McCain Celeb Ad

The first real volley of hardball politics was lobbed by McCain today. It was a television ad positioning Obama as a celebrity not a leader. It's the first McCain has taken the offensive and began to define his candidate as lacking experience. If Obama had to answer the question of experience, what would he say? How important is experience for the President? Post your comments below.

Sandra Romeo DUI Didn't Exactly End Career

Sandra Romero's political career didn't end the day of her DUI arrest. I've previously written, "She was a WA State Representative for 12 years when a drunk driving spree ended her political career." And I've recently been criticized because her career didn't end because of the DUI. True, her career did limp along for a handful of years after the DUI where she liked to show up drunk in the legislative session.

The DUI didn't end Romero's career, but it was the beginning of the end.

Romero showed a lack of respect and spewed animosity when she was arrested. She was quoted by her arresting officer, "You guys won. I will tell you that I have been drinking and I'm intoxicated. You have ruined my political career."

I'm curious, What steps has Sandra Romero taken to quell that animosity? I think it's a valid question especially since as a County Commissioner she will have the final approval of the police budget.

Sandra Romero (D) Endorsed by Brendan Williams (yawn)

Brendan Williams came out and endorsed Sandra Romero today in an Olympian letter. Surprise. Surprise.

He had already made his public endorsement on Sandra Romero's website. He is one of the few currently elected officials that endorsed her. The rest are 'former' elected officials. Read: The Public didn't like the job they were doing and didn't re-elect them. I can't wait until Brendan Williams is in the 'former' category.

Compare the endorsements that Sandra Romero has with Jon Halvorson's endorsements. He has a whole bunch of 'current' elected officials and a few 'former' elected officials. Most of the 'current' big wigs in Thurston County have endorsed Halvorson. Here is a partial list:

• Diane Oberquell, Thurston County Commissioner, District 2
• Bob Macleod, Thurston County Commissioner, District 3
• Dan Kimball, Thurston County Sheriff
• Robin Hunt, Thurston County Treasurer
• Patricia Costello,Thurston County Assessor
• Gary Warnock, Thurston County Coroner
• Betty Gould, Thurston County Clerk
• Ed Holm, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney
• Dick Nichols, former Thurston County Commissioner

Did you notice that the first two endorsements are two of the County Commissioners? Cathy Wolfe has not made any endorsements as she is running again. Diane Oberquell has endorsed her preferred successor, and Bob Macleod has chosen Halvorson as his preferred co-worker. Keep looking down the list. Kimball, Hunt, Costello, Warnock, Gould, Holm, Nichols all prefer Halvorson. They would rather work with Halvorson than Romero. Res ipsa loquitur.I have previously written about Sandra Romero's endorsement by Brendan Williams:

"A quick look at Romero’s contributors and you will see the same old homogeneous supporters. People like Karen Fraser and Brendan Williams. They are the local Democrat Party fanatics whom I figure are a dying breed. The “real” Democrats are much more fiscally-responsible and socially-moderate than this group."

I still think that. The bulk of the Democrats are regular people that are blindly being led by this small group. I recently heard a description of Brendan Williams as, "A child in a man's body." The more time that passes, the more I believe this statement.

It takes misguided fortitude to endorse Sandra. As an elected official, I would think it almost political suicide. After all, her political career ended after a drunk driving spree that included an exciting high-speed chase through Olympia and culminated in a rear-end collision downtown. Since then, she has joined on with a powerful special-interest group called 'Futurewise' that levied a frivolous claim against Thurston County and cost taxpayers an estimated $1.5M.

Sandra Romero thinks she is the best candidate to fix the budget. What she is not telling people is that she has been the direct cause of over 25% of the current budget shortfall. The agreed shortfall is about $4M. Does Brendan Williams really think that Sandra Romero who created the bulk of the shortfall is the best person to fix the budget? "A child in a man's body." The phrase rings even more true.

Brendan Williams says he views a an endorsement for Romero the fact that she was not endorsed by the Olympia Master Builders an affiliate of the Building Industry Association of Washington. I think he is still sore that the 'homeowners bill of rights' proposed by (former on 1/1/2009) Senator Weinstein and supported by Williams died, twice. What does that say for Williams when the Democrats have the super majority in both the Senate and the House? It says simply that he does not have any traction with his group. He is not respected at all by his peers. "A child in a man's body." That phrase rings even more true today.

Brendan Williams ends his letter, "Romero has never been in any interest group's pocket."

That is a flat out lie. Romero is a board member of one of the most powerful special-interest groups in our state, "Futurewise". Many of her endorsements and contributions are either directly or indirectly from this group. I take special exception to a candidate for County Commissioner being a board member of a special-interest group. You would think that she would have given up the position long before declaring her candidacy. Not smart. Not my choice for Commissioner.

Thurston County Budget Crisis

Today in the Letters to the Editor in The Olympian, there are two letters that talk about the Thurston County Budget. The first is another blow by Dan Kimball and the judges. They talk about their services are mandated and it's going to be hard to cut them further:

"Our offices represent the major priorities of government: public safety and the rule of law. In responding to ongoing fiscal realities, we've already pared our budgets to minimal feasible levels. Many of our core functions are mandated by constitution, statutes and court rules and cannot be legally eliminated. Much of our financial stress is caused by unfunded mandates, which come without funding for such services."

The other is by Debbie Neely pointing out that the Commissioners are being conspicuously silent.

"Not only did the county commissioners count on revenue that had not materialized, they are conspicuously silent when it comes to accepting responsibility."

I agree, in a time when the commissioners should be rolling up their sleeves and tackling the budget problem, they are retracting and not showing strong leadership. Someone was asleep at the switch. What people aren't talking about is that Sandra Romero and her special-interest group called 'Futurewise' have cost the County $1.5M of the approximate $4M shortfall. Are the Commissioners being conspicuously quiet because they don't want to shed a dark shadow on Sandra Romero's current campaign for County Commissioner? Afterall, Cathy Wolfe, and Sandra Romero worked together back in the day.
Download the letters here.

Erik Lee Surprise Challenge to Fraser

Erik Lee (D) posts a surprise challenge to longtime incumbent Karen Fraser (D) in the 22nd Legislative District. Lee is challenging Fraser for the State Senate seat in that district. Both Democrats will advance to the general because of our new top-two primary system. Lee recently had an epiphany and said:

"I just decided that supporting small business is the best possible way of keeping the economy alive."

The Republican Party. has been promoting that idea since about 1858. Here is a history from widipedia. The Republican party was formed to fight slavery, the Democrats wanted to keep it. Republicans are for less government, the Democrats for more. Republicans believe in the free enterprise system, the Democrats believe in equality. The Republicans strive to create a place where people like Erik can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, have hope, and work themselves out of poverty, the Democrats want to tax the rich, give it to the poor. From what I can see about Erick Lee is that he looks and sounds like a Democrat that is really a Republican. I wish you the best in your campaign. Download 2004 Republican Platform.
Download The Olympian Article.

Rossi Sign Defaced in West Olympia

This past weekend, vandals attacked three large political signs in West Olympia. The political signs are in support of Dino Rossi in his race for Governor. Scott Roberts, the event coordinator said, "We really wanted to project a positive message that is reflective of how we feel about Dino Rossi. It's too bad that the opposition has to stoop this low. Why don't they just support their candidate of choice? This is mean-spirited politics at its worst." The vandalism is on the heels of the controversy surrounding BIAW for installing billboards in Eastern Washington. The billboards said "Don't let Seattle Steal This Election." and were denounced by both the Rossi and Gregoire campaigns. Roberts said, "I think the billboards in Eastern Washington created such controversy because there is a certain element of truth to it. We really wanted to stay away from controversy and promote a positive message about Rossi. It's sad that the opposition had to resort to vandalism. It doesn't speak highly of their candidate."

Romero Already Cost Thurston County $1.5M

Sandra Romero is a board member of a powerful special-interest group called ‘Futurewise’. Her group filed a growth management appeal in 2005 challenging Thurston County’s comprehensive plan and cost the County an estimated 1.5 million dollars defending against this frivolous claim.

The County Commissioners have a duty to administrate the State laws and provide for public safety, heath and roads. The Commission doesn’t need to be sidetracked by having to deal with lawsuits generated by special-interest groups.

In Romero’s own words, “[the] budget is the biggest problem right now, it is the driver of all of our woes ... with almost a 4.5 million dollar shortfall it's going to be very difficult to get out of it.”

Romero’s special-interest group is responsible for over 25% of the current budget crisis, and I’m not willing to send her in to try and fix it. This would be like sending the fox to the hen house.

Please join me in voting for any one of the other three candidates.

Source: anonymous email submission

Jon Halvorson Recieves Sheriff Kimball's Endorsement

Dan Kimball, the Thurston County Sheriff gave Jon Halvorson an extended endorsement today in The Olympian. He said that Halvorson can:

• Manage Budgets
• Is Fiscally Responsible
• Analyze Complex Problems
• Makes Priority Decisions
• Is able to Make Balanced and Fair Decisions

I agree. Let's all vote for Jon Halvorson in this next election. Download original article.

Sandra Romero Drunk on the Job

Sandra Romero is running for the Thurston County Commissioner's seat that will be vacated by long time Commissioner Diane Oberquell. She is running on a platform of experience trying to link her tenure as a Washington State Representative as a qualification for County Commissioner.

It looks like Romero used to show up to the job drunk. As an eye witness to the event, a staffer noted, "(Romero and Patterson) Drunk as skunks, on the floor, making floor speeches in an attempt to 'filibuster' bills until the clock struck midnight and we were constitutionally done."

I could use a little less drama in the County Commissioner's office.

Jon Halvorson (D) Commissioner Qualified

Jon Halvorson has spent the bulk of his adult life serving our community. He has done it from the trenches. Jon knows Thurston County. He knows the people here. He knows how to simply get things done.

Here is what Jon has been doing the past few years:

• Thurston County Parks Board (since Oct. 2002, Chair since Oct. 2006)
• Thurston County MEDIC ONE Council (1995-1999 & since March 2006)
• President, Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District Board of Directors (since March 2003)-which is funding Olympia's Hands On Children's Museum and the Thurston/Lacey Regional Athletic Complex.
• Retired Public Employees Chapter 2 Executive Board (2006-2007)
• North Thurston Education Foundation (since 1998, President 2006 and 2007)
• Community Youth Services Board of Directors (since 1999, President 2004 and 2005)
• Board of Directors, Olympia Kiwanis Club (1999-2006)
• Lacey Chamber of Commerce (since 1981)
• Capitol Land Trust (since 1995)
• Lacey Historical Society (since 1996)
• Olympia Genealogical Society (since 1999)
• American Legion Post 94 - Lacey (since 2000)
• Friends of the Trails (founding member, since 2003)
• Thurston Olympia Chamber of Commerce (2007)
• Yelm Chamber of Commerce (2007)
• Nisqually Land Trust (2007)
• Citizens for Fire Protection Yelm/Rainier (2007)
• Family Investment Committee (2007)

I would like to post his entire biography since he moved here in 1973, but we would be here for awhile.

Jon's competitor, Sandra Romero, has done a few things. She was a WA State Representative for 12 years when a drunk driving spree ended her political career. She is a board member of a Seattle-based, powerful special-interest group called Futurewise. Thurston County recently spent $1.5 million to fight a frivolous lawsuit filed by Futurewise. She has a handful of supporters that she met at the State Legislature, but her endorsements don't even come close to comparison with Jon's.

Jon Halvorson Endorsed by Oberquell

Jon Halvorson, currently running for Thurston County Commissioner district 2 has been endorsed by long time Commissioner Oberquell who will be retiring at the end of this year. It's a special and noteable endorsement. By making this endorsement, Oberquell is telling the public who she would like to see replace her.

Oberquell doesn't stand along in her endorsement of Halvorson. Commissioner McCloud gives him his endorsement as well. And here is a list of other County officials that endorse Jon Halvorson in his bid for Commissioner:

• Diane Oberquell, Thurston County Commissioner, District 2


• Bob Macleod, Thurston County Commissioner, District 3


• Dan Kimball, Thurston County Sheriff


• Robin Hunt, Thurston County Treasurer Patricia Costello,Thurston County Assessor


• Patricia Costello, Thurston County Assessor Gary Warnock, Thurston County Coroner


• Betty Gould, Thurston County Clerk


• Ed Holm, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney


• Dick Nichols, former Thurston County Commissioner

Sandra Romero Credentials

Peggy Bruton, a Sandra Romero supporter echos the beliefs of Romero in her editorial titled "Romero Has Solid Credentials" appearing in The Olympian on July 1st, 2008.

Bruton has it wrong and it is indicative of Romero's ideology of putting the interestes of her special-interest group Futurewise (and Liveable Thurston) ahead of the interests of the people of Thurston County.

First Bruton writes, "In the long term, the county has failed to adopt measures, such as impact fees, to slow development in rural Thurston County and redirect it to urban growth areas." This would be an incorrect use of impact fees, but one that is popular with Romero and her group Futurewise. Impact fees are intended to "To ensure that adequate facilities are available to serve new growth and development." (RCW 8202.050) And that is it. Impact fees are not a mechanism to improve or restrict growth, that is the job of the marketplace and the law of supply and demand.

Secondly, Bruton writes, "Short-term, the county has made serious mistakes, such as wasting taxpayer dollars to challenge the Growth Management Hearings Board decision that the county's growth management plan needs more rural zoning options." This is again the position of Romero and Futurewise, but not the truth. The truth is, that under the Growth Management Act, jusidictions have the ability to plan with defrence. In other words, each local jurisdiction can create a plan that makes sense for them. 1 unit per 5 acres is a rural zoning, and when Thurston County adopted their comprehensive plan, the pople of Thurston County adopted their rural zoning plan to be 1 unit per 5 acres.

It was an out-of-town, Seattle-based group called Futurewise that challenged the Thurston County comprehensive plan, and caused Thurston County to defend, and revise the existing plan where needed. Sandra Romero is a board member of this group and now wants to be a County Commissioner. Isn't this like sending the fox to the henhouse?

There are much better options available for this postition:

Robin Edmondson

Jon Halvorson

Pick one!

Thurston County Budget Woes

Earlier this week The Olympian blamed the Thurston County Commissioners for overspending the County's budget. Of course they are to blame, they approve and administer the budget. It is usually simple math -- spend less than you make. We all understand this in our own personal budgets. Why is it so hard for our elected officials to 'get it'?

I'm elated that The Olympian published the truth and was finally critical of our Commissioners. Hurray!

Here is the good news: It is an election year! Dianne Oberquell will be retiring and Cathy Wolfe is running for re-election. Send Cathy Wolfe a message with your vote in November; Send her packing.

Sandra Romero 'Institutionalized'

Lack of Diverse Opinions Breeds Bad Decisions

I used to say, “Give up the goat.” I once saw an interview with Ozzy Ozborne and he used to think Jimmy Hendrix’s lyrics to Purple Haze were, “’Scuse me while I kiss this guy”. The former is, “Give up the ghost” the latter, “’Scuse me while I kiss the sky”.

I think Ozzy’s reaction would have been about the same as mine when my friend told me, “It’s give up the ghost, not give up the goat!” I remember having a good laugh. I’m thankful that I have friends that correct me. Reminds me of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale The Emperor’s New Clothes where a child finally cries out, “The Emperor has no clothes!”

These are stories of humility. These are examples of why it’s important to have people around you with different ideas, different perspectives. This is why groups through debate can produce solutions far better than most individuals. It’s stories like these that remind me I’m not a genius. It’s why I believe in having a diverse group and vigorous debate all of my committee meetings. I’m not afraid of different ideas. I believe that our differences define who we are. If I was afraid of different ideas I would have become a hermit long ago. Holly is a liberal to the far left, my father a Republican zealot. I feel like a moderate and compromiser most of the time. And to think -- at least one Thurston County Commissioner feels I’m strident; I digress.

I have a belief that diversity of input produces quality ideas, and quality ideas produce quality results. It scares me when people surround themselves with homogeneous people and ideas. Sandra Romero is one that scares me.

Sandra Romero worked for 12 years in the WA State Legislature as a Representative for District 22. She introduced 82 bills and made about 3,000 votes. I challenge you to find some that represent a fair and balanced approach. When I reviewed her voting record, I thought to myself, “She is for IT”. And she is for it. She is for more regulation, more taxes, more government, and limiting your personal rights.

If you don’t believe me, maybe you will believe these groups: The Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO) and the Association of Washington Businesses. They both keep a voting scorecard. It’s a way that they communicate to their membership what legislators they like and dislike. Romero has a nearly 100% lifetime voting record with Labor and under 25% with Business.

She is currently running against another Democrat, Jon Halvorson for Thurston County Commissioner. To date he has outpaced her contributions more than 2:1 with Halvorson garnering over $28k in campaign contributions to Romero’s lackluster $12k. The bulk of the Thurston County Democratic Party is backing Halvorson. A quick look at Romero’s contributors and you will see the same old homogeneous supporters. People like Karen Fraser and Brendan Williams. They are the local Democrat Party fanatics whom I figure are a dying breed. The “real” Democrats are much more fiscally-responsible and socially-moderate than this group. They are the old guard that has no new ideas, who lean hard towards socialism and who think that they are better at making decisions than their constituents.

Where Sandra Romero once thought she could make a difference by bringing new ideas to the institution, over time she has become the institution. She has, as I have titled this column, become “Institutionalized”. What’s worse is that she has since surrounded herself with others that share exactly her same view, her homogeneous bunch of fanatics.
Sandra Romero’s current campaign platform and slogan is: “We must strike a balance between respecting private property rights and personal freedoms, while promoting public health and daily living here.” I wonder if her board position with Futurewise is now compromised? Maybe since she left the state, she had an epiphany and now really believes in personal property rights. What Sandra Romero needs is some diverse opinions around her and friends that are willing to tell her that her ideas are more likely to make since in a socialist country than in a free republic. Perhaps some new friends would tell her it is “give up the ghost”, “kiss the sky” and growth management is a bad deal. At least there would be some debate.