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The Last Word by Lary Coppola
Thoughts on the primary election results… What now? |
| I think it goes without saying that once again, we are left with county commissioner choices that are unacceptable to the vast majority of Kitsap residents, and we will once again be forced to vote for the candidate we believe to be the least radical in his views... (Full Article) |
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POLITICS
Things I’d really like to hear a candidate say…
By Adele Fergusen |
| Thank God for the windup of the primary campaign. At least we’ve weeded out half of the participants. Just once, I’d like to hear somebody running for office talk and behave like a normal human being... (Full Article) |
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Wildlife concerns could add costly
restrictions to wind power in Washington
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| There are many questions about Initiative 937, the measure on the fall ballot that would require utilities to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Now, the Audubon Society is adding to those concerns... (Full Article) |
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DAVID CLARK
For the People |
| Isn’t confiscating toothpaste and lip-gloss ridiculous? I don’t use lip-gloss myself, but toothpaste is handy. Surely I can’t be the only one visualizing a bunch of guys watching CNN, adjusting their turbans, laughing like 8th graders: “Look! Stupid Americans standing in line like cows — handing over their lip-gloss!... (Full Article) |
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Our Election Endorsements |
| In each election, we convene an ad hoc group of our readers as an Editorial Board and take the political pulse of the local business community. We strive to keep the group balanced as far as Democrats and Republicans, so we can get a consensus of opinion as to who should represent us and why. In races where the people weren’t familiar with the candidates, we asked them not to make recommendations... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I-933 |
| This past spring the City of Bainbridge Island made me dismantle a twelve-year old garden on a high ridge on the edge of a wetland. One side is about 100 feet from the wetland. The other sides are much farther. Although it was an organic garden and it had evolved its own ecological niche, the city would not hear of any reasonable compromise... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Boehme |
| I would like to respond to last months’ letter about Ron Boehme. It referred to a “particular, single young woman” and questioned the time spent alone as “the appearance of impropriety.” While I recognize that public perception is important, when I read the letter I couldn’t help but laugh because it couldn’t be further from the truth. I am that single young woman the writer referred to, and I would like to provide concerned voters with some additional information on this topic... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Boehme |
| I didn’t appreciate last month’s attempted smears of my political campaign. First, I would like to know which of my religious views really “scare people.” Is it abortion? The nation is split fifty-fifty on that issue and the trend is in the traditional values direction. Is it same-sex marriage? I’m in the super majority on that one. Is it the environment? Two of my five global priorities are Fresh Water and Clean Fuel. Do I favor a theocracy in this nation? No — it was the faith of this nation that gratefully gave us a democratic republic... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hamilton |
| Here in Kitsap County I am absolutely amazed at how many special studies, reports, consulting firms, trips around the country, citizen meetings etc. that we tax-payers are funding. Sometimes it seems that just a little bit of common sense rather than endless reports and studies etc. would do the job... (Full Article) |
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The Last Word by Lary Coppola
Manchester, the election and the Marquee… |
| And the saga of downtown Port Orchard’s marquee continues… After spending $42,000 for a non-local consulting firm to define the scope of work necessary and estimate the cost of repairing the marquee, the firm apparently missed the fact there was lead paint to be removed, adding significantly to the cost. Now, with the rebuilding work well underway, it was discovered that there is dry rot in the major supports. The city council is now faced with either spending an unanticipated — and unbudgeted — $117,000 to just tear the marquee down, or in excess of $300,000 to repair it... (Full Article) |
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POLITICS
Why I’m voting for I-933
By Adele Fergusen |
| Well, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to vote for Initiative 933. It wasn’t a tough decision to make. I voted for a similar version of it in 1995 when it arrived in Olympia in the form of an initiative to the legislature signed by 230,000 people that expanded the constitutional mandate that people have to be paid when government takes their property for public use... (Full Article) |
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An imminent showdown on Eminent Domain
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| A speeding freight train is bearing down on our State Capitol just like it is many other states. Legislators still have a chance to stop it, or at least slow it down, if they will only act. The train is fueled by resentment, frustration and anger over issues related to eminent domain... (Full Article) |
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DAVID CLARK
Of the People |
| A reader asked why I thought the government would not be any help in hard times... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Supreme Court |
| The Washington State Supreme Court is at risk. Follow the money trail because here are the facts. The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) failed miserably in its attempts to buy the Governor’s mansion and both chambers of the state legislature and now has its sights set on our Supreme Court... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Boehme |
| As a concerned voter I have read, with great interest, the recent letters about Ron Boehme, a candidate for the Washington Legislature. I am however, very concerned when I hear that Boehme spends a great deal of time on the campaign trail, alone, with a particular single young woman... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Kingston UGA |
| The folks in Kingston who volunteered their time and effort to help plan their community have been dealt a wicked blow. The three Governor-appointed members of the Central Puget Sound Hearings Board have decided to disallow the plan that was submitted for their review... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Foot Ferries |
| Here we go again. If you have an email list of people who you think would like to stop this new tax and ferry fleet before it gets started send this on to them... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Whistleblowers |
| The public should know that Kitsap County Commissioners continue to do the wrong thing by taxpayers. They have hired back John Gibson, one of the deputies in the Fire Marshal’s Office who was fired for cause earlier this year following an investigation into fraud, waste and abuse in that office. I understand that meetings are being held with the other deputy, Keith Barkow, who was outright fired as well and he may yet be reinstated... (Full Article) |
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The Last Word by Lary Coppola
Thoughts on the KEDC, S.K. Community Park,
and doing the right thing… |
| The recent departure of David Porter as Executive Director of the Kitsap Economic Development Council (KEDC) has opened the door for some positive changes where the organization is concerned... (Full Article) |
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POLITICS
Our security vs. the public’s right to know
By Adele Fergusen |
| It was bad enough when the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on July 3 came down on the side of the insurgents in Iraq who, it editorialized, had a right to knock us off as foreign invaders, as well as any of their fellow Iraqis who stood with us... (Full Article) |
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“Surprising” increase in tax revenues
not a surprise
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| On July 9, 2006, The New York Times proclaimed, “Surprising Jump in Tax Revenues is Curbing Deficit.” The Times reported that federal tax receipts had increased $250 billion over last year’s levels — a 26 percent increase — and as a result, the federal deficit would be $100 billion less than predicted just six months ago... (Full Article) |
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David Clark
The Gift of Valleys |
| We all sometimes wish to avoid the cycles of living. One can wish for the up-times to remain, but one must be willing to walk through the valleys... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
NASCAR |
| Washington State needs a NASCAR track. Our family knows from first hand experience what a wonderful, family-friendly sport NASCAR auto racing is and how it would positively benefit our state. My husband’s job took us from Washington State to Mooresville, North Carolina (NASCAR USA) for two years... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I-933 |
| I have been involved with Initiative-933 on Bainbridge Island this spring. Getting signatures and having the city make me dismantle a twelve-year old garden that I had on a high ridge on the edge of a wetland. One side is about 100 feet from the wetland. The other sides are much farther... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I-933 |
| I have to agree with Vivian Henderson’s rationale for supporting I-933. I too will be voting for it, and will encourage everyone I know to join me in doing so... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I-747 |
| Judge Mary Roberts recently overturned voter-approved Initiative 747, property tax limits... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Blogs |
| Political junkie’s like me will love your new Blog, West Sound Politics. You are so right “On The Money” about the momentum shifting for NASCAR, Josh Brown’s arrogant immaturity, and about I-933. Your analysis of the McGavick-Cantwell race was not only thoughtful, but accurate as well... (Full Article) |
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The Last Word by Lary Coppola
Has the momentum shifted in favor of NASCAR? |
| I attended the recent presentation to Lt. Governor Brad Owen and the legislative economic development committee about the NASCAR proposal. Frankly, I was surprised there were only a handful of opponents present, while the room overflowed with supporters, and many had to listen from outside the meeting room. International Speedway Corporation (ISC) did an outstanding job of presenting a panel of recognized experts to explain the facts of the proposal to the legislators present, and answer their questions... (Full Article) |
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POLITICS
Do you think you were mislead about I-747?
By Adele Fergusen |
| I’m not sure whether we’ve got one of those activist judges in King County or Mary Roberts of the superior court just hasn’t got all her chairs up to the table, but her tossing out Initiative 747 as unconstitutional certainly makes me suspect her thinking processes... (Full Article) |
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Relationship building – it works
By Wendy Miles |
| We do it everyday. Every one of us builds relationships - with our family, friends, co-workers, the grocery store checker, our banker, the sales lady, our dentist, hair stylist, the teacher, our customers. The list is endless... (Full Article) |
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Hey! Don’t you even think about
putting that windmill in my backyard!
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| Virtually everyone wants their electricity to be generated by clean renewable wind power — unless that windmill is in their backyard... (Full Article) |
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And now, for the rest of the story…
What really happened, as seen through the eyes of someone who knows the business
By Tony Avent |
| Most of you have probably heard by now about the closing of Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, Washington. Heronswood was one of those very special nurseries that comes around only once in a lifetime and we are all lucky to have been able to partake of the horticultural treasures that Heronswood made available... (Full Article) |
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Two Views of Initiative 933
I have signed I-933 and I will vote “Yes” for it when it appears on my Nov. 7, 2006 ballot.
By Vivian Henderson |
| For 20 years I have been intimately involved in opposing government’s determination to control private property in Washington State. Bolstered by powerful environmental extremists, emboldened by each successful land grab, unelected bureaucrats — unfettered by our elected officials — are now regulating every square foot of private property in Kitsap County and throughout our state. In December 2005, Kitsap County adopted the Critical Areas Ordinance — one of the most onerous land use regulations in the country... (Full Article) |
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Two Views of Initiative 933
Vote No on Initiative 933: Too many costs to the taxpayers, too many unanswered questions
By Tom Nevins |
| I-933 is a deceptive initiative. A closer look reveals unintended consequences for all of us. The initiative requires taxpayers to waive the laws for some people or pay them to follow the law – regardless of how it affects you or me, our pocketbook, or our quality of life. This is a terrible initiative and should be soundly rejected... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Cantwell |
| According to the National Taxpayers’ Union, Senator Maria Cantwell is the top spender in the United States Senate. Senator Cantwell recently voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal aliens... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tim Sheldon |
| That the Democratic Party is not endorsing Tim Sheldon was no surprise. Nor is it a great loss to the senator. Voters in his district are a strong contingent of independent thinkers that aren’t easily led by a contrived party agenda or platform. Party politics are more concerned about their control rather than the good of the community... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I-747 |
| Judge Mary Roberts recently overturned voter-approved Initiative 747, property tax limits... (Full Article) |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
KUDOS |
| On Thursday, May 25th, the Kitsap Community Foundation (KCF) held its annual Celebration of Philanthropy (COP) Event at the Kitsap Conference Center in downtown Bremerton. This enjoyable evening was an opportunity to celebrate the many shapes and forms of “giving back” to our community... (Full Article) |
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