Representatives of the Governor’s office, most notably Dr. Irv Lefberg, PhD., Chief of Forecasting for the Office of Financial Management (OFM) told the legislators that the numbers contained in the Berk Report and presented by ISC appeared to be conservative, and that the value of the massive amounts of TV coverage as well as exposure to the corporate CEOs that sponsor NASCAR teams, is a strong positive intangible benefit for our state that is simply impossible to calculate in dollars.

Rep. Adam Smith, stating he represented Congressman Norm Dicks as well as himself, said they both support the project and see it as a vehicle for the region to become less Seattle-centric economically, and pledged to work to secure funding for the needed infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman gave an impassioned plea for support because he believes enough revenue will be generated to help fund the continually mounting social obligations cities face. Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, who was ill and couldn’t attend, has also endorsed the project, as has Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, who testified with Bozeman.

However, the event was most notable for the fact that C.H.E.C.K., the group opposing the project, didn’t present any compelling, or credible evidence why legislators should not green-light the project, when given the opportunity. Frankly, their presentation was so lame it did their cause more harm than good.

It was long on accusations and innuendo, but short on actual reality — and C.H.E.C.K’s well-worn misdirection approach backfired, with legislators seeing right through it. One went as far as to chastise C.H.E.C.K. spokesman Ray McGovern, saying point blank, “I have to make decisions on issues based on the facts. Where are your facts? I don’t see any being presented here.”

C.H.E.C.K.’s presentation also contained obviously intentional misinformation (which some might term blatant lies), such as when McGovern stated the project would devastate 950 acres of “virgin timber.” Anyone that’s actually visited the proposed site knows it’s an overgrown clear-cut. For the most part, it’s been devoid of any “virgin timber” for nearly a century.

Environmental activist Tom Donnelly visibly annoyed the legislators by chastising them about the location of the hearing. But it was Port Orchard Independent columnist and Sierra Club representative Mary Colborn who won the undisputed lack of credibility honors, hands down, with her assertion that bird watchers would generate as much revenue as NASCAR — if only given a chance. Yes, she actually said that.

Closly watching the reaction of the legislators as well as everyone else present, I came away believing the momentum shifted significantly that afternoon. Supporters accomplished that by simply stating the facts and backing them up with real numbers.

Supporters raised the bar in the debate that day, serving notice that relying on the blatantly dishonest tactics of systematic disinformation, misdirection, fear, and outright lies that have served opponents so well up to this point, is no longer acceptable public discourse. The time has finally arrived for truth-based debate.

Kitsap County Commissioner candidate Josh Brown’s June 19 commentary in The Sun, “Setting the record straight on NASCAR” would add some much needed levity to the debate — if Brown weren’t an actual candidate. He stated,”...the details have been in for a long time, and no more fact-finding and investigation is needed to see the truth.”

I find it difficult to take seriously the credibility of someone who pretends to understand the financing proposal when he states it includes more than $165 million in “public subsidies.” This proves he either hasn’t read the proposal, or is completely clueless about what it actually says.

The fact Brown seriously attempted to dupe voters into believing he understands the proposal far better than the aforementioned and esteemed Dr. Lefberg, would be amusing if it weren't so sinister — not to mention astonishingly egotistical and downright arrogant. Believing an obviously close-minded, 20-something wannabe politician, has a clearer understanding of the numbers than someone of Dr. Lefberg’s stature and experience in such matters, absolutely defies bewilderment.

Plus, the Environmental Impact Statement has yet to be done; the infrastructure needs yet to be determined; and a host of other concerns addressed. The “details” are far from having “been in for a long time,” as Brown claims.

Josh Brown has clearly demonstrated his immaturity and inexperience, as well as the impetuousness of his youth. It’s clear he still has far too much to learn about business, finance, politics, and the “real world,” to be entrusted with the responsibility of Kitsap County Commissioner.

Recently, I was discussing NASCAR with a local elected official whom I personally like, respect, and consider honest, intelligent and above all, intellectually curious. I watched this person get that “deer in the headlights” look when I simply asked, “Have you ever attended a NASCAR race and seen for yourself what actually happens?” After some evasive stuttering, the official in question admitted not ever seeing a race. So I asked, “Would you like to?”

The physical reaction to that very simple inquiry stunned me. The entire physiology I witnessed screamed, “Please don’t make me deal with the actual reality of this. Intellectually, I truly want to know. Politically, I can’t afford to, because if what I witness makes me question my party, I’ll become a political outcast.”

That purely physical reaction was an epiphany for me about the raw reality of partisan politics vs. facts and truth on any given issue.

Last issue I stated that I-933 was retroactive to when you bought property, and encouraged people to read it for themselves before deciding how to vote. Re-reading it myself, I found that statement is incorrect. It’s retroactive to January 1, 1996. Like I said, read it for yourself…