It is well known now that the CRC is a very unpopular project among citizens and many business owners. We know it, elected officials know it and of course, even though they try to deny it, the Columbian knows it.
We also know the Columbian is in the tank for the light rail project and instead of investigating numerous concerns reported over the years about the CRC, will run damage control trying to minimize those concerns.
They also have shown themselves unfriendly towards candidates running for office that openly oppose the CRC light rail project and many can attest, do not treat those candidates very equitably, digging up dirt, casting aspersions and opposing just about any candidate who runs against the CRC.
And yet, the Columbian was puzzled when some candidates began bypassing them during campaigns, seeking other outlets to reach voters.
City Council meetings are notoriously boring with the occasional spat of sparks flying. Most are barely attended as simple matters merit little attention from citizens. But when an issue arises that does get the attention of citizens, many schedule their time to appear and speak their view on whatever the issue is before city council.
That is a right of citizens and city ordinance recognizes that in the procedures to implement ordinances and changes to ordinances, scheduling time for citizen input during hearings on the issue.
If that does not happen, citizens are being denied their right to speak before council and we run the risk of shutting citizen out, subjugating ourselves to 7 people elected to office.
Timothy D. Leavitt, better known as “the Liar” for his winning the Mayor’s office in 2009 by blatant lies and who has heard or seen things at City Council meetings others don’t seems to be at it again.
The February 4, 2013 Council Meeting was played up to be a “Clash of Titans” due to potential legal matters stemming from the city’s denial of a petition to place before voters a vote on light rail from Portland, Oregon that this blog covered at CRC Petitioners Put City on Notice. Due to previous restrictions by Mayor Tim ‘the Liar’ Leavitt on just when and what citizens may exercise free speech before the City Council, last evening wasn’t the night they were permitted to speak on that issue.
Undaunted, Debbie Peterson did mention the petition and requested the city “do the right thing” and allow a vote and avoid costly litigation for both sides. She was ignored with efforts by Tim Leavitt to stop her talking, but she finished her words anyway, well under the 3-mimute time limit citizens have to speak.
It never ceases to amaze me how Vancouver City Council Members can be so selective in how they choose to represent the city and voters within the city, picking and choosing when they will support the voters’ choices or just ignore us.
We all know by now how Mayor ‘Teflon’ Tim ‘The Liar’ Leavitt lied his way into office by strongly opposing tolls on the proposed new Interstate Bridge, only to quickly come out of the closet once winning in 2009 to advocate tolls.
We have seen Jeanne Harris melt down on citizens speaking before council in opposition to dragging Portland’s financially failing light rail into our community.
For being such a young country, America is steeped in tradition and most Americans despise giving them up. Americans enjoy their traditions and celebration and at one time, stood up for them against any who would seek to destroy any of those.
Can you recall the outrage across America when there was a Baseball Strike and no games? Have you listened as we are told that eating hot dogs are bad for us? Would you stand for a ban on Mom’s Apple Pie?
No, like other Americans, you would strongly oppose any such banning of a favorite pass time for most Americans.
But curiously, another long held tradition has been slowly chipped away at and even outright banned in some regions and Americans remains silent, obediently falling in line and doing as they are told. Celebrating our Independence from Britain with our own fireworks is dying before our very eyes as municipalities and busybodies who don’t like them convince people they are better off giving up the long held tradition and allowing their elected leaders to show them such displays, provided you can handle the crowds or even get into whatever venue they are set off at.
Our own community has a long proud tradition of fireworks and at one time was used both for Independence Day and New Years, joining World Leaders from before America was founded in celebrating important events with fireworks.
As the Vancouver City Council unanimously approved acceptance of a $2.3 Million SAFER Grant to reopen Fire Station 6, almost exactly one year ago, council member Jack Burkman was quoted, “We’ve wounded a neighborhood and now we need a Band-Aid” as he referred to the city as using a “broken business model.”
Fire Station 6 had been closed for much of 2011 due to budgeting problems in the city.
Other city council members applauded accepting the grant while reminding all of it gives the city a “temporary fix” and two years to work out a permanent solution.
Crews were hired and trained and the station was reopened on November 7, 2011 to a jubilant neighborhood, just in time for the November 8, 2011 elections where three Vancouver City Council members were up for reelection.
We just have to love Vancouver City Council member Jeanne Harris, of ‘Gavel Down’ fame. She nearly had another ‘Gavel Down” towards the end of this evening’s council meeting as Mayor Tim Leavitt announced he was not going to support the sales tax resolution to be sent to the C-Tran Board.
Upon hearing that, Ms. Harris looked to her right at the mayor and said in a completely astonished voice, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
She went on to berate the mayor to the point that he finally seemed to develop a pair and tell her she was out of line.
Here we go again, the regular hype associated with Independence Day from those who hate seeing people enjoy themselves with fireworks. To be sure, fireworks are loud and can be dangerous, if improperly handled and we have seen no shortage of pinheads over the years acting irresponsibly.
But that isn’t good enough as there are those who want a total and complete ban on any sort of fireworks, even the so-called “Safe and Sane” fireworks which, let’s face it, are boring as all hell and not enjoyable.
I find it quite odd that there are those who stand strongly on personal freedoms and the second amendment rights of all Americans, yet they join in the call to ban those same people from enjoying their long held freedom to celebrate our 4th of July Independence Day with fireworks, if they so choose.
How they go from “my cold, dead hands” when it comes to their gun ownership to telling others they must not celebrate our Independence Day as it was intended is beyond me.
John Adams, who was to become our second President of the newly formed Republic, wrote to his wife on July 3, 1776, “The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations (fireworks) from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
It seems there is hardly ever a city council meeting in Vancouver that we don’t hear of BRT, LPA, CRC, LRT, C-Tran or any other maze of abbreviated acronym for any number of projects favored by Vancouver Mayor, Tim Leavitt and 4 other members of the city council, Jack Burkman, Jeanne Harris, Bart Hansen and Larry Smith.
Rarely do we hear relevant questions coming from any of them as to just how they expect citizens to pay for all of these “pie in the sky” projects apparently believing each is the only thing citizens will be paying for.
Public hearings have all of the appearance to be shams, held only to satisfy a legal requirement to allow citizens to speak while those same citizen concerns remain ignored by the cabal as they ram full speed ahead with little or no clue on just how these many projects favored by the council majority will be paid for.
Only two council members seem willing to get down to the nitty gritty of asking how such projects will be paid for with both, Jeanne Stewart and Bill Turlay being kept in a minority as the rest come across as their minds being firmly made up to forge ahead long before any public hearings are held.
The annual 4th of July celebration of our Independence from Britain will be here in just over 2 months. Along with that will come the fireworks set off by the city, along with the sales of private fireworks that will be set off all around the county. People of all sorts, fun seekers from all over Clark County and Portland, Patriots hoping to honor the birth of our nation and undoubtedly the pinheads who don’t have a lick of common sense in the use of simple fireworks will be hitting the various fireworks stands spending obscene amounts of money to purchase them.
The purchases also give the city and county a revenue boost from the sales.
Along with that will come the usual Letters to the Editor condemning private fireworks, complaining about the noise, lack of courtesy of the pinheads who don’t have the sense to use them, effects on Veterans, animals, children, the elderly, what have you, the complaints will flow just as they have for years.
The Vancouver City Council held a workshop on March 5, 2012 where the discussion centered on, “considering further restrictions on sales and use days, eliminating sales of aerial and other more dangerous fireworks, or a possible multiyear phase-out to a total ban,” moving the city closer to Portland, Oregon’s limitations to the use of only “safe and sane” fireworks, if not an outright ban.
City council members are receiving letters and emails urging bans on our use of fireworks, much like was posted in the Columbian’s All Politics is Local last year, as seen here and here.
Each article is met with those opposing further restrictions and bans in the comments underneath.
I lost my smile when I read and saw he is serious, though.
Reading through the article, it is obvious that someone is terrified that conservative successful businessman, David Madore, a well educated opponent to the current CRC project is also running for the seat currently held by Marc Boldt, a strong supporter of the CRC as designed.
Boldt, who was elected as a Republican, has come under the scorn of Republicans throughout the county for his siding with Liberal Democrat commissioner, Steve Stuart so often, more often than he supports conservative Republican commissioner, Tom Mielke, covered by this blog here and here.
And now, Pat Campbell, also a strong supporter of the CRC, feels he should try to fill Boldt’s seat?
For the past 45 years, Slocum House Theater has been performing community plays in the renovated Italianate villa style home since it was saved from the wrecking ball and moved to its current location in Esther Short Park by volunteers of the Old Slocum House Company in 1966. Volunteers of the Old Slocum House Theater Company with cooperation from the Fort Vancouver Historical Society accomplished the renovation of the then century old home in 1972.
Money was raised for the project by presenting plays and manning an automobile license station. Currently, the Theater shares the building with the Farmers Market, who maintains an office upstairs.
The Non-Profit Theater Company leases the home from the City of Vancouver, paying $635 a month with the City responsible for repairs to the building, an arrangement that has been beneficial to the community for many years and charges a general admission price of $13 for a play, $11 for seniors and children 12 and under.
We also know that the city, struggling during this continuing “Great Recession” is experiencing budgetary problems. Some are of their own making many feel and some due to the depressed economy. Everywhere we seem to look, taxes and fees are being raised to cover the expenses of the city and to continue pursuing expensive projects many citizens feel are unnecessary.
Like them or not, we have to admit the Columbian is about the most transparent newspaper in existence. You can pretty much tell where their articles lean politically every time.
All we need do is look back at the disparity in their coverage of Tea Party rallies compared with nearly twice as much coverage given to Occupy rallies in Vancouver. Several reporters were sent out to cover the initial rally of between 600 to 700 people while a previous Tea Party rally in Esther Short Park saw no coverage at all.
We were treated to numerous articles covering the scandalous resignation of former Republican representative Richard Curtis, while no one is at all interested in a single rumor on alcoholic escapades and harassment against female staffers by former Democrat representative Jim Jacks.
It is difficult to find any favorable mention on Republican State Senator Don Benton just as there is with county commissioner Tom Mielke, who beat out Democrat Pam Brokaw, who the Columbian just so happened to endorse.
The negative coverage of candidates they do not endorse and those who support them reach legendary status, as we saw last year with Alan Svehaug and as we saw this year with Josephine Wentzel and with successful businessman David Madore, who happens to oppose a major project they support, CRC with light rail from Portland.
With full apologies to the honorable profession of dog-catcher for comparing Vancouvers worst ever Mayor to them, I read with great interest our local version of Pravda, the Columbian as they continue to hawk ‘Liar’ Leavitt’s chances of being elected to higher office, namely to the seat of 3rd congressional district representative, now held by the equally inept Jaime Herrera Beutler.
Both of these marvels of modern politics have accidently stumbled upon doing some things right, but for the most part, are mere puppets of unseen handlers directing what they do while in office.
Herrera Beutler’s less than stellar political career is diligently laid out at the link, so no need for me to rehash how, in spite of a youthful cuteness, she hasn’t a clue.
No, the focus here will be on Tim ‘Leave-It’s’ less than stellar performance as Mayor of Vancouver, Washington ever since openly lying his way into office, also seen here.
Our state accountants are completing their final work on the states books and in spite of so called “deep cuts” the governor said we had, it looks like the last two year budget written and passed will close about $90 million in the red.
This ongoing “Great Recession” government keeps us locked in shows no signs of relenting and apparently, no one in government knows or has the guts to do what is actually needed to get us back out.
Instead, we see more money poured into the Columbia River Crossing Project, hopes of an admissions tax to bring a marginal class A baseball team to town complete with a sparkling new stadium, paid in part with more of our tax dollars all while we had to beg to the federal government for a temporary grant to reopen an staff Fire Station 6, recently closed because there is no money to keep it open.
If you want to know why we keep going broke and why I have long called on ousting Democrats at all levels, we need look no further than a recent action taken by the Vancouver city council, Vancouver approves $600K contract to build waterfront park, especially to comments made below the article by current city council member, Jack Burkman.
Updated November 14, 2011 to include links to updated YouTube videos of the meltdown. Ms. Harris might have succeeded in having David Madore remove the video, but CVTV archived video of the meetings which are part of the Public Record remain!
Sometimes the sheer audacity of our elected officials just amazes me. I am left wondering just what world they live in to come to the thinking they have.
Such an example is Vancouver, Washington city council member Jeanne Harris who made a complete ass out of herself last September with her now famous ‘gavel down’ meltdown at council meeting.
At the time of the incident, Harris “explained” her conduct was because fellow council member Jeanne E. Stewart “provoked her,” and that she was also “going through a difficult divorce.” She labeled the subsequent ethics investigation and censure as “rash and uncalled for.”
She issued a “public apology” immediately followed by a terse email to fellow council members ending with the note, “thanks for making my life hell.”
Since accepting the outcome of the ethics investigation, she has come out expecting a public apology for how she thinks she was treated over her own outburst and expects the famous video to be removed from the internet.
Last night was not the end for us ….. we’ve only just begun!”
I want to thank all my friends who attended the election night event last night. It is always a pleasure to be in the company of great and honest people! I am grateful for all your support and help. I am so grateful for the new friends I have made in the process of running an election and the new friends that I have yet to meet.
When I decided to run for office, I did so with the intent of bringing sanity and integrity back into Vancouver. I ran so that people, like the 11,000 plus who voted for me, would have a voice in this community. However, I declared that “win or lose” I will continue to fight the good fight whether I was seated on one side of the podium or the other.
We did not lose last night, we won and gained the support of over 10,800 voters who are just as fed up with the status quo local elected officials as we are. Although I did not gain a seat in city council, I have gained the confidence of almost half the Vancouver city according to the election results.
Considering the attacks I got from the local paper and the concerted efforts of the local unions and special interest groups, I’d say we did pretty darn good this election! I am encouraged to move on with Plan B…
Special thanks to my brother in Christ, my friend and my ‘back watcher’, David Madore! I so appreciate this man of integrity who stood up to scrutiny and the bullies in this town! If more business owners would stand up like he did, we’d have a stronger and thriving community. David, thank you and in the Chamorro language, “Si Yuus Maase”.
May God bless you … Si yuus Maase! Call if you need to chat. Stay tuned for more news —- coming soon! Also, if you haven’t already done so, please go to www.couv.com and check it out! After all, it is the only reliable local news in town …..
As we see every election during early results, some lose and some win, some results are disappointing and others a real surprise, some even a surprising disappointment leaving us to wonder what are people thinking?
Probably the most surprising disappointment is seeing so many Clark County voters falling for the scare tactics pout out by C-Tran by approving another sales tax increase to keep empty buses running while C-Tran sits on Millions of uncommitted dollars and plans to create an ambitious rapid transit corridor down Fourth Plain, whether we want it or not.
Surprising to see Clark County fall for a tax increase while Seattle, a liberal Mecca in the Northwest rejects a license tag fee increase. Of course, who knew that on this day we would also be hit by the Port of Vancouver with a 1% property tax increase too. Although voting yes, Port Commissioner Brian H. Wolfe, who won reelection today running unopposed claims he’d like to see the Port wean itself off of property taxes saying, “I don’t know this is the right time to start doing that.”
Purely coincidental I’m sure, that the tax increase wasn’t voted on until today, Election Day.
If this years city council races aren’t the most expensive we have ever seen, they are turning out to be the most interesting with outside interests funneling over $32,000 in support of Anne McEnerny-Ogle and local PAC’s throwing as much behind two candidates, Josephine Wentzel and Bill Turlay. Anne’s main PAC support comes from the New York Union, Unite Here Tip and State Fund who represent the employees of the downtown Hilton currently seeking a 53% wage & benefit increase.
Turlay and Wentzel’s support comes from NoTolls.com, a PAC set up in opposition to tolls being heaped on us with the wasteful CRC Light Rail project and a new PAC, Save our City that seeks to make changes in city council.
I have been posting flyers received in support of McEnerny-Ogle that she did not authorize and that haven’t been entirely on the up and up. Now, a new one appeared today in support of Wentzel and Turlay that has it’s own error and that they too did not authorize.
The latest ad on behalf of Anne McEnerny-Ogle by the New York Unite Here Union, who represents the Hilton employees currently seeking a 53% wage & benefit increase makes the claim of she is “married to a Vietnam Veteran.” Speaking with Anne previously, this is a true claim and even though I haven’t met her husband, I have every reason to believe he is as proud of his service as I am my own in Vietnam.
But, does having married someone who served in Vietnam matter more than someone who actually did serve in or over Vietnam?
As previously noted, Anne’s opponent, Bill Turlay is a retired combat Navy Pilot. Bill flew some 385 combat missions over Vietnam, was subjected to ground fire and whatever the North Vietnamese forces sent his way. He was awarded 25 Air Medals through 3 tours with 800 carrier landings, 200 at night!
I have no doubt Anne’s husbands record is also filled with honorable service, but I have to ask, what does that have to do with Anne’s ability to serve on the city council?
My own wife gains nothing to qualify her due to my service. Bill’s wife gains no extra qualification due to his service either.
It is well known now that the CRC is a very unpopular project among citizens and many business owners. We know it, elected officials know it and of course, even though they try to deny it, the Columbian knows it.
