I have known Bob Kaplan (and his wife, Lorrie) for 37 years since meeting them in the Peace Corps in South America.

From ensuring a potable water source in rural Paraguay to his work at the Inter-American Development Bank, Bob has devoted his life to public service. He has traveled extensively and understands problems from both a global and local perspective.

Bob and Lorrie continue putting their “volunteer spirit” to work in Ashland where Bob serves on the boards of Options for Helping Residents of Ashland and the Ashland Food Co-op. He already sits on the City of Ashland’s Citizens’ Budget Committee and is ready to tackle our city’s issues.

Bob has the ability to dig deep into the details of public policy and pull together all concerned constituents in a respectful manner. I have watched him do this on more than one occasion. He is an amazing listener, a consensus builder, endlessly optimistic, and the perfect person to join the Council in these fractious times. Join me and vote to elect Bob Kaplan for City Council, position 4.

Laura Paxson

Ashland