On the levy, low-cost rentals and the Mayor’s gag order.
Permalink +Sun, Oct 19, 2003, 4:57 pm // John Servais
Today's Herald devoted much of the first section of the paper to promoting the levy tax for EMS services, under the guise of reporting the issues. They printed two big graphs showing increases of responses and budget for EMS over the years.Two graphs were missing that could have told the rest of the story. A graph for the same years showing total local taxes collected and a graph showing the percent of taxes that goes to EMS over the years. By omission, the Herald made it look like EMS costs have risen while tax revenues have remained flat. A very false impression.
Mayor Mark will strike a blow against affordable housing at Monday's City Council meeting. He will propose that loopholes be closed that allow accessory dwellings. These are the most wonderful way of providing low-cost rentals, supervised student rentals, infilling of neighborhoods and low-impact housing for people. Why any thinking liberal can support Mark is beyond me.
Can anyone get Mark or the four council members up for re-election to comment on my Oct 14 story that Mark has gagged the City Council from talking to anyone on the Clean Water Alliance? The Herald has nothing on this - and that is probably because Mark asked them to not run it. Cozy relationship there. Or maybe the Herald will print it two weeks late - like they finally did today on the Bonner and the Unions story that NwCitizen posted on Oct 9.
Oh - the mayor is allowing the city attorneys to talk to the opposing lawyers - but not to the CWA folks the city is supposedly working with. Why? Because Mark is trying to torpedo the lawsuit.
Bottom-line question - why the big silence on the gag order? It is real - and you have only read it on NwCitizen. Why? How can this town run day to day without acknowledging reality - like the Mayor gagging the City Council? Where is everyone? Is this town so neurotic that it cannot handle the facts and truth about itself? Gag orders are a serious business. Ask a city council person. Go to the City Council on Monday and ask them. Ask the Mayor. Is there a gag order on a lawsuit about our drinking water? Why?
I challenge any real environmental liberals on these issues. You say you support Mark for clean water and housing for low-income folks. Mark is a sham when it comes to those issues. He works against both.
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For what it is worth,
Fri, Oct 31, 2003, 4:26 pm // John Servais
here are my recommendations for the election.The basic values that I apply are for elected officials to have honesty and provide open government that is…0 comments
The huge gap for news in this community
Thu, Oct 30, 2003, 4:33 pm // John Servais
Will be posting election recommendations today. Have not had time for some good posts the past week.Reliable rumor has it that another weekly newspaper will…0 comments
No one in a position of responsibility will touch it
Wed, Oct 22, 2003, 4:42 pm // John Servais
So the Public Disclosure Commission is investigating Foster without any complaint. Yet they pretend to not know of flagrant violations of the PDC laws being…0 comments
Another perspective on County elections
Mon, Oct 20, 2003, 11:49 pm // John Servais
I've just posted up a commentary by Stephen Trinkaus on all the local elections. He gives the perspective of a liberal activist - one who…0 comments
On the levy, low-cost rentals and the Mayor’s gag order.
Sun, Oct 19, 2003, 4:57 pm // John Servais
Today's Herald devoted much of the first section of the paper to promoting the levy tax for EMS services, under the guise of reporting the…0 comments
What closed-door deal has Mark made with Foster?
Fri, Oct 17, 2003, 5:08 pm // John Servais
That is the question making the political rounds this afternoon. Foster Rose, who came in third in the primary election for mayor, today endorsed Mayor…0 comments
This is the piece that this election deserves
Thu, Oct 16, 2003, 5:13 pm // John Servais
Tip Johnson has written the best analysis of the mayor Mark's record that will appear anywhere. Tip, a hero to local environmentalists and liberals, takes…0 comments
The Police Guild believes Terry did this
Wed, Oct 15, 2003, 5:20 pm // John Servais
The Bellingham Police Guild will endorse Don Hansey today for city council. Their executive board voted 100% last night to endorse Hansey and not Bornemann.…0 comments
Attempted extortion by the Mayor
Tue, Oct 14, 2003, 3:45 pm // John Servais
The City Council yesterday evening showed their disdain for public process and for state laws against using city facilities for promoting campaign issues. And in…0 comments
Very quietly, more and more liberals are
Mon, Oct 13, 2003, 5:38 pm // John Servais
telling me they are voting for Brett Bonner for mayor. Some very prominent ones - but they are not going public. Why not? Fear of…0 comments
The political junkies around town
Thu, Oct 09, 2003, 5:47 pm // John Servais
are abuzz about the trap Brett Bonner stepped into on Tuesday evening at the Labor Council. Dave Warren blindsided Brett without even allowing an introduction.…0 comments
Mayoral Debate
Wed, Oct 08, 2003, 5:51 pm // John Servais
The two differed strongly on several issues. The differences between them are becoming more apparent and this should continue for the next two weeks.Brett continues…
0 comments
Election Commentary
Mon, Oct 06, 2003, 5:59 pm // John Servais
Port Commissioner by Sheri WardSo what happened to all the heat among contenders for this race? It was only a few short weeks ago... (0 comments
Remember the ‘Truth Squad’?
Sun, Oct 05, 2003, 6:12 pm // John Servais
We need one to follow Asmundson during the next three weeks - and to nudge the Herald to do minimal checking of facts before publishing.…0 comments
A far superior and more objective analysis
Fri, Oct 03, 2003, 6:24 pm // John Servais
If you're a liberal and just figure you'll vote for Mark for mayor, then read Tip Johnson's analysis of the two candidates. Compared to John…0 comments
A “Cadillac” system
Fri, Oct 03, 2003, 12:01 am // John Servais
Mayor Mark is in trouble with young liberal activists - just the voters who normally would support a liberal mayor. But they are remembering his…
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Very qualified local political observers comment
Wed, Oct 01, 2003, 7:02 pm // John Servais
I am posting commentary on the election races by several very qualified local political observers who have agreed to write up their views of selected…0 comments
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