Park announcement overturns my vote for Dan McShane
Park announcement overturns my vote for Dan McShane
John Watts has posted a good response on his HamsterTalk to Mitch Friedman’s guest opinion piece in yesterday’s Whatcom Independent. Since Mitch had a kind word for John in the piece, it is nice to se
John Watts has posted a good response on his HamsterTalk to Mitch Friedman's guest opinion piece in yesterday's Whatcom Independent. Since Mitch had a kind word for John in the piece, it is nice to see John categorically dismantle Mitch's politically motivated article. Mitch pretends to righteous anger against persons like myself - so named - who have raised questions about the surprise announcement of the 8,000 acre park by McShane and Kremen during their campaigns.
Myron Wlaznak has an opinion piece in the Indy also and he provides a very good critical analysis of the surprise park announcement. Knowing how the Indy works, I'm sure neither writer knew of the other's piece. Myron goes to the heart of the matter - the fact that Pete Kremen and Dan McShane both feel comfortable with this deal having been conducted in secret over the past few years and without public process. They both participated and take credit. This is a deal between government agencies and are no private property land negotiations and thus no reason for the secret process.
My concern is two-fold. First, while I have appreciated McShane's work in general on the county council, he has always had a tendency to think he knows better than his colleagues and better than the rest of us what is best for us. I do not want this in our new mayor. We have had 11 years of Mark's secrecy and back room deals and we all want a fresh change to a more open city hall. McShane's pride in his behind the scenes activity as an elected representative suggests he will bring this practice to the mayor's office. This deal had nothing about it that could not have been done in public and should have included the other county council members. McShane and Kremen excluded them.
Second, the deal itself was announced during the campaign. John Watts blew the surprise in his September 11 post which probably forced the late September announcement by Pete and McShane of the deal - instead of an October announcement. This timing was planned to give a political boost to Kremen and McShane. Mitch, in his opinion piece, makes a baited suggestion to Dan Pike that amounts to a mocking insult. You should know that Mitch is deeply embedded in the McShane campaign. He is also deeply involved in the secret negotiations these past years. The use of what should be public process to help the election campaign of McShane is repugnant to me. Read the red type at the top of this page. This is why I put in the effort to post these 12 years.
Tom Pratum also comes under fire by Mitch. You should know that Tom has written extremely valuable articles for years in the Whatcom Watch about how we should protect Lake Whatcom and our drinking water source. Mitch suggests that I am in cahoots with Tom. You should know that I don't think I've ever met Tom and have not communicated with him. I do look forward to meeting him. Of course Mitch would not know that Tom and I do not know each other. His nutty accusation is baseless.
During the primary, I was for Pike but also liked Seth Fleetwood and McShane. However, during this general election I have seen the negative campaign the McShane group has mounted and the use of what should be public process for their own private gain. I have changed my opinion and no longer think Dan McShane would make a good mayor. He and his supporters, who will influence him in office, do not have an appreciation for public process and will not bring us the changes we all hope for in our next city government.
I am supporting Dan Pike for mayor and urge others to also. Lets do what we can to help him win the election. He will bring openness and good administration to our city hall. We have a rare chance to elect an outstanding person to be our mayor.
Myron Wlaznak has an opinion piece in the Indy also and he provides a very good critical analysis of the surprise park announcement. Knowing how the Indy works, I'm sure neither writer knew of the other's piece. Myron goes to the heart of the matter - the fact that Pete Kremen and Dan McShane both feel comfortable with this deal having been conducted in secret over the past few years and without public process. They both participated and take credit. This is a deal between government agencies and are no private property land negotiations and thus no reason for the secret process.
My concern is two-fold. First, while I have appreciated McShane's work in general on the county council, he has always had a tendency to think he knows better than his colleagues and better than the rest of us what is best for us. I do not want this in our new mayor. We have had 11 years of Mark's secrecy and back room deals and we all want a fresh change to a more open city hall. McShane's pride in his behind the scenes activity as an elected representative suggests he will bring this practice to the mayor's office. This deal had nothing about it that could not have been done in public and should have included the other county council members. McShane and Kremen excluded them.
Second, the deal itself was announced during the campaign. John Watts blew the surprise in his September 11 post which probably forced the late September announcement by Pete and McShane of the deal - instead of an October announcement. This timing was planned to give a political boost to Kremen and McShane. Mitch, in his opinion piece, makes a baited suggestion to Dan Pike that amounts to a mocking insult. You should know that Mitch is deeply embedded in the McShane campaign. He is also deeply involved in the secret negotiations these past years. The use of what should be public process to help the election campaign of McShane is repugnant to me. Read the red type at the top of this page. This is why I put in the effort to post these 12 years.
Tom Pratum also comes under fire by Mitch. You should know that Tom has written extremely valuable articles for years in the Whatcom Watch about how we should protect Lake Whatcom and our drinking water source. Mitch suggests that I am in cahoots with Tom. You should know that I don't think I've ever met Tom and have not communicated with him. I do look forward to meeting him. Of course Mitch would not know that Tom and I do not know each other. His nutty accusation is baseless.
During the primary, I was for Pike but also liked Seth Fleetwood and McShane. However, during this general election I have seen the negative campaign the McShane group has mounted and the use of what should be public process for their own private gain. I have changed my opinion and no longer think Dan McShane would make a good mayor. He and his supporters, who will influence him in office, do not have an appreciation for public process and will not bring us the changes we all hope for in our next city government.
I am supporting Dan Pike for mayor and urge others to also. Lets do what we can to help him win the election. He will bring openness and good administration to our city hall. We have a rare chance to elect an outstanding person to be our mayor.
