Comments on The Bainbridge Island Postscript: When Old is New and New is Old

Could you tell us about the $25K "communications" ...

2007-11-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Could you tell us about the $25K "communications" workshop that the Mayor has decided?
Was there a vote about it?
Was there a bid?
According to the review this is a 5 day workshop so about $5K per day, $600 per hour for the "consultant"?
That looks VERY (outrageously) expensive.

Thanks to Debbie Vann for her unique perspective. ...

2007-10-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Debbie Vann for her unique perspective. Please keep this in mind when you vote:

Recently, each candidate was asked their opinion regarding responsible and/or sustainable growth in a Review spread. I can't recall the exact phrasing of the question.

John Waldo touting the Southwest and the desert areas as successful models for growth is asking us, in my opinion, as an island community, to engage in magical thinking. No place with limited water in a time of changing climate can survive development of increasing complexity and volume and not run out of water.

In days immediately after Waldo waxed expansively in the Review regarding his growth without respect for resources (to paraphrase "Look at the southwest! Its lack of water hasn't hindered development at all!"), the New York Times Magazine had an in-depth article on the possibility of "water refugees" from these overdeveloped areas that Mr. Waldo wishes to emulate. Water managers are concerned about the literal wipeout of states. As if to underscore the point, several days after that, one of these successfully overdeveloped areas went up in flames (again). Enough said.

Here are some examples of legislation we passed in...

2007-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some examples of legislation we passed in response to citizen requests; the 2003 Ordinance banning private docks in Blakely Harbor, the non- motorized plan,a new budget ordinance that requires citizen involvement, a lighting ordinance, a no-pesticide use ordinance for the City, a telecommunications ordinance that resulted in broadband being available to most of the Island, a towing ordinance. Bill established a citizen committee for the siting of the decant facility that moved it out of neighborhoods and put it at Vincent Road.

In response to neighborhood requests we had the Public works dept, (with much resistance) put no parking signs on Grow, speed limits on Miller, and supported Kallgren neighbors who did not want their road open to traffic.

The citizens on Ericksen did not want their road to look like Ferncliff 30' wide. In the first two months, we met and gave Public works its marching orders to put only one bike lane and sidewalk and keep the road narrow. We got the safety that was needed while preserving the neighborhood. Merrill Robison sued the City over this design-he lost. We collaborated with the S. End neighborhoods whose septic systems were failed and within three years the S. End neighborhoods had sewer. We got bike lanes and sidewalks on New Brooklin for the Sakai and Woodward student's safety. We completed the revisions on High School road. In response to a senior citizen group's request, pedestrian crossings were added to Madison and High School road.

Most of this legislation was the result of citizens coming to us and asking for it. In most cases, citizens were actively involved in the writing of the ordinances themselves. For example, the Washington State Toxicology group had been trying to get the no pesticide use policy done for two years and had been told by Public works that they would not write the ordinance. They came to me and Bill and I, on the public works committee demanded that it be done and with much resistance, it happened.

To be honest, we had a really good time doing all of this and met terrific people who simply wanted the City to do something for them.Also, my near 60 year old brain doesn't remember everything.

However, we did not get a bathroom in Water front park....much to my dismay and several other public works projects did not get done like Wing Point road, Manitou, etc. We were not perfect.

Hope this helps to clarify some of the original letter. Debbie Vann

In the good old days lots of good old things got d...

2007-10-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

In the good old days lots of good old things got done by the good old boys in the back room. Maybe the silverbacks and the Review haven't noticed, but those good old days are long gone. People are demanding to be part of the deals and the governing that affect our island and our pocketbooks. We aren't going to just let the "boys" take care of things for us.

Thanks Debbie for the "Inside Edition."

Diane, the piece was originally written for submis...

2007-10-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

Diane, the piece was originally written for submission to the Bainbridge Islander and was submitted to the Islander yesterday. Out of deference to the order in which the items were received, we have used the word "republished."

Where was this piece originally published?

2007-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Where was this piece originally published?

I have to say that I am continually confused when ...

2007-10-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I am continually confused when I read and hear about "legislation" with regards to city matters, and perhaps this is at the heart of the problem with our charter. I thought I lived in a place where my city council members listened to me, made policy and looked out for how things are going. Instead we have a body that is as powerless to make change as Congress is in dealing with President Bush. At least here on Bainbridge Island, can't we find a way to overcome the problem of an authoritarian executive?