There is so much talk these days about air pollution and global warming. I think that most elected officials like to just sit around and talk about the perceived problems, sound important and inhale each other's exhaust. A few weeks ago, I purchased a 4 or 5 year old Newton rechargeable lawn mower from my father. He boxed it up and sent it to me. I feel guilty because it is replacing my old reel push mower that I use to cut about 1500 sf of lawn. I think I'm going backwards on my carbon credits, darn it. Today he sent me a link to Clark County's website. Apparently they are having a Lawn Mower Exchange Program (LMEP). Leave it up to the government to create an acronym that sounds like 'limp' -- I digress. It sounds like a great program. I think a new Newton lawn mower costs around $400. They have an exchange where you bring them your old gas-guzzling, air-polluting mowing pig, and they will exchange it for the green, dainty Newton. It only costs you $100.00. It's a first-come first-served program. They are only exchanging 1,000 mowers. At the time I'm writing this, they only have 80 reservations left. Hurry if you want one of these. I can say that it is a really cool lawn mower, especially after using my old push reel mower for a couple of years. It is simply a brilliant design. There is one very easy lever to operate the height adjustment, it is light, it's quiet, the bag is easy to change. What more can I say? It's one of those things that is just done 'right'. I take my son out with me when I'm mowing and can actually talk to him, not like the old days of the Snapper when my mother was yelling at me and I could hardly hear her, "Be careful!" If my math is right, 1,000 mowers at $300 per mower then Clark County is forking over about $300k. I'm not sure if they have a special deal with Newton or not but my hat is off to you Clark County. You're getting it done. This is a great example of how to stop pontificating and start acting. I hope that other jurisdictions take note and do similar projects. Good stuff. Maybe the Feds will start exchanging SUV's for the Volt, Tesla or this cool electric car I found on YouTube. Link to Clark County's Website
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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.
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.
Former Governors Oppose Isthmus Height Increase
This is a great example of poor leadership. I wouldn't have known about this unless it was in the editorial section of The Olympian. I guess this is one time I'll have to thank them.
As reported by Micki Hemstadt -- all of the past Governors have signed on to oppose the height increase being proposed in the City of Olympia. The are: Albert Rosellini, Mike Lowry, John Spellman, Booth Gardner, Gary Locke, and Dan Evans. My friend Ralph Monroe, former Secretary of State also signed on to the idea -- what were you thinking Ralph?
Here is why they should not have signed on to any opposition. The Growth Management Act encourages higher density growth within our Cities. It also gives each jurisdiction deference to grow how they see best fit. It is the Governor's job to make sure that the goals of Growth Management are carried out by appointing people to the Growth Management Boards. The state sets the guidelines, the local jurisdictions figure out how they want to implement it. Mostly a bottom up style management. GMA is supposed to be a self-governing program.
It is not the job of the Governors to impose their opinion in a top down style management. They have no place in signing on to the opposition of the height increase especially when the height increase is consistent with the goals of Growth Management.
I think that the proposal is asking for enough height to put another story on the buildings in this area. There will be some very minor impact to the views, but access to Bud Bay really won't be impacted at all. It is a proposal that would add a lot more than it would take from downtown. It would be a great public benefit to have development in this area.
I think that the Governors grew tired of looking at the old Department of Corrections 10-story building. It's the most prominent feature when looking out from the Governor's mansion. The Proposed height increase will only allow buildings to be half as tall as this old one.
As reported by Micki Hemstadt -- all of the past Governors have signed on to oppose the height increase being proposed in the City of Olympia. The are: Albert Rosellini, Mike Lowry, John Spellman, Booth Gardner, Gary Locke, and Dan Evans. My friend Ralph Monroe, former Secretary of State also signed on to the idea -- what were you thinking Ralph?
Here is why they should not have signed on to any opposition. The Growth Management Act encourages higher density growth within our Cities. It also gives each jurisdiction deference to grow how they see best fit. It is the Governor's job to make sure that the goals of Growth Management are carried out by appointing people to the Growth Management Boards. The state sets the guidelines, the local jurisdictions figure out how they want to implement it. Mostly a bottom up style management. GMA is supposed to be a self-governing program.
It is not the job of the Governors to impose their opinion in a top down style management. They have no place in signing on to the opposition of the height increase especially when the height increase is consistent with the goals of Growth Management.
I think that the proposal is asking for enough height to put another story on the buildings in this area. There will be some very minor impact to the views, but access to Bud Bay really won't be impacted at all. It is a proposal that would add a lot more than it would take from downtown. It would be a great public benefit to have development in this area.
I think that the Governors grew tired of looking at the old Department of Corrections 10-story building. It's the most prominent feature when looking out from the Governor's mansion. The Proposed height increase will only allow buildings to be half as tall as this old one.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sandra Romero (D) Wrong About Sprawl
Sandra Romero Has it wrong when it comes to her view on development sprawl in Thurston County. She wants to scare you by saying, "Sprawl development is endangering the very things that make us unique." She talks about "auto-dependent" development. "Auto-dependent" means you will need to drive your car to places rather than walk. Here ye, Here ye, sell your car, you won't need it if Sandra is Commissioner! Then she says, "Therefore, I will work to bring sanity to our land-use practices." But she doesn't offer a solution. All of this is simply scare tactics. Here is the real way it works. We have something called the Growth Management Act. It makes Counties plan to have higher density development near the cities (like townhomes and condos) and lower density development away from the cities. It is intended to make the Cities more 'city-like' and the rural areas more 'farm-like'. Okay, I can buy that. Thurston County was one of the first Counties to adopt a comprehensive plan that was in compliance with the Growth Management Act. And Thurston County has had a continual program in cooperation with the Thurston Regional Planning Council to keep the comprehensive plan updated. What does this mean? It means that Thurston County is on the leading edge of balancing the need to preserve our environment with the need to provide affordable housing. Sandra, we don't need your scare tactics. Thurston County doesn't need your ideas of bringing sanity to our land-use practices, whatever your plan may be. And one more thing. Sandra Romero and her group Futurewise recently cost Thurston County $1.5 million to fight a frivolous lawsuit that was filed on a land-use action. Is this your idea of bringing sanity to Thurston County? Download Sandra's Sprawl Views
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:
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.
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)
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:
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
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sandra Romero Drunk Driving Illustrates Bad Judgement
Click the link above to read the drunk driving views of Carol Shawver. She wrote that it's not getting drunk, but getting behind the wheel that demonstrates the lack of judgement. And many of us have been impacted by a drunk driver.
Sandra Romero had an exciting drunk driving arrest that included a high-speed chase through downtown Olympia and ended in a rear-end collision. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Her lack of judgement ended her career as a State Representative and is just another reason why I can't give her my vote for Thurston County Commissioner.
Sandra Romero had an exciting drunk driving arrest that included a high-speed chase through downtown Olympia and ended in a rear-end collision. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Her lack of judgement ended her career as a State Representative and is just another reason why I can't give her my vote for Thurston County Commissioner.
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