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| Me running for city council two years ago. |
THE POLITICAL BACK STAGE IS ALREADY OCCUPIED IN THE POSITION 7 SPOT FOR CITY COUNCIL...WHY WOULD I JOIN IN?
Reader, Yep, it's official this years race for city council has become full fledged drama you would fine on the stage production of the Phantom of the Opera, or the Wizard of Oz. It started when Cherie Kidd's opponent Dan Bateham left the stage of local politics for personal reasons. However, he left is foot in the door, saying if he gets more votes than Kidd he will serve. Making him a phantom candidate, someone who sits behind the curtains of back stage, not participating in public forums or debates, not availing himself the questioning local media. Some media outlets have completely ignored this story, which they should pay attention to. After all we are talking about these service clubs and organizations not allowing or being less than welcoming of the remaining candidate in this particular race for city council, saying she is no longer welcome, or need to speak, because it's just not convenient for them to hear what she has to say. I am speaking of Cherie Kidd.
In an earlier posting I shared her email telling of her encounter with Dan Bateham during this week's League of Women Voters, the Peninsula Daily News did run a story about the debate, but it was a side story to their headline story entitled: City Council candidates agree in League of Women Voters forum
Although her former opponent, Dan Bateham, withdrew as a candidate last month, incumbent City Councilwoman Cherie Kidd participated in the forum with Bateham in attendance.
Kidd, who is actively campaigning because Bateham is a legal candidate, touted her experience and her role in stopping a “kick the can” mentality that once permeated City Hall, she said.
“We had a vote a couple of weeks ago about increasing utility costs 5.2 percent this year and next year,” said Kidd, a former mayor.
“There was one 'no' vote on the City Council. That was me. I don't agree with that rate hike, and so I voted no.”
The City Council forum was preceded by a debate between Clallam County commissioner candidates Jim McEntire and Mark Ozias.--This was a side story of their main headline in the Peninsula Daily News which focused on the County debate with the League of Women voters titled: Clallam commissioner candidates debate dams, spending, climate--Peninsula Daily News
Now, in case you wondering why Bateham was even there since he dropped from the race, that's a good question. Odd behavior if you ask me from someone not wanting the job, show up to a debate and just sit and listen to his opponent doing all the talking. Surely not the kind of thing to be doing attending debates and forums if you are not running for office, yet he had the right as a citizen to be there, but he isn't just a citizen in this stage, his name is still on the ballot. This just paints a picture in my mind saying that even though I am not running an active campaign, I am just going to sit back and watch you be subject to the media and public scrutiny, while I just sit behind the curtain of being Joe Public again. That's how I see this.
Act of public desperation? I won't be an object of desperation by voters..I play my way!
Probably it's just the disappointment of the anti-fluoride crowd that a silly rumor that your's truly is vying for a write in candidacy for Position 7 which Kidd is currently running for against her phantom of the opera candidate. First of all that is not true. Anyone who knows me enough when I run for office I pay my dues, attend the debates and face my opponent openly not behind the curtain or enter the back door. Face it readers Bateham has managed to ticked off a lot of people, embarrassed some local publications who endorsed him, and mostly the people who were counting on him to help put a end to forcing medication on the public. These people knows I spoke time and again against fluoridation in previous attempts to win a seat on the council. Matter in fact I actually ran against Kidd one of those times. I faced her as an opponent, lost, but the main point I didn't run and hide! I faced her in debate. So I can understand the act of desperation by some voters out there who just got shafted by Bateham. Though I appreciate the sediment, I am very content of producing a news blog for you my readers,. I don't play back stage politics, someone else is already doing that.
In case you missed the email Kidd sent here it is:
Peter,
Last night I attended the League of Women Voter's Debate at the Elwha Heritage Center and upon arrival was told that I was not allowed to participate because I was unopposed. I presented my letter from the county auditor's office stating that I have a legal opponent and was then included in the candidate forum.
To my surprise, Mr. Bateham attended and sat in the back. He spoke to me after the forum was over to tell me that he quit for personal reasons, but he still reiterated that he would take the seat if voted in. So it is important that I get my message out that the outcome of my race depends on the voters, not someone who quite campaigning.
This morning I was invited with the Council Position #5 candidate as the morning Jet Set Soroptimists. I was greeted with "You don't have an opponent" and I explained that I do have an opponent. They allowed me to fully participate and I was able to explain that Mr. Bateham is still on the ballot. We had a lively discussion on the issues.
Mr. Bateham had 10 days to withdraw his candidacy. Three months into the race, he is on the November ballot and in the state voter guide. I have to get my message out and am working on doing so.
Thank you,
Cherie
Now, instead of spreading rumors about yours truly's intentions, people should take note of the infringement of a persons right to free speech, under the mask of what is convenient for these service clubs and organizations.
Related stories...
Port Angeles City Council hopefuls agree on park trees, fluoridation
PORT ANGELES — City Council candidates Michael Merideth and Marolee Smith displayed few policy differences at a general election campaign forum Tuesday, lining up together on cutting down obstructive trees at city-owned Lincoln Park and fluoridation of city water.---Peninsula Daily News
OMC Commissioners Slide Into Irrelevancy Opinion by Dale Wilson
On Wednesday September 16th the Board of Commissioners of the Olympic Medical Center passed a resolution endorsing the continued medication of Port Angeles residents, against their will, by urging continued fluoridation of city water.----PORT O CALL
In Other local news headlines of note...
Shell Oil's exit from Arctic met with disappointment from North Olympic Peninsula economic officials; rig's return to Port Angeles uncertain
PORT ANGELES — North Olympic Peninsula economic officials were disappointed Monday to learn Royal Dutch Shell will stop exploring for oil in Arctic waters, leaving a question over whether the company would again dock its mammoth Polar Pioneer oil drilling rig in Port Angeles Harbor this winter.---Peninsula Daily News
Shell abandons Arctic drilling after failing to find enough oil in Chukchi Sea test wells
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Royal Dutch Shell is giving up on its expensive and controversial push to produce oil in Alaska's Arctic waters, a decision that darkens the long-term oil prospects of the U.S. and brings relief to environmental groups that had tried desperately to block the project.---Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County to support Port Angeles' effort to be designated a Coast Guard community
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County will back an effort to designate Port Angeles as a Coast Guard community.
The three commissioners Monday agreed to support a city of Port Angeles and Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce endeavor to become one of 13 Coast Guard communities in the nation.---Peninsula Daily News
Clallam holds off on buying county jail security cameras
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners will wait a few months to consider the $250,000 purchase of security cameras for the county jail.---Peninsula Daily News
Growlers, residents find uneasy peace
The question of values and quality of life are recently at the heart of some Olympic Peninsula residents as they work to protect one of the world’s few regions that support temperate rain forests.---SEQUIM GAZETTE
Heated hospital board meeting leads to Monday morning dismissal of CEO
It was soon apparent, as the regular monthly meeting of the hospital board of commissioners was due to start Tuesday, Sept. 22, that the hospital conference room was not going to be large enough. Board members, hospital administrators, citizens and hospital staff moved across the street to the ambulance shed meeting room.---FORKS FORUM
PUD budget hearing Oct. 5
Water and sewer customers could see a rate increase in 2016, but not electric customers, at least not in a draft 2016 budget proposed by Jefferson County Public Utility District 1 and up for review.---PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Bogus $50 bills affixed with wrong prime minister
Counterfeit money is making the rounds in the capital region, warn financial-crimes investigators from the Victoria Police Department. ---TIMES COLONIST
Pipeline talks excluded First Nations governance
VANCOUVER - Two First Nations waging a court battle to overturn approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline project say federal officials refused to discuss their claim of decision-making power over ancestral lands.---VICTORIA NEWS
Minister cautious on local election changes
Local politicians have called on the B.C. government to extend recall legislation to municipal halls and regional districts, after more than a decade of avoiding battles over voters trying to fire elected officials before their terms end.----VICTORIA NEWS
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK...
COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: H1 Proposed acquisition of a donated piece of property on Lake Crescent
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHT AGENDA ITEM: October 22, 2015 Public Hearing on Fluoridation
At the August 8, 2015 regular meeting, City Council adopted Resolution No.12-15, approving an
advisory poll that seeks citizen input regarding the fluoridation of the City’s municipal water
supply. In addition, Council set two public hearing dates devoted to the topic of fluoridation:
• October 22, “for” and “against” committees at 6 p.m.
• October 29, public comment from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Council further authorized the City Manager to make arrangements for the public hearings and
the advisory poll. This memo outlines the framework for the October 22 public hearing in which
“for” and “against” committees will be given an opportunity for equal time to address Council
and the public.
Council previously assigned the following “for” and “against” committee chairs:
• Dr. Tom Locke, committee “for” fluoridation
• Dr. Eloise Kailin, committee “against” fluoridation
Each committee was tasked with providing ten questions to the City by September 28 for
Council consideration.
SCORE SHEET INSTRUCTIONS
Each Councilmember received a list of questions previously submitted to staff from the “for” and
“against” committees. Councilmembers will rate each committee’s questions on a scale from 1 to
10, with a score of 1 being of less interest and 10 being of most interest. Scores will be turned in
at the beginning of the meeting on October 6 and the combined individual scores will be tallied
by staff during the meeting, with the results provided during the fluoride section as listed on the
Agenda. From this combined scoring, the top 3 questions from each committee will be selected.
FORMAT FOR THE OCTOBER 22 HEARING
The October 22nd public hearing will be moderated and timed by the League of Women Voters.
The hearing is not a League forum, but at the request of the City, the organization has agreed to
provide a moderator and timers to ensure neutrality of the proceedings. Mayor Di Guilio, along
with Manager McKeen and other City staff, have met with the League to determine the process
for the public hearing.
During the hearing, representatives of the “for” and “against” committees will be seated at the
dais, along with the moderator. City Council Members will be seated at the staff table.
City Manager McKeen will welcome those attending and explain the purpose of the public
hearing. He will introduce the moderator. The moderator will introduce the topic and explain the
organization of the segments of the hearing, the procedures that will be followed, and how it will
be timed. There will be a break following the questions segment before the closing statements
are made.
1. Opening remarks - 10 minutes for each position. (A coin toss will determine which
position speaks first.)
2. Focused discussion of the questions chosen by the Council.
Council will have selected 6 questions, three from each committee. The moderator will
ask the aforementioned 6 questions to be addressed, giving each position the opportunity
of 4 minutes to respond. The moderator will closely monitor this segment, assuring a
balance in who speaks first. After each question is addressed by both the pro and con
positions, each side will be given the opportunity for a 1 minute rebuttal if they choose.
Otherwise the moderator will move on to the next question.
3. Closing statement/rebuttal - 15 minutes for each position.
The October public hearings are intended to be the center piece for public education regarding
the fluoride issue. Therefore, the advisory polls will be mailed out a week after the second public
hearing held on October 29 which is devoted to citizen input.
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2538
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Agenda highlight item: Water Status Update
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
You Cannot Deceive God
Many in the past have and many today continue to disobey the Word of God. This they do thinking all is well in their spiritual lives.---TRUTH FOR THE WORLD
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