What Blair Said

Today's edition of the Bainbridge Review covers the story. I'm sorry to learn that it will take another 120 days to remove the fence, however I'm pleased to read the part I underlined...

The State Court of Appeals is expected to issue a mandate within the next few days. After that, Burroughs [the attorney who represented the city] said, Fletcher Landing neighbors will have 120 days to take down the gate.

Burroughs said neighbors have no further recourse short of appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court, a move he said was highly unlikely.

Even if such a maneuver were attempted, he said, the gate would come down in the meantime.

Of course, nothing prevents the libertopians from voluntarily removing the gate immediately -- it would take about 10 seconds to remove the lock.

And in any case, the public is free to enjoy the beach in the interim seeing as it is easy to pass through the hole in the fence, and Fletcher Landing is officially public. Right?

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And hey, Bainbridge Review, I'm mildly disappointed not to see "as first reported by..." The story wouldn't have even made the Saturday edition had I not alerted you. [Rodney Dangerfield impersonation goes here.]

Court Denies Libertopians

Today the WA state supreme court denied the appeal by the libertopians. At long last, Fletcher Landing is officially a public beach.

Supreme Court, May 30

Fletcher Landing (docket number 77713-6) is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the state supreme court on May 30.

If they decide not to hear the case, the libertopian land grab is officially done with. And just in time for kayaking season.

Nemobius Fasciatus

Listen. Can you hear it? It's a cricket. Specifically, it's a female Nemobius Fasciatus, found in western Washington.
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Has the Bainbridge Review covered the story?

Has the Kitsap Sun covered the story?

Has the Bremerton Sun covered the story?

Has the Bainbridge Buzz, who did such excellent reporting on Peddygate, covered the story?
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All I hear is the sound of crickets.

$11,145.67

The newspaper ad cost the taxpayers $1,200 and the glossy brochure cost $9,945.67 for a total of $11,145.67. Here is part of a report that was provided to me by the city:

Timeline

Once I receive answers from the city, I will be able to fill in the blanks for this timeline of events.

"I am a champion of active citizen involvement in government decision making."

- Mayor K
(from the brochure and the newspaper ad, in the Dear
Islanders letter beaneath her picture)

The Brochure

Here are photos of the Winslow Tomorrow brochure -- the one that was mailed to all households at taxpayer expense a week and a half before the election.

Make no mistake; this was an expensive piece of advertising.

Here is the "Dear Islanders" letter contained in the brochure.

I am a champion of active citizen involvement in government decision making.
- Mayor K

Seattle Shenanigans

Last month Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle was required to reimburse the city for using taxpayer funds to tout his accomplishments during the election.

From the Seattle Times:

Mayor Greg Nickels violated city election rules when he spent taxpayer funds to mail out a flier touting his accomplishments, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission ruled last night.

"It appears the document is primarily promotional," said Commission Chairman Bruce Heller, noting that the panel had warned Nickels in an earlier decision that such documents "published in an election year would be subject to additional scrutiny."

I suggest that Mayor K reimburse Bainbridge Island for her taxpayer-funded campaign activity.

Questions for the City

Just sent to the City Administrator:
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Dear Ms. Briggs:

I’m concerned about expenses the city recently incurred on the Winslow Tomorrow initiative that coincided with the election and hope to get the following information:

1. Itemized cost for the large ad that appeared in Oct. 15 Review
2. Itemized cost (design, production, mail) for late Oct. brochure mailed to the public
3. Schedule & itemized costs for prior Winslow Tomorrow communications
4. Compelling reason for choice of dates? Who decided?
5. Why did the mail piece post-date the event it was broadcasting? I read online that it was a mistake by the post office. If so, does the city still have to pay the postage?

Thank you.

Declaring Shenanigans

October 15, 2005: Three weeks before the election. A three-quarter page ad appears in the Bainbridge Review -- at taxpayer expense -- regarding the Winslow Tomorrow initiative. The ad features a "Dear Islanders" letter from the mayor, accompanied by her picture.

Mayor Kordonowy:

"I am a champion of active citizen involvement in government decision making."

October 27, 2005: Eleven days before the election. A glossy, color brochure is mailed to every household on the island -- at taxpayer expense -- containing the same "Dear Islander" letter and accompanying picture.

State Supreme Court

I just heard from city attorney Paul McMurray (thanks btw) that the libertopians have petitioned the state supreme court to review the case (which comes as no surprise). If they decline the petition then it's all over with, or so I have been assured. If they hear the petition then we must wait for the ruling.

I'm told by various people more informed than I that the wait will be months not years.
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For the record, I still don't understand why it is that the city enforces no-trespassing on behalf of the libertopians, and still question the lawfulness of the city's actions.

Manuregate

What the hell. If there's to be a pile of manure on a city street, I say it should be identified.

(Think of the children?)