Cathy Wolfe voted for Innovative Techniques that was really a rural downzone

In August of ‘07, Cathy Wolfe called in from England to phone in a vote that destroyed her public trust and evaporated any hope of ‘open and honest government’. After barely one day of unveiling an ordinance the Thurston County Commission voted to approve it.
It wasn’t just a housekeeping ordinance. No! This was one of the most sweeping land grabs in the history of Thurston County. It was slid through under the guise of ‘innovative techniques’ a title and method of downzoning cooked up between Craig Ottavelli and Cathy Wolfe.
What this ordinance does is it changes the way that density is calculated from a gross density calculation to a net density calculation. Basically you must subtract all of the critical areas from your parcel prior to making the density calculation. The Commissioners have no idea how many housing units they lost from the County with this ordinance, or if they did the weren’t telling the public about it.
I made serveral requests in the hours prior to the Commissioner’s vote asking them to have just one public hearing to voice testimony about the ordinance. They denied it and Cathy thought that the Commission had, “Met the technical definition of public process.”
Cathy was absent from this particular board meeting, and called in her vote from England, the very country our forefathers escaped so they could own land.

Cathy Wolfe voted for “innovative techniques”–which was really a downzone.

Sam Anderson, Executive Director of the Master Builders of King Snohomish Counties $700k Salary.

Sam Anderson, the Executive Director of the Master Builders of King Snohomish Counties makes over $700k per year as reported below. Now to be fair, his base salary is only $279,826 so the other part comes in bonuses, incentives, benefits, deferred and other compensation. I'm not really sure what the difference is, although it kinda makes up a pretty monstrous salary pie. I wonder what benefit the members of the MBA of King Snohomish are getting for that? I could probably hire a team of people if someone would underwrite nearly $1million a year.
Yowza. Well, download the official Form 990.

Crazy prediction?

Once in a while, I get a feeling. Sadly, most of the time I don't write them down and end up saying, "I told you so!" Well here it it:

I predict that Gregoire gets a Federal Judgeship and leaves her post as Governor, Rossi comes back and runs (3 times a charm), and Rob McKenna takes on Murray for the US Senate.

Call me crazy ... what are your thoughts?

Health Care Debate Speech

Congressman Mike Rogers from Michigan’s 8th congressional district gives testimony against government run health care:

Bad News for Obama

Obama has enjoyed the mainstream media unabashed fawning of his popularity, until today. I clicked on a story that MSN.com had on their home page written by Howard Fineman titled “Is Obama’s Star Dimming as US Stocks Drop”. It’s the first time that I’ve seen any real criticism towards Obama. Here is an exerpt:

I’m not sure the rest of the world sees the White House as “the place to be” any more. And that will have unsettling consequences for all of us. Obama’s role as the elegant, path-breaking, intercultural celebrity is not enough to reverse a steady erosion of our global dominance — especially not if he’s seen merely as a new hood ornament on an economic clunker.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34128987/ns/politics-white_house
Howard Fineman

You can also see how far his star has falled by checking out the Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll here:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

Complaint Filed against Karen Valenzuela (D)

Thurston County Republican Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thurston County Republican Party Chairman filed a Public Disclosure complaint against Karen Valenzuela (D) today and calls for her withdrawal from the Thurston County Commissioner’s race.
September 23, 2009, OLYMPIA, WA – Scott Roberts, Chairman of the Thurston County Republican Party filed a complaint today with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Roberts alleges that Karen Valenzuela (D) has falsely represented herself as the incumbent seeking re-election.
Scott Roberts said, “Karen Valenzuela (D) has falsely represented herself as an elected incumbent by advertising a fundraiser for her re-election. The announcement appeared in The Olympian this past Sunday.
“The Sunday edition of The Olympian has a mammoth circulation of 39,000. And The Olympian claims 89,000 Sunday readers. Additionally, The Olympian’s website claims 345,000 unique monthly visitors. With this huge exposure of Valenzuela’s (D) false claim, there is no way to tell how many voters now believe that Karen Valenzuela (D) was previously elected as a commissioner.
“Certain words are protected under the Washington State law and regulated by the Public Disclosure Commission. One of those words is “re-elect”. When voters believe that candidates have previously been elected to the position, it gives that candidate a distinct advantage.
“I’m calling for Karen Valenzuela’s (D) withdrawal from the election because there is no way to ensure a level playing field and a fair election. There is no way to tell how many voters have been influenced by her false claim and now believe that she was previously elected as a commissioner, and there is no reasonable way to undo the damage.
Download the PDC complaint [click here]
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JT Wilcox Election Kickoff Event Exceeds Expectations

For Immediate Release

JT Wilcox Election Kickoff Event Exceeds Expectations; Attendance over 100 and contributions near $13,000.

Roy, WA, September 11, 2009: The Committee to elect JT Wilcox State Representative held its first event Wednesday evening. The event was targeted towards Thurston County voters and drew a crowd of over 100 to the Museum at historic Wilcox Farms. The campaign raised approximately $13,000 during the two week Thurston County launch period.

Well-known area businessman Larry Schorno emceed the event, highlighting Wilcox’s history of accomplishment and service including his posts as CFO of Wilcox Farms, Chairman of the $100 million Got Milk campaign, lifelong membership in the Yelm Methodist Church and volunteer fireman. Former Thurston County Sheriff, Gary Edwards also appeared in support of the candidate.

Wilcox spoke to the enthusiastic hometown crowd expressing appreciation to the other members of the community who have been examples of service and voicing alarm about the local economy and over-regulation of small business and privately owned lands. Wilcox shared his concern that these factors plus the critical traffic bottlenecks make it very difficult for the economy of the district to recover properly.
Thurston County voters make up about 20% of the second district. The Wilcox campaign has scheduled a Pierce County Kickoff event for October 3rd.

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