Undoing the People’s Work

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7467870524511836313.post-10787828421318701232008-04-17T00:12:00.000-07:002008-04-17T01:48:29.874-07:00Undoing the People’s Work. . <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_XCa1KScrrbg/SAcA1ocZRhI/AAAAAAAAAI4/w8rVdBOZ_Vw/s1600-h/Speak+no+Evil.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190118016957367826" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_XCa1KScrrbg/SAcA1ocZRhI/AAAAAAAAAI4/w8rVdBOZ_Vw/s320/Speak+no+Evil.JPG" border="0" /></a> Surely no one believed the Mayor would take the effort to change our form of government to Council-Manager lying down, but what has been surprising is the openness with which she and her supporters have undertaken to discredit and hinder those working to get the issue on the ballot. A full-blown, multi-pronged attack is already underway as the change of government effort is just getting warmed up. Our Tax Dollars at Work <h1><o:p></o:p></h1>We’ve learned on good authority that our City Attorney has been asked to look into the legality of the <a href="http://bainbridgeislandinstitute.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/fogpet%201%20final%20for%20website.pdf">citizen petition </a>circulating in the community, and many sources have reported that the official word being broadcast from City Hall is that the petition is deficient or even illegal. (We’ll leave it to our readers to ponder the ethics of this arguably political and personal use of the City Attorney’s time.) One specific basis apparently cited for the legal insufficiency of the current petition effort is a claim that the special election that would result from a successful petition drive can only occur in odd-numbered years. While we’re not elections law experts here at the PostScript, a look at the relevant RCWs leaves us dubious as to the validity of this argument. <o:p></o:p>Under <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);" href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35A.06.030">RCW 35A.06.030</a>, our City may choose to abandon its current plan of government, in our case a Mayor-Council plan, and adopt another plan such as the Council-Manager form of government proposed by a growing segment of our community. Under <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);" href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.02.025">RCW 35A.02.025</a>, once a verified petition containing the signatures of a number equal to at least 10% of the number of voters participating in the last general election is presented to the State Auditor, the City Council must pass a resolution accepting the results and the question “shall be referred to the voters for confirmation or rejection in the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days from the date of filing of the referendum petition, or at a special election to be called for that purpose.” There will be no general municipal elections this year, as it is an odd-numbered year, so this ballot issue would proceed through a “special election”. <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);" href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=29a.04.330">RCW 29A.04.330</a><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);" href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=29a.04.330"> (2)</a> addresses the timing of “special” City elections and, unlike section (1), which applies to “general” elections, does not impose an odd-year only limitation. Thus it appears that the timing of the petition is entirely consistent with Washington law.<h2> </h2>Representing the Few Another recent attempt to discredit the petition drive was entirely foreseeable, but nonetheless leaves us shaking our heads. A campaign is underway to spread the word that the change of government effort is nothing more than a power grab by the City Council. Something of an insult to the many citizens working this grassroots effort. In fact, it’s hard to imagine a more citizen-based initiative. The diversity of support is a story in itself, as prominent local conservatives and liberals are equally involved, as are property rights activists, greens, seniors, old timers and recent transplants. Not only have supporters from all these groups signed the petition, but they are currently participating in collecting signatures. We’re not going to name names here, but we welcome those willing to speak out to add their two cents in a comment following this post. <o:p></o:p>Perhaps most shocking has been the apparent involvement of at least one sitting Councilmember in this disinformation campaign. Multiple sources have reported that this Councilperson has personally stated on a number of occasions that the petition effort is invalid and that it is an attempt by some on Council to seize control of City Hall. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this same Councilor has voted yea to every part of the Mayor’s agenda placed before him, going so far as to loudly advocate for Big Winslow projects even as the City’s Finance Director has all but declared a state of financial emergency. One has to wonder who exactly this Councilperson is representing because it certainly isn’t the average Bainbridge voter. Silencing the Many<o:p></o:p>These attempts to manipulate, even derail, this community conversation and citizen action shouldn’t come as a surprise. Silencing dissent is a popular pastime on the Island, be it through City Hall propaganda or on the editorial page of the Mayor’s paper of record. Those who disagree with the agenda of the Mayor and special interests are “misinformed”, “fearful of change” and above all are, horror of horrors, “negative”. <o:p></o:p>Dissent by its very definition is negative. So what? It’s also an inevitable result of a free and educated society, an essential element of democracy and an honored American tradition. For too long, this community and the City Council have been held hostage by a warped interpretation of “civility.” Civility and dissent are not incongruent. In fact, they are entirely complementary. Civility without dissent is acquiescence, and dissent without civility is, well, pretty ugly. <o:p></o:p>So embrace your (civil) negativity Bainbridge. There’s a rocky road ahead, and not much money left to fix it. This is the time to evaluate all of our options and make some tough decisions, whether we are Councilpersons prioritizing spending or Citizens considering a change in our form of government. Sometimes taking a negative position is the most positive thing one can do. (To post or read comments on this story click on 'COMMENTS' below) McCoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399770073145831994noreply@blogger.com