However, he did say the editorial board member I criticized for being the spokesperson for the opposition group C.H.E.C.K., Linda Webb, was now an “inactive” member of that organization.

The following Sunday, Feb. 12, Ware responded to a Letter to the Editor I wrote (but he didn’t publish), as well as a contribution I submitted to the Sun’s NASCAR blog (which wasn’t posted), pointing out that Webb’s activities on behalf of C.H.E.C.K. tell quite a different story.

Webb represented C.H.E.C.K. when speaking at Port Orchard Rotary in late December — meaning she was “active” then. She was announced as an editorial board choice Jan. 8. The timing indicates she was under consideration when she spoke to Rotary — if she hadn’t already been selected and her choice just not yet announced. I questioned whether Webb failed to mention her involvement with C.H.E.C.K. during the selection process, or if it was simply overlooked.

Ware answered, saying, “Our editorial board is an opinion board, so we don’t look for people who lack opinions. We selected Webb because of her history of community involvement, her wide range of local topics, and her ability to articulate her views. In her interview as a candidate for the board, those views included her concerns about the racetrack; she made no secret of that.”

What that says to me is, “Yes, we knew her views when we appointed her; we knew she actively represented the opposition group; and frankly, we just don’t care how that appears to the community; or how her appointment impacts the perspective of our other editorial board members.”

It also demonstrates an elitist arrogance our community doesn’t deserve being forced to suffer.

Although he makes it point to disagree, I strongly believe that if Ware has any hope of convincing his readers the Sun is in fact neutral on this issue, he needs to insist Webb step down immediately. “Inactive” or not, in my opinion, her continued membership taints the credibility of the Sun’s entire editorial board on the NASCAR issue.

Ware disagreed, responding, “…she is one voice among 12, and there are others on our board who come into the debate inclined to favor the track.” That may be, but aren’t there others on the board who oppose it as well? And none of the board members were the public face of the Checkered Flag Club, the business group supporting the track.

Therefore, using Ware’s own logic, if the Sun is unwilling to insist Webb step down, fairness dictates that at the very least, a member of the Checkered Flag Club be appointed to the editorial board, adding balance, perspective, and factual expertise to offset C.H.E.C.K.’s defacto representation on the board.

I want to make it clear this isn’t about Linda Webb personally. I’ve known Linda for a number of years, and agree she is intelligent, and articulate. Frankly, she’s someone I like and respect. We need more people like her to be active in our community. Under most other circumstances, I would applaud her appointment to the Sun’s editorial board.

No matter how you feel about NASCAR, it’s undeniably a transformational issue for our community. And while the Sun has taken no “official” position on the issue — and neither have we — it was fairness in reporting that sparked this particular debate in the first place.

I believe until all the work has been done and all the facts are in, it’s incumbent upon our local media to go the extra mile maintaining not only factual neutrality, but all appearances of it as well. Failing to do so not only sabotages that media’s credibility on this issue, but means its editorial role shaping future public opinion on unrelated issues will forever be called into question as well. As an editor, that’s not the legacy I’d want to leave.

On another note, personally, I have to wonder if Webb isn’t using her position with C.H.E.C.K. — “inactive” or not — and opposition to NASCAR, as well as the public visibility the editorial board affords, to help position herself for another run for County Commissioner.

She ran in 2000, was defeated in the Democratic primary, and Republican Jan Angel ultimately elected. If that’s Webb’s intention, depending how the NASCAR issue plays out, she may very well find her involvement with both organizations to be a double-edged sword with voters.

The City of Port Orchard recently voted to spend nearly $25,000 on a Bellevue-based consultant for plans contractors can use to bid on repairs to the downtown marquee. The money also includes an estimate of how much those bids should be. That’s in addition to $17,000 it spent with the same firm for a previous marquee evaluation.

Isn’t there a Kitsap County firm the city could have spent that $42,000 with? And what about the plan offered to the city for free by an award-winning builder who is also a downtown merchant?

Maher Abed, the city public works director, was quoted as saying the money will be, “…well-spent because, if nothing else, it will really clarify the scope of work.”

In my opinion, Abed is one of Mayor Kim Abel’s less than stellar appointments. After years, and numerous studies, it’s no secret what needs to done. Abel should have taken the lead making it happen long before spending an unnecessary $42,000.

Democrat Josh Brown recently announced his intention to challenge Republican County Commissioner Patty Lent in November.

In that announcement, Brown touts his business connections and management experience, saying he’ll put them to work marketing the county as a good place to do business. However, at the 26th District Democrats meeting Feb. 7, the former Berkley student told quite a different story, coming off as a radical environmental extremist somewhere to the way far left of Tim Botkin.

So Josh, which story should voters believe?

From the “Truth is Stranger Than Fiction” file comes this… Rolling Stone’s bass guitarist Keith Richards reportedly has an organ donor card. Think about it.