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Reconveyance -- Yes, 5 - 2

3/13/2013

24 Comments

 
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Despite virtually every council member pointing out that the reconveyance would have little or no impact on the Lake Whatcom water quality, that straw man was dancing a jig all evening. He just wouldn't burn. Here's the vote:

  • Crawford: Yes. Disappointing, but predictable. WE don't know what his principles are.
  • Kremen: Yes. Certainly! It's his baby. He set the table as administrator, and ate the meal as councilman. A principled leader would recuse himself. 
  • Brenner: No. Barbara has been opposed to this in principle for quite some time. 
  • Kershner: Yes. Very disappointing. At least Solomon didn't actually cut the baby. 
  • Mann: Yes. Arguably another case for recusal - nope. 
  • Knutzen: No. Bill has been opposed to this in principle. He knew this was driven by environmental collectivists who resent logging and discovered the reconveyance loophole to end it. 
  • Weimer: Yes. A park is love. You can't make this stuff up. 
This play-by-play, self-promoted at the Bellingham Herald Political Blog by The Political Junkie  might have been useful, but WE found it to be churlish and intolerant. The running mockery relayed no tolerance for different views; no sympathy for collateral damage. Attacking the sincere and innocent with the blood lust of bulldogs does nothing to improve the civility of the community.

One important point: Bill Knutzen introduced an amendment to the reconveyance resolution that would have guaranteed that Whatcom County would manage the land, and not sub-contract that responsibility to any third party entity, e.g., Whatcom Land Trust. Ken Mann would not support the amendment, but insisted he would "sign in blood" the promise that control would never go to a third party. Okay fine, but WE damn well expect these people to live up to statements like that.

Bill's motion failed 4 - 3 (Knutzen, Kershner and Brenner approved), despite lip service lauding the intent. The reason given to reject was that they feared that any change to the language might spook the legal eagles and derail the deal. 

The reason this is important is that while DNR is a public trust, subject to transparency laws, auditing and information requests, private land trusts, though acting as agents of the state, have no such responsibility. 

One big reason for opposition to the reconveyance, as one correspondent pointed out, involves concern about special interests, unmonitored and unrepresentative rent-seeking opportunists scheming to leverage government at the expense of the people. WE're not saying they are, although the usual suspects have been circling overhead since the inception. WE prefer something more accountable and transparent.
24 Comments
Comrade X
3/13/2013 08:33:29 am

I just hope that there will be someone with principle that runs against Kathy Kershner this next election, she has lost so much support in this county by her actions the local watermelons can run just about anyone or anything against her and win.

As far as Sam Crawford goes; he is toast, the only question is how much jelly our local watermelons want to apply before they completely devour him!

As for the other yes votes, no surprises there, they are the seeds you spit out when you eat a watermelon anyway!

Reply
Wayne Farber
3/15/2013 05:49:20 am

I was not all surprised by Kathy and Sam's vote, they wandered off the reservation a long time ago, just like the Republican "leadership" in Washington, DC.

The TEA Party needs to replace these Infidels come next election.

Reply
Karl Uppiano link
3/15/2013 06:44:01 am

Sam had evidently campaigned on supporting the reconveyance, so he might feel bound to stay with it. The person he beat out in the election was far to the left of him, so it certainly is a compromise. But he might have to tack to the left to get and stay elected. It might not be possible to elect a "tea party" candidate from his district.

Ditto for Kershner. She alienated her original base, but cemented a whole new base. She could probably run as an "watermelon" next time, and win.

I don't like it, but those are probably the best we can hope for in this toxic political environment. It took decades of classical liberals being asleep at the switch to get where we are now, and it could take decades to get back. In the meantime, we have to stay vigilant, and derail these schemes before they gain enough momentum to roll us over.

Reply
Wayne Farber
3/15/2013 07:34:03 am

You are probably right. Better Red than Dead, eh?

Delaine Clizbe
3/13/2013 10:47:06 am

I can't wait to vote some council members out of office.

Reply
Riley Sweeney link
3/13/2013 10:59:35 am

Thank you guys for your ringing endorsement!

I will agree with you that I was more sharp-elbowed than usual last night and while providing entertaining commentary aimed at people who agree with me is usually your turf, I deeply apologize for the competition. However there is one key difference between the two of us; I sign my name to everything I say and you cower behind your internet anonymity. Because of that, I feel much more comfortable calling people out for their false arguments.

Reply
WE Editors
3/13/2013 07:37:09 pm

Sure, happy to. Students of defamation would find it intriguing. Sharp elbows are one thing, heckling for entertainment is another. Mockery and malice ... taint critique. You were transmitting to your peanut gallery, and I'm sure you got lots of cheap guffaws at the expense of people who are genuinely concerned about their future. WE don't get the pleasure in salting real wounds,,,

As for "anonymity," WE are Spartacus - lots of people. Re-read the About Us, and at least enjoy the vid.

Reply
WE Editors
3/13/2013 07:55:43 pm

PS - from About Us - "This approach to public debate is not unprecedented. Clearly these are politically charged times; unfortunately retaliation is a known risk in any age."

...retaliation from the Political Junkie? Ideas = good. Cruelty = bad.

Reply
Delaine Clizbe
3/14/2013 01:55:06 am

Riley, your blog was juvenile, immature and not worth the technology it was written on. In addition, you did not analyze my comments to the County Council for your blood thirsty audience. However, since I left the script to my comments with the council you can still obtain them and I suspect you'll rush to write an article about the truth I spoke of.

Reply
Shane Roth
3/14/2013 08:01:39 am

Blood thirsty audience?

Since Riley writes a liberal, left-leaning, blog... it is reasonable to assume that a statistically significant portion of his audience include vegetarians and vegans. Therefore, Ms Clizbe's comments must be interpreted as a metaphor rather than a literal claim that Riley's audience thirsts for blood of any kind, let alone the blood of patriots.

I can appreciate the sincere belief on the part of opponents that the Reconveyance is a bad idea. But it seems excessive to filter this public debate through a polarizing lens of good vs evil.

Sometimes, in a democracy, the other side wins. It's not good. It's not bad. It simply is.

Be of good cheer, WE, you will be fine.

Riley Sweeney link
3/15/2013 12:29:00 am

Wait, I'm confused Delaine. Are you upset because I made fun of people on my blog or because I neglected to make fun of you?

childofww2
3/14/2013 10:25:14 am

We watched the telcast last night - . The council sandbags any decent conversation by the rules it has made up. Challenge and rebuttal should be allowed before the council votes, especially on such an enormous land grab as this is. . It was obvious from many of the comments that those people knew it was a done deal and were thanking the council before the vote was taken. To my mind Barbara Brenner is the only person of real integrity on the council, and Bill Knudsen comes over as a very honest man. The rest fail my expected standard of representing the people. It reeked of special interests. Many points were voiced about backroom deals - this should be food for the council to digest as they figure which drain they are about to pour the money down. I did not appreciate the two hairy sarcastic boy wonders who came to the microphone at the begining in contrast to the laudable young ladies who expressed a surprising grasp of Constitutional responsiblities plus the grit to speak their mind.
My husband's closing comment -" listen to them all, just wanting and taking and not a thought about what they can give."

Reply
Delaine Clizbe
3/15/2013 12:10:38 am

Shane,

Since you live in the Lake Whatcom watershed and contribute daily to the degradation of the lake water, any comments you make in support of the reconveyance is hypocritical and self serving. Until you move out of the watershed......talk to the hand.

Mrs. Clizbe

Reply
John Galt
3/15/2013 05:54:20 am

It appears his "hand" is currently busy with other questionable activities.

Reply
Shane Roth
3/15/2013 07:02:27 am

Well, if I wanted someone to be churlish and intolerant to me, I would be commenting on Riley's blog.

Good day, sir.

I SAID, GOOD DAY.

Shane Roth
3/15/2013 06:59:30 am

Ouch.

Am I to assume that all people who live inside the Lake Whatcom Watershed are not entitled to express themselves here. Or is that honor reserved solely for me?

Reply
Karl Uppiano link
3/15/2013 06:01:21 am

Shane,

You said, "But it seems excessive to filter this public debate through a polarizing lens of good vs evil.

Sometimes, in a democracy, the other side wins. It's not good. It's not bad. It simply is."

I'm having a hard time coming to terms with that. You seem to be saying that we should just join the side that’s winning, since the choice is arbitrary. Am I missing something?

Reply
Shane Roth
3/15/2013 06:55:37 am

I am saying that those who opposed the Reconveyance may not have gotten the outcome they wanted this time... but there will be other opportunities to persuade the Council on other matters. The Reconveyance may seem like a disaster to you... but it probably isn't.

Be of good cheer. Try not to dwell on this too much. You will be fine.

Reply
Karl Uppiano link
3/15/2013 08:36:26 am

Phosphorus in the water may seem like a disaster to you... but it probably isn't.

The reconveyance by itself may be survivable, but the cumulative effect of bad government is oppressive, and each step in the wrong direction... is.

Remonster Smyth
3/15/2013 07:48:40 am

As a principled member of this august body politic may I infer from your "excavating" that the fleas of a thousand camels have infested your neither regions?

Reply
WE Editors
3/15/2013 08:27:23 am

The Whatcom Excavator's focus is countywide. Readers and contributors take interest from Pt Roberts all the way to Newhalem and beyond, and from Blaine to the Skagit border. If anything, Bellinghamsters fail to recognize how big this place really is. Think about it.

Reply
Shane Roth
3/15/2013 11:46:40 am

Karl Uppiano (and WE)

Excess phosphorus is impairing the Lake. It's not a disaster, but it does require action.

The government is bound to take steps in the wrong direction for someone, no matter what that direction may be.

That this one decision went in a direction to which you sincerely object may not be cause for such a severe reaction.

It is as if you have no memory of all of the things that the County Council has done that are compatible with your beliefs.

Prior to the Reconveyance, how many decisions has Councilor Kershner made that test your faith in her judgment?

List them here, please.

She has had just over three years to disappoint you. I'm sure you can list something disappointing she did before the Reconveyance that rises to the level of withdrawing your support.

Reply
Karl Uppiano link
3/15/2013 01:43:35 pm

Shane,

I agree that excess phosphorus may be capable of impairing the lake, although we don't have reproducible scientific results that say this reconveyance would have any effect to improve that. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring substance, and before we go off half-cocked, and start compromising peoples rights, we ought to have incontrovertible proof that they're responsible. I believe we lack that in spades. There ought to be ways to protect our natural resources without forfeiting our natural rights.

I'm not sure what you see as a severe reaction. I am unhappy, and evidently the editors or contributors -- or whatever they are -- of this article are unhappy with the sleazy way this deal was spawned and how it was marketed. For that reason alone, I would not like it to succeed.

I am disappointed in Kershner because she didn't /have/ to vote for this thing. She knew it had the votes going in. She is evidently looking for a new base for her political support. Maybe she'll find it.

As for your homework assignment, I decline. I don't feel like researching or listing anything at the moment. And who knows, maybe she'll redeem herself somehow. We can always hope.

Reply
Comrade X
3/16/2013 03:30:16 am

Turning back on the working people in our logging industry can not be undone. Just as the RINO's in our congress need to be primaried so does those who are elected in Whatcom.

I am thinking about have a barbeque, I'll provide the pig & shine if my good friends will bring their Crawford and Kershner signs for fuel!

If the watermelons take control of this county the two people responsible will be those two traitor commissioners because of their sellout behavior.

The wolves should be licking their chops!


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