Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 1

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Yesterday's blog began this discussion. Here's another installment.
See if any of these types remind you of anyone.

Here's a brief intro from this website:http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=1907
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If there was some way to win a Pulitzer Prize for online work, specifically sociology-satire-commentary-art, then illustrator extraordinaire Mike Reed and his Flame Warriors should win hands-down. In my opinion it is one of the finest pieces of journo-sociology ever posted on the Internet or published anywhere for that matter. I do not make this claim lightly. Reed has managed to accurately stereotype pretty much all of the participants in online discussion forums so well that it’s an eye-opener to read this material. I have probably been writing and participating in the online world as much as anyone since I began going online around 1979 with BBS systems and wrote some of the first online only commercial columns. This work by Reed is a definitive breakdown of it all! It is sheer genius. Each of the characters is aptly named: Bliss Ninny, Weenie, Artful Doger, Blowhard, and Evil Clown are a few examples.

Even the discussions on this site — which try to find variants of the main Flame Warrior archetypes — is also outstanding.

Anyone who ever posts a comment or gets involved in online debate should read through the 99 archetypes and see where you fit in. (YOU are in there!) I have excerpted a couple of my favorites below.
The rest are here. [http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=1907]
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Android

Android doesn't anger, nor does he engage in actual combat, rather he will merely point out the logical inconsistencies of other Warriors. Irony and sarcasm are completely lost on Android, and being impossible to insult or injure in any way, he is invulnerable to conventional attack. If, for example, someone were to call him a pinhead, he would get out a tape measure and after finding that his cranium falls within normal size specifications Android would dismiss the comment as erroneous. Android's circuits are not equipped to process ambiguous or aesthetic input, consequently any extensive discussion involving personal feelings, intuition, art and metaphorical allusions will quickly drive Android from the field of battle.
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Big dog and Mee-too

Big Dog is a bully who doesn’t hesitate to use his superior strength to intimidate other combatants. Big Dog may be smart, articulate or just plain mean, but in any case he is a remorseless fighter, brutally ripping into even the weakest of combatants. Once Big Dog securely fastens his powerful jaws on a hapless victim, Me-Too will join the attack. Me-Too is far too weak and insecure to engage in single combat, and must ally himself with Big Dog or a pack of other Warriors to bring down his quarry.
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Bliss Ninny

Bliss Ninny doesn’t understand why people just can’t get along. While it is entirely unintentional, Bliss Ninny’s utterly vacuous comments can drive the more pugnacious Warriors into a frenzy of aggression. Often in the heat of battle Bliss Ninny will discuss her cat.
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Blowhard

Blowhard feels the need to present his credentials before entering the fray - even if they are irrelevant to the discussion. For example, in a movie forum conflict he might attempt to settle the matter by saying, “As a Ph. D. candidate in particle physics I believe I can say with some authority that the ‘Beavis and Butthead’ movie represents the emergence of a new cultural paradigm.” Huh?
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Eagle Scout

Eagle Scout is a positive, constructive Warrior who endeavors to submit original articles which contain useful content and relevant information with supporting citations and links, thus initiating meaningful discussion threads. Eagle Scout regards the internet as an uplifting, egalitarian, worldwide arena for the exchange of ideas among intelligent, thinking individuals. He does not openly attack, but will (ever tactfully) chastise disruptive comments, gratuitous insults and cretinous insipidity. He is always kind and helpful to Newbie, and will shrug off even the most egregious insults. Eagle Scout is loathed with a poisonous intensity by Evil Clown, Jerk, L'Enfant Provocateur and Ego. CAUTION: Sometimes Imposter, Evil Clown or Troller will masquerade as Eagle Scout. There have also been reports of Eagle Scout becoming Jekyl and Hyde.
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Ferrous Cranus

Ferrous Cranus is utterly impervious to reason, persuasion and new ideas, and when engaged in battle he will not yield an inch in his position regardless of its hopelessness. Though his thrusts are decisively repulsed, his arguments crushed in every detail and his defenses demolished beyond repair he will remount the same attack again and again with only the slightest variation in tactics. Sometimes out of pure frustration Philosopher will try to explain to him the failed logistics of his situation, or Therapist will attempt to penetrate the psychological origins of his obduracy, but, ever unfathomable, Ferrous Cranus cannot be moved.
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Grenade

Grenade isn't actually a Warrior, per se, but he is an ordnance so widely employed by combatants that no Flame Warriors guide would be complete without mentioning him. When lobbed into a discussion forum Grenade instantly reduces any semblance of reasonable discourse to smoking rubble and sets in motion the forces of war. Grenade can be loaded with different explosives depending on the forum, but some common detonating materials are Clinton, gun control, homosexuality, Reagan, abortion, taxes, conspiracy theory, the NEA, welfare reform, etc. When beleaguered and facing certain defeat a Warrior can deflect even the most determined attack by triggering a diversionary explosion. Grenade is a particularly destructive weapon when wielded by Evil Clown, Issues, Troglodyte and even Weenie, but almost any Warrior can use it to gain a temporary strategic advantage. Grenade is the preferred weapon of Troller and L'Enfant Provocateur. Eagle Scout has been known to throw himself upon Grenade to save the forum.
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Jerk

Jerk is sarcastic, mean, unforgiving and never misses an opportunity to make a cutting remark. Jerk’s repulsive personality quickly alienates other Warriors, and after some initial skirmishing he is usually ostracized. Still, Jerk is very happy to participate in electronic forums because in cyberspace he is free to be himself…without the risk of getting a real-time punch in the mouth
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Picador

Picador does not personally do battle with any Warrior. Rather, like his bull fighting counterpart, he uses well placed barbs to goad his adversary into charging. While skillfully avoiding the appearance of being the provocateur, he carefully guides his enraged target towards certain injury or defeat at the hands of a stronger Warrior. Once the fight has been set in motion Picador will retire to a discrete distance, always ready prod his lance into sensitive areas should the action begin to flag. HINT: Alert Warriors can readily spot Picador because, though he seldom takes a stand on controversial issues, he always seems to be near the fray.
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Godzilla

It was a peaceful and productive forum; lively, congenial and a bounteous source of useful information. Then one day, completely without warning, Godzilla arose from the depths and blew his scalding breath on everything in his path. A phalanx of Warriors mobilized to attack the monster, only to be crushed like so many toy tanks under Godzilla's mighty feet. Godzilla soon reduced the forum to searing and consuming flames. Just as abruptly, he rumbled back beneath the waves, leaving all to tremble in fear of his return. Net life would never be the same. Sadly, many netizens who survive a Godzilla attack will become Xenophobes.
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Target

Target is the guy everyone in a forum loves to hate. To some degree he brings this upon himself. For example, he may be a known cheater in a game forum, a conservative among liberals, a Windows guy among Mac enthusiasts, or even a man in a women's forum. Why Target places himself in such dicey situations is anyone's guess, but he seems genuinely oblivious to his precarious position. When Target inevitably runs afoul of a forum's prevailing attitudes the other Warriors unleash their collective fury upon him. His usual reaction is "Hey, what did I do?" or "Why do you all hate me?" Target usually gets the hint after a while and moves on. NOTE: Target often serves as a useful pressure valve for the forum's pent up hostilities. Therefore, if the current Target has been driven off or immobilized a new target will be quickly selected. CAUTION: Target is a favorite disguise of Troller and Evil Clown.
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La Dolce Vita... e Il Dolce Far Niente

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La Dolce Vita: Italian for "The Sweet Life"
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Il Dolce Far Niente: Italian for "the sweetness of doing nothing"
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In rediscovering both of the above phrases, I've spent some time being entertained by the Internet.

Here is a URL that readers will surely enjoy:

http://dearauntnettie.com
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In particular, this site has a large collection of 'Depressionist Art' that is hilarious!
[Example below]

http://dearauntnettie.com/museum/museum-dubya-makeover.htm





"Portrait of George W. Bush: The Global Makeover"
Jerry van Eyk

President Bush insisted that the painting of his official portrait, which would join all the others in Washington's National Portrait Gallery, fully reflect his role as a world leader. He felt that the turban was a necessity in this day and age, and he thought that the yellow facial tinting would make him more approachable to the Eastern hemisphere.

The painter van Eyk was the first Depressionist artist to be given the honor of painting the Presidential portrait, and he made it appropriately dark and somber. The "turban" is actually an old Soviet Union flag, a gift from the President's new best buddy, Vladimir Putin. 

This portrait led to other Capitol Hill work for van Eyk, most notably "Rugless: the True Trent Lott," and "Senator Strom Thurmond as an Advocate Centerfold."
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And, another:

"Portrait, Partially Undraped Rodent" (highly magnified)
Georges Sureart

Sureart's technique, which came to be known as Pointlessism, involved the use of itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy little dots of paint applied with the aid of an electron microscope. Like so many of the great French Depressionists, he found few imitators. What other painter had the patience to work for 17 years on an individual painting such as the one displayed, especially when the completed work measures less than one square centimetre?


(actual size)



This is Sureart's last composition. He went completely blind near its completion and most critics believe the final dots were added by his poodle, Mitzi. The identity of the rodent is not known. From his journals we know that Sureart had difficulty finding models who could hold the same pose for over a decade, which is why he preferred cadavers.

In his later years, blind and dejected, Sureart turned to musical composition as a creative outlet, producing the "Inaudible" quintet for muffled harpsichord, and the opera "The Rest is Silence," a retelling of the Hamlet tale, which was performed only once, in 1951, by the City of Paris Deaf-Mute Conservatory.
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But, this 'dearauntnettie' site has several other funny links to check out, too, like this one that lists a number of 'Flame Warrior' types.

http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/index.htm



93 Flame Warrior Types: [each with a clever description]

Godfather
Big Cat
Eagle Scout
Ent
Kung-Fu Master
Newbie
Patois
God
Philosopher
Innocent Abused
Royals
The Swarm
Coffee Klatch
Evil Clown
Nanny
Admin
Peacemaker
Atheist
Godzilla
Grenade
Weenie
Jekyll and Hyde
Lonely Guy
Android
Garble
Palooka
Imposter
Perv
Tiny Yapper
Pithy Phrase
Rottweiler Puppy
Yuk Yuk
Archivist
Target
Troglodyte
Artiste
Centurion
Toxic Granny
Fanboy
Loopy
ALL CAPS
Ferrous Cranus
Lamer
Net Rat
Ethnix
Bong
Troller
Big Dog and Me-too
Deacon
Xenophobe
Furious Typer
Grunter
Nitpick
Agent
Bliss Ninny
Diplomat
Stealth
Artful Dodger
Fragile Femme
Necromancer
Rebel Leader
Whisper
Rat
Picador
Pinko
Capitalista
Crybaby
Cyber Sisters
Grammarian
Howlers
Issues
Lurker
Netiquette Nazi
Propeller Head
Strumpet
Therapist
Compost
Stone Deaf
Profundus Maximus
Typhoid Mary
Acne
Filibuster
Idealogue
L'Enfant Provocateur
Ego
Klaxon
Sycophant
Blowhard
Duelists
Ennui
Jerk
Rebel Without a Clue
Tireless Rebutter
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Finally, a piece of advice for potential candidates from 'Aunt Nettie':

2-23-2002

Dear Aunt Nettie: 

In a recent column, you mentioned that you "should run for office." In my experience, it is a rare occasion where someone with true wisdom will devote themselves to public service. These days, it seems that the elected politicians are either bright, but in it for personal gain, or dim but sincere.... Why don't the truly brilliant sacrifice some personal wealth to serve the electorate?

-- Elective in Elmira
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Dear Elective:

Well, it seems to me you've answered your own question. The smart people are in it so they can abuse the system for their own ends and the rest are deluded into thinking they can make a difference. Once the latter learn better, they become the former and run for re-election.

Anyone considering running for office should be presented with a single copy of the Federal Register and a copy of the Congressional Record. After perusing the contents they will have one of two opinions: (a) "Whoa! I can make this work for me!" or, (b) "This is the most insufferable pile of claptrap I have ever laid eyes on!" 

Those of the former opinion should hire a campaign manager. Those of the latter opinion should join a commune.
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Growth Management: Deer Creek Water Association

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Back in late 2004, the City was asked to agree to allow its water main to be placed under the Guide Meridian, north of town, at the time that the Washington State DOT widens and improves that busy State Road.

That request touched off a debate on the subject, which related to future growth in the vicinity and the City's agreement with the Deer Creek Water Association regarding extension of utilities outside City Limits.

After extended discussion, sufficient facts did emerge to satisfy most of the concerns expressed by Council members, myself included.

But the debate raised some interesting information to scrutiny that wasn't widely known at the time -at least by the Council.

I believe the Council did make the right decision in this case, which was to approve the request.

But, there are those who continue to disagree with the decision Council finally made -to accede to WSDOT's request- it may be interesting to revisit some of the arguments and facts once again.

Also, since similar requests may occur in the future, the current Council may wish to know more about this subject.
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Staff Identified the 'Pros and Cons' of Action on Deer Creek Water Line Acquisition and Funding Agreements as follows:
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Approve Agreement/Funding
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Pros

1. Provides infrastructure in an area that is a likely candidate for growth to satisfy GMA requirements to accommodate projected population

2. Recovers from the State over $900,000 in costs that would otherwise be paid only by local rate payers.

3. Is the least costly approach to providing water service in this area

4. Increases the City's ability to influence how development occurs in this area

5. Takes some pressure off other neighborhoods to accept infill

6. Increases the certainty of costs for providing water service in this area and minimizes those costs

7. Provides coordination to overlapping service areas

8. Provides better emergency redundancy to H2O system
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Cons

1. Inconsistent with City policy of not providing services outside the City limits

2. Extends services to an area that has not been designated by the County as an UGA

3. Facilitates more intensive development in this area, which some people would find objectionable

4. Accelerates increases in the size and costs of police & fire service areas

5. Would impose additional costs on current rate payers for capacity they don't need

6. Increases pressure on Council to approve more service connections in this area

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Reject Agreement/Funding
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Pros

1. Provides time to consider this issue in more detail-including coordinating consideration by the County of the City's UGA

2. Slows the pace and intensity of growth in this area

3. Allows exploration of developer financing of water line extension to area
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Cons

1. Precludes constructing a City water line on Guide Meridian in future

2. If a City water line is constructed in the area in the future, it would be significantly more expensive because it would require, among other things, acquiring easements on private property

3. May promote low-density sprawl in this area because people can continue to install private wells and septic systems

4. Precludes opportunity to master plan this area

5. Makes it more difficult to locate projected growth (31,6000 people; 15,000 DUs; 1,200 DUs in this area-If not here, then where?

6. Requires amending the City's established service and 5-year review areas
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One fact that wasn't well understood was that years ago, the entire County was divided up into sectors for the purpose of determining which entities would have the responsibility for providing water to them.

This was included in a document referred to as the 'County Water Plan', or some similar title.

The part of western Whatcom County assigned to Bellingham basically extended north to Smith Road, which probably is still the City's planned service area at some time in the future.

Another fact was that the owners of the CAITAC property anticipated eventually receiving water service from Bellingham, by a an agreement signed in 1993.

But, finding out about these plans did take some doing, including asking the battery of layered question sets listed below.

By having to ask successive questions that were not obvious, this exercise took on the character of peeling an onion, or so it seemed at the time.
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Here are several categories of information that either bear on this issue or are impacted by it.
Of these, the simplest category is that body of facts that apply to the current Deer Creek proposal.

A. Deer Creek Facts

1. How many new Dwelling Units [DUs] can be supported by a 10" waterline? A 16" waterline?

2. What surrounding Utility Service Zone Area [USZ] is anticipated to be served by new COB waterline?

3. What is the potential for population and water demand for this USZ?

4. How much of this USZ is within current City Limits?

5. How much of this USZ is within current City UGA Limits?

6. How much of this USZ is within current 5-Year Review Area Limits?

7. What maximum volume of water to Deer Creek will Interlocal allow? Available?

8. What wholesale rates will apply to water supplied to Deer Creek? Adequate?

9. What is actual deadline for WSDOT EIS to be completed?

10. The presentations by Public Works seemed to be more concerned with quick approval of the action requested than with Council being sufficiently informed about the context surrounding it. This, coupled with slowness in providing additional information, led to the feeling that Council was not really being given a choice. The lack of 'big picture' implications was particularly troubling. Council deserved better explanations, up-front.
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B. Annexation - Questions & Concerns

1. How does Administration/PW understanding of current Council policy align with this proposal?

2. Why is accepting a new bulk water customer, whose service area straddles City Limits and UGA limits considered acceptable under current policy?

3. Since City policy has been unique in Whatcom County by allowing extension of utilities without annexation, does the Administration advocate a continuance of these practices, despite current policy to the contrary?

4. Does PW recognize past annexation policy has served to create current UGA problems?

5. Does PW's reliance on water & sewer premiums charged outside City Limits constitute an additional barrier to annexation?

6. Would PW be willing to consider raising water & sewer premiums in UGA as a means of more simply encouraging annexation via economics?
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C. Interlocal Agreements - Questions & Concerns

1. Generally, is Council approval required to initiate negotiations on an Interlocal Agreement?

2. Is Council approval required to approve any Interlocal Agreement?

3. If an Interlocal was initiated and approved by earlier Councils, what mechanism exists to inform current and future Councils of these Interlocals?

4. If an Interlocal requires renewal, adjustment or termination, is Council consulted?

5. Is there a list -by Department or otherwise- of all outstanding Interlocals?

6. Would the Administration consider periodic reports on the status, ongoing need for, and impacts of Interlocals on current Council considerations?
[Note, this might be similar to Legal and Hearing Examiner periodic reports]

7. Might the City benefit from reviewing, changing or terminating Interlocals periodically?

8. Which, if any, Interlocals are considered overly restrictive or counter-productive to current City policy by PW? e.g. WD10?

9. Which existing Interlocals straddle City Limits? UGA limits? USZ limits?
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D. Utility Service Zones - Questions & Concerns

1. In general, how do these set or influence City policy?

2. Does current City policy take precedence over USZs?

3. What % of existing USZs in UGA have already been served? 42%? What impact does Deer Creek have on this calculation?

4. Is this information routinely shared with Planning and Council in GIS overlay format as guidelines to inform decisions?

5. What changes, if any, are anticipated in the Comp Plan update?

6. If USZs are completely built out, what is impact on City's water and sewer capacity?

7. If services are extended outside City limits, who pays? Are SDC rates adequate?
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E. Responsibility for Informing Council - Questions & Concerns

1. Council relies mainly on Administration staff for timely & adequate information. Are there any minimum guidelines, checklists or protocols for insuring this happens regularly?

2. Staff reports to the Administration, and Council relies on staff as the primary source for factual information in its decision-making. When additional information is needed, or conflicting information is heard, what options does Council have to satisfy its need for balance?

3. Recognizing the respective roles of Council, Mayor and staff, the opportunity always exists to influence policy decisions. Excessive use of executive confidentiality can undermine the atmosphere of trust necessary for public credibility and a good working relationship with Council. This is difficult to gain, but easy to lose. Presenting just the facts first, then discussing their context would be a helpful policy to follow.

4. Timing of information coming to Council for deliberation is a common problem. Additional time for Council consideration should not be considered a negative, but opportunity to better inform Council and the public. There are limits to efficiency and expediency in a democracy!
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F. Comprehensive Plan Update - Questions & Concerns

1. PW knows Comp Plan Update is underway and that Deer Creek decision will have a significant impact. Decision required was out of sequence with an orderly process.

2. Delays in the Comp Plan Update may have squeezed PW to push a Deer Creek decision early.

3. Whatcom County has its own agenda regarding the Comp Plan Update and may not agree with some ideas and policies the City advocates.

4. All of above may have contributed to PW's perceived defensive attitude and "take or leave it" stance, plus its reluctance to volunteer more information earlier. Additionally, PW has already clashed with Council over utility extension policy and may be sensitized to this issue.
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G. Big Picture - Questions & Concerns

1. All things considered, is the Deer Creek proposal in the City's best interest?

2. If Administration/PW are so convinced this is the right thing to do, why not have a concerted effort to also convince Council?

3. Council is capable of understanding and dealing with "complicated" issues. We do this all the time, but rely on staff to provide facts and analysis first.

4. By not having the chance to see the "big picture", its harder to see where this piece of the puzzle fits in. It appears to be very essential piece!

5. Piecemeal is the way many things proceed, but unless done carefully, progressive disclosure can lead to frustration and suspicion.

6. GMA planning is very high profile and very important. Why not treat these individual decisions as essential building blocks and give them the time and attention commensurate with responsible, long-term planning?

7. Handled appropriately, the Deer Creek proposal should have passed easily with minimal discussion. circaCouncil - Staff relationships need to be built on trust, and giving all the information up front would have been a much better approach.
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Today was the first day of the rest of my life.

I first heard something to the effect of this title years ago.
Now, its time to apply it to me.

Today was interesting, and different.
First, I slept off the effects of having not only my 3rd chiropractic treatment, but my first therapeutic massage.
Both treatments were directed toward resolving some muscle strain in my back.
And, both were not immediately successful as one might expect.

But, I did feel better this morning.
Now comes the hard part, living in such a way that unusual pain is prevented.

That will be harder to learn, but well worth the effort.

Today's events started with a Christmas lunch for about 40 City employees at the Fireplace Room at Muni Court.
$13 bought one a catered meal and 1.5 hours fellowship with people mostly accounted for as FTEs [Full-Time Equivalents]

A donated gift bought one the right to pick another gift under public scrutiny.
A really desirable gift got traded up to three times before becoming 'vested'.
I'm proud to say my donated gift got traded 3 times.
It was the one wrapped in a brown paper bag, then tin foil, then a brown cylindrical canister.
I'll let you guess what it was.

Like many others, it was a bottle of wine - from France.
It seemed like wine was the trendy gift, more so this time than in past memory.
And why not? It's a consumable, and it has the capacity to diminish ones present cares.
What characterizes us consumers more than that these days?

At the end, the group sang me a 'Happy Birthday', which it was.
Somebody must have tipped them off.
I prefer to think of this day as 'the 30th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday'.
Which it also was.

Later, the Library Board meeting featured a short report by it's consultants on the proposed new Library Specs.
That was interesting too, and demonstrated the same high degree of thoughtful deliberation that the Board, itself typifies.
In January 2008, a publc survey will be taken, which will guide the Board in its recommendations to the City Council.
With positive results in both venues, a public bond issue may be proposed for next May, for a new Library and branch enhancements.

Tonight, my bride and I celebrated with a Birthday dinner at a local eatery.
The food was excellent -and excessive- but what else would you expect?
We planned the next few months in outline form, which now demands some more detailed planning.
Then, the execution will focus more on the journey than the destination.

But, that represents a challenge for me, because I'm accustomed to focusing on the destination, or goal.
I hope I'm up to it.
But already I'm thinking of what comes tomorrow.
Take friends to the airport, then attend one more Council meeting.

After that, who knows?
Maybe, I'll think up another blog.
Then again, maybe I won't.
Hard to tell at my age, isn't it?

Modern Sports Scene: Rooting or Ranting ?

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For over six decades I have been an avid sports fan.
Often, I was also a participant although as an amateur with limited ability.
The competition, challenge, action and social aspects were all part of the enjoyment.

Later, watching others play became good entertainment, if not a temporary distraction from life's demands.
I can't begin to remember the number of games I've watched, at all levels, from Little League, to High School, to College, to the Olympics, and to the Pros.
All kinds of games and competitions, too. Not just the 'big three' of basketball, football & baseball.

But now, I'm really beginning to lose interest.
And its not just because I'm older, less able and can't find teams or opponents to fit.
It's because organized sports have become way too commercial and prone to cheating.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so.
There are still millions of people who are willing to pay big bucks to watch sports events.
The masses do need their opiates, probably more now than earlier in time, when they had less leisure and more certainty.

A few of my beefs that have added up over the years include these:

Parents often like to live through their kids, sometimes pushing them too hard to succeed.
Have you ever witnessed a Dad or Mom who got so riled up that their kid didn't play, cuss out the coach?
Or worse, act like fools cheering or jeering?

High Schools have always been places that seem to overvalue athletes, like football heroes.
That was a certain way to become popular, particularly with the cheerleaders!
Some high schools actually began recruiting better athletes from other places, just to win.

It used to be that going to college mostly meant excelling academically, and struggling to pay for it.
Now, the definitions of 'learning' and 'profession' have been stretched to include pro sports careers.
The 'Big Man on Campus' athlete of yesteryear has come to mean 'big, strong person desiring quick riches by becoming a pro player'.

The Olympics used to be a truly Amateur event that brought the World together.
Now, it's a commercial bonanza that features professional athletes enjoying major advantages over amateurs.
And, the athletes actually shop for a country to represent - but I guess that's better than starting wars, or allowing the rich to dominate.

Finally, the Professional teams have become collections of highly talented, spoiled and rich Prima Donnas.
Best players are often so into their lives of astounding excess, brutality, performance-enhancing drugs and pursuit of personal stardom that they no longer seem real or human.
Their loyalty is to the owner that will pay them the most right now, not to their team or its fans.

In fact, I think the word 'fan' could now mostly be replaced by the word 'consumer', don't you?
You will probably begin to before long, as the major networks begin to cut back on the number of free games that are televised or broadcast.
Some of the stuff on TV now doesn't even deserve to be called sports, and I wonder who is really being entertained by it?

Maybe its time to reassess my sports habits?
You know, like become more of a participant again.
That means finding some things I like to do and still can do that are also healthy.

There's plenty of that material left to explore, so I'm gonna do it!
That will probably make my wife happier, and me too.
And, there's still free sports on BTV10!
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Growth Management Act: A Refresher & Rant with Local Footnotes

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"Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize our age." - Einstein

"But we must remember that good laws, if they are not obeyed, do not constitute good government. Hence there are two parts of good government; one is the actual obedience of citizens to the laws, the other part is the goodness of the laws which they obey..." -- (Aristotle, Politics).
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One last rant on this subject may be in order:

An overview of the Growth Management Act is provided from [www.cted.wa.gov/growth], with excerpts as shown below:

In 1990 the Legislature found that “uncoordinated and unplanned growth, together with a lack of common goals… pose a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and high quality of life enjoyed by residents of this state.
It is in the public interest that citizens, communities, local governments, and the private sector cooperate and coordinate with one another in comprehensive land use planning.” (RCW 36.70A.010)
This is the foundation for the Growth Management Act (GMA).
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The GMA requires all cities and counties in the state to:

• Designate and protect wetlands, frequently flooded areas and other critical areas.

• Designate farm lands, forest lands, and other natural resource areas.

• Determine that new residential subdivisions have appropriate provisions for public services and facilities.

In addition, 29 'Fully Planning' counties and the 218 cities within them are to plan for growth based on certain requirements. These jurisdictions represent the fastest-growing counties and the cities within them, as well as other counties, plus the cities inside their boundaries that chose to plan under the GMA.

Here are the basic steps that local governments 'fully planning' under the GMA are to follow:

• Agree on county-wide planning policies to guide regional issues, for example, public facilities and affordable housing.

NOTE: The Bellingham City Council did NOT agree with Whatcom County's planning policy, and took exception especially to the Land Use Section, because the language essentially says the County can do whatever it wants, wherever it wants, whenever it wants. That is not planning! Read it for yourself.

• Plan for urban growth within the urban growth areas that are adopted by each county, based on forecasts provided by the
State Office of Financial Management (OFM).

• Adopt comprehensive plans with chapters that fit together.

• Identify lands useful for public purposes and essential public facilities, such as airports, educational facilities, and utility and transportation corridors.
-------------------

GMA plans and regulations are to be guided by 14 goals that are summarized below:

• Focus urban growth in urban areas. NOTE: This is why Bellingham agreed to try and accommodate 51.4% of the projected growth adopted!

• Reduce sprawl. NOTE: This is what will happen if Bellingham does not receive sufficient new UGA Land Supply OR CHANGES THAT MAKE THE EXISTING UGA MORE CERTAINLY ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE MORE DENSITY THAN THEY DO NOW!

• Provide efficient transportation.

• Encourage affordable housing.

• Encourage sustainable economic development. NOTE: By not having B&O Taxes apply to land outside Bellingham, the County is contributing to sprawl that does not pay its way, while enjoying income out of proportion to the services it provides.

• Protect property rights.

• Process permits in a timely and fair manner.

• Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries.

• Retain open space and habitat areas and develop recreation opportunities. NOTE: The City adopted a Parks, Recreation & Open Space Element in its Comp Plan for the first time. Additionally, Parks Impact Fees have been adopted as well as the Greenways 3 Levy passed by voters to provide funding.

• Protect the environment. NOTE: Clean-up & redevelopment of the Waterfront Industrial area and associated Waterways and old landfills is being vigorously pursued.

• Encourage citizen participation and regional coordination.

• Ensure adequate public facilities and services.

• Preserve important historic resources.

• Manage shorelines wisely.
-------------------

The comprehensive plans are to provide for 20 years of growth and development needs based on forecasts of OFM [Office of Financial Management].
They can be amended once a year. State agencies are required to comply with local comprehensive plans. -------------------

Local comprehensive plans are to include the REQUIRED chapters below:

• Land Use

• Utilities

• Housing

• Transportation

• Capital Facilities

• Rural (for counties only)

• Shorelines

NOTE: An optional chapter on Parks, Recreation & Open Space has also been adopted by the City of Bellingham.
Additionally, there is work proceeding to develop Strategic Guidelines to help the City plan for Economic Development.
-------------------

Plans must be put in action by development regulations, for example, for zoning and concurrency.

When plans and regulations are developed, they are submitted to CTED for review. However, the department does not certify the plans or approve the regulations. Plans are PRESUMED VALID upon adoption UNLESS a growth management hearings board finds they are not in compliance with the GMA.

Cities and counties 'fully planning' under the GMA are to review their comprehensive plans and ordinances at least every seven years to see if their plans and regulations comply with the GMA. The deadline to complete this requirement varies from county to county. The earliest deadline for some counties and cities is December 1, 2004.

NOTE: Comp Plan Updates for Bellingham & Whatcom County were initially due December 1, 2004, but successive extensions have been granted. Bellingham adopted its Comp Plan in 2006. Whatcom County remains out of compliance, and expects legal challenges may further delay adoption of its Comp Plan.
-------------------

Buildable Lands
Six counties, and cities and towns within their boundaries, are to establish a review and evaluation program commonly referred to as the Buildable Lands Program. The counties are King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston, and Clark.

NOTE: Whatcom County & the City of Bellingham are not on this list of 'fully planning' entities, although the County is seeking to have the City do the additional monitoring required to meet this requirement. It is unclear whether the County will do this, or where the funds for doing it will come from in either County or City
=====================

The GMA Goals are not ranked in any order, with one goal having more importance over others. When local governments develop their plans and regulations, they determine how the goals will be carried out.
However, the Comp Plans adopted by County & City must be consistent with each other, as well as within themselves.
That means every part of this planning tool is linked to every other part, as has to be true if it is to work as expected.

This is a tall order! And, it doesn't seem to be working very well here in Whatcom County, does it?
Who is at fault is a question that needs to be investigated, then remedied!
=================

For example:

Whatcom County adopted a 20-year population projection slightly above the OFM estimate, or about 61,480 new people.

Bellingham agreed to plan to accommodate a percentage -greater than half- of this projected growth over the 20-year period beginning in 2002.

So, mathematically, that can be stated: B%/100 X 61,480 = B

If B1% is 51.4, then B1 = 31,601 [This is a known difficult task, since Bellingham only accounts for about 40% of the County's population, and recent trends have shown more people are building homes in rural areas than in urban ones]

So, if B2% is set at say 40, then B2 is 24,592 [7009 fewer people than B1]

That 7009 people might not sound like much, but it is more than enough than needed to make more UGA land not needed!
And, that's what all the 'debate' is about over at the County!

Also, since that number is the one Bellingham used to develop internal consistency in its Comp Plan, do you think just changing it might also change other assumptions as well?

But since Bellingham has already completed its work, and withstood a legal challenge subsequently, its Comp Plan is considered OK without other changes being necessary. We're OK with what we have now, don't have the time, staff or inclination to debate further with the County.

In the lengthy PUBLIC process -yes it was very public- it took to develop the City's Comp Plan, and hold up its end of the initial agreement with the County, the City used all the data, historical trends and experience it could muster to arrive at its estimate of additional Land Supply needs.

Of course, there still remains considerable uncertainty in this estimate, due to the very nature of the exercise.
To reasonably cover this uncertainty, a modest 'Safety Factor' was applied and adopted, which amounts to 17%.
That is a number too low for the Growth Management Boards to even consider for review.
Yet, some want to deny it entirely, in the name of limiting sprawl!

Go ahead, make my day.
Reduce the City's Safety factor to zero, or some other number that sounds about right.
Then let us know what that number is so we can reduce the City's estimate of how many new people it can reasonably accommodate to fit into its existing City Limits and County-owned UGA.

That's easy.
Too easy!

It also discounts the good work done in good faith, and substitutes instead a process that is based upon ignorance and arrogance.
The GMA analysis process is inherently imprecise, but it does arrive at reasonable ballpark estimates, providing intellectual honesty is valued and used.

But, you know, it would be so much easier if the City could use a lower population estimate!
Oh please Santa, bring us one.

So why not just do it and get it over with?
In the end, the growth will just go to more rural areas anyway, where the land is cheaper, the rules are weaker, and the County gets to keep the revenue generated to continue financing sprawl of the worse sort - rural.

Hey, if that's what the County wants, that's what it will get.
It's County-wide planning policies already fully support doing what it wants, where it wants, when it wants.

Only next time, just tell the City not to worry about it, because its outside the City's control anyway -its the County's!

What was that GMA Goal #11?
Encourage citizen participation and regional coordination?

Do you think the City and County are 'fully planning' under the GM?

Are either of these things happening?
I don't think so.

But that's just my opinion.
=================
" I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think its hell." -- Harry Truman

"You can't teach what you don't know, and you can't lead where you won't go" - Jesse Jackson

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome -Einstein

I'm the lamest lame duck there could be. -George C. Wallace
-------------------

Olympic Pipe Line Disaster: Reflections

At the last City Council meeting -literally the last one for Bob Ryan & me- Bob recalled the actions the 1999 Council took in the aftermath of the Olympic Pipe Line catastrophe on June 10, 1999.
That recollection touched a cord in my memory.

How indelibly that date has come to represent the dark time that was to become one of Bellingham's finest hours!

And, how grateful we can be that the tragic deaths of three young men -boys really- meant enough to the people of our community that meaningful changes in our National Pipeline Safety laws were actually enacted as a result!

It is truly sad that we seem to need something tragic like this to happen before corrective regulatory changes are made.
But, we can be thankful that those changes were made, because they now benefit everyone living in this country.

Bob Ryan's remark caused me to reflect upon what the actions were that the City Council unanimously agreed were so important. And, that we had such a gut-level commitment to righting that horrendous wrong, not eventually glossing over it - which would have been so much easier and far less costly.

There were 5 or 6 general courses of action we -the Council- agreed to pursue, and to the best of my recollection these included the following:

• We would enforce the expired Franchise Agreement and not allow Olympic to cross City property to replace the ruptured pipeline without restitution and a stronger Agreement.

• We would seek outside Legal Counsel to represent the City's interests.

• We would seek outside Pipeline Consultant(s) to represent the City's interests. One to help us understand industry lingo and management practices, and another to advise us on corrosion and its detection, mitigation and prevention.

• We would seek to have Olympic redesign their pipeline system to incorporate Process Safety Management features, such as those required in the Petroleum Refining Industry.

• We would enlist the aid and support of our elected Federal & State Representatives in our cause to adequately address what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again -anywhere.

That is the gist of what had been written on the back of an envelope during a briefing by our Mayor, Mark Asmundson.

After each point was mentioned, the entire Council voiced its strong support, making it very clear to the Mayor the seriousness of our intent.

To Mayor Mark's credit, he took that scribbled-upon envelope and pursued every item with great vigor and determination.

And, what an effort it was!

The Olympic Pipe Line Company resisted strongly, until that eventually became untenable, so great was the pressure for rectifying the problems uncovered.

Ultimately, after 18 months of being shut down, a reconstituted Olympic was able to restart its operations and begin again to ship great quantities of aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products to the south; but, this time with much greater safety.

That effort was worth it!

I think it safe to say that the Olympic issue pretty well dominated what the City of Bellingham did for the rest of 1999 and most of 2000.

And, the citizens were terrific throughout this time!
So were our elected Federal & State officials who actually changed our Pipeline Safety regulations!
The Herald did its best work ever, by accurately recording every aspect of what happened, why it happened, what was being done to insure it would never happen again!

But, lest we forget, the 3 youths did have their lives cut tragically short, leaving a lingering sadness to this day for their families, and for those who remember what happened.
It was for them the effort happened, because it was the least we could have done.

6/10/99 will remain forever as Bellingham's 9/11.
May it never be repeated.

Something's Gotta Give

============================
'Something's Gotta Give'

This popular song with Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was sung by Fred Astaire, The McGuire Sisters, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr, Leann Rimes, et al:

Most people have probably heard this song and liked it, as I have.
Because it was written by Johnny Mercer, who was born in 1909 in Savannah, GA, the same year my mother as born, and because my Mom and her 4 sisters lived in Savannah some years after that, I feel a special connection with it.

More important, the title is directly applicable to issues we are facing here in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

[See below for the lyrics]
============================

'Constraints, Restraints & Complaints' could have been the title for this blog, but that would not have been as descriptive.

When one talks about 'Growth Management Act Goals', 'Land Supply', 'Height Limits' and related topics, the title takes on new meaning.

As everyone should know, Cinderella's Slipper did not begin to fit her ugly step-sister!
And so it is with the Land supply debate regarding our Comp Plan Update.

The County's response to the City's request regarding additional land supply requirements for its UGA seem to resemble 'trying to put a Square Peg in a Round Hole'

It just doesn't fit!
============================

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the following:

Irresistible force paradox

The Irresistible force paradox is a classic paradox formulated as follows:
What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?

Common responses to this paradox resort to logic and semantics.

• Logic: if such a thing as an irresistible force exists, then no object is immovable, and vice versa. It is logically impossible to have these two entities (a force that cannot be resisted and an object that cannot be moved by any force) in the same universe.

• Semantics: if there is such a thing as an irresistible force, then the phrase immovable object is meaningless in that context, and vice versa, and the issue amounts to the same thing as asking, e.g., for a triangle that has four sides.
This paradox is a form of the omnipotence paradox, but that paradox is most often discussed in the context of God's omnipotence (Can God create a stone so heavy it cannot be lifted?).

The paradox should be understood as an exercise in logic, not as the postulation of a possible reality. According to modern scientific understanding, there are not and indeed cannot be either irresistible forces or immovable objects. An immovable object would have to have infinite inertia and therefore infinite mass. Such an object would collapse under its own gravity and create a singularity. An irresistible force would imply an infinite energy, which by Albert Einstein's equation E = mc? is equivalent to an infinite mass. Because the force is of infinite energy, as it moves through space, it will be "converted into" or "create" matter of infinite mass spontaneously. The result is essentially another immovable object which collapses and creates a singularity. Ultimately, the paradox will lead to two singularities or black holes colliding and resulting into one singularity or black hole.

Note that, in the modern view, a cannonball which cannot be deflected and a wall which cannot be knocked down are both types of the same (impossible) object: an object with infinite inertia.
============================

Degrees of Freedom

Statisticians use the terms "degrees of freedom" to describe the number of values in the final calculation of a statistic that are free to vary.

The number of degrees of freedom in a problem, distribution, etc., is the number of parameters which may be independently varied.

Degrees of freedom is a general term used in explaining dependence on parameters, and implying the possibility of counting the number of those parameters. In mathematical terms, the degrees of freedom are the dimensions of a phase space.

In terms of statistical mechanics, the entropy describes the number of the possible microscopic configurations of the system. The statistical definition of entropy is the more fundamental definition, from which all other definitions and all properties of entropy follow. Although the concept of entropy was originally a thermodynamic construct, it has been adapted in other fields of study, including information theory, psychodynamics, thermoeconomics, and evolution.

'Fugacity' is a measure of chemical potential in the form of 'adjusted pressure.' It directly relates to the tendency of a substance to prefer one phase (liquid, solid, gas) over another. At a fixed temperature and pressure, water will have a different fugacity for each phase.

As well as predicting the preferred phase of a single substance, fugacity is also useful for multi-component equilibrium involving any combination of solid, liquid and gas equilibria. It is useful as an engineering tool for predicting the final phase and reaction state of multi-component mixtures at various temperatures and pressures without doing the actual lab test.

Fugacity is not a physical property of a substance; rather it is a calculated property which is intrinsically related to chemical potential. When a system approaches the ideal gaseous state (very low pressure), chemical potential approaches negative infinity, which for the purposes of mathematical modeling is undesirable. Under the same conditions, fugacity approaches zero and the fugacity coefficient (defined below) approaches 1. Thus, fugacity is much easier to manipulate mathematically.
============================

Had enough scientific theory & analogy?

OK, time for plain talk.

Sometimes, too many restrictions can be applied to a situation, with the result of eliminating any response.

I think that may have already happened in the so-called 'land supply debate'.

There are a number of variables, including available land acreage, existing zoning, density anticipated, minimum density actually required, height of buildings allowed, timely availability of water & sewer utilities, time required for rezoning existing neighborhoods, time required for remediation & rezoning of industrial property, percentage of land considered unbuildable for wetland & critical areas reasons, land restricted for development due to transportation concurrency issues, costs of development, willingness of land owners to develop, consumer demand, and the like, which together operate to regulate what development can occur in any given area.

The debate that is presently occurring seems to ignore some or all of these factors, which exist despite our ignorance of them.

This 'debate' seems to be nothing more than pitting a list of pronouncements based upon wishes, against an estimate of needs based upon history.

That is a classic definition of 'talking past each other', or non-communication.

It is sad that the former has dominion over the latter, but that is the way is is - in law and in fact.

The result is not very likely to be satisfactory in terms of results.

Unfortunately, these results will not be known until a few years hence, at which time whoever inherits them will be hard pressed to mitigate them.

Temporally, it is not too late to rectify this situation, but realistically it is.

That is the pity of Winston Churchill's famous quote: "No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism."

Good luck, Whatcom County.

You will certainly need it.

============================

'Something's Gotta Give'

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

Artists: Fred Astaire, The McGuire Sisters, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr, Leann Rimes, et al:

When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give

When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no, because I insist
Somewhere, somehow, someone's gotta be kissed

So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store?
>From their vast mysterious sky?
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
But how long can anyone try?

Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give



Fight fight fight it with all of your might
Chances are that some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give

Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give

SPOKEN: Aww, let's tear it up!

Farewell Comments & More on District Voting

================================
'I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past'
- Thomas Jefferson

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time. -Winston Churchill
================================

Tonight marked the last City County meeting I will attend as an elected member, barring any unforeseen catastrophes between now and New Years.

It has been my pleasure to have served this community for nine years, and to have been honored as I was tonight.

Many thanks are due to my fellow Council Members and the great City staff who have been my colleagues during this time.

Thanks to you, I believe our community is in better shape than it was back in 1999 when I first got involved.

And, the prognosis is very good looking forward, too.

We have three new Council Members who are pretty well up to speed on the main issues and ready for the new challenges facing them.

We have a new Mayor, who has a steep learning curve, but the right combination of training, attitude and communications skills to see the City through at least the next four years.

While we still have some key positions to fill for the Finance Director, Human Resources Director and Mayor's Chief Administrator, we do have the Department Heads and staff on hand to efficiently and effectively carry out the business that citizens of Bellingham expect and deserve.

In short, I think we have a lot to be grateful and thankful for.

So farewell City government, but not farewell Bellingham!

I'll still be around, watching and commenting from time to time.

But, this time as an ordinary citizen, again.
================================

Sometimes, I don't agree with the positions taken by other Council members, either City or County.

But I do agree with BARBARA BRENNER's Guest Editorial today in THE BELLINGHAM HERALD, and have reprinted it below:

"Voters deserve chance to reconsider voting process

Next November voters will decide if they want to return to electing all County Council members in the general election. The primary election would remain the same, requiring the top two primary candidates from their respective districts to be forwarded to the general election. The districts would still be represented. Why should voters reconsider general election district-only voting they approved two years ago? Unintended consequences happened because of district-only voting. Voters will determine if these unintended consequences rise to a level of necessary change.

What are these unintended consequences? District-only voting reduced the need/desire of the council majority to listen to all residents. Every council decision is by council majority but voters can no longer vote for the majority, causing some council members to tune them out. There is a new joke among some council members - "I don’t care, it’s not in my district." I was told, “Butt out Brenner, it’s not in your district” regarding an issue affecting all residents but not in my geographic district. Voters who supported district-only voting two years ago in order to have more representation are actually losing more council attention and support since it passed.

Opponents’ claim the council is overturning the voters’ will. The council isn’t overturning anything. The voters will decide based on this new information.

Opponents say district-only voting is important so the Bellingham liberal majority doesn’t control the county. But all voters, including Bellingham voted two years ago. If opponents were correct about what their district-only measure would do and if they were correct about Bellingham, why did it pass?

Opponents claim the ballot proposal violates the US Constitution and the Voter Rights Act. According to constitutional and civil rights attorneys it does not. Federal laws touted by opponents deal with protecting racial and ethnic minorities. Until two years ago this ballot proposal was the law for over twenty years.

Opponents claim the council didn’t let the district-only voting scheme run for a voting cycle before bringing it back to voters for reconsideration. But we just did have a voting cycle using district-only voting.

The lone council member who supports district-only voting said he probably wouldn’t have won without it in the last election. But he did win twice before in county-wide general elections. Council members have to work harder in county-wide elections, but maybe that’s a good thing. We now have a local voters’ pamphlet to give voters information regarding all candidates. It saves candidates money and ensures a more informed electorate.

The local voters’ pamphlet, which didn’t exist two years ago, will guarantee voters have pros and cons of this proposed charter amendment ballot measure. There were many charter amendment ballot measures two years ago, including the district-only one that eliminated the voters’ rights to elect the council majority. There was no local voters’ pamphlet nor comprehensive debate on any of them. The council considered a measure that passed which changed the county budgeting process from annual to biannual. It sounded great. I supported it. Turns out the council and the public now have less opportunity to scrutinize the budget. I don’t support it any more. I will work to change it. New information can change voters’ minds.

The County Council is the most local legislative body for all county residents, inside and outside of cities, regarding many critical issues including public health. We are only seven members with no more than four running at any one time. Most council decisions affect all Whatcom County residents. District-only voting promotes the council majority ignoring many voters’ concerns.

Check out congress sometime-many federal legislators care only about earmarks (pork barrel) for their own districts. It’s gridlock! Most federal legislators have e-mail blockers that only accept e-mail from their own districts. But congress and the state legislature are huge. It would be impractical for us to vote for all of them. Congress and state government aren’t local. Whatcom County is very local!

No democratic voting process can substitute for knowing the hearts of candidates. Some processes just may have less unintended consequences than others. Whether you decide for or against this ballot proposal, vote it up or down on its merits only."

Barbara Brenner is a Whatcom County Councilwoman. She was re-elected this year from District 3.
================================
Politics is a profession; a serious, complicated and, in its true sense, a noble one. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.”
-Henry Clay
================================

On Taxes in the State of Washington

----------------------
"The purse of the people is the real seat of sensibility. Let it be drawn upon largely, and they will then listen to truths which could not excite them through any other organ." --  Thomas Jefferson

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan
----------------------

I can't think of any issue as controversial as taxes, yet they are essential to provide the essential services & desirable amenities that citizens need & want.

The main points of contention seem to resolve around what constitutes 'level of service' and who pays and how much.
There is often a big disconect between the various levels of government and the taxpayer, meaning some major hardships exist that are difficult to understand enough to correct them.

Taxes are one of those 'third rail' subjects in which rational discussion is difficult because strong emotions are evoked.
Yet, we have to find a way to have that discussion if we are to ever make the tax system fairer, while retaining the level of service we need and expect.

----------------------------
There are only two criteria that need to be satisfied when collecting revenues for so-called 'Enterprise Funds' like our Water & Sewer Utilities, and similar operations:

1) Rates & fees for such funds are expected to raise all the money needed to operate them.
2) These monies are to be collected as fairly & equitably as possible.

That's it.
Pretty simple, isn't it?

The collection of Enterprise Funds the City of Bellingham has adds up to far more than our General Fund, which is the primary source of wages & benefits for most City employees.

Revenues for the General Fund come from a variety of sources, including B&O tax; Utility tax; Sales tax; Property tax; Other taxes, including grants & interest from invested funds; Miscellaneous Charges; and Interfund Transfers which go to pay for the proportion of administrative support needed for various departments.

In concept, balancing the General Fund is similar to balancing Enterprise Funds, but in practice it is far more difficult.
That is because there are almost as many diverse and fluctuating sources of revenue as there are uses for it.

By law, the City's budget must be balanced each year, but there are many ways to achieve that.
Some of the ways are to raise taxes, shift funds from lower priorities, obtain grants from outside sources, and reduce services and staff.
But, all of this must be done under rules and regulations mandated by the Federal & State governments.
Sometimes that ain't easy!
Especially, during times of major change - either growth or recession.

Here are some thumbnail info-excerpts from the Internet to explain our situation, and why it is particularly problematic in the State of Washington:
----------------------

'Taxation in the United States is a complex system which may involve payment to at least four different levels of government and many methods of taxation. United States taxation includes local government, possibly including one or more of municipal, township, district and county governments. It also includes regional entities such as school and utility, and transit districts as well as including state and federal government.'

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_States]
----------------------

'The US states that do not levy a state income tax are Alaska, Tennessee, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas,[20] Washington state, and Wyoming.'

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax#The_Four_.22R.22s]
----------------------

'The state of Washington has the most regressive tax structure in the U.S.
It is one of only seven states that does not levy a personal income tax.
The wealthiest one percent of Washington taxpayers pay 3.2% of their income in taxes.
The poorest fifth of Washington taxpayers pay 17.6% of their income in taxes.

The state also does not collect a corporate income tax.
However, Washington businesses are responsible for various other state levies.

Washington's state sales tax is 6.5 percent, and it applies to services as well as products.
Most foods are exempt from sales tax; however, prepared foods, dietary supplements and soft drinks remain taxable.

The combined state and local retail sales tax rates increase the taxes paid by consumers, depending on the variable local sales tax rates, generally between 8 and 9 percent.

An excise tax applies to certain select products such as gasoline, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages.

Property tax was the first tax levied in the state of Washington and its collection accounts for about 30 percent of Washington's total state and local revenue.

It continues to be the most important revenue source for public schools, fire protection, libraries, parks and recreation, and other special purpose districts.

All real property and personal property is subject to tax unless specifically exempted by law.
Personal property also is taxed, although most personal property owned by individuals is exempt.
Personal property tax applies to personal property used when conducting business or to other personal property not exempt by law.
All property taxes are paid to the county treasurer's office where the property is located.

Washington does not impose a tax on intangible assets such as bank accounts, stocks or bonds.
Neither does the state assess any tax on retirement income earned and received from another state.
Washington does not collect inheritance taxes; however, the estate tax is decoupled from the federal estate tax laws, and therefore the state imposes its own estate tax.'

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington]
----------------------

"William H. Gates, Sr., the father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, came to a different conclusion in a 2003 study of tax schemes California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, arguing that property taxes were regressive by one to three percent (depending on the state), between the lowest and highest income brackets."

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regressive_tax]

NOTE: Mr Gates served on a Commission that was convened to analyze taxes in the State of Washington and make recommendations for changes that would them more like the 'Enterprise Funds' described above.
That means a tax system that is more stable and fair than what exists now.
One of the key recommendations was to institute a State Income Tax, not as an additional tax, but as a replacement to other taxes that were considered less fair.

To date, our State Legislature has lacked the courage to effectively address this issue, so divisive has it become.
That is to our detriment, but only if citizens really do want a tax system that is fairer than the one we have.

The terms 'progressive', 'regressive' and 'proportional' are used to describe the way taxes are generally applied and affect people.
Like many subjects, this one gets pretty complicated, pretty quick!
----------------------

".....the origin of modern 'progressive' taxation to Adam Smith, who wrote in The Wealth of Nations:

The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. They find it difficult to get food, and the greater part of their little revenue is spent in getting it. The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. A tax upon house-rents, therefore, would in general fall heaviest upon the rich; and in this sort of inequality there would not, perhaps, be anything very unreasonable. It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_tax]
----------------------

List of taxes and fees imposed by federal, state or local laws.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
Capital gains tax
Corporate income tax
Estate tax in the United States
Excise tax (includes taxes on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages)
Federal income tax
Federal unemployment tax (FUTA)
FICA tax (includes Social Security tax and related programs)
Gasoline tax
Generation Skipping Tax
Gift tax
IRS penalties
Local income tax
Luxury taxes
Property tax
Real estate tax
Recreational vehicle tax
Road usage taxes (Truckers)
Sales tax and equivalent use tax
School tax
State income tax
State unemployment tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Vehicle sales tax
Workers compensation tax

----------------------------
"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination." - Ronald Reagan  

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other." - Ronald Reagan    


"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program." - Ronald Reagan     
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District Only Voting: Constituencies & Voting Systems

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"If the nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson

Politics is a profession; a serious, complicated and, in its true sense, a noble one. - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Wouldn't you know that simple ideas like constituencies and voting systems really aren't simple?
There is an amazing amount of stuff written on these subjects available by surfing the Internet.

Here's a few phrases that may illustrate this point, plus some of my thoughts at the end:
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'The most common meaning of 'constituency' occurs in politics and means either the group of people from whom an individual or organization hopes to attract support, or the group of people or geographical area that a particular elected representative or group of elected representatives represents.'
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"In the United States, electoral constituencies for the federal House of Representatives are known as congressional districts (of which there are presently 435; the number can be increased so long as it does not exceed the constitutional limit of one per 30,000 citizens), while the constituencies for the variously named state legislatures go by a variety of names (and have differing numbers).

Long standing practice, reinforced and modified by several U.S. Supreme Court decisions, require the equalization of populations of constituencies after each decennial census, a process known as redistricting.
When driven by partisan bodies, this process opens up the possibility of gerrymandering for political or factional advantage.

Gerrymandering cannot be used to the disadvantage of any specific racial group (e.g., placing a predominantly African-American community in several districts to dilute the vote would be unconstitutional), but is perfectly legal to dilute the voting strength of the opposing party.

A Pennsylvania legislator long active in redistricting issues, State Rep. Mark B. Cohen of Philadelphia, said that "In election years, constituents choose their legislative officials. In redistricting years, legislative officials usually try to choose their future constituents."
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'The state of Louisiana uses Runoff voting for all House and Senate seats. All candidates (regardless of party affiliation) run on a single ballot in the general election in what is referred to as an "open primary" (thus, all Democrat candidates compete against all Republican candidates and whoever else may be running). If a candidate receives a majority of the vote, he or she is automatically elected. Otherwise, the top two finishers (again, regardless of party affiliation) go to a Runoff election, held approximately a month later, with the winner in the Runoff earning the seat. It is possible for both candidates to be from the same party, but in practice a Runoff usually features one Democrat and one Republican.
==============

'One possible reason straight-ticket voting has declined among the general electorate in past years is the power of incumbency has risen. Also, there are very few places where there still is a one-party rule.

.... local parties tend to run very weak party identifiers for something such as mayor or town council. So at local levels like this, candidates must actually fight for their votes for local office.'
====================

Bellingham used to have Ward-only voting, but that practice was changed to the system in place today.

Now, representatives from each of the 6 Wards must live in that Ward, but are elected in the General Election, by Citywide vote because they are supposed to represent the entire City - which is a municipal corporation.

If more than 2 candidates seek any seat, they must reduce that number to 2 by a Primary Election that is voted on only by people living in that Ward.
This practice makes sure that Ward representatives know their Wards, but also pass the test of being the representative of the entire populace.

That seems to be the best of both worlds to me.
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I think its good for candidates to have to run hard for their seats, because that's how voters get to know them and where they stand on the issues- and vice versa!

Most of those issues are either city-wide or have some city-wide applicability, so as many voters as possible need to meet and question candidates so intelligent decisions are more likely to be made.

If candidates start out knowing they must be accountable, they will likely remember that once they are in office.

I didn't use to think that way, because I didn't know much based on actual experience.
Also, because I was first appointed to office, that gave me instant incumbency when I did run for election.
Partly because of my incumbency, I attracted no opposition in my first election and gained 4 more years in office just by running.
From that I was tempted to think that elections were a waste of time, that it was better to spend the time and energy actually doing the job than campaigning for it.

I was wrong!
Campaigning for office is important!

I found that out the second time I ran for re-election, and had an opponent.
Campaigning focuses you like nothing else.
It is demanding but critical to meet people face to face, listen to their concerns and try to respond thoughtfully.
You tend to remember that experience, believe me!

Some still feel campaigns are artificial, rigged, unfair and debilitating.
And you know what they are right!
But, that doesn't mean campaigns aren't necessary.
It just reinforces the point, because the candidate's mettle gets tested in the spotlight of public attention!
What better training for public office?
So rather than making it easier to get elected, we ought to insure it is difficult.
That may weed out some folks, but the ones that pass the test will have earned their positions.

But one little matter that is difficult to address remains.
The power of incumbency!
Is it good or bad?
It could be either, depending upon the elected official.
But some level of term limits might help. Say 2 or 3 terms, max?
If its the official's 'time to go', it can help.
If not, others are encouraged to step up and run for office.

I think some periodic turnover in elected officials is a good thing.
That's because voter representation ought to be applied to the future as well as the past.
New people mean new ideas, energy and dialogue.
That should be considered healthy in any political setting

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Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. -Lily Tomlin

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it. -Clarence Darrow
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District Only Voting: No Rotten Boroughs!

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Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. - George Washington

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. - James Madison

You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else. -Winston Churchill
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Many years ago, in England there grew a practice that got way out of hand.
It was called 'Borough Representation' which identified some areas that got special treatment when it came to voting.
Eventually, that practice got mostly corrected through reform, but while it lasted there was some truly egregious corruption, leading William Pitt the Elder to make this statement:

"[Borough representation is] the rotten part of the constitution."

From that sprung the term 'Rotten Borough', sometimes referred to by similar names, like 'pocket borough' - because they were always in some rich or powerful man's 'pocket', or control.

Many may have heard this catchy tune & song from 'H.M.S. Pinafore' by Gilbert and Sullivan:

Sir Joseph Porter: "I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all."

Chorus: 'And he never thought of thinking for himself at all.'

Sir Joseph: "I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!"

Things have mostly changed for the better since then, but human nature hasn't, leading some folks to want 'Rotten Boroughs' for their pockets again.

Google this and see for yourself what went on back then; then draw your own conclusions.
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Rather than frame this issue as some sort of contest, I prefer to look at the pros & cons of ideas like District-only voting.

There are always pros & cons to every issue, some real and some imagined.
Often, people will choose to espouse an idea because it appeals to their sense of fairness, or it may seem to have the potential to correct some perceived wrong.
And, sometimes they realize they may be mistaken after they hear 'the rest of the story', as Paul Harvey likes to say.

So, rather than engage in a fruitless debate about who is 'right' or 'wrong', why not focus on trying to understand what may just work better?

We certainly do have situations where District-only voting works pretty well, like the 435-member U.S. House of Representatives which has some pretty broad and serious responsibilty for helping set national policy - a very big area with a big population having a large number of common needs.

But there are also situations where one would expect District-only voting not working very well, like with water & sewer systems, EMS and protection of our water resources.

For example, having Glacier, Maple Falls, Acme, Deming, Everson, Nooksack, Lynden and Ferndale responsible for their respective reaches of the Nooksack River doesn't work very well for several reasons.

It would unnecessarily duplicate efforts, it would be beyond the fiscal means of each entity to provide the services needed, and it would unfairly penalize the downstream municialities by having to take care of much greater flows of much dirtier water.

That's why we have larger jurisdictions, like the County perform most of those functions - for the good of everyone who depends upon Nooksack water being clean and under reasonable control.

Now maybe there are better examples to illustrate the point, but having 3 different Districts share these responsibilities doesn't work very well either, because there are people who live nearer the river and depend on it for fishing, irrigation or as their source of water to be made potable, or as a conveyance for treated -or untreated- waste.
And, there are those who don't live near the river and don't think they should be responsible for its care.
So, tell me how would District-only elected representatives be expected to represent those living in other Districts?

With a 7-member Council, and with a relatively small County, why is District-only voting considered such a good idea?

Also, exactly what essential services might benefit from District-only voting?

I suspect they would compete to split all of the revenues and none of the expenditures, but that's just a guess.
Then, the 'pork' secured from that exercise will help keep the incumbents in office;
That's the way it works in DC.

I also suspect that some particularly want more localized control over zoning and development regulations, further fracturing an already fractured system - but again, that's just an educated guess based on all the energy the Building Industry Association has put into getting District-only voting passed.
There are big bucks in getting land rezoned, especially rural land!
Follow the money!

Just like those Rotten Boroughs of long ago, there are still those wanting a District under more of their control.
That is accomplished by getting someone elected who will do their bidding - and be rewarded for it!

I think the main issue in considering whether District-only voting makes sense in a relatively small County like Whatcom, is whether the perceived 'pros' outweigh the real 'cons'.

Here's a few 'cons' that I can see, and there may be others:

• more costly and duplicative
• more complex to administer, especially with other Districts
• more prone to attract special interest control
• likely to add power of incumbency to elected officials
• likely to interfere with cooperative efforts, particularly involving public health, safety & welfare
• likely to reduce essential services available at the time they are needed

There does exist some political constituency with the combination of size, population -and the suite of functions- that can benefit from District-only voting.
It's mainly a question of scale and complexity.
But there's also the concept of synergy to be considered.
You know, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts?

But, I don't think Whatcom County is too big or diverse to warrant District-only voting for any of it's 3 existing Districts.
The overall job can be done better with a County-wide view than can be done from a feudal fiefdom perspective.

District-only voting is likely to produce less of the good things people expect from local government, and more of the things that need improvement.

District-only voting is no panacea for anything on the scale it is being touted, except for those motivated by an ideology of crippling government to satisfy their own greed and selfish purposes.

You know, this discussion is almost beginning to sound like the echoes of a secession movement, doesn't it?
Nah, that's already been tried. Bad idea!

But, that's just my opinion.

There's much more to discuss and consider on this subject, but that's enough for now, at least from this end.

One last thought to tie this together: We don't need any representative who leaves his thinking for others to do for him!
There are too many critically important, County-wide issues that require all the best thinking we can muster.

As Sir Edmund Burke put it: "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion."

Let's don't reward anyone for not doing their own thinking - or for trying to feather their own nest.

No 'Rotten Buroughs' represented by the incumbent puppets of special interests.

There are enough 'Rulers of the Queen's Navee' in that other Washington!

Out.
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“Demagoguery beats data in making public policy." -US House of Representatives Majority Leader

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose. -George Will

"The 'greatest good for the greatest number' applies to the number of people within the womb of time, compared to which those now alive form but an insignificant fraction. Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us to restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of those unborn generations"
--Theodore Roosevelt

District Only Voting: Are You Kidding Me?

I have now spent at least one night thinking about this issue, although that's not really needed.
And, being sober and lucent, I wonder why this 'District Only' is considered fair, smart, or necessary?
Is there really any legitimate debate on this issue, aside from voter preference?

Right now, there are about 174,000 voting Americans for each elected representative in the US Congress,.
That is less than the number of Americans for every WAL-MART store in the US.

I'm now aware there are over 185,000 people currently living in Whatcom County, of which 102,458 are registered voters, 37,652 of which live in the city of Bellingham.

Is it true that some folks, who espouse 'District only' voting, want the 'approximately' 34,152.7 people living in District 2 to represent only that District, despite the fact it is only one-third of the County?
If so, that is not OK with me!

ALL REPRESENTATIVES NEED TO REPRESENT ALL OF WHATCOM COUNTY!!

Anyone have a problem with that?
If, so, why?

Get this issue back on the ballot!

Landlord Accountability: Defining the PROBLEM & What to do about it?

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It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.- Winston Churchill

There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true.- Winston Churchill

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This subject has been around as an issue for some time, but now there is renewed interest in resolving in an more effective manner.
Whether 'Landlord Accountability' is the proper description is debatable, but certainly landlords are a part of the problem - and ought to be held accountable as part of the solution.
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What IS the problem?

I believe it is simply inappropriate behavior that causes neighbors stress, not some abstract concept that can't be effectively enforced.

What specific behaviors are actionable nuisances?

Noise?

Bright lights?

Litter?

Parking?

Late hour disturbances?

Threatening or intimidating behavior?

Domestic violence?

Fear of retribution?

Time & trouble to file a complaint?

A pattern of repeated nuisances - or complaints?

Public health & safety issues, like drug houses or excessive filth?

Illegal activity?

Acts or series of acts requiring abatement proceedings?

All of these are enforceable, but only after they are reported, investigated and verified
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Who is responsible for reporting these nuisances?
Might it be those most inconvenienced?
Anyone else?
Would a second witness be helpful?
Photo evidence?

What constitutes a report or complaint that can be investigated and verified?
Are nuisance complaints easily documented, investigated, reported?
What constitutes a documented complaint?
Something written, timely and signed by the complaintant?
Whose responsibility is that?

Who can be responsible for causing a nuisance?
Is it only renters?
Is it only students?

How do we verify that a complaint is legitimate, not just a hoax or vengeful act?
How many different people are required to lodge a complaint?
How many complaints for a specific address constitute identifying a problem residence?
How many complaints are to allowed in any given time frame?

Should any LL ordinance apply citywide?
What about private residences that rent rooms? Or not?

Should all Landlords be required to register with the City to verify who owns/manages property?
What registration fee should be enacted?
[Bear in mind that State Law requires the same fee be applied to all Landlords, regardless of number of rental units]
Should Landlords of rental income property be subject to B&O Taxes?
If yes, at what minimum level? [elderly widows renting 1 room?]
How do we define 'landlord'?
Could this definition be applied to owners of homes in single-family areas, who share these living spaces with friends?

Should the City enact a citywide enforcement mechanism, with registration fees and/or B&O Tax to pay for administrative & enforcement costs?
Should Muni Court be used for hearings & judgements? Hearing Examiner? Appeals to Superior Court?
Shold the Bellingham Police Dept be the primary enforcement agency? Will additional officers be required?
What role should WWU play? What costs should WWU bear?

Is the 3-unrelated persons rule enforceable?
Should it be enforced? How? Only if other nuisance complaints trigger an investigation?

If the City enacted a Citywide LL ordinance, could this be used when specific landlords 'nominate' themselves for enforcement?
This might amount to a 'grace period' for good behavior, allowing LL's who manage their tenants well to not be unduly penalized.

What role will Neighborhoods have?
How will the existing complaint system be used, or integrated into a new Ordinance?

How will LL complaint performance be measured?
How often would the new rules be reviewed for updating?

We already know where the 'hotspots' are that attract most complaints, even though tenants change over time.
We also know those who have been most frequently vocal about complaining.
These dynamics change!
City resources are limited, and there are higher priorities than nuisance complaints.
How do we determine what level of service to enforce any LL measure?
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As is well known, 99+% of compliance with any rule or regulation is VOLUNTARY.
That means if citizens don't willingly comply, we have a problem!
So, the rules need to be reasonable and well communicated, backed up with enforcement if needed.

Also, we need to clear about exactly who is harmed.
Is it one person?
Would this harm -if unchecked- be likely to impact other people?
How many people might be harmed to justify defining a public nuisance?

If additional corrective action is deemed necessary, how much will this cost, and how will these costs be paid?

Would this be similar to enforcing parking rules, with tickets & citations?
Now, there's a popular model!

Where the City decides to go with resolving the 'LL' problem or public nuisance, or whatever we decide to call it, needs to be carefully done.

It will likely NOT be a one size fits all solution, the way some may expect.

So, get ready for focused discussions, new Council!
This issue has now been passed into your custody, care & control.
Good luck!
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Despite the increasing complaints now being heard, some progress has been made since 2004.

A fairly recent summary combined report from the Police Chief, WWU Campus Coalition, Landlord Association(s), Judicial Services Dept, Planning Dept, Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board & Neighborhood Coordinator outlined the steps that have been taken. In their view, the problem has been alleviated, although certainly not eliminated.

To document this problem is alive and well, a litany of complaints is available at the following Blog:
http://www.zonemaven.blogspot.com/
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Concluding Comments: Landlord Workshop 11/16/04 at Ferry Terminal:

Thanks for here coming tonight in such numbers, to participate in developing practical solutions to this annoying problem, which is adversely impacting the quality of life for too many citizens. While it is the City’s duty to seriously address this problem, we want to do it reasonably and effectively with the community’s input and support.

WE HAVE HEARD YOU TONIGHT!

Now, here’s what we plan to do:

1. Gather all comments, review them and post them on the City’s website. This also includes the Police Dept statistics by neighborhood.

2. Set up a follow up meeting early next year, say Jan/Feb, to summarize our conclusions from this meeting, present our recommended action plan and get additional feed back from this group. If that feedback is positive, we will proceed accordingly. If additional substantial changes seem necessary, we’ll reiterate this process and set up other meetings until we arrive at an action plan we can all agree upon that has a high likelihood of success.

3. Develop and adopt an action plan, likely to contain a number of the elements and methods that have been identified here tonight. Distribute this plan and enlist the help needed from those involved to implement it.

4. Set up an Advisory Committee representative of this group to become an integral part of implementing any action plan agreed to. This Advisory Committee would monitor the program’s performance; be available as a resource in its application; coordinate with the Police Department, WWU, NW Rental Association and others as required; and periodically provide feedback to the City Council.

5. Evaluate the program and determine its success, or whether modifications are necessary after a trial period of one-year.

We sincerely hope this process will work to correct the persistent, annoying problems that are being experienced, but it will likely require active involvement from all stakeholders to achieve this success. The last thing we want to do is come back later with another version of an onerous ordinance to address problems that can be more effectively handled otherwise.
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"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." -- Oscar Wilde

Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others. -Winston Churchill