud gun owner, not the type of voter Romney caters to. I was born and raised in Arizona, and lived there for 28 years. I met McCain once and saw him three times. And I voted for Romney.

That said, I will support the party nominee - whomever that may be - even though I am very upset with my party. You'd think we would have learned years ago (can you say "Bob Dole") but here we go again, a handful of non-choices for a nominee.

If you disagree, please weigh in. I'm seriously looking for some direction because I don't want to flip a coin for the Presidency. Meanwhile, I'm happy to be a delegate and I hope to go all the way to the National Convention. It would be a dream come true, and I'm very humbled to represent my district in this critical election.