Selfless candidate deserves re-election

EDITOR,
County office of education Trustee Aaron Hinde is one of the most selfless, community-minded people I know. For years, he’s been a volunteer with several service organizations, donated pro-bono his medical expertise to healing our high school athletes and been integral in strengthening our local businesses through his work with the Chamber of Commerce. He’s a longtime Bonny Doon resident, SLV grad and Scotts Valley business owner.
Most impressive of all is Hinde’s work since he was first elected trustee two years ago. Despite only one year on the board, his colleagues elected him president of the county office of education, which provides key educational support for the county’s school districts, programs to serve special-needs students and other important functions.
Hinde brings the best of all worlds to his government service: He has proven able to turn the county office’s budget deficit into a surplus through his vigilant fiscal oversight. This is one of many areas where his experience as a businessman who knows the challenges of meeting a payroll in today’s economy is of great benefit to the taxpayers.
I have also seen him go to bat for special-needs kids who benefit from the county office of education’s amazing work with these children. Hinde has a heart for making sure these kids and their families are served to the fullest extent possible, instead of getting bogged down in bureaucracy that’s oftentimes a byproduct of special-needs situations.
On top of all that, Hinde is a family man, father of two young children, a model of civic involvement and a great listener. I believe our community and the entire county will be very well served by re-electing him to continue the successful work he’s already started.
Jim Reed, mayor of Scotts Valley