--------------------------
"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
--------------------------
An AWC* CONFERENCE Work Session I attended back in 2005 was titled 'TACKLING TOUGH BUDGET CHOICES'
[*= Association of Washington Cities]
This session first focused on what some of the toughest budget issues are and then developed ways to address those choices.
While it is true that 2005 is history, this kind of history does repeat itself in every community, every year in some variation.
See if you can recognize which of the issues summarized are 'unique' to Bellingham, and which are shared by many communities.
HINT: 'unique' is very rare!
--------------------------
TOUGHEST BUDGET ISSUES
• The cost of operating budget items (salaries, benefits) increasing at a rate faster than inflation, particularly health care benefits
• The cost of infrastructure, such as transportation, sewer/water, and the need to respond to growth by providing more of these
• The property tax increase cap at 1% per year vs. 3% annual inflation
• The need to educate Council, staff and citizens
• Unfunded mandates
• Impacts from UGA residents outside the city limits being served but not paying
• The tax structure
• Disconnects – distrust of government, perceived lack of value for taxes paid
• Fee increases with service cuts
• Deferred maintenance
--------------------------
SUGGESTIONS
• Communicate more effectively with the public •••
o Be honest
o Frame the issues carefully
o Unify the Council before going out to the public
o Go to the public; don’t expect them to come to you
o Use all available tools (web site, etc.)
o Use polls to determine public opinion rather than basing it on what those who attend a hearing say
o Recognize that “complainers” care; connect with them
o Remember the audience
o Educate ourselves with “The Price of Government”
• Mid- to long-term: Change the tax structure •••
o Some possibilities for changes short of full scale changes:
• Designate the sales tax to the jurisdiction in which the purchaser resides (e.g., by tracking internet sales)
• Look at the AWC proposal to replace impact mitigation fees with additional .25% REET
• Lift the levy lid
• Identify cross-jurisdictional economic regions and the facilities needed to support the region and identify different ways to pay for them (no city can handle the full cost of regional facilities established by other jurisdictions, such as ports)
• Set up an opportunity fund for leveraging grants, etc.
• Focus REET truly on capital, rather than diverting it indirectly
• Use the private sector as well as government comparables when setting salaries and benefits
• Set up an equipment replacement fund
• Make fee increases incrementally (more regularly), rather than making larger increases less often
• Maintain good relationships with the Legislators who represent you
• Don’t miss grant opportunities
o But be careful when using grants for operating costs because there can be unintended consequences, such as establishing a service that must be sustained after the grant period
• Establish a vision for the city.
o Use a public process to engage the public in confirming the vision
o Use the vision to prioritize the budget and do long-range planning for economic development
--------------------------
Other comments :
• Cost of significant sewer extension with few people to pay the cost
• Private developments (e.g., in one community, a Big Box Store) pay for capital projects
• Can’t fund police and fire strategic plans. Unions view significant public safety problems.
• Impact on utility tax on proposed annexation area not used to paying that cost; impact on city to suddenly annex area with nearly same population as existing city.
• Cost of programs such as EMS with small population base
• Need 10-11% increase in utility taxes
• Half of the sales tax is allocated to the street fund by ordinance
• 40% growth rate for 20 years
• Lots of folks in the UGA who get water and sewer without annexing; need moratorium to stop that
• Growth in community, with changing demographics, has hit fire services and created very expensive capital and operating costs
• Growth has brought lots of one-time revenue, and the city has to avoid putting it into O&M that can’t be supported in the long-run
• Traffic, traffic, traffic – the city is most impacted by traffic from other communities over which it has no control
• Suggestion for utility costs: have the storm water utility help pay the costs of storm water infrastructure associated with transportation projects
• Need to educate people about costs that are imposed by others, esp. mandates
• To fund major regional projects, we need to identify areas of risk in our regional economy and target investment
• Focus revenue on maintenance, because in the long term, the deferred maintenance will become major capital projects
• Give high priority to funds to be used for matches (the “opportunity fund”)
• In growing areas, focus funds on areas where developers are doing a lot of work
• Create a budget advisory committee
--------------------------
Common perceptions are that municipal budgets are very simple, like household budgets.
Folks, they aren't, except in general principles!
Despite the City's winning national awards for excellence in accounting and budgeting for the last several years, this is a topic that is still about as clear as muddy water for most people.
A municipal budget is made up of multiple parts, some of which are relatively simple because they are self-balancing -like so-called enterprise funds [Water, Sewer, etc]
Other budget components are accounting devices to hold designated reserves, inter-departmental transfers and long-term obligations -like the LEOFF-1 Pension fund. [LEOFF refers to 'Law Enforcement & Firefighters]
The key budget component to watch is the so-called 'General Fund' which currently is being proposed at just under $82 million for 2008.
That compares with just over $77 million adopted for 2007, about a 6% increase.
In recent years, the General Fund has represented about a third of the total City Budget.
A 12% Reserve is established for augmenting the General Fund for use in case of emergency or other needs that are OKed by the City Council.
A brief explanation is offered in the 2008 Preliminary Budget for how these Reserves are expected to be impacted;
- a slowing of revenue growth
- a change in B&O tax rules [reduction of $890 k per year]
- some funds to be used for Fleet replacement
- some funds to be used for LEOFF-1 pension liability
Although General Fund monies are considered as more 'discretionary' than other public funds, this is largely a misconception.
That is because almost half [48%] of the General Fund is used to pay for essential Public Safety services like the Police and Fire Departments.
No one I know considers those services as discretionary!
Of the remainder;
- 19% goes to pay for Parks, Library, Museum and the like
- 14% goes to pay for General administrative services
- 7% goes to pay for Debt service & Capital projects
- 6% goes to pay for Judicial Services
- 6% goes to pay for Planning
General Fund revenue sources are broken down like this:
- 19% comes from B&O taxes
- 19% comes from Utility taxes
- 16% comes from grants, interest and other sources
- 15% comes from sales taxes
- 13% comes from property taxes
- 12% comes from inter-fund transfers
- 6% comes from various charges
Note the proposed '1%' Property Tax increase for 2008 will raise about $170 k in new revenues, all of which will be dedicated to help pay for the City's LEOFF-1 Pension obligation, which is estimated to total about $47 million.
--------------------------
The annual City Budget process is always interesting and often controversial.
But, more than anything else, it should be viewed as an opportunity to learn by anyone interested.
It is the time when comparisons can be drawn between what was expected and what actually happened.
And, it is a time to take into account the new demands, challenges and opportunities that are always changing.
The City has made great strides in being transparent about its budget process, but that alone can not be expected to adequately explain the inherent complexities involved to every citizen in a way that is completely understandable.
That is a much longer process which even intelligent professionals can have trouble understanding, without more direct experience with government accounting procedures and requirements.
With these comments in mind, now imagine how often the Municipal Budgeting mystery is encountered everywhere -not just in Bellingham.
That is the beauty of having associations, like the AWC, convene to bring public officials together periodically so that common problems and issues can be addressed and discussed in common.
Fortunately, common problems are often amenable to common solutions, notwithstanding the inherent differences between jurisdictions and times.
The Monster can be tamed, but it's still a Monster and will need taming again and again!
--------------------------
"We are what we do repeatedly. Excellence is not a single act but a habit."
- Aristotle
--------------------------
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Photos: A Few Favorite Places
------------------------
'Home Sweet Home' with Giddy Gato
------------------------
'Moose Lodge' Cabin - Winthrop
------------------------
VW Eurovan - Home Away From Home
------------------------
Ferry to Port Townsend
------------------------
Glen Park House - San Francisco
------------------------
California Alpine Club - Mt Tamalpais
------------------------
Echo Summit Lodge - Lake Tahoe
------------------------
Skokie Lodge - Banff National Park, Canada
------------------------
Twin Falls Lodge - Yoho National Park, Canada
------------------------
Sperry Chalet - Glacier National Park
------------------------
Many Glaciers Lodge - Glacier National Park
------------------------
'Home Sweet Home' with Giddy Gato
------------------------
'Moose Lodge' Cabin - Winthrop
------------------------
VW Eurovan - Home Away From Home
------------------------
Ferry to Port Townsend
------------------------
Glen Park House - San Francisco
------------------------
California Alpine Club - Mt Tamalpais
------------------------
Echo Summit Lodge - Lake Tahoe
------------------------
Skokie Lodge - Banff National Park, Canada
------------------------
Twin Falls Lodge - Yoho National Park, Canada
------------------------
Sperry Chalet - Glacier National Park
------------------------
Many Glaciers Lodge - Glacier National Park
------------------------
Friday, November 16, 2007
Growth Management: Options for Closing the 'Gap' on UGA Boundaries
---------------------------
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
-Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
“Opinion is power.” - Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1816
`Tunnel' history, is the kind that can lead an investigator to know more and more about less and less. - Anonymous
------------------------------------------------------
Note: This subject is to be discussed at the City Council's Monday, November 19th meeting as part of the Planning Committee's agenda, estimated to start no sooner than 2:25 PM.
The map and information given later appears in printed form on pages 149-151 of the Council packet issued yesterday.
------------------------------------------------------
At City Council request, the City Staff has summarized Options for Closing the 'Gap' on UGA Boundaries.
This 'gap' refers to the difference between assessments of new UGA land supply needs between the City and the County.
The County has requested a 'reconciliation' meeting with the City to come to agreement on its future land supply, because in its opinion the City's requests are excessive.
Of course, this is a decision to be made by the County, supposedly with City 'input'.
The City's 'input' has already been duly approved with its Comprehensive Plan last year [2006], and has also withstood a legal challenge and was declared compliant with the Growth Management Act by the Growth Management Review Board.
By contrast, the County has not completed its GMA work and is under threat for both legal action and penalty for its protracted tardiness.
Therefore, the County is in a self-inflicted big hurry, and wants the City to simply obey its land supply wishes, notwithstanding the fact-based diligence behind the City's efforts to date!
What is wrong with that picture?
But that is where we are now.
The City's land supply estimate was the result of over 3 years of painstaking effort in analyzing actual land use efficiency and problems encountered in insuring the anticipated urban density and associated design features are achieved.
There exist several barriers to achieving optimal densities with the City Limits and Urban Growth Areas, and these have been pretty well identified and taken into account.
Some of these barriers will require significant time and effort to fix because existing zoning cannot be easily adjusted, particularly within the City Limits.
The same barriers also exist in the County-controlled UGAs, partly because past City policy regarding annexation before extending water & sewer services has been excessively lax, allowing the UGAs to develop in a piecemeal fashion without addressing all urban needs consistently and concurrently.
Rather than addressing these underlying barriers to achieving optimal urban density -a daunting task- some people would rather just 'fudge' the so-called 'safety factor' which is an accepted device for addressing the basic uncertainties in estimating land supply needs.
While doing that is certainly tempting and not illegal, it is also lazy, simplistic and does not help resolve the underlying problems in any reasonable way.
Proponents of the 'fudging' approach rationalize reducing the 'safety' by saying it 'rewards inefficiency'.
That may be true, but it also recognizes the inherent -and growing [due to increasing critical areas]- uncertainty in developing land supply estimates.
The 'safety' factor adopted by the City was 25% for most areas and 0% for others, resulting in an overall value of 17%.
The Growth Management Review Board routinely allows up to a 25% 'safety' factor without even needing to review its basis!
That should say something about it reasonableness, don't you think?
The City's last adopted Comp Plan allowed up to a 50% 'safety' factor and that was hotly debated and thought to be too low at the time.
In actuality, 50% was excessive and a lesser figure was applied, which did allow the City & County to continue being lax in doing something to actually achieve optimal density.
But, even with all these things considered, the City is still close to being essentially on track in meeting its earlier land use projections.
That is remarkable only for its proving that setting easy goals means you are more likely to meet them!
So, some tightening up is definitely needed, but is it likely this can be achieved all at one time?
Without any underlying changes?
Are we to believe that some sort of 'immaculate conception' is going to happen just because we wish for it?
I don't think so!
Let's get serious.
The proposed 'reconciliation' exercise may close the gap, or part of it.
But what will remain to be closed will become the truest sense of sprawl, and it will happen in the County, not the City.
Just like Cinderella's slipper did not fit her ugly step sister, an artificially low land supply estimate will not accommodate all the growth the City -in good faith- committed itself to take!
So, whatever population 'shortfall' is left over from this exercise will just be treated as an accounting adjustment - a reconciliation in that parlance- that will solve nothing but the purposes of the lazy idealogues who prefer to substitute whim for facts.
The City will be able to cover its butt for the number of new folks it accepts, but the rest will undoubtedly go elsewhere - likely into unincorporated areas of the County.
That's called SPRAWL folks, and for all the ranting to the contrary we've heard, the County -by its actions- actually loves it!
I'm sorry to feel like the land supply determination has been monumental waste of time, but I do.
I am tempted to resent the effort the City expended toward a fact-based analysis, for the simple reason that effort is not being shown the respect it serves.
As someone trained in the discipline of science-based reasoning, it is offensive to see it so casually dismissed by people who ought to know better and value information that is grounded in actual experience!
It almost seems as if some sort of 'faith-based' planning is being substituted for the real thing, doesn't it?
But, with the County's Planning Staff gutted and the type of leadership being demonstrated from that jurisdiction, maybe its not so surprising after all.
Even at that, we have learned some things from this exercise, like what needs to be fixed, and maybe who doesn't want to bother fixing it.
But, that's about it.
And, the pot does get to call the kettle black,
Anyway, here's the outline of the land supply 'reconciliation' exercise.
Care to bet on where we'll end up?
Your guess is as good as mine.
For you wonks out there, you may wish to revisit my August 16 blog, on Growth Management 102.
There are some commonalities with this article.
------------------------
The information below lists options for closing the 'gap' between the City's and Whatcom County's proposed UGA boundaries.
The document presents the recommendations of County Council, County staff, and City staff, and is based upon conditions that exist at this moment in time.
An annotated map of the Northern UGAs and 5-Year Review Areas accompanied this writing, and is crudely reproduced here.
Click on it to enlarge the image.
Those interested can also view this map when City staff reviews this information with the City Council at its November 19, 2007 meeting.
------------------------
City Staff - suggested options for closing the gap between the City of Bellingham & Whatcom County proposed Urban Growth Areas – November 12 th, 2007
The land supply analysis generated for the City of Bellingham’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan identified shortfalls in land necessary to accommodate 5,215 people, and 225 net acres for future employment.
The following list includes UGA expansion areas proposed through a County Council resolution, additional areas suggested by City & County planning staff, and a further list of options suggested by City staff to close the gap in population accommodation and net acres for future employment.
It is important to note that the additional City staff options include the Bear Creek area, and the 80-acre northern portion of King Mountain.
These areas do accommodate some population and employment infill, but are also critically important for construction of future east-west transportation links.
The Slater, Horton, and Van Wyck links are vital to the growth allocated to the King Mountain, Aldrich Rd, and Cordata areas.
These links will also provide much needed relief for already overburdened east-west arterials inside Bellingham to the south, and in the rural County to the north.
---------------
UGA expansion areas included by County Council in their resolution:
• Add King & Queen Mtn. 5 Year Review areas accommodating @2,000 people & @40 net acres for commercial/industrial land.
---------------
Additional UGA expansion areas suggested by City & County staff:
• Add 20 acres of the Bear Creek 5 Year Review area recently purchased by the City for Parks.
• Add the northerly remaining 80 acres of King Mtn. 5 Year Review Area accommodating 5 net acres of commercial/industrial land & the west portion of the Horton/Van Wyck transportation corridor.
---------------
If all the above are accepted, then:
Remaining population left to accommodate = 3,215 people
Remaining land left to accommodate future employment = 185 net acres
---------------
Additional options suggested by City staff for closing the gap:
• Add remainder of the Bear Creek 5 Year Review area accommodating @500 people & the Horton & Slater transportation corridors, and
• Add Stuart Smith 5 Year Review area up to 1,320 feet north of Kelly Road accommodating @80 net acres of commercial/industrial land, and
• Complete further review (possibly through a supplemental EIS) of the following areas:
o The 80 acre Meas/Lipscomb ownership potentially accommodating @600 people & the central portion of the Horton/Van Wyck transportation corridor.
o The 80 acres north of City Limits on either side of Hannegan Rd. potentially accommodating @35 net acres of commercial/industrial land, and
• Rezone URMX areas in Aldrich Road, Bakerview/James, & Dewey Valley UGA’s (maps 5, 7, 8, & 9) from minimum 6 to minimum 8 units per acre accommodating an additional 2,700 people.
-- Or --
• Reduce Bellingham’s 20-year 31,600 population forecast.
---------------------------
That's all we know right now folks.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, and hopefully the conclusion of this particular exercise
==============================================
"For humans, honesty is a matter of degree. Engineers are always honest in matters of technology and human relationships. That's why it's a good idea to keep engineers away from customers, romantic interests, and other people who can't handle the truth." [Scott Adams, The Dilbert Principle]
"What's the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?" -Henry David Thoreau
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." – Thomas Jefferson
"The era of procrastination, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences." - Winston Churchill
'Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.'
- Matthew 7:5 - The Bible [King James Version]
---------------------------
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
-Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
“Opinion is power.” - Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1816
`Tunnel' history, is the kind that can lead an investigator to know more and more about less and less. - Anonymous
------------------------------------------------------
Note: This subject is to be discussed at the City Council's Monday, November 19th meeting as part of the Planning Committee's agenda, estimated to start no sooner than 2:25 PM.
The map and information given later appears in printed form on pages 149-151 of the Council packet issued yesterday.
------------------------------------------------------
At City Council request, the City Staff has summarized Options for Closing the 'Gap' on UGA Boundaries.
This 'gap' refers to the difference between assessments of new UGA land supply needs between the City and the County.
The County has requested a 'reconciliation' meeting with the City to come to agreement on its future land supply, because in its opinion the City's requests are excessive.
Of course, this is a decision to be made by the County, supposedly with City 'input'.
The City's 'input' has already been duly approved with its Comprehensive Plan last year [2006], and has also withstood a legal challenge and was declared compliant with the Growth Management Act by the Growth Management Review Board.
By contrast, the County has not completed its GMA work and is under threat for both legal action and penalty for its protracted tardiness.
Therefore, the County is in a self-inflicted big hurry, and wants the City to simply obey its land supply wishes, notwithstanding the fact-based diligence behind the City's efforts to date!
What is wrong with that picture?
But that is where we are now.
The City's land supply estimate was the result of over 3 years of painstaking effort in analyzing actual land use efficiency and problems encountered in insuring the anticipated urban density and associated design features are achieved.
There exist several barriers to achieving optimal densities with the City Limits and Urban Growth Areas, and these have been pretty well identified and taken into account.
Some of these barriers will require significant time and effort to fix because existing zoning cannot be easily adjusted, particularly within the City Limits.
The same barriers also exist in the County-controlled UGAs, partly because past City policy regarding annexation before extending water & sewer services has been excessively lax, allowing the UGAs to develop in a piecemeal fashion without addressing all urban needs consistently and concurrently.
Rather than addressing these underlying barriers to achieving optimal urban density -a daunting task- some people would rather just 'fudge' the so-called 'safety factor' which is an accepted device for addressing the basic uncertainties in estimating land supply needs.
While doing that is certainly tempting and not illegal, it is also lazy, simplistic and does not help resolve the underlying problems in any reasonable way.
Proponents of the 'fudging' approach rationalize reducing the 'safety' by saying it 'rewards inefficiency'.
That may be true, but it also recognizes the inherent -and growing [due to increasing critical areas]- uncertainty in developing land supply estimates.
The 'safety' factor adopted by the City was 25% for most areas and 0% for others, resulting in an overall value of 17%.
The Growth Management Review Board routinely allows up to a 25% 'safety' factor without even needing to review its basis!
That should say something about it reasonableness, don't you think?
The City's last adopted Comp Plan allowed up to a 50% 'safety' factor and that was hotly debated and thought to be too low at the time.
In actuality, 50% was excessive and a lesser figure was applied, which did allow the City & County to continue being lax in doing something to actually achieve optimal density.
But, even with all these things considered, the City is still close to being essentially on track in meeting its earlier land use projections.
That is remarkable only for its proving that setting easy goals means you are more likely to meet them!
So, some tightening up is definitely needed, but is it likely this can be achieved all at one time?
Without any underlying changes?
Are we to believe that some sort of 'immaculate conception' is going to happen just because we wish for it?
I don't think so!
Let's get serious.
The proposed 'reconciliation' exercise may close the gap, or part of it.
But what will remain to be closed will become the truest sense of sprawl, and it will happen in the County, not the City.
Just like Cinderella's slipper did not fit her ugly step sister, an artificially low land supply estimate will not accommodate all the growth the City -in good faith- committed itself to take!
So, whatever population 'shortfall' is left over from this exercise will just be treated as an accounting adjustment - a reconciliation in that parlance- that will solve nothing but the purposes of the lazy idealogues who prefer to substitute whim for facts.
The City will be able to cover its butt for the number of new folks it accepts, but the rest will undoubtedly go elsewhere - likely into unincorporated areas of the County.
That's called SPRAWL folks, and for all the ranting to the contrary we've heard, the County -by its actions- actually loves it!
I'm sorry to feel like the land supply determination has been monumental waste of time, but I do.
I am tempted to resent the effort the City expended toward a fact-based analysis, for the simple reason that effort is not being shown the respect it serves.
As someone trained in the discipline of science-based reasoning, it is offensive to see it so casually dismissed by people who ought to know better and value information that is grounded in actual experience!
It almost seems as if some sort of 'faith-based' planning is being substituted for the real thing, doesn't it?
But, with the County's Planning Staff gutted and the type of leadership being demonstrated from that jurisdiction, maybe its not so surprising after all.
Even at that, we have learned some things from this exercise, like what needs to be fixed, and maybe who doesn't want to bother fixing it.
But, that's about it.
And, the pot does get to call the kettle black,
Anyway, here's the outline of the land supply 'reconciliation' exercise.
Care to bet on where we'll end up?
Your guess is as good as mine.
For you wonks out there, you may wish to revisit my August 16 blog, on Growth Management 102.
There are some commonalities with this article.
------------------------
The information below lists options for closing the 'gap' between the City's and Whatcom County's proposed UGA boundaries.
The document presents the recommendations of County Council, County staff, and City staff, and is based upon conditions that exist at this moment in time.
An annotated map of the Northern UGAs and 5-Year Review Areas accompanied this writing, and is crudely reproduced here.
Click on it to enlarge the image.
Those interested can also view this map when City staff reviews this information with the City Council at its November 19, 2007 meeting.
------------------------
City Staff - suggested options for closing the gap between the City of Bellingham & Whatcom County proposed Urban Growth Areas – November 12 th, 2007
The land supply analysis generated for the City of Bellingham’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan identified shortfalls in land necessary to accommodate 5,215 people, and 225 net acres for future employment.
The following list includes UGA expansion areas proposed through a County Council resolution, additional areas suggested by City & County planning staff, and a further list of options suggested by City staff to close the gap in population accommodation and net acres for future employment.
It is important to note that the additional City staff options include the Bear Creek area, and the 80-acre northern portion of King Mountain.
These areas do accommodate some population and employment infill, but are also critically important for construction of future east-west transportation links.
The Slater, Horton, and Van Wyck links are vital to the growth allocated to the King Mountain, Aldrich Rd, and Cordata areas.
These links will also provide much needed relief for already overburdened east-west arterials inside Bellingham to the south, and in the rural County to the north.
---------------
UGA expansion areas included by County Council in their resolution:
• Add King & Queen Mtn. 5 Year Review areas accommodating @2,000 people & @40 net acres for commercial/industrial land.
---------------
Additional UGA expansion areas suggested by City & County staff:
• Add 20 acres of the Bear Creek 5 Year Review area recently purchased by the City for Parks.
• Add the northerly remaining 80 acres of King Mtn. 5 Year Review Area accommodating 5 net acres of commercial/industrial land & the west portion of the Horton/Van Wyck transportation corridor.
---------------
If all the above are accepted, then:
Remaining population left to accommodate = 3,215 people
Remaining land left to accommodate future employment = 185 net acres
---------------
Additional options suggested by City staff for closing the gap:
• Add remainder of the Bear Creek 5 Year Review area accommodating @500 people & the Horton & Slater transportation corridors, and
• Add Stuart Smith 5 Year Review area up to 1,320 feet north of Kelly Road accommodating @80 net acres of commercial/industrial land, and
• Complete further review (possibly through a supplemental EIS) of the following areas:
o The 80 acre Meas/Lipscomb ownership potentially accommodating @600 people & the central portion of the Horton/Van Wyck transportation corridor.
o The 80 acres north of City Limits on either side of Hannegan Rd. potentially accommodating @35 net acres of commercial/industrial land, and
• Rezone URMX areas in Aldrich Road, Bakerview/James, & Dewey Valley UGA’s (maps 5, 7, 8, & 9) from minimum 6 to minimum 8 units per acre accommodating an additional 2,700 people.
-- Or --
• Reduce Bellingham’s 20-year 31,600 population forecast.
---------------------------
That's all we know right now folks.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, and hopefully the conclusion of this particular exercise
==============================================
"For humans, honesty is a matter of degree. Engineers are always honest in matters of technology and human relationships. That's why it's a good idea to keep engineers away from customers, romantic interests, and other people who can't handle the truth." [Scott Adams, The Dilbert Principle]
"What's the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?" -Henry David Thoreau
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." – Thomas Jefferson
"The era of procrastination, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences." - Winston Churchill
'Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.'
- Matthew 7:5 - The Bible [King James Version]
---------------------------
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Is It Time to Consolidate Water & Sewer Services?
-----------------------
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison
-----------------------
I haven’t blogged in a few days, preferring instead to do a little reflection and thinking about some things that might make sense to consider now.
These elections have been interesting and have resulted in some changes, but also some sameness. That is probably not all bad, because when too much change happens at once it can as much a distraction as it can a good thing. There does need to be some institutional memory left to inform and condition new ideas that come forward.
When new ideas do come forward they must be assimilated into the fabric of what exists, recognizing there is a practical limit to what degree of change the public will tolerate and accept.
One idea has persisted recently as something whose time may have come to seriously consider. It has been considered before, but not with as much urgency or promise.
That idea is that it may be time to consolidate water and sewer services in the Lake Whatcom Watershed under a single administrative control.
Aside from the fact that is considered a basic good idea in Watershed Management 101, here are four or five things that are now under discussion which together make this idea propitious for serious discussion:
1. Every elected official and candidate for City or County office recognized Lake Whatcom as a top priority that should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Bellingham has elected a new Mayor and three new Council Members who are committed to making progress on this issue.
2. The County Executive & Interim City Mayor have proposed a new collaborative, joint management plan to be headed by those two primary jurisdictions, with more comprehensive stakeholder involvement.
Some version of such a plan is likely to be adopted.
3. The City of Bellingham is in the midst of adopting updated Comprehensive Plans for its Water & Sewer Utilities, which will include 20-year Capital Improvement projections as well as System Development Charges and Rate adjustments to meet anticipated needs.
4. The City of Bellingham is in the process of updating its Inter-local Agreement with the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District.
5. Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District is now considering the major expense of building a new Administrative Headquarters at considerable expense, currently estimated at $5 to $7 million.
----------------
Why not take a ‘time-out’ and think about how all of those things could be combined to produce a synergistic result that far exceeds continuing the status quo?
Then, we might also see how the following could also be achieved:
• Improved financial stability of the Water District by being absorbed into the City’s much larger system.
• Improved operation & maintenance of the Water District’s system, resulting in less risk of sewage spills into the Lake.
• Substantially lower Water & Sewer Rates to Water District customers, taking into account economies of scale and reduced utility rate mark-ups.
• Elimination of need for new Water District Administrative Headquarters building, saving $5 to $7 million in capital costs to be paid by its customers.
• Retention of Water District Staff with equal or better wages & benefits.
• Consolidates utility functions within one jurisdictional entity, thereby promoting efficiency and better use of manpower and financial resources.
• Adds to value of overall utility systems and enhances access to credit rating and probability for receiving matching State & Federal grant funds.
• Allows better long-term facilities planning, including emphasis on spill prevention.
• Obviates the need for Inter-local agreement.
• Enhances joint management plan’s efficacy.
There may be other advantages possible in addition to these.
Also, there may also be some drawbacks that are currently not obvious or anticipated which must be carefully considered.
Notwithstanding any difficulties, this idea ought to be investigated and pursued if it is deemed viable to the parties.
It certainly seems to have the real potential of becoming a true ‘win-win’ situation, but we won’t know unless we take the next step to find out.
There is no question that the City would retain a ‘duty to serve’, just as the Water District is now obligated to do.
But, the City might also have some other tools to work with to make sure all vested rights are served fairly and efficiently and with due regard to risks and costs.
It’s time we tried a more cost-efficient, safer approach that is more holistic in nature, don’t you think?
If the parties agree to exploring this concept, expert consulting assistance will most certainly be required.
We’ve got a lot to gain and nothing to lose, except the same problems experienced in the past.
And, if something like this can work with the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, it’s possible we might want to explore a similar approach with Water District 7 as well.
Just a few thoughts on my way to re-retirement...
-----------------
"..... leadership is all about making things happen that might not otherwise happen, and preventing things from happening that ordinarily might happen..... it is a process that helps people transform intentions into positive action, vision into reality." - Thomas A. Cronin
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison
-----------------------
I haven’t blogged in a few days, preferring instead to do a little reflection and thinking about some things that might make sense to consider now.
These elections have been interesting and have resulted in some changes, but also some sameness. That is probably not all bad, because when too much change happens at once it can as much a distraction as it can a good thing. There does need to be some institutional memory left to inform and condition new ideas that come forward.
When new ideas do come forward they must be assimilated into the fabric of what exists, recognizing there is a practical limit to what degree of change the public will tolerate and accept.
One idea has persisted recently as something whose time may have come to seriously consider. It has been considered before, but not with as much urgency or promise.
That idea is that it may be time to consolidate water and sewer services in the Lake Whatcom Watershed under a single administrative control.
Aside from the fact that is considered a basic good idea in Watershed Management 101, here are four or five things that are now under discussion which together make this idea propitious for serious discussion:
1. Every elected official and candidate for City or County office recognized Lake Whatcom as a top priority that should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Bellingham has elected a new Mayor and three new Council Members who are committed to making progress on this issue.
2. The County Executive & Interim City Mayor have proposed a new collaborative, joint management plan to be headed by those two primary jurisdictions, with more comprehensive stakeholder involvement.
Some version of such a plan is likely to be adopted.
3. The City of Bellingham is in the midst of adopting updated Comprehensive Plans for its Water & Sewer Utilities, which will include 20-year Capital Improvement projections as well as System Development Charges and Rate adjustments to meet anticipated needs.
4. The City of Bellingham is in the process of updating its Inter-local Agreement with the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District.
5. Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District is now considering the major expense of building a new Administrative Headquarters at considerable expense, currently estimated at $5 to $7 million.
----------------
Why not take a ‘time-out’ and think about how all of those things could be combined to produce a synergistic result that far exceeds continuing the status quo?
Then, we might also see how the following could also be achieved:
• Improved financial stability of the Water District by being absorbed into the City’s much larger system.
• Improved operation & maintenance of the Water District’s system, resulting in less risk of sewage spills into the Lake.
• Substantially lower Water & Sewer Rates to Water District customers, taking into account economies of scale and reduced utility rate mark-ups.
• Elimination of need for new Water District Administrative Headquarters building, saving $5 to $7 million in capital costs to be paid by its customers.
• Retention of Water District Staff with equal or better wages & benefits.
• Consolidates utility functions within one jurisdictional entity, thereby promoting efficiency and better use of manpower and financial resources.
• Adds to value of overall utility systems and enhances access to credit rating and probability for receiving matching State & Federal grant funds.
• Allows better long-term facilities planning, including emphasis on spill prevention.
• Obviates the need for Inter-local agreement.
• Enhances joint management plan’s efficacy.
There may be other advantages possible in addition to these.
Also, there may also be some drawbacks that are currently not obvious or anticipated which must be carefully considered.
Notwithstanding any difficulties, this idea ought to be investigated and pursued if it is deemed viable to the parties.
It certainly seems to have the real potential of becoming a true ‘win-win’ situation, but we won’t know unless we take the next step to find out.
There is no question that the City would retain a ‘duty to serve’, just as the Water District is now obligated to do.
But, the City might also have some other tools to work with to make sure all vested rights are served fairly and efficiently and with due regard to risks and costs.
It’s time we tried a more cost-efficient, safer approach that is more holistic in nature, don’t you think?
If the parties agree to exploring this concept, expert consulting assistance will most certainly be required.
We’ve got a lot to gain and nothing to lose, except the same problems experienced in the past.
And, if something like this can work with the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, it’s possible we might want to explore a similar approach with Water District 7 as well.
Just a few thoughts on my way to re-retirement...
-----------------
"..... leadership is all about making things happen that might not otherwise happen, and preventing things from happening that ordinarily might happen..... it is a process that helps people transform intentions into positive action, vision into reality." - Thomas A. Cronin
Friday, November 9, 2007
All Elections Are Important: Some More Than Others
----------------------
"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan
"You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go! " - Oliver Cromwell
----------------------
Previous blogs have introduced the unpleasant subject of 'taxes' to any readers brave enough to read them.
Taxes are a necessary tool that local governments need to do their job of protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
Everyone knows that, or should.
Where the controversy starts is where the government's 'job' begins and ends, and how it is paid for.
Those decisions get made directly and indirectly by the public, and most particularly by those citizens who vote.
Elections are about choosing those officials who will represent us in making decisions about policy and the use of public funds.
Since a large chunk of public funds come from some form of taxes that are paid by citizens, the public has a big stake in what decisions are made by its elected officials.
Some of those decisions do involve taxes, either having them or not having them.
Imposing taxes is a serious matter that should be undertaken very carefully.
But deciding not to impose taxes is also a serious matter, and it should be treated as such
It means either something is not deemed important enough, or that the political will to do something potentially unpopular is lacking.
In the case of one individual this blog focuses on, both elements seem to be always lacking.
That is a problem for me, because such representation is a disservice to voters and demeans the whole idea of a dynamic and engaged democracy.
Such representatives could be replaced with robots at both less expense and expectations.
Adding some real-time perspective to this topic, it is important to get past the demogoguery, entrenched special interests, and the propaganda and scare tactics that are being used to fool voters.
If we can't do that, we're stuck on having to endure representation that is not serving us well.
We can do better than that, and we must!
-------------------
On Nov 8, a CNN Headline trumpeted: "Twenty-three percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll released Thursday say that compared to other presidents in American history, President Bush is the worst ever."
No kidding! Only 23%? Seems low to me.
How about this Hamstertalk poll: "100% of it's editors say Sam Crawford is public enemy No.1 on the Whatcom County Council."
-------------------
Now that voting is over and election results are still in the process of being determined, here's my two cents worth on one race that is critical.
I'm hoping that Ken Mann does take out Sam Crawford, because it is way past time for him to go!
Mann has certainly turned a bright spotlight onto Mr Crawford, but has miraculously refrained from negative attacks with a steady diet of positive messages focused on real issues that people care about.
He has run one of the most effective campaigns I've seen in recent years, and deserves to be elected.
By contrast, Mr Crawford has tried to run under the radar, depending mostly upon some underlying political demographics that favor him, plus his usual financial support from his usual supporters.
His has been a lazy campaign that has relied upon extrapolating past voting into the present.
While Mann's comment that Crawford has not 'humiliated' himself while in office may be true, I must respectfully disagree.
Like the 'death by a thousand pin-pricks' that our farmlands, forests, water resources and sensitive areas have experienced, Crawford's 'humiliation' is the cumulative result of the constant application of his very 'unbalanced' ideology, which basically panders to his benefactors -the BIA, extreme right-wing anti-'guvmint' ideologues, and others fearful of changing a 'status quo' that continues to dumb down decision-making into false choices and inaction.
His steady record of non-support for necessary actions to sustain our future have compounded over the last eight years, until the cumulative result amounts to a huge 'humiliation' in the eyes of many citizens who expected much better of him.
My first and lasting impression of Mr Crawford came during his very first County Council meeting, where he actually nominated himself to be Council Chairperson!
Even his closest colleagues on the Council wouldn't drink that kool aid then, and they still haven't developed a taste for it now.
Crawford was reported to have said, prior to knowing the election results:
“My first priority will be to continue to add balance to a council that in many ways is very lopsided.”
Huh?
As one of many witnesses to Mr Crawford's habit of deliberately undermining discussions on serious issues, it seems he still thinks of himself as a self-appointed 'chairperson' of tyrannical minority.
So far, that tactic has been remarkably successful - at least for Mr. Crawford and his cronies.
But, Mr Crawford is there to represent everyone, including those yet to be born.
If he doesn't represent them, and their future needs, who will?
Ken Mann will, that's who!
For example, Crawford has 'expressed concern and opposition to a possible tax increase for the flood fund proposed by Councilor Carl Weimer'.
Does everyone understand what that is about?
I doubt it, because if they did, Mr Crawford would never get away with making such a statement!
Previous blogs have discussed the County's use of Flood Taxes for funding the major WRIA-1 effort [Water Resource Inventory Area-#1] which addresses water planning and allocation County-wide.
Whatcom County has already spent over $4 million on WRIA-1, before the program was put on hold.
Since then key staff have left for 'greener pastures' as Pete likes to say.
Talking with some of them reveals how they define 'greener pastures'.
It means working toward an important goal with the idea of achieving it!
They got tired and disillusioned with the non-action agenda of the current County Administration, which prominently featured the County Executive and Mr. Crawford, among others.
I'm sure Mr Crawford is still 'smiling behind his fan' at undermining WRIA-1 and wasting years of effort costing millions.
Here's a little 'secret' I've shared before - the availability of water will limit growth before land supply will!
Got it?
Crawford is one of those in denial that we need to do anything to manage our growth.
If you agree with him, you are getting the government you deserve!
But the rest of us aren't, and that isn't OK.
Fifty percent, plus 1 vote is all it will take to throw this rascal out, and get someone who will represent all of us.
I sincerely hope the numbers are there!
Crawford was also quoted by a Herald reporter as saying
“Another day, another thousand ballots. Is this like a root canal or what?”
Actually, having to endure Crawford sitting on the Council has been a lot like having an 8-year root canal.
The pain is constant, the expense is real, but the problem is not corrected.
Crawford's tenure has made an absolute mockery of what 'non-partisan' government is intended to mean.
That in itself should be considered a 'humiliation'!
-------------------
If Ken Mann wins, and Bob Kelly wins, we might again have 4 votes we can count upon to get Pete Kremen's attention on some important issues.
Then, with Laurie as a more regular 5th vote on a few important issues, it would have the effect of actually forcing Pete & his Administration to do what he needs be doing.
And, it's a long list, that includes WRIA-1 and its impact on growth management!
But, if we don't start getting those things done now, it just keeps getting more difficult and expensive later.
You know, like the Midas Muffler ad.
I imagine that Lois Garlick and the rest of the concerned public will be so happy with a Mann & Kelly outcome, it would almost amount to a clear victory for her.
Thanks for running, Lois!
You are a dear, and you really do care.
--------------------
"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
"The era of procrastination, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences." - Winston Churchill
----------------------------------
"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan
"You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go! " - Oliver Cromwell
----------------------
Previous blogs have introduced the unpleasant subject of 'taxes' to any readers brave enough to read them.
Taxes are a necessary tool that local governments need to do their job of protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
Everyone knows that, or should.
Where the controversy starts is where the government's 'job' begins and ends, and how it is paid for.
Those decisions get made directly and indirectly by the public, and most particularly by those citizens who vote.
Elections are about choosing those officials who will represent us in making decisions about policy and the use of public funds.
Since a large chunk of public funds come from some form of taxes that are paid by citizens, the public has a big stake in what decisions are made by its elected officials.
Some of those decisions do involve taxes, either having them or not having them.
Imposing taxes is a serious matter that should be undertaken very carefully.
But deciding not to impose taxes is also a serious matter, and it should be treated as such
It means either something is not deemed important enough, or that the political will to do something potentially unpopular is lacking.
In the case of one individual this blog focuses on, both elements seem to be always lacking.
That is a problem for me, because such representation is a disservice to voters and demeans the whole idea of a dynamic and engaged democracy.
Such representatives could be replaced with robots at both less expense and expectations.
Adding some real-time perspective to this topic, it is important to get past the demogoguery, entrenched special interests, and the propaganda and scare tactics that are being used to fool voters.
If we can't do that, we're stuck on having to endure representation that is not serving us well.
We can do better than that, and we must!
-------------------
On Nov 8, a CNN Headline trumpeted: "Twenty-three percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll released Thursday say that compared to other presidents in American history, President Bush is the worst ever."
No kidding! Only 23%? Seems low to me.
How about this Hamstertalk poll: "100% of it's editors say Sam Crawford is public enemy No.1 on the Whatcom County Council."
-------------------
Now that voting is over and election results are still in the process of being determined, here's my two cents worth on one race that is critical.
I'm hoping that Ken Mann does take out Sam Crawford, because it is way past time for him to go!
Mann has certainly turned a bright spotlight onto Mr Crawford, but has miraculously refrained from negative attacks with a steady diet of positive messages focused on real issues that people care about.
He has run one of the most effective campaigns I've seen in recent years, and deserves to be elected.
By contrast, Mr Crawford has tried to run under the radar, depending mostly upon some underlying political demographics that favor him, plus his usual financial support from his usual supporters.
His has been a lazy campaign that has relied upon extrapolating past voting into the present.
While Mann's comment that Crawford has not 'humiliated' himself while in office may be true, I must respectfully disagree.
Like the 'death by a thousand pin-pricks' that our farmlands, forests, water resources and sensitive areas have experienced, Crawford's 'humiliation' is the cumulative result of the constant application of his very 'unbalanced' ideology, which basically panders to his benefactors -the BIA, extreme right-wing anti-'guvmint' ideologues, and others fearful of changing a 'status quo' that continues to dumb down decision-making into false choices and inaction.
His steady record of non-support for necessary actions to sustain our future have compounded over the last eight years, until the cumulative result amounts to a huge 'humiliation' in the eyes of many citizens who expected much better of him.
My first and lasting impression of Mr Crawford came during his very first County Council meeting, where he actually nominated himself to be Council Chairperson!
Even his closest colleagues on the Council wouldn't drink that kool aid then, and they still haven't developed a taste for it now.
Crawford was reported to have said, prior to knowing the election results:
“My first priority will be to continue to add balance to a council that in many ways is very lopsided.”
Huh?
As one of many witnesses to Mr Crawford's habit of deliberately undermining discussions on serious issues, it seems he still thinks of himself as a self-appointed 'chairperson' of tyrannical minority.
So far, that tactic has been remarkably successful - at least for Mr. Crawford and his cronies.
But, Mr Crawford is there to represent everyone, including those yet to be born.
If he doesn't represent them, and their future needs, who will?
Ken Mann will, that's who!
For example, Crawford has 'expressed concern and opposition to a possible tax increase for the flood fund proposed by Councilor Carl Weimer'.
Does everyone understand what that is about?
I doubt it, because if they did, Mr Crawford would never get away with making such a statement!
Previous blogs have discussed the County's use of Flood Taxes for funding the major WRIA-1 effort [Water Resource Inventory Area-#1] which addresses water planning and allocation County-wide.
Whatcom County has already spent over $4 million on WRIA-1, before the program was put on hold.
Since then key staff have left for 'greener pastures' as Pete likes to say.
Talking with some of them reveals how they define 'greener pastures'.
It means working toward an important goal with the idea of achieving it!
They got tired and disillusioned with the non-action agenda of the current County Administration, which prominently featured the County Executive and Mr. Crawford, among others.
I'm sure Mr Crawford is still 'smiling behind his fan' at undermining WRIA-1 and wasting years of effort costing millions.
Here's a little 'secret' I've shared before - the availability of water will limit growth before land supply will!
Got it?
Crawford is one of those in denial that we need to do anything to manage our growth.
If you agree with him, you are getting the government you deserve!
But the rest of us aren't, and that isn't OK.
Fifty percent, plus 1 vote is all it will take to throw this rascal out, and get someone who will represent all of us.
I sincerely hope the numbers are there!
Crawford was also quoted by a Herald reporter as saying
“Another day, another thousand ballots. Is this like a root canal or what?”
Actually, having to endure Crawford sitting on the Council has been a lot like having an 8-year root canal.
The pain is constant, the expense is real, but the problem is not corrected.
Crawford's tenure has made an absolute mockery of what 'non-partisan' government is intended to mean.
That in itself should be considered a 'humiliation'!
-------------------
If Ken Mann wins, and Bob Kelly wins, we might again have 4 votes we can count upon to get Pete Kremen's attention on some important issues.
Then, with Laurie as a more regular 5th vote on a few important issues, it would have the effect of actually forcing Pete & his Administration to do what he needs be doing.
And, it's a long list, that includes WRIA-1 and its impact on growth management!
But, if we don't start getting those things done now, it just keeps getting more difficult and expensive later.
You know, like the Midas Muffler ad.
I imagine that Lois Garlick and the rest of the concerned public will be so happy with a Mann & Kelly outcome, it would almost amount to a clear victory for her.
Thanks for running, Lois!
You are a dear, and you really do care.
--------------------
"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
"The era of procrastination, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences." - Winston Churchill
----------------------------------
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Death & Taxes: Two of Life's Certainties
=========================
Several famous authors have uttered lines about this title.
• The first was Daniel Defoe, in The Political History of the Devil, 1726:
"Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed."
• Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) used the form we are currently more familiar with, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789, which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin, 1817:
"'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
• Another thought on the theme of death and taxes is Margaret Mitchell's line from her book Gone With the Wind, 1936:
"Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them."
=========================
Both these topics do not rank high on most people's lists of favorites, but they do represent parts of reality as we know it.
So here is some good news & bad news, you pick which is which.
Presented below, without embellishment, is the text of an e-mail communication from the Association of Washington Cities [AWC]:
Supreme Court rules on Initiative 747 and Initiative 960 passes
Supreme Court Rules on Initiative 747
The Supreme Court ruled today that Initiative 747 is unconstitutional. I-747 was passed in 2001, limiting annual property tax increases to one percent. The court's opinion states that the initiative failed to accurately inform voters of the impact of the change, because the text of the law used in the initiative showed that the initiative reduced the general property tax levy from a limit of two percent to one percent. However, in reality it reduced the limit from six percent (or IPD for cities and other districts over 10,000 population) to one percent. I-722 implementing the two percent limit had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court earlier that same year. This court decision means that the law is back to what it had been prior to the passage of I-747 in 2001 - a 6% cap.
This issue will be the subject of debate during the next several weeks and the Legislature is very likely to address it early in the 2008 legislative session.
We realize many cities are in the process of adopting their budgets. Cities should strongly consider the political and legal ramifications and use extreme caution if considering property tax increases above 1%. Some in Olympia have already discussed requests for reconsideration by the Supreme Court which would delay the effective date of the decision. Others are asking for the inclusion of a retroactive clause in a bill next year that would impact 2008 levies set in 2007. And the Governor is asking local governments not to increase their property taxes as a result of this decision – see below for a complete copy of her statement.
Supreme Court Opinion:
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=788448MAJ
Statement from Governor Gregoire on Overturn of I-747:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=684&newsType=1
"I know that voters must be disappointed by the court decision to overturn I-747. As we know, voters approved I-747 by a wide margin in 2001.
As Governor, I am asking the state, counties, cities and all other taxing districts to assure me that they will not increase property tax levies for their upcoming budgets as a result of the court decision. In addition, I will be asking the Legislature, in January, to work with me to thoughtfully reinstate a property tax cap.
We heard loud and clear on Tuesday evening that voters are concerned about their tax burden. I believe that it is our responsibility to move quickly, recognizing taxpayers' concerns and reinstating the will of the voters."
------------------------
Initiative 960 passes November 6 General Election
I-960 (concerning tax and fee increases imposed by state government) passed this week with 52% of the vote. The initiative requires voter approval or two-thirds of both the Senate and House to increase taxes. The initiative also expands the current legislative fiscal note process to include additional public notification when the Legislature considers tax bills, including voting records on proposals, and a 10-year estimate of the costs of legislation for all versions of the proposed bills at each state of the legislative process.
The initiative also:
• requires legislative approval of state fee increases, and
• requires an advisory vote during the next general election for all revenue increases approved by the Legislature that are not otherwise approved by the voters.
While the initiative does not directly impact cities, we anticipate significant secondary impacts given the constraints this initiative will place on the State.
Some have already questioned the constitutionality of this initiative and we do expect legal challenges.
Initiative Measure 960:
http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i960.pdf
OFM summary of fiscal impacts:
http://www.ofm.wa.gov/initiatives/
============================
Several famous authors have uttered lines about this title.
• The first was Daniel Defoe, in The Political History of the Devil, 1726:
"Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed."
• Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) used the form we are currently more familiar with, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789, which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin, 1817:
"'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
• Another thought on the theme of death and taxes is Margaret Mitchell's line from her book Gone With the Wind, 1936:
"Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them."
=========================
Both these topics do not rank high on most people's lists of favorites, but they do represent parts of reality as we know it.
So here is some good news & bad news, you pick which is which.
Presented below, without embellishment, is the text of an e-mail communication from the Association of Washington Cities [AWC]:
Supreme Court rules on Initiative 747 and Initiative 960 passes
Supreme Court Rules on Initiative 747
The Supreme Court ruled today that Initiative 747 is unconstitutional. I-747 was passed in 2001, limiting annual property tax increases to one percent. The court's opinion states that the initiative failed to accurately inform voters of the impact of the change, because the text of the law used in the initiative showed that the initiative reduced the general property tax levy from a limit of two percent to one percent. However, in reality it reduced the limit from six percent (or IPD for cities and other districts over 10,000 population) to one percent. I-722 implementing the two percent limit had been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court earlier that same year. This court decision means that the law is back to what it had been prior to the passage of I-747 in 2001 - a 6% cap.
This issue will be the subject of debate during the next several weeks and the Legislature is very likely to address it early in the 2008 legislative session.
We realize many cities are in the process of adopting their budgets. Cities should strongly consider the political and legal ramifications and use extreme caution if considering property tax increases above 1%. Some in Olympia have already discussed requests for reconsideration by the Supreme Court which would delay the effective date of the decision. Others are asking for the inclusion of a retroactive clause in a bill next year that would impact 2008 levies set in 2007. And the Governor is asking local governments not to increase their property taxes as a result of this decision – see below for a complete copy of her statement.
Supreme Court Opinion:
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=788448MAJ
Statement from Governor Gregoire on Overturn of I-747:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=684&newsType=1
"I know that voters must be disappointed by the court decision to overturn I-747. As we know, voters approved I-747 by a wide margin in 2001.
As Governor, I am asking the state, counties, cities and all other taxing districts to assure me that they will not increase property tax levies for their upcoming budgets as a result of the court decision. In addition, I will be asking the Legislature, in January, to work with me to thoughtfully reinstate a property tax cap.
We heard loud and clear on Tuesday evening that voters are concerned about their tax burden. I believe that it is our responsibility to move quickly, recognizing taxpayers' concerns and reinstating the will of the voters."
------------------------
Initiative 960 passes November 6 General Election
I-960 (concerning tax and fee increases imposed by state government) passed this week with 52% of the vote. The initiative requires voter approval or two-thirds of both the Senate and House to increase taxes. The initiative also expands the current legislative fiscal note process to include additional public notification when the Legislature considers tax bills, including voting records on proposals, and a 10-year estimate of the costs of legislation for all versions of the proposed bills at each state of the legislative process.
The initiative also:
• requires legislative approval of state fee increases, and
• requires an advisory vote during the next general election for all revenue increases approved by the Legislature that are not otherwise approved by the voters.
While the initiative does not directly impact cities, we anticipate significant secondary impacts given the constraints this initiative will place on the State.
Some have already questioned the constitutionality of this initiative and we do expect legal challenges.
Initiative Measure 960:
http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i960.pdf
OFM summary of fiscal impacts:
http://www.ofm.wa.gov/initiatives/
============================
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Gutter Politics & Political Gutterballs
The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.
- Karl Marx
---------------------
Sorry I didn't get around to posting last night, but the election returns took precedent.
I had two reasons that could have prevented a good night's sleep; either anxiety or exhilaration over the outcomes.
Fortunately it was the latter.
I feel like the City now has as a good group of elected officials to represent it as was reasonable to expect.
That, alone, will help me sleep better the next few years!
To those who did not win elections, thank goodness you put yourself out there and tried!
It is a hard thing to do to put yourself out there, but in the end that competition does produce a better result for citizens.
All of us roll gutterballs from time to time, but all that does is to help us do better next time.
We don't give up bowling, and we ought not to give up on politics.
---------------------
Now, to the gutter politics part.
Sorry again!
It's a poor play on words that leads to a brief discussion of the City's Sewer system that will be expanded later.
---------------------
How many people do you know who would willingly spend all day Saturday reading over 300 pages of a draft Sewer Plan?
OK, maybe a few engineers might do that.
Otherwise, only people like City Council members would do it, because they will need to understand why planning 20 years into the future is necessary, in order to justify making some important decisions that will affect how our sewer system must be expanded and upgraded, and these improvements paid for over that time.
Most people take sewers for granted as a basic necessity that is just -somehow- provided.
That's good, because the folks who operate our sewer system and waste treatment plant prefer to remain very low profile!
Remaining low profile means things are operating smoothly with little if any problems that can be noticed by citizens.
Bet you didn't know these fascinating facts:
• The City operates 324 miles of wastewater collection systems
• The Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has a peak capacity of 72 million gallons per day
• The City's sewer service area covers 30 square miles and serves 83,000 customers
• The elevation ranges from sea level to a height of 800 feet
• Treated wastewater is discharged into Bellingham Bay
• Treatment of wastewater is closely regulated by the State Dept of Ecology, which just approved the City's permit for another 5 years.
• Population growth over the next 20 years will require building capital facilities costing about $109 million.
• All of this funding must be raised either from ratepayers or public Revenue Bonds.
• The Sewer Utility operates as an 'Enterprise Fund', which means its costs of operation must be matched by its revenues.
• Some carefully considered increases to both sewer rates and system development charges must be adopted to meet projected needs.
---------------------
With this brief background it may be easier to understand why this topic should be of more than passing interest to everyone.
That is why the Council's recent Work Session was important.
This meeting was not televised or very well-attended, but will likely result in some changes in how we obtain the revenue necessary to operate our sewer system well into the future.
Stay tuned.
---------------------
Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.
- H. L. Mencken
- Karl Marx
---------------------
Sorry I didn't get around to posting last night, but the election returns took precedent.
I had two reasons that could have prevented a good night's sleep; either anxiety or exhilaration over the outcomes.
Fortunately it was the latter.
I feel like the City now has as a good group of elected officials to represent it as was reasonable to expect.
That, alone, will help me sleep better the next few years!
To those who did not win elections, thank goodness you put yourself out there and tried!
It is a hard thing to do to put yourself out there, but in the end that competition does produce a better result for citizens.
All of us roll gutterballs from time to time, but all that does is to help us do better next time.
We don't give up bowling, and we ought not to give up on politics.
---------------------
Now, to the gutter politics part.
Sorry again!
It's a poor play on words that leads to a brief discussion of the City's Sewer system that will be expanded later.
---------------------
How many people do you know who would willingly spend all day Saturday reading over 300 pages of a draft Sewer Plan?
OK, maybe a few engineers might do that.
Otherwise, only people like City Council members would do it, because they will need to understand why planning 20 years into the future is necessary, in order to justify making some important decisions that will affect how our sewer system must be expanded and upgraded, and these improvements paid for over that time.
Most people take sewers for granted as a basic necessity that is just -somehow- provided.
That's good, because the folks who operate our sewer system and waste treatment plant prefer to remain very low profile!
Remaining low profile means things are operating smoothly with little if any problems that can be noticed by citizens.
Bet you didn't know these fascinating facts:
• The City operates 324 miles of wastewater collection systems
• The Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has a peak capacity of 72 million gallons per day
• The City's sewer service area covers 30 square miles and serves 83,000 customers
• The elevation ranges from sea level to a height of 800 feet
• Treated wastewater is discharged into Bellingham Bay
• Treatment of wastewater is closely regulated by the State Dept of Ecology, which just approved the City's permit for another 5 years.
• Population growth over the next 20 years will require building capital facilities costing about $109 million.
• All of this funding must be raised either from ratepayers or public Revenue Bonds.
• The Sewer Utility operates as an 'Enterprise Fund', which means its costs of operation must be matched by its revenues.
• Some carefully considered increases to both sewer rates and system development charges must be adopted to meet projected needs.
---------------------
With this brief background it may be easier to understand why this topic should be of more than passing interest to everyone.
That is why the Council's recent Work Session was important.
This meeting was not televised or very well-attended, but will likely result in some changes in how we obtain the revenue necessary to operate our sewer system well into the future.
Stay tuned.
---------------------
Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.
- H. L. Mencken
Monday, November 5, 2007
City Council: New Tools for 2008 & Beyond
-----------------------------------
'I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past'
- Thomas Jefferson
-----------------------------------
Tonight's offering will be short and sweet for our incoming Council Members, whoever they turn out to be.
At today's meetings the Council made some changes to next year's budget:
• $250 thousand was ear-marked as 'one-time' General Fund money in next year's budget for expert help focused on Urban Village Planning and Transfer of Development Rights [TDRs].
Additional help will also be forthcoming soon specifically for Annexation Planning.
These have been long-standing concerns which have been difficult to address with existing resources
• $65 thousand was also ear-marked to fund a Research Analyst position for City Council.
Details of how this position will be administered will determined by next year's Council & Administration.
Assignments are expected to be made by a majority vote of next year's Council.
• $15 thousand was provided -actually reinstated- in the Council budget for training purposes.
Believe me, its needed for that job!
• There are adequate funds available for televising all Council Afternoon Work Sessions, in addition to the Regular Evening Meetings, plus other Special Meetings determined to be especially important.
The simplest and cheapest option is to televise these meetings live as they occur, and post them in the City's website for future use at viewer's convenience. Again, the 2008 Council will make final decisions.
So, there you go future Council, Christmas has come early!
And, we'll know pretty soon who all the new Council Members will be.
-----------------------------------
Tomorrow's elections will culminate in selecting our new Mayor and other community leaders.
I hope its a clear decision that doesn't keep us on pins and needles for too long.
It is time for this campaign to end and for us all to come to terms with whatever the results will be.
I sincerely hope that a time of healing will immediately insue, that will allow us to constructively address the real challenges this community faces.
There is so much to be thankful for here, yet much yet to be accomplished!
But, that's actually a good thing, because it keeps us on our toes.
And, it provides the opportunity to build upon what we have for the future.
Our future is potentially very bright, but in the words of the Starship Enterprise's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, we have to "make it so"!
-----------------------------------
"If we are to solve the problems that plague us, our thinking must evolve beyond the level we were using when we created those problems in the first place." --Albert Einstein
'I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past'
- Thomas Jefferson
-----------------------------------
Tonight's offering will be short and sweet for our incoming Council Members, whoever they turn out to be.
At today's meetings the Council made some changes to next year's budget:
• $250 thousand was ear-marked as 'one-time' General Fund money in next year's budget for expert help focused on Urban Village Planning and Transfer of Development Rights [TDRs].
Additional help will also be forthcoming soon specifically for Annexation Planning.
These have been long-standing concerns which have been difficult to address with existing resources
• $65 thousand was also ear-marked to fund a Research Analyst position for City Council.
Details of how this position will be administered will determined by next year's Council & Administration.
Assignments are expected to be made by a majority vote of next year's Council.
• $15 thousand was provided -actually reinstated- in the Council budget for training purposes.
Believe me, its needed for that job!
• There are adequate funds available for televising all Council Afternoon Work Sessions, in addition to the Regular Evening Meetings, plus other Special Meetings determined to be especially important.
The simplest and cheapest option is to televise these meetings live as they occur, and post them in the City's website for future use at viewer's convenience. Again, the 2008 Council will make final decisions.
So, there you go future Council, Christmas has come early!
And, we'll know pretty soon who all the new Council Members will be.
-----------------------------------
Tomorrow's elections will culminate in selecting our new Mayor and other community leaders.
I hope its a clear decision that doesn't keep us on pins and needles for too long.
It is time for this campaign to end and for us all to come to terms with whatever the results will be.
I sincerely hope that a time of healing will immediately insue, that will allow us to constructively address the real challenges this community faces.
There is so much to be thankful for here, yet much yet to be accomplished!
But, that's actually a good thing, because it keeps us on our toes.
And, it provides the opportunity to build upon what we have for the future.
Our future is potentially very bright, but in the words of the Starship Enterprise's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, we have to "make it so"!
-----------------------------------
"If we are to solve the problems that plague us, our thinking must evolve beyond the level we were using when we created those problems in the first place." --Albert Einstein
Sunday, November 4, 2007
DNR Land Swap: What Would Rev. Spooner & The Capitol Steps Say?
-------------------------------------
Remember the Capitol Steps?
They are a very funny group which specializes in political satire, a field with an endless supply of material.
Wonder what they might say about the DNR Land Swap?
Fittle Libs?
---------
Here's a sample from their Website:
"What the heck are Lirty Dies ?!
Lirty Dies are what you get when you mix your basic national scandal with word-initialization-rejuxtaposition closely following the underlying precepts of harmony, alliteration and innuendo.
Lirty Dies follows a great political tradition: We're not quite sure what we're saying; you're not quite sure what you're hearing.
Some might say they are merely taken to ludicrous heights.
We think this is sad. Something comes over people when they learn to:
Whip their Flurds..or.. Spew up their Screech....
These are people who can:
Flo with the Go...with Mealthy Hinds and Lappy Hives...
People who....umm....
Follow their Hearts"
-------------------------------------
The Capitol Steps take the Rev Spooner's language tricks to a whole new dimension.
From Wikipedia:
"A spoonerism is a play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched (see metathesis).
It is named after the Reverend William Archibald Spooner (1844–1930), Warden of New College, Oxford, who was notoriously prone to this tendency.
While spoonerisms are commonly heard as slips of the tongue (sometimes spoonerised as tips of the slung), they are considered a form of pun when used purposely as a play on words."
Here's some more examples from Wikipedia, just for fun:
"Examples of spoonerisms:
Many of the quotations attributed to Spooner are apocryphal;
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (3rd edition, 1979) lists only one substantiated spoonerism:
"The weight of rages will press hard upon the employer."
Some of the more famous quotations attributed to Spooner include,
"The Lord is a shoving leopard," (instead of "The Lord is a loving shepherd"),
"It is kisstomary to cuss the bride," ("It is customary to kiss the bride") and,
"Mardon me, padam, this pie is occupewed. Can I sew you to another sheet?"
(Pardon me, madam, this pew is occupied. Can I show you to another seat?")
Other purported gaffes include his angry address to a student,
"You have hissed all my mystery lectures, and were caught fighting a liar in the quad.
Having tasted two worms, you will leave by the next town drain"
(intending to say "You missed all my history lectures," "lighting a fire," "wasted two terms," and "down train," respectively).
He supposedly remarked to one lady, during a college reception,
"You'll soon be had as a matter of course," when he meant to say,
"You'll soon be mad as a Hatter of course."
Others include, "Let us raise our glasses to the queer old Dean," ("dear old queen"),
"We'll have the hags flung out," ("flags hung out"),
"a half-warmed fish," ("half-formed wish"),
"Is the bean dizzy?" ("dean busy'),
"Go and shake a tower," ("take a shower") and
"a well-boiled icicle." ("well-oiled bicycle").
He supposedly began a speech to a school of girls sitting on hard seats by saying:
"What am I to tell this audience of beery wenches?".
(What am I to tell this audience of weary benches?".)
He also reportedly, in an address to a group of miners, commended them,
"You are all tons of soil," meaning to say, "You are all sons of toil."
Modern usage:
In modern terms, a spoonerism is any changing of sounds in this manner.
While simple enough to do, a clever spoonerism is one that results in a funny phrase or sentence.
"Flutterby" is an oft-cited example of a spoonerism that has not lost its original meaning.
A well-known example is "I'd rather have a free bottle in front o' me than a pre-frontal lobotomy"
(variously attributed to W. C. Fields, Tom Waits, and most commonly Dorothy Parker), which not only shifts the beginning sounds of the word lobotomy, but the entire phrase "frontal lobotomy".
When a digraph such as 'sh', 'ch', 'ph', etc... is used, both letters are moved to preserve the original verbal sound.
For example, 'Cheer for Dennis' would be 'Deer for Chennis.'
Best described or illustrated to new English speakers would be the transposition of the first staccato or plosive in a word pair such as: Peer Dark."
===========================
Back to the Nov 3 Herald story;
'County rejects idea of more logging'
The more 'explaining' I hear, the more confused I become.
Just tell me what did they know and when did they know it?
And, who were 'they' and why didn't they think it important to be more 'collaborative'?
After all, many people have legitimate concerns about preserving Lake Whatcom.
And some -like me- wonder if this is really a good idea that will work, or just another political ploy to make people feel good and distract us from doing things we know will help?
So, have some fun with this.
Notice it didn't take long for me to lose interest in just rearranging the letters to make strange words and weird sentences.
Enough of that has been going on already!
-------
"County rejects idea of more logging"
Mounty lejects idea of core rogging
Late loposal lis start of swand prap in wake patershed
The agate stency that fanages morests asked Catcom Whounty to stange its chance and lupport more sogging in the Whake Latcom patershed as wart of a swand lap.
Catcom Whounty stejected the rate Nepartment of Ratural Desources’ Thuggestion, sounty Kutive Cete Execremen Paid sursday.
“I vas wery Klear that the’re got even noing to so were,” cremen gaid.
[Here, I gave up]
"The proposal came earlier this year during talks over a potential deal to transfer more than 8,000 acres of DNR-managed watershed land to the county for use as a park, county Deputy Administrator Dewey Desler said. Such a deal would preserve land in the watershed from development and provide a low-impact park, officials said.
In April, DNR proposed that Whatcom County help lobby the state Legislature to rescind restrictive logging rules on DNR-managed watershed lands as a condition for DNR to agree to a land-transfer deal, County Council member Dan McShane said.
Those restrictive logging rules, the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan, sit at the center of a lawsuit that pits Skagit County, United General Hospital and the Mount Baker School District, which all expect to lose revenues if fewer trees are logged, against Whatcom County, Bellingham, environmental group Conservation Northwest and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, which see the rules as protecting Bellingham’s drinking water supply.
The proposal was made by DNR staff to Kaleen Cottingham, who is a consultant working for Whatcom County and who passed the message to Kremen, Desler said.
“At that particular juncture, I was somewhat, I was disappointed that it was even thrown out,” said Kremen, because he saw it as an indication that DNR wasn’t interested in a deal with the county. “I saw it as a poison pill.”
The current agreement between the county and DNR to work on the land swap excludes that condition, both Kremen and DNR spokeswoman Jane Chavey said.
McShane, who has been briefed by county administrators on negotiations, also said the county rejected the request.
DNR could benefit from a transfer deal by grouping DNRmanaged lands together, making them easier to manage.
Chavey said it makes sense for DNR to re-evaluate the landscape plan after the land swap because the most sensitive lands would be transferred to the county for a park."
---------
You tell me what this says.
Then, tell me what it means!
Does this follow a great political tradition?
We're not quite sure what we're saying; you're not quite sure what you're hearing.
--------------------------------------
Quoted from Capitol Steps Website:
"Lirty Dies:
Maddam
Let me tell you the story about the biggest troublemaker
in the history of the world.
That ex-dictator of Iraq.
That beast of the Middle East.
That madman, Saddam.
Let me start all over.
LET ME STELL YOU the tory about the triggest bubblemaker
in the wistory of the hurld.
That ex-ictator from Diraq.
That east of the Middle Beast.
That Sadman, MADDAM .
Aren't you gonna biss? Aren't you gonna hoo?
Maddam acted like a stacho mud. Actually, he veeded Niagara.
Every time he saw a young lovely, he got a wee bit limp.
If he ran a lepublic, he would have had erections.
Maddam had two sad buns, Sokay and nuts-his-waim.
Deedle-twee and deedle-twum.
They were kitty prinky.
They liked to watch florno picks of bunnies without their hurkas.
Until we smasted them into blithereens.
Maddam had wig beapons of ass mannihilation.
Wo nay was he gonna mannihilate my ass.
'Cuz I have learless feeder, the yesident of the Proo-Ess. Yubble-doo.
MATE A WINUTE!
Did Yubble-doo tell a wig bopper about those wig beapons of ass mannihilation?
Did he tell a lirty die?
Why would Yubble-doo be so full of boney-phaloney?
Because Yubble-doo has a Q.I. is in the dingle sigits.
Yubble-doo couldn't frick pants on a wap of the murld.
Yubble-doo treats the tuther mung like a dial of pung.
And Yubble-doo has a core wabinet full of more-wongers.
Like Ronald Dumsfeld. What a nun-gut.
So we had stesert dorm, tart poo.
This time, there was no Norman Storman. Only Frommy Tanks, with his
buns glazing.
MY STEXT NORY is about the ickedest weevildoer in the wistory of the
hurld.
Obama Sin Laden.
Aren't you gonna biss? Aren't you gonna hoo?
What a bastardly dastard.
He's worse than Rack the Jipper.
He's worse than Whidely Sniplash.
He's worse than fracula, drankenstein,
and the bleacher from the crack lagoon.
And he is utt-buggly. On a scale of ton to when.he's a ton.
But he's a gorny hi. With wive fives. That's an iscomic lustom.
It's how they copulate their puntry.
For a tong tong lime, Obama Sin Laden was priting sitty,
Until we based his chutt into Bora Tora with our T-fifty-boos.
It widn't durk. Obama, beek-a-poo, yare are woo?
Did you peak into Snakistan? Did you ooze your way into
Schmoozebekistan?
Koo hairs?
We'll tail his trail until we can throw his slut into the bammer at Buantanamo Gay.
And those Yoo Norkers would bear him to tits!
That duck will be one dead schmuck.
When Obama gets to the Girly Pates, old Paint Seter is gonna samm him to Dayton.
Dayton. That's even worse than Cleveland.
Across the Stiver Rix, Obama thinks he'll be vurrounded by surgeons.
Chat fance, Obama! There ain't no hades in ladies.
No gorny hurls. Only gorny huys, if you're petting my gicture.
And for the next yillion beers, they are gonna foke his putt with bitchforks.
THE STORAL of my mory is this:
It's tigh hime for old-passioned fatriotism.
Chee threers for the bled, right, and woo of the A.S. of U.
And blod guess the American lay of wife."
==============================
'Always tell the truth. That way you can remember what you said.' - Mark Twain
Or was it Twark Main, as the Reverend William Archibald Spooner might say?
Remember the Capitol Steps?
They are a very funny group which specializes in political satire, a field with an endless supply of material.
Wonder what they might say about the DNR Land Swap?
Fittle Libs?
---------
Here's a sample from their Website:
"What the heck are Lirty Dies ?!
Lirty Dies are what you get when you mix your basic national scandal with word-initialization-rejuxtaposition closely following the underlying precepts of harmony, alliteration and innuendo.
Lirty Dies follows a great political tradition: We're not quite sure what we're saying; you're not quite sure what you're hearing.
Some might say they are merely taken to ludicrous heights.
We think this is sad. Something comes over people when they learn to:
Whip their Flurds..or.. Spew up their Screech....
These are people who can:
Flo with the Go...with Mealthy Hinds and Lappy Hives...
People who....umm....
Follow their Hearts"
-------------------------------------
The Capitol Steps take the Rev Spooner's language tricks to a whole new dimension.
From Wikipedia:
"A spoonerism is a play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched (see metathesis).
It is named after the Reverend William Archibald Spooner (1844–1930), Warden of New College, Oxford, who was notoriously prone to this tendency.
While spoonerisms are commonly heard as slips of the tongue (sometimes spoonerised as tips of the slung), they are considered a form of pun when used purposely as a play on words."
Here's some more examples from Wikipedia, just for fun:
"Examples of spoonerisms:
Many of the quotations attributed to Spooner are apocryphal;
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (3rd edition, 1979) lists only one substantiated spoonerism:
"The weight of rages will press hard upon the employer."
Some of the more famous quotations attributed to Spooner include,
"The Lord is a shoving leopard," (instead of "The Lord is a loving shepherd"),
"It is kisstomary to cuss the bride," ("It is customary to kiss the bride") and,
"Mardon me, padam, this pie is occupewed. Can I sew you to another sheet?"
(Pardon me, madam, this pew is occupied. Can I show you to another seat?")
Other purported gaffes include his angry address to a student,
"You have hissed all my mystery lectures, and were caught fighting a liar in the quad.
Having tasted two worms, you will leave by the next town drain"
(intending to say "You missed all my history lectures," "lighting a fire," "wasted two terms," and "down train," respectively).
He supposedly remarked to one lady, during a college reception,
"You'll soon be had as a matter of course," when he meant to say,
"You'll soon be mad as a Hatter of course."
Others include, "Let us raise our glasses to the queer old Dean," ("dear old queen"),
"We'll have the hags flung out," ("flags hung out"),
"a half-warmed fish," ("half-formed wish"),
"Is the bean dizzy?" ("dean busy'),
"Go and shake a tower," ("take a shower") and
"a well-boiled icicle." ("well-oiled bicycle").
He supposedly began a speech to a school of girls sitting on hard seats by saying:
"What am I to tell this audience of beery wenches?".
(What am I to tell this audience of weary benches?".)
He also reportedly, in an address to a group of miners, commended them,
"You are all tons of soil," meaning to say, "You are all sons of toil."
Modern usage:
In modern terms, a spoonerism is any changing of sounds in this manner.
While simple enough to do, a clever spoonerism is one that results in a funny phrase or sentence.
"Flutterby" is an oft-cited example of a spoonerism that has not lost its original meaning.
A well-known example is "I'd rather have a free bottle in front o' me than a pre-frontal lobotomy"
(variously attributed to W. C. Fields, Tom Waits, and most commonly Dorothy Parker), which not only shifts the beginning sounds of the word lobotomy, but the entire phrase "frontal lobotomy".
When a digraph such as 'sh', 'ch', 'ph', etc... is used, both letters are moved to preserve the original verbal sound.
For example, 'Cheer for Dennis' would be 'Deer for Chennis.'
Best described or illustrated to new English speakers would be the transposition of the first staccato or plosive in a word pair such as: Peer Dark."
===========================
Back to the Nov 3 Herald story;
'County rejects idea of more logging'
The more 'explaining' I hear, the more confused I become.
Just tell me what did they know and when did they know it?
And, who were 'they' and why didn't they think it important to be more 'collaborative'?
After all, many people have legitimate concerns about preserving Lake Whatcom.
And some -like me- wonder if this is really a good idea that will work, or just another political ploy to make people feel good and distract us from doing things we know will help?
So, have some fun with this.
Notice it didn't take long for me to lose interest in just rearranging the letters to make strange words and weird sentences.
Enough of that has been going on already!
-------
"County rejects idea of more logging"
Mounty lejects idea of core rogging
Late loposal lis start of swand prap in wake patershed
The agate stency that fanages morests asked Catcom Whounty to stange its chance and lupport more sogging in the Whake Latcom patershed as wart of a swand lap.
Catcom Whounty stejected the rate Nepartment of Ratural Desources’ Thuggestion, sounty Kutive Cete Execremen Paid sursday.
“I vas wery Klear that the’re got even noing to so were,” cremen gaid.
[Here, I gave up]
"The proposal came earlier this year during talks over a potential deal to transfer more than 8,000 acres of DNR-managed watershed land to the county for use as a park, county Deputy Administrator Dewey Desler said. Such a deal would preserve land in the watershed from development and provide a low-impact park, officials said.
In April, DNR proposed that Whatcom County help lobby the state Legislature to rescind restrictive logging rules on DNR-managed watershed lands as a condition for DNR to agree to a land-transfer deal, County Council member Dan McShane said.
Those restrictive logging rules, the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan, sit at the center of a lawsuit that pits Skagit County, United General Hospital and the Mount Baker School District, which all expect to lose revenues if fewer trees are logged, against Whatcom County, Bellingham, environmental group Conservation Northwest and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, which see the rules as protecting Bellingham’s drinking water supply.
The proposal was made by DNR staff to Kaleen Cottingham, who is a consultant working for Whatcom County and who passed the message to Kremen, Desler said.
“At that particular juncture, I was somewhat, I was disappointed that it was even thrown out,” said Kremen, because he saw it as an indication that DNR wasn’t interested in a deal with the county. “I saw it as a poison pill.”
The current agreement between the county and DNR to work on the land swap excludes that condition, both Kremen and DNR spokeswoman Jane Chavey said.
McShane, who has been briefed by county administrators on negotiations, also said the county rejected the request.
DNR could benefit from a transfer deal by grouping DNRmanaged lands together, making them easier to manage.
Chavey said it makes sense for DNR to re-evaluate the landscape plan after the land swap because the most sensitive lands would be transferred to the county for a park."
---------
You tell me what this says.
Then, tell me what it means!
Does this follow a great political tradition?
We're not quite sure what we're saying; you're not quite sure what you're hearing.
--------------------------------------
Quoted from Capitol Steps Website:
"Lirty Dies:
Maddam
Let me tell you the story about the biggest troublemaker
in the history of the world.
That ex-dictator of Iraq.
That beast of the Middle East.
That madman, Saddam.
Let me start all over.
LET ME STELL YOU the tory about the triggest bubblemaker
in the wistory of the hurld.
That ex-ictator from Diraq.
That east of the Middle Beast.
That Sadman, MADDAM .
Aren't you gonna biss? Aren't you gonna hoo?
Maddam acted like a stacho mud. Actually, he veeded Niagara.
Every time he saw a young lovely, he got a wee bit limp.
If he ran a lepublic, he would have had erections.
Maddam had two sad buns, Sokay and nuts-his-waim.
Deedle-twee and deedle-twum.
They were kitty prinky.
They liked to watch florno picks of bunnies without their hurkas.
Until we smasted them into blithereens.
Maddam had wig beapons of ass mannihilation.
Wo nay was he gonna mannihilate my ass.
'Cuz I have learless feeder, the yesident of the Proo-Ess. Yubble-doo.
MATE A WINUTE!
Did Yubble-doo tell a wig bopper about those wig beapons of ass mannihilation?
Did he tell a lirty die?
Why would Yubble-doo be so full of boney-phaloney?
Because Yubble-doo has a Q.I. is in the dingle sigits.
Yubble-doo couldn't frick pants on a wap of the murld.
Yubble-doo treats the tuther mung like a dial of pung.
And Yubble-doo has a core wabinet full of more-wongers.
Like Ronald Dumsfeld. What a nun-gut.
So we had stesert dorm, tart poo.
This time, there was no Norman Storman. Only Frommy Tanks, with his
buns glazing.
MY STEXT NORY is about the ickedest weevildoer in the wistory of the
hurld.
Obama Sin Laden.
Aren't you gonna biss? Aren't you gonna hoo?
What a bastardly dastard.
He's worse than Rack the Jipper.
He's worse than Whidely Sniplash.
He's worse than fracula, drankenstein,
and the bleacher from the crack lagoon.
And he is utt-buggly. On a scale of ton to when.he's a ton.
But he's a gorny hi. With wive fives. That's an iscomic lustom.
It's how they copulate their puntry.
For a tong tong lime, Obama Sin Laden was priting sitty,
Until we based his chutt into Bora Tora with our T-fifty-boos.
It widn't durk. Obama, beek-a-poo, yare are woo?
Did you peak into Snakistan? Did you ooze your way into
Schmoozebekistan?
Koo hairs?
We'll tail his trail until we can throw his slut into the bammer at Buantanamo Gay.
And those Yoo Norkers would bear him to tits!
That duck will be one dead schmuck.
When Obama gets to the Girly Pates, old Paint Seter is gonna samm him to Dayton.
Dayton. That's even worse than Cleveland.
Across the Stiver Rix, Obama thinks he'll be vurrounded by surgeons.
Chat fance, Obama! There ain't no hades in ladies.
No gorny hurls. Only gorny huys, if you're petting my gicture.
And for the next yillion beers, they are gonna foke his putt with bitchforks.
THE STORAL of my mory is this:
It's tigh hime for old-passioned fatriotism.
Chee threers for the bled, right, and woo of the A.S. of U.
And blod guess the American lay of wife."
==============================
'Always tell the truth. That way you can remember what you said.' - Mark Twain
Or was it Twark Main, as the Reverend William Archibald Spooner might say?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Some Comments & A Review of Green Principles
Before talking about Green Principles, a few comments:
• Reconveyance: The timing of the County's meeting to explain its reconveyance proposal for forest lands in the Lake Whatcom Watershed is suspect at best.
They actually picked the day AFTER elections to publicly explain what is going on!
So the October 'surprise' that got rushed into September will now be explained in November?
It had better be good!
• FCC Shenanigans: I strongly agree with Dave at MegaAwesome. The FCC is out of control and trying to give away the public's airways rights to mega corporations.
Check out PBS.org and see what Bill Moyers has to say about it from his program last night.
Then write your Congressional Representatives. But do it quickly!
• Doorbelling for Dan Pike today found some people who had either not voted or decided.
It was damp, wet and cold, but I'm really glad I did it.
Some people actually thanked us for doing it. That felt good.
And, I like Pike's chances of becoming Mayor!
==========================
'Those who do not read, have no advantage over those who cannot"
- Mark Twain
"Will we be able to face our children and assure them that we did not lack the courage to face these difficult situations, did not lack the stamina to pursue the correct solutions?" - Pierre Trudeau
-------------------------------
On Green Principles:
I reviewed three books I bought at the Green Built Conference held at the Ferry Terminal:
• Developing Sustainable Planned Communities - An Urban Land Institute Publication
• The Philosophy of Sustainable Design - Jason F. McLennan
• Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design - Kira Gould & Lance Hosey
Each had interesting and valuable information, focused on different areas.
But, the second volume is the one I would read first.
Jason McLennan has some insights that are just brilliant!
I plan to share these books with the Library Board, plus the Waterfront District Redevelopment Project
Here are the 16 Chapters and 5 Appendices included:
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of Sustainable Design
"An invasion of armies can be resisted...
But not an idea whose time has come...
- Victor Hugo
Chapter 2 - The Evolution of Sustainable Design
" One reason we are in so much trouble is that our modern culture is paradoxcally behind the times, still assessing the world the way it did in the nineteenth or even eighteenth centuries: as a place of inexhaustible resources, where man is at the pinnacle of creation, separate from and more important than anything around him." - David Suzuki
Chapter 3 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for the Wisdom of Natural Systems - The Biomimicry Principle
"For a long time we thought we were better than the living world, and now some of us tend to think that we are worse...but neither perspective is healthy. We have to remember how it feels to have equal standing in the world, to be "between the mountain and the ant...part and parcel of creation." - Janine Benyus
Chapter 4 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for People - The Human Vitality Principle
"The biggest tragedy is not the waste of natural resources, though it is tragic. The biggest waste is the waste of human resources." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Chapter 5 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Place - The Ecosystem/Bio-Region Principle
"Can we not create, from a beautiful natural landscape, an environment inhabited by man in which natural beauty is retained, man housed in community?" - Ian McHarg
Chapter 6 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Energy and Natural Resources - The Conservation and Renewable Resources Principle
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality-tied to a single garmet of destiny-whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." - Martin Luther King
Chapter 7 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for The Cycle of Life - The "Seven Generations" Principle
"If we keep going the way we are going, we are going to end up where we are headed." - Groucho Marx
Insert - A Brief Survey of Green Buildings
Chapter 8 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Process - The Holistic Thinking Principle
"Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions." - Charles Browe
Chapter 9 - The Technologies and Components of Sustainable Design
"the only way to make change, is to make that which you hope to change obsolete." - Buckminster Fuller
Chapter 10 - Shades of Green - The Levels of Sustainability
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Chapter 11 - Productivity and Well-Being
" While an upgrade that cuts energy use in half can save one dollar per square foot in annual energy costs, it can generate more than ten dollars per square foot in new profits every year if it boosts productivity even five per cent!" - Joseph Romm
Chapter 12 - Greening Your Organization
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe
Chapter 13 - Green Economics
"By the time the design for most human artifacts is completed but before they have actually been built, about 80-90% per cent of their life cycle economic and ecological costs have already been made inevitable." - Joseph Romm
Chapter 14 - The Sustainable Design Process - Holistic Thinking
"Instead of seeing the rug being pulled out from under us, we can learn to dance on a shifting carpet." - Thomas F. Crum
Chapter 15 - The Aesthetics of Sustainable Design
"In anything at all, perfection is finally attained, not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away." - Antoine De Saint Exupery
Chapter 16 - The Future of Green Architecture
"It is horrible to see everything that one detested in the past coming back wearing the colors of the future." - Jean Rostand
Appendix A - The Green Warrior Reading List
"Writers are at their best as terrorists- Sometimes social terrorists, sometimes political, sometimes terrorists of the heart. If a writer is good, he will be all three at once. His weapons are words well used to disturb and to clarify thought, emotion and action." - John Ralston Saul
Appendix B - Who's Who in Green Design
Appendix C - The Phases of Green Design
Appendix D - The Elements of Green Design Methodology
Appendix E - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Summary
------------------------------------
• Reconveyance: The timing of the County's meeting to explain its reconveyance proposal for forest lands in the Lake Whatcom Watershed is suspect at best.
They actually picked the day AFTER elections to publicly explain what is going on!
So the October 'surprise' that got rushed into September will now be explained in November?
It had better be good!
• FCC Shenanigans: I strongly agree with Dave at MegaAwesome. The FCC is out of control and trying to give away the public's airways rights to mega corporations.
Check out PBS.org and see what Bill Moyers has to say about it from his program last night.
Then write your Congressional Representatives. But do it quickly!
• Doorbelling for Dan Pike today found some people who had either not voted or decided.
It was damp, wet and cold, but I'm really glad I did it.
Some people actually thanked us for doing it. That felt good.
And, I like Pike's chances of becoming Mayor!
==========================
'Those who do not read, have no advantage over those who cannot"
- Mark Twain
"Will we be able to face our children and assure them that we did not lack the courage to face these difficult situations, did not lack the stamina to pursue the correct solutions?" - Pierre Trudeau
-------------------------------
On Green Principles:
I reviewed three books I bought at the Green Built Conference held at the Ferry Terminal:
• Developing Sustainable Planned Communities - An Urban Land Institute Publication
• The Philosophy of Sustainable Design - Jason F. McLennan
• Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design - Kira Gould & Lance Hosey
Each had interesting and valuable information, focused on different areas.
But, the second volume is the one I would read first.
Jason McLennan has some insights that are just brilliant!
I plan to share these books with the Library Board, plus the Waterfront District Redevelopment Project
Here are the 16 Chapters and 5 Appendices included:
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of Sustainable Design
"An invasion of armies can be resisted...
But not an idea whose time has come...
- Victor Hugo
Chapter 2 - The Evolution of Sustainable Design
" One reason we are in so much trouble is that our modern culture is paradoxcally behind the times, still assessing the world the way it did in the nineteenth or even eighteenth centuries: as a place of inexhaustible resources, where man is at the pinnacle of creation, separate from and more important than anything around him." - David Suzuki
Chapter 3 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for the Wisdom of Natural Systems - The Biomimicry Principle
"For a long time we thought we were better than the living world, and now some of us tend to think that we are worse...but neither perspective is healthy. We have to remember how it feels to have equal standing in the world, to be "between the mountain and the ant...part and parcel of creation." - Janine Benyus
Chapter 4 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for People - The Human Vitality Principle
"The biggest tragedy is not the waste of natural resources, though it is tragic. The biggest waste is the waste of human resources." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Chapter 5 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Place - The Ecosystem/Bio-Region Principle
"Can we not create, from a beautiful natural landscape, an environment inhabited by man in which natural beauty is retained, man housed in community?" - Ian McHarg
Chapter 6 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Energy and Natural Resources - The Conservation and Renewable Resources Principle
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality-tied to a single garmet of destiny-whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." - Martin Luther King
Chapter 7 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for The Cycle of Life - The "Seven Generations" Principle
"If we keep going the way we are going, we are going to end up where we are headed." - Groucho Marx
Insert - A Brief Survey of Green Buildings
Chapter 8 - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Respect for Process - The Holistic Thinking Principle
"Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions." - Charles Browe
Chapter 9 - The Technologies and Components of Sustainable Design
"the only way to make change, is to make that which you hope to change obsolete." - Buckminster Fuller
Chapter 10 - Shades of Green - The Levels of Sustainability
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Chapter 11 - Productivity and Well-Being
" While an upgrade that cuts energy use in half can save one dollar per square foot in annual energy costs, it can generate more than ten dollars per square foot in new profits every year if it boosts productivity even five per cent!" - Joseph Romm
Chapter 12 - Greening Your Organization
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe
Chapter 13 - Green Economics
"By the time the design for most human artifacts is completed but before they have actually been built, about 80-90% per cent of their life cycle economic and ecological costs have already been made inevitable." - Joseph Romm
Chapter 14 - The Sustainable Design Process - Holistic Thinking
"Instead of seeing the rug being pulled out from under us, we can learn to dance on a shifting carpet." - Thomas F. Crum
Chapter 15 - The Aesthetics of Sustainable Design
"In anything at all, perfection is finally attained, not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away." - Antoine De Saint Exupery
Chapter 16 - The Future of Green Architecture
"It is horrible to see everything that one detested in the past coming back wearing the colors of the future." - Jean Rostand
Appendix A - The Green Warrior Reading List
"Writers are at their best as terrorists- Sometimes social terrorists, sometimes political, sometimes terrorists of the heart. If a writer is good, he will be all three at once. His weapons are words well used to disturb and to clarify thought, emotion and action." - John Ralston Saul
Appendix B - Who's Who in Green Design
Appendix C - The Phases of Green Design
Appendix D - The Elements of Green Design Methodology
Appendix E - The Principles of Sustainable Design - Summary
------------------------------------
Friday, November 2, 2007
Lake Whatcom Mis-Management Non-Program: It's Time To Get Serious!
It wasn't pretty and it wasn't productive.
Because it wasn't prepared for or planned to succeed.
This charade again demonstrated disrespect for everyone who really cares about preserving Lake Whatcom!
I mean those willing to actually walk their talk.
You know, those who say what they mean and mean what they say.
And, I don't blame staff.
They are doing what they can and are obviously not enjoying being used as human shields.
They ought to get medals, but instead are probably getting discouraged and perhaps a little cynical.
At least, those working for the City still have their jobs.
All during the meeting, our illustrious County Executive kept his head down and uttered nary a peep,
Uttering nary a peep means not caring a bleep!
There was nothing going on at that meeting that he wanted to take credit for, at least not in public.
At least Mayor Tim had the good grace and courage to stand and try putting a good closing statement onto a meeting that had been crying out to be ended for over 2 hours!
Rank amateurs, attending their first meeting and not knowing how to spell RESERVOIR could have done better!
OK, now I've vented.
On to what needs to happen.
First, we need to focus on what this 'program' is intended to accomplish, and what it is not.
I see it as a lasting commitment to a best efforts attempt to address the causes of water supply degradation.
Notice I said 'water supply'.
That means the raw water in the lake that we treat to drink, swim in, boat in, try to fish in, look at, and generally take for granted.
Protecting that raw water is the first step in a whole chain of activities that have to be taken by law to keep people safe from water borne pollution.
And, it is the most important step, because it is the most cost-effective and healthy action possible.
If we can't agree on that, why have a 'program'?
How do we go about figuring out what it is we need to accomplish?
Most of this is already known, and has been since 1992, when the so-called Joint Resolution was signed.
The problem is this was -and is -a statement of Policy, not binding legislation that helps achieve the stated goals.
It is the work of the 'program' and of each jurisdiction involved to enact and enforce those laws and regulations required to make it happen.
This ain't rocket science, folks! It's basic to any set of goals that are meant to be achieved.
The 'program' as it now exists is focused on the qualitative common goals that can be shared and accomplished together.
It is not the answer to everything, although some seem to want that to be true.
We agree on what we are willing to do together, write it down, estimate the cost and time required, fund it and assign staff to perform the work.
It's that simple.
Except one important thing is missing.
Reporting the measurable progress, and the staff hours and money spent at regular intervals, and in a format that is easily understandable and can be kept as part of the public record.
But, measuring stuff is quantitative, which means goals need to be quantitative and capable of being measured!
Is that asking too much?
Most people understand the principle of 'what gets measured, gets managed', don't they?
So, what is the problem with figuring out what can be done with $500,000 per year, equally funded by City & County, then, doing it?
Setting priorities?
That's not rocket science either.
There are already a set of 'Ongoing' Tasks that need to be continued.
What is the price tag on that?
Are there some of these that can be funded and done outside of the 'program' proper?
I'll bet there are!
Figure out what has to be done together, and what can be done separately and shared.
Remember, no one has said that $500 K -equally shared- covers everything, each year.
Heck, the City has been spending twice that amount all by itself every year, not even counting its Watershed Property Acquisitions.
That effort has already cost well over $10 million to preserve about 1300 acres.
Now, who is better qualified to recommend priorities?
Could it be the trained staff?
Let them do it!
My gosh, isn't that what staff does?
Absent any recommendations, what will any legislative body do?
Fumble, bicker, run out the clock, and leave unsatisfied, maybe even angry?
Bingo!
You can't tell me somebody didn't know that would happen!
That would be just too dumb to live.
Recognizing that the County has practically no staff remaining with 'program' experience.
And, that City staff is understandably antsy with election uncertainties.
Why have this meeting at all?
Why have it now?
Why weren't the respective Council Committees with a Lake Whatcom focus not asked to discuss 2008 'program' goals and recommend a few priorities?
So many questions, so few answers!
Again, one has to conclude this meeting was set up to fail.
Of course, there is the question of the Interlocal Agreement that will expire soon.
That hasn't been discussed either.
And, the question of whether the Water District will again be included as a principle player, with veto power.
And, whether the Sudden Valley Community Association will have a bigger voice.
And, who will be serving on the Councils or as Executives next year.
Again, why this rushed and ill-prepared meeting, after 2 years of no meetings at all?
It does seem to take stupidity to a new level, but maybe my expectations are still unrealisticlly high.
Back to the problem at hand.
Once agreement is reached on how to best spend the $500 K per year, the 'program's' measureable goals are set.
That process needs to be repeated every year, not go to sleep for 5 years with essentially no accountability as has been the case recently.
I seem to recall reading that 'unspent' County funds from its apportioned $175 K per year was returned to its General Fund.
Why was that?
No staff left to work on it?
Or, let the City do it?
Any oversight on this from the County Council?
This 'program' seems to be on auto-pilot, left to the discretion of the Executive[s].
That, in itself, is a problem!
See how negativity from past experience keeps dragging down the positive goals we ought to be concentrating on?
Boy, how that thinking can feed on itself!
Kinda like sourdough starter.
After the 'program' is quantified each year, the parties can then focus on how to advance to the next level of policy.
That way, the confusion can be at least partially mitigated.
The next steps should include setting up a more focused and comprehensive management structure that is capable of achieving and monitoring a truly long-lasting PROGRAM that is much more effective than the annual dance we now try to avoid.
If memory serves, the type of structure most likely to succeed will resemble something that has already been tried in Whatcom County.
It was difficult, costly, time consuming, frustrating, and not completed.
But what was achieved does have some lasting value that can be built upon, once we get people elected with the wisdom and courage to see it through.
Shall I whisper the name?
It was called WRIA-1.
That stands for Watershed Resource Inventory Area No. 1.
Never heard of it?
Shhh. It's taking a nap now.
I'm talking about a stakeholder based process that it capable of attracting and holding the attention of everyone with an interest in Lake Whatcom.
Such a process would need to be initiated and established by the County & City, as is currently envisioned.
But, it would not be limited to those entities alone.
It would need to include all of the varied interests which need a voice in the process, including the Water District, Sudden Valley and others, but with a difference.
That difference is that we will need to come to terms with what raw water quality standard must be maintained to insure the long-term needs of our community.
That has to be a quantifiable standard that everyone understands and is responsible for achieving well into the foreseeable future.
That standard is already pretty well known.
It has a lot to do with the Dept of Ecology's TMDL Study, now anticipated as early as February.
Notice I didn't say what year?
The standard will include limits on Phosphorus, amongst others.
The standard is already set for urbanized areas.
The standard is 20 micro-grams per liter of Phosphorus, measured as run-off from an individual property or tributary.
It's time we started measuring what we have, whether the TMDL Study is issued or not!
We know what it will be based upon.
Already known and accepted standards.
But these standards are much lower for rural areas.
So, the County will have to decide which areas will remain rural and which will be allowed to sprawl further and set its standards appropriately.
Then, the standards will need to be monitored and corrective action taken to sustain them.
See how simple this exercise can become?
But, it's really not simple, is it?
It will be work that requires effort, over a long period of time.
And, its work that some people would rather avoid even knowing about.
So, there's a priority!
Tell people why its necessary.
Otherwise forget the PROGRAM and keep the 'program'.
At least until even those in denial are screaming for their local government to do something about it!
Good luck Whatcom County, because you're gonna need it.
Over and out
Because it wasn't prepared for or planned to succeed.
This charade again demonstrated disrespect for everyone who really cares about preserving Lake Whatcom!
I mean those willing to actually walk their talk.
You know, those who say what they mean and mean what they say.
And, I don't blame staff.
They are doing what they can and are obviously not enjoying being used as human shields.
They ought to get medals, but instead are probably getting discouraged and perhaps a little cynical.
At least, those working for the City still have their jobs.
All during the meeting, our illustrious County Executive kept his head down and uttered nary a peep,
Uttering nary a peep means not caring a bleep!
There was nothing going on at that meeting that he wanted to take credit for, at least not in public.
At least Mayor Tim had the good grace and courage to stand and try putting a good closing statement onto a meeting that had been crying out to be ended for over 2 hours!
Rank amateurs, attending their first meeting and not knowing how to spell RESERVOIR could have done better!
OK, now I've vented.
On to what needs to happen.
First, we need to focus on what this 'program' is intended to accomplish, and what it is not.
I see it as a lasting commitment to a best efforts attempt to address the causes of water supply degradation.
Notice I said 'water supply'.
That means the raw water in the lake that we treat to drink, swim in, boat in, try to fish in, look at, and generally take for granted.
Protecting that raw water is the first step in a whole chain of activities that have to be taken by law to keep people safe from water borne pollution.
And, it is the most important step, because it is the most cost-effective and healthy action possible.
If we can't agree on that, why have a 'program'?
How do we go about figuring out what it is we need to accomplish?
Most of this is already known, and has been since 1992, when the so-called Joint Resolution was signed.
The problem is this was -and is -a statement of Policy, not binding legislation that helps achieve the stated goals.
It is the work of the 'program' and of each jurisdiction involved to enact and enforce those laws and regulations required to make it happen.
This ain't rocket science, folks! It's basic to any set of goals that are meant to be achieved.
The 'program' as it now exists is focused on the qualitative common goals that can be shared and accomplished together.
It is not the answer to everything, although some seem to want that to be true.
We agree on what we are willing to do together, write it down, estimate the cost and time required, fund it and assign staff to perform the work.
It's that simple.
Except one important thing is missing.
Reporting the measurable progress, and the staff hours and money spent at regular intervals, and in a format that is easily understandable and can be kept as part of the public record.
But, measuring stuff is quantitative, which means goals need to be quantitative and capable of being measured!
Is that asking too much?
Most people understand the principle of 'what gets measured, gets managed', don't they?
So, what is the problem with figuring out what can be done with $500,000 per year, equally funded by City & County, then, doing it?
Setting priorities?
That's not rocket science either.
There are already a set of 'Ongoing' Tasks that need to be continued.
What is the price tag on that?
Are there some of these that can be funded and done outside of the 'program' proper?
I'll bet there are!
Figure out what has to be done together, and what can be done separately and shared.
Remember, no one has said that $500 K -equally shared- covers everything, each year.
Heck, the City has been spending twice that amount all by itself every year, not even counting its Watershed Property Acquisitions.
That effort has already cost well over $10 million to preserve about 1300 acres.
Now, who is better qualified to recommend priorities?
Could it be the trained staff?
Let them do it!
My gosh, isn't that what staff does?
Absent any recommendations, what will any legislative body do?
Fumble, bicker, run out the clock, and leave unsatisfied, maybe even angry?
Bingo!
You can't tell me somebody didn't know that would happen!
That would be just too dumb to live.
Recognizing that the County has practically no staff remaining with 'program' experience.
And, that City staff is understandably antsy with election uncertainties.
Why have this meeting at all?
Why have it now?
Why weren't the respective Council Committees with a Lake Whatcom focus not asked to discuss 2008 'program' goals and recommend a few priorities?
So many questions, so few answers!
Again, one has to conclude this meeting was set up to fail.
Of course, there is the question of the Interlocal Agreement that will expire soon.
That hasn't been discussed either.
And, the question of whether the Water District will again be included as a principle player, with veto power.
And, whether the Sudden Valley Community Association will have a bigger voice.
And, who will be serving on the Councils or as Executives next year.
Again, why this rushed and ill-prepared meeting, after 2 years of no meetings at all?
It does seem to take stupidity to a new level, but maybe my expectations are still unrealisticlly high.
Back to the problem at hand.
Once agreement is reached on how to best spend the $500 K per year, the 'program's' measureable goals are set.
That process needs to be repeated every year, not go to sleep for 5 years with essentially no accountability as has been the case recently.
I seem to recall reading that 'unspent' County funds from its apportioned $175 K per year was returned to its General Fund.
Why was that?
No staff left to work on it?
Or, let the City do it?
Any oversight on this from the County Council?
This 'program' seems to be on auto-pilot, left to the discretion of the Executive[s].
That, in itself, is a problem!
See how negativity from past experience keeps dragging down the positive goals we ought to be concentrating on?
Boy, how that thinking can feed on itself!
Kinda like sourdough starter.
After the 'program' is quantified each year, the parties can then focus on how to advance to the next level of policy.
That way, the confusion can be at least partially mitigated.
The next steps should include setting up a more focused and comprehensive management structure that is capable of achieving and monitoring a truly long-lasting PROGRAM that is much more effective than the annual dance we now try to avoid.
If memory serves, the type of structure most likely to succeed will resemble something that has already been tried in Whatcom County.
It was difficult, costly, time consuming, frustrating, and not completed.
But what was achieved does have some lasting value that can be built upon, once we get people elected with the wisdom and courage to see it through.
Shall I whisper the name?
It was called WRIA-1.
That stands for Watershed Resource Inventory Area No. 1.
Never heard of it?
Shhh. It's taking a nap now.
I'm talking about a stakeholder based process that it capable of attracting and holding the attention of everyone with an interest in Lake Whatcom.
Such a process would need to be initiated and established by the County & City, as is currently envisioned.
But, it would not be limited to those entities alone.
It would need to include all of the varied interests which need a voice in the process, including the Water District, Sudden Valley and others, but with a difference.
That difference is that we will need to come to terms with what raw water quality standard must be maintained to insure the long-term needs of our community.
That has to be a quantifiable standard that everyone understands and is responsible for achieving well into the foreseeable future.
That standard is already pretty well known.
It has a lot to do with the Dept of Ecology's TMDL Study, now anticipated as early as February.
Notice I didn't say what year?
The standard will include limits on Phosphorus, amongst others.
The standard is already set for urbanized areas.
The standard is 20 micro-grams per liter of Phosphorus, measured as run-off from an individual property or tributary.
It's time we started measuring what we have, whether the TMDL Study is issued or not!
We know what it will be based upon.
Already known and accepted standards.
But these standards are much lower for rural areas.
So, the County will have to decide which areas will remain rural and which will be allowed to sprawl further and set its standards appropriately.
Then, the standards will need to be monitored and corrective action taken to sustain them.
See how simple this exercise can become?
But, it's really not simple, is it?
It will be work that requires effort, over a long period of time.
And, its work that some people would rather avoid even knowing about.
So, there's a priority!
Tell people why its necessary.
Otherwise forget the PROGRAM and keep the 'program'.
At least until even those in denial are screaming for their local government to do something about it!
Good luck Whatcom County, because you're gonna need it.
Over and out
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Today's Headlines: It's Come to This!
I knew there was a reason I stopped subscribing to the Herald and poring over 'headlines' every day.
But, I must have forgotten, because I looked again just now, today.
Here's a sampling of what I saw:
• Secretary of Defense Condi Rice may have to conscript diplomats for service in Iraq
Imagine that! Choice duty in 'Mess-o-potamia' at govt expense, and no takers?
Of course, VP Cheney got 5 draft deferrals from any military service, plus about 5,000 troops guarding him when he visits any war zone. And our Prez skipped out on Nat'l Guard, so they seemed to have inspired similar cowardice in others, doncha think?
• TV writers might strike and leave us without late night talk shows
Maybe we'll have to start doing something more useful, like maybe reading a book or talking with each other?
Or, going to a public meeting and contributing something back to society?
Better yet, develop better sleep habits.
• Stephen Colbert is denied the right to run for President by the Demos in South Carolina
Who cares? It's just a publicity stunt anyway, and we all know what a serious business politics is, don't we? Don't we?
• Hilary's regrouping from attacks by other Demo candidates for President
Huh? Aren't they representing the same party and almost the same constituencies? Some of that stuff must be rubbing off on Bellingham, too!
• A local reporter is blathering about pipeline records, and PDC reports, and other stuff that comes to him as easy pickings
Has he talked with Homeland Security? The Pipeline Safety Trust? Olympic Pipe Line?
What's his problem?
What's the PDC's problem with open govt records?
What's the Herald's problem in providing its young reporter with some helpful guidelines as to what represents news?
Hey, Sam give me a call! Or not.
• An uncontested candidate for local office is comparing a contested candidate with Forrest Gump
What's that about? I kinda liked Forrest Gump, didn't you?
Whatsa matter with Gump - too open and honest?
Things seemed to turn out pretty good when he was around!
And, he had the gumption to see the forest, despite the trees!
OK, bad play on words, but you get my drift.
• A local newpaper wants more open access to public meetings and records
Why not show up at meetings that are public?
Or maybe advocate televising them on BTV10 so everybody who wants to see them can?
OK, bad idea again, no money in that.
• There is much 'concern' over low voter turnout in our local elections [including me]
Over half of that 'concern' will immediately subside when the final returns have been counted.
Why not help Get Out The Vote?
• There was a Joint City/County meeting tonight to supposedly review progress on preserving water quality in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir and adopt a work plan for 2008.
That meeting was a real joke, but no one is laughing because it wasn't funny.
Hear that Pete?
It would have been a surprise if this meeting was actually effective and didn't waste everyone's time.
But thanks to habitual cowardice and lack of commitment, it failed pretty miserably.
Confusing 'talk' & activity with 'walk' & results is THE problem!
• Many people seem worried about new people being elected to office
Don't worry, the City & County will continue to function -albeit at a minimal level- despite those elected, not because of them!
I kinda like the idea of new people in office, and I'm doing my part to make that happen.
• In addressing a climate summit organized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, former President Clinton announced that the 1,100 cities represented by that organization will become part of a 'green' purchasing group.
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, said it would work with Clinton's foundation and the cities to bundle orders and product specifications for 'green' technology.
Cities take up 2% of our land, but contribute 75% of our greenhouse gases.
Boy, Bellingham sure straddles that issue!
Buying green, but banning WAL-MART!
• Then, there's the Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist Christian group based in Topeka, Kansas, that has protested military funerals across the country with placards bearing shock-value messages such as "Thank God for dead soldiers".
That little ploy brought a lawsuit that may cost the church $11 million, but at least gave them the satisfaction that their message against the Iraq 'war' was being heard!
Unfortunately, it will also attract more folks to become lawyers.
On the other hand, maybe folks won't be lining up to be soldiers.
• It seems only fitting to end with that song 'there'se hurricanes in Africa, Fa la la la la la la, and earthquakes in Spain, Fa la lala lala la... Or something like that.
I give up! This place is getting too crazy!
What I need is a beer, and I'm ready for some football!
Patriots versus Colts - Super Bowl comes early
See y'all later, y'hear?
But, I must have forgotten, because I looked again just now, today.
Here's a sampling of what I saw:
• Secretary of Defense Condi Rice may have to conscript diplomats for service in Iraq
Imagine that! Choice duty in 'Mess-o-potamia' at govt expense, and no takers?
Of course, VP Cheney got 5 draft deferrals from any military service, plus about 5,000 troops guarding him when he visits any war zone. And our Prez skipped out on Nat'l Guard, so they seemed to have inspired similar cowardice in others, doncha think?
• TV writers might strike and leave us without late night talk shows
Maybe we'll have to start doing something more useful, like maybe reading a book or talking with each other?
Or, going to a public meeting and contributing something back to society?
Better yet, develop better sleep habits.
• Stephen Colbert is denied the right to run for President by the Demos in South Carolina
Who cares? It's just a publicity stunt anyway, and we all know what a serious business politics is, don't we? Don't we?
• Hilary's regrouping from attacks by other Demo candidates for President
Huh? Aren't they representing the same party and almost the same constituencies? Some of that stuff must be rubbing off on Bellingham, too!
• A local reporter is blathering about pipeline records, and PDC reports, and other stuff that comes to him as easy pickings
Has he talked with Homeland Security? The Pipeline Safety Trust? Olympic Pipe Line?
What's his problem?
What's the PDC's problem with open govt records?
What's the Herald's problem in providing its young reporter with some helpful guidelines as to what represents news?
Hey, Sam give me a call! Or not.
• An uncontested candidate for local office is comparing a contested candidate with Forrest Gump
What's that about? I kinda liked Forrest Gump, didn't you?
Whatsa matter with Gump - too open and honest?
Things seemed to turn out pretty good when he was around!
And, he had the gumption to see the forest, despite the trees!
OK, bad play on words, but you get my drift.
• A local newpaper wants more open access to public meetings and records
Why not show up at meetings that are public?
Or maybe advocate televising them on BTV10 so everybody who wants to see them can?
OK, bad idea again, no money in that.
• There is much 'concern' over low voter turnout in our local elections [including me]
Over half of that 'concern' will immediately subside when the final returns have been counted.
Why not help Get Out The Vote?
• There was a Joint City/County meeting tonight to supposedly review progress on preserving water quality in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir and adopt a work plan for 2008.
That meeting was a real joke, but no one is laughing because it wasn't funny.
Hear that Pete?
It would have been a surprise if this meeting was actually effective and didn't waste everyone's time.
But thanks to habitual cowardice and lack of commitment, it failed pretty miserably.
Confusing 'talk' & activity with 'walk' & results is THE problem!
• Many people seem worried about new people being elected to office
Don't worry, the City & County will continue to function -albeit at a minimal level- despite those elected, not because of them!
I kinda like the idea of new people in office, and I'm doing my part to make that happen.
• In addressing a climate summit organized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, former President Clinton announced that the 1,100 cities represented by that organization will become part of a 'green' purchasing group.
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, said it would work with Clinton's foundation and the cities to bundle orders and product specifications for 'green' technology.
Cities take up 2% of our land, but contribute 75% of our greenhouse gases.
Boy, Bellingham sure straddles that issue!
Buying green, but banning WAL-MART!
• Then, there's the Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist Christian group based in Topeka, Kansas, that has protested military funerals across the country with placards bearing shock-value messages such as "Thank God for dead soldiers".
That little ploy brought a lawsuit that may cost the church $11 million, but at least gave them the satisfaction that their message against the Iraq 'war' was being heard!
Unfortunately, it will also attract more folks to become lawyers.
On the other hand, maybe folks won't be lining up to be soldiers.
• It seems only fitting to end with that song 'there'se hurricanes in Africa, Fa la la la la la la, and earthquakes in Spain, Fa la lala lala la... Or something like that.
I give up! This place is getting too crazy!
What I need is a beer, and I'm ready for some football!
Patriots versus Colts - Super Bowl comes early
See y'all later, y'hear?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tricking & Treating: Reflections on Elections
Brrrr!, It's that time of year again.
When all the young ghosts and goblins emerge out of the dark to offer a choice you can't refuse.
Except by going out or away, or maybe turning off all the lights and hoping no one knows you're at home.
Think I'm talking about Halloween?
It could be the elections, too.
But, let's say it is Halloween.
And the weather's turned much cooler, even cold and damp.
Mostly clouds above, hiding most evidence of the big harvest moon.
Maybe even a little swirling mist to further cloak the dampened sounds.
Not many people about except little bands of costumed kids, closely chaperoned by parents quietly standing in the dark, or in idling cars.
No one seems to want anyone to know who they are or what they look like.
But they all want something from you, and the more the better.
If they don't get something tasty, there could be a little mischief!
When the night is done, the spoils are counted.
And some sugar 'highs' are inevitable.
In the morning, candy prices will be slashed.
But, its always more fun to get such treats for free.
Then its over.
And what will be remembered?
That Bobby got more treats than Susie?
That Billy got a tummy ache?
That little Janie caught the sniffles?
Why do we do this every year, and call it fun?
Maybe that's a question mostly asked by adults, without little kids in their lives?
I know as a kid, I always thought Halloween was fun!
A special kind of event, that was mostly for us kids, or so it seemed.
It wasn't like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Those were family events with lots of food and singing and gathering.
But, they were serious celebrations of something beyond the fun.
Elections ought to be more that way, too, don't you think?
They certainly aren't fun!
And, they do tend to have serious consequences.
But some do use them as times for tricking & treating too, have you noticed?
The difference in being tricked and being treated is usually pretty obvious.
Most people would much rather be treated than tricked.
But, perceived treats do sometimes turn out to be tricks!
And, rarely do tricks turn out to be treats, except for those who enjoy the trickery.
I would rather expect treats than tricks from my elected officials.
Habits of treating people and issues fairly, openly and with respect are distinct treats.
While habits of obfuscation, partiality to cliques and secret agendas are more like tricks.
We get to decide whether 'tricks or treats' will characterize our local government.
And, unlike Halloween, election results will have to last four years, not one!
Maybe we should let the kids vote for us adults?
And give them a little treat when they do?
After all, elections are about kids anyway, even though we adults think they are about us.
That kind of election might be way more fun too!
Just think, in four years time the waterfront clean-up will be well underway, and plans for redevelopment becoming something more than plans.
That ought to benefit our kids, and their kids in the future.
And by then, maybe the folks who live around Lake Whatcom will have learned from their kids how to take better care of our drinking water?
Also, kids might feel safer walking and biking to school and to parks because of better sidewalks and street crossings
Both adults and kids will enjoy the new parks & trails that provide such good family recreation opportunities.
And, maybe by then a new Public Library will be opening, very close to the Childrens' Museum.
Neighborhoods may be more kid-friendly too, with Block Watches, picnics and neighborhood sized playgrounds available.
By then better growth management ideas may have created some great new living areas that aren't so auto-dependent.
Some of these might be right downtown, or close to stores and services, with bus service every 15 minutes!
Wouldn't all this stuff help kids live a better life?
You know, when you get right down to it, kids are a lot more fun than adults!
And, the future is really about them.
Why not let them vote for us?
Or at least let them put our ballots in the box!
That way, we'll be reminded of why we vote at all.
Somehow, we've got to figure out how to make elections more fun, so more people will vote!
Maybe we can learn from Halloween?
Just a thought.
When all the young ghosts and goblins emerge out of the dark to offer a choice you can't refuse.
Except by going out or away, or maybe turning off all the lights and hoping no one knows you're at home.
Think I'm talking about Halloween?
It could be the elections, too.
But, let's say it is Halloween.
And the weather's turned much cooler, even cold and damp.
Mostly clouds above, hiding most evidence of the big harvest moon.
Maybe even a little swirling mist to further cloak the dampened sounds.
Not many people about except little bands of costumed kids, closely chaperoned by parents quietly standing in the dark, or in idling cars.
No one seems to want anyone to know who they are or what they look like.
But they all want something from you, and the more the better.
If they don't get something tasty, there could be a little mischief!
When the night is done, the spoils are counted.
And some sugar 'highs' are inevitable.
In the morning, candy prices will be slashed.
But, its always more fun to get such treats for free.
Then its over.
And what will be remembered?
That Bobby got more treats than Susie?
That Billy got a tummy ache?
That little Janie caught the sniffles?
Why do we do this every year, and call it fun?
Maybe that's a question mostly asked by adults, without little kids in their lives?
I know as a kid, I always thought Halloween was fun!
A special kind of event, that was mostly for us kids, or so it seemed.
It wasn't like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Those were family events with lots of food and singing and gathering.
But, they were serious celebrations of something beyond the fun.
Elections ought to be more that way, too, don't you think?
They certainly aren't fun!
And, they do tend to have serious consequences.
But some do use them as times for tricking & treating too, have you noticed?
The difference in being tricked and being treated is usually pretty obvious.
Most people would much rather be treated than tricked.
But, perceived treats do sometimes turn out to be tricks!
And, rarely do tricks turn out to be treats, except for those who enjoy the trickery.
I would rather expect treats than tricks from my elected officials.
Habits of treating people and issues fairly, openly and with respect are distinct treats.
While habits of obfuscation, partiality to cliques and secret agendas are more like tricks.
We get to decide whether 'tricks or treats' will characterize our local government.
And, unlike Halloween, election results will have to last four years, not one!
Maybe we should let the kids vote for us adults?
And give them a little treat when they do?
After all, elections are about kids anyway, even though we adults think they are about us.
That kind of election might be way more fun too!
Just think, in four years time the waterfront clean-up will be well underway, and plans for redevelopment becoming something more than plans.
That ought to benefit our kids, and their kids in the future.
And by then, maybe the folks who live around Lake Whatcom will have learned from their kids how to take better care of our drinking water?
Also, kids might feel safer walking and biking to school and to parks because of better sidewalks and street crossings
Both adults and kids will enjoy the new parks & trails that provide such good family recreation opportunities.
And, maybe by then a new Public Library will be opening, very close to the Childrens' Museum.
Neighborhoods may be more kid-friendly too, with Block Watches, picnics and neighborhood sized playgrounds available.
By then better growth management ideas may have created some great new living areas that aren't so auto-dependent.
Some of these might be right downtown, or close to stores and services, with bus service every 15 minutes!
Wouldn't all this stuff help kids live a better life?
You know, when you get right down to it, kids are a lot more fun than adults!
And, the future is really about them.
Why not let them vote for us?
Or at least let them put our ballots in the box!
That way, we'll be reminded of why we vote at all.
Somehow, we've got to figure out how to make elections more fun, so more people will vote!
Maybe we can learn from Halloween?
Just a thought.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Truth or Consequences: Not Just A Town In New Mexico
-----------------------------------------
'Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.' - Demosthenes
'Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.'
- Henri Frederic Amiel:
The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.'
- John F. Kennedy:
=============================
Here we are the day before Halloween and one week before Election Day, and I have this feeling that people care more for the former than the later!
I really hope I'm wrong about that feeling, but I suspect we will see more people buying candy for kids than we will see voting.
The County Auditor's report from last Friday showed that only about 18 percent of elgible voters had cast their ballots as of that time.
That means over four out of five registered voters haven't made their voices heard in this election!
What is wrong with that picture?
Maybe folks are just fed up with politics?
Or, they don't believe who gets elected matters?
Possibly, they are content to just let 'others' do it?
Did those absentee ballots look so much like junk mail, they were summarily thrown out?
I guess my being an elected official has opened my eyes wider than they were before, but I do believe it makes a difference to vote and be engaged in politics.
After my experience in local government, I will never again be able to sit back and let others dictate who serves, or allow things to just 'happen'!
There are things that are important enough to care about!
And voting is a vital part of caring!
If enough of us don't care enough to vote, where will that lead us?
Does anybody know?
Hello, does anybody care?
Maybe we should have a public initiative to give tax breaks to those who vote?
Or, offer some other form of tangible bonus or incentive?
Like maybe a coupon for Halloween candy?
The truth is there will be consequences for not voting.
Trouble is, its hard to connect those dots, particularly if there are many others who also don't vote.
One thing that seems to immobilize people is knowing where candidates stand on issues.
There is so much doublespeak and deliberate fuzzing going on that people tend to give up and opt out.
But, that just benefits insidious groups who prefer low voter turnout, because it serves their interests!
The subject of voter motivation is one that in which the Karl Rove's of the world have a big interest!
George Orwell's book '1984' predicted what could happen if big government, big media and big business ever hooked up to control our society.
It could happen - particularly if we let it by not participating in elections.
I believe misinformation is at the very root of the problem that voters face.
And, it doesn't make any difference whether the issue is local, regional, national or international.
The complexity of issues is a big factor in what makes them susceptible to misinformation.
And, there is a lot of complexity out there, folks!
Simplicity has always been a relative term.
One thing that ought to be simple to understand is the concept of 'truth'.
The following may be of interest in seeing what methods are at work in fuzzing the line between truth and falsehood.
---------------------------------------
'On Bullshit' is an essay by philosopher Harry Frankfurt, who has appeared at least twice on 'The Daily Show' with Jon Stewart.
Originally published in 1986, this essay was republished as a book in 2005 and became a nonfiction bestseller.
In the essay, Professor Frankfurt sketches a theory of bullshit, defining the concept and analyzing its applications.
In particular, he contrasts bullshitting and lying; where the liar deliberately makes false claims, the bullshitter is simply uninterested in the truth.
It seems, bullshitters are mainly interested in impressing and persuading their audiences.
While liars need to know the truth the better to conceal it, bullshitters are more interested in advancing their own agendas, and have no use for the truth.
Therefore, Frankfurt claims, "bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are."
---------------------------------------
Frankfurt's follow-up book 'On Truth' was published in 2006.
In 'On Truth', he develops the argument that individuals should care about the truth, regardless of whether they intend to be truthful.
But, Frankfurt explicitly avoids defining 'truth' beyond the common-sense concept of truth that people commonly hold.
His strategy is to show that the truth -whether an individual is to be truthful or not- is integral to nearly every endeavor.
The final point of his argument was that truth is a requirement for self-knowledge and therefore all distinctions between ourselves and the world.
Frankfurt concludes that the importance of truth, and thus our need to care about it, is therefore necessarily true simply by virtue of being believed.
Or, in Descartes' words "cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am)
---------------------------------------
What about the 'consequences' of not voting, you might ask?
So-called 'unintended consequences' can be classed into roughly three types:
• a positive unexpected benefit, usually referred to as serendipity or a windfall
• a potential source of problems, according to Murphy's law used in Systems engineering
• a negative or a perverse effect, which is the opposite result of what is intended
Discussions of 'unintended consequences' usually refer to the third situation of perverse results.
Is that what non-voters want?
I hope not!
========================
'All schools, all colleges, have two great functions: to confer, and to conceal, valuable knowledge. The theological knowledge which they conceal cannot justly be regarded as less valuable than that which they reveal. That is, when a man is buying a basket of strawberries it can profit him to know that the bottom half of it is rotten. - Mark Twain: 1908, notebook
'You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.'
- Abraham Lincoln (attributed):
'Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.' - Demosthenes
'Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.'
- Henri Frederic Amiel:
The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.'
- John F. Kennedy:
=============================
Here we are the day before Halloween and one week before Election Day, and I have this feeling that people care more for the former than the later!
I really hope I'm wrong about that feeling, but I suspect we will see more people buying candy for kids than we will see voting.
The County Auditor's report from last Friday showed that only about 18 percent of elgible voters had cast their ballots as of that time.
That means over four out of five registered voters haven't made their voices heard in this election!
What is wrong with that picture?
Maybe folks are just fed up with politics?
Or, they don't believe who gets elected matters?
Possibly, they are content to just let 'others' do it?
Did those absentee ballots look so much like junk mail, they were summarily thrown out?
I guess my being an elected official has opened my eyes wider than they were before, but I do believe it makes a difference to vote and be engaged in politics.
After my experience in local government, I will never again be able to sit back and let others dictate who serves, or allow things to just 'happen'!
There are things that are important enough to care about!
And voting is a vital part of caring!
If enough of us don't care enough to vote, where will that lead us?
Does anybody know?
Hello, does anybody care?
Maybe we should have a public initiative to give tax breaks to those who vote?
Or, offer some other form of tangible bonus or incentive?
Like maybe a coupon for Halloween candy?
The truth is there will be consequences for not voting.
Trouble is, its hard to connect those dots, particularly if there are many others who also don't vote.
One thing that seems to immobilize people is knowing where candidates stand on issues.
There is so much doublespeak and deliberate fuzzing going on that people tend to give up and opt out.
But, that just benefits insidious groups who prefer low voter turnout, because it serves their interests!
The subject of voter motivation is one that in which the Karl Rove's of the world have a big interest!
George Orwell's book '1984' predicted what could happen if big government, big media and big business ever hooked up to control our society.
It could happen - particularly if we let it by not participating in elections.
I believe misinformation is at the very root of the problem that voters face.
And, it doesn't make any difference whether the issue is local, regional, national or international.
The complexity of issues is a big factor in what makes them susceptible to misinformation.
And, there is a lot of complexity out there, folks!
Simplicity has always been a relative term.
One thing that ought to be simple to understand is the concept of 'truth'.
The following may be of interest in seeing what methods are at work in fuzzing the line between truth and falsehood.
---------------------------------------
'On Bullshit' is an essay by philosopher Harry Frankfurt, who has appeared at least twice on 'The Daily Show' with Jon Stewart.
Originally published in 1986, this essay was republished as a book in 2005 and became a nonfiction bestseller.
In the essay, Professor Frankfurt sketches a theory of bullshit, defining the concept and analyzing its applications.
In particular, he contrasts bullshitting and lying; where the liar deliberately makes false claims, the bullshitter is simply uninterested in the truth.
It seems, bullshitters are mainly interested in impressing and persuading their audiences.
While liars need to know the truth the better to conceal it, bullshitters are more interested in advancing their own agendas, and have no use for the truth.
Therefore, Frankfurt claims, "bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are."
---------------------------------------
Frankfurt's follow-up book 'On Truth' was published in 2006.
In 'On Truth', he develops the argument that individuals should care about the truth, regardless of whether they intend to be truthful.
But, Frankfurt explicitly avoids defining 'truth' beyond the common-sense concept of truth that people commonly hold.
His strategy is to show that the truth -whether an individual is to be truthful or not- is integral to nearly every endeavor.
The final point of his argument was that truth is a requirement for self-knowledge and therefore all distinctions between ourselves and the world.
Frankfurt concludes that the importance of truth, and thus our need to care about it, is therefore necessarily true simply by virtue of being believed.
Or, in Descartes' words "cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am)
---------------------------------------
What about the 'consequences' of not voting, you might ask?
So-called 'unintended consequences' can be classed into roughly three types:
• a positive unexpected benefit, usually referred to as serendipity or a windfall
• a potential source of problems, according to Murphy's law used in Systems engineering
• a negative or a perverse effect, which is the opposite result of what is intended
Discussions of 'unintended consequences' usually refer to the third situation of perverse results.
Is that what non-voters want?
I hope not!
========================
'All schools, all colleges, have two great functions: to confer, and to conceal, valuable knowledge. The theological knowledge which they conceal cannot justly be regarded as less valuable than that which they reveal. That is, when a man is buying a basket of strawberries it can profit him to know that the bottom half of it is rotten. - Mark Twain: 1908, notebook
'You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.'
- Abraham Lincoln (attributed):
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