LET'S TAKE BACK OUR RIGHTS!

Mason County, WA USA

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR MASON COUNTY?

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Paul Bandehey Mason County Progressive

Mason County has reached a level of such poor leadership, that it cannot be denied that a radical change is needed. There have been and still are so many law-suits against the County, and we the citizens pay for them. Why are so many people and entities suing us?

Here are a few that are documented:

• The age discrimination suit which cost us $114,000.00.

• The land condemnation for the Belfair Sewer Project. The Commissioners refused to negotiate with the owner and he sued. The County lost a total of nearly $500,000.00.

• Another lawsuit is in progress by Mark Core for unfair firing from a job at Community Development.

• Still another lawsuit is possible with 5 union members, unless there are negotiations re: the solid waste long hauling no bid contract that was taken to court in Grays Harbor. The judge has ruled that there has to be an open bidding process. We await the results on that one.

These are the known lawsuits so far, and there may be more.

When I brought this up at a Commissioners’ meeting, I was told by Commissioner Linda Ring Erickson that: “Law- suits go with running the government. All the agencies have suits brought against them. It is part of doing business and most of them are frivolous.” But apparently the courts have not considered all the suits frivolous.

Tim Sheldon wears so many different hats that it is a wonder he even makes it to any County meetings. When he is attending, he appears bored and indifferent to the people speaking at the Open Forum time. He is a part time commissioner, part time senator, and on the board of ORCCA, NW Energy, an environmental committee. etc. He has interests in timber, his own business, and how many other pivotal companies that we don’t know about. Most of his campaign contributions come from industry and special interests: timber, transportation, medical insurance, construction, hotels, car insurance, waste operations, guns, phones, cigarettes, cars, property insurance, car racing, and pharmaceuticals, just to name some. Whose interest do you think is given his first consideration, the citizens or special interests?

We need to get rid of the good ol’ boy mentality of doing business. We need open and transparent government. No more backroom deals, and winks, nods, claps on the back or handshakes that leave the public in the dark. The public has the right to consider proposals and give comments on proposals that have such an effect on the lives, health, and welfare of the community.

We all know about the ADAGE Incinerator horror. The public knew nothing about this scheme before most of the agreements and deals had been put in place. Something like this being set up without our knowledge was very, very wrong. There should have been an open, explanatory announcement followed by open public hearings before any action was taken. There was none. The public only heard about it by word of mouth. We don’t want commissioners to support and participate in this kind of policy.

Sheldon’s opponent is Roslynne Reed. She is extremely competent, dedicated to the community and knowledgeable about our many problems. We have It her own words:

“I believe in open government and will avoid litigation and other unnecessary costs suffered by County taxpayers due to current mismanagement practices. Actions by the Commission are hurting our local economy and reputation. I intend to work toward restoring responsible government and taking actions that encourage environmentally friendly growth in our County. I understand the importance of health for our citizens and our environment. I have been endorsed by the Mason County Democrats and recently by our retiring congressman Norm Dicks. I have been supported by others who are not Democrats, which is great. People understand that politics should not really be a factor at the local level.”

Another candidate who will work for the benefit of the citizens, is Denny Hamilton. He has a plan for the future. Three major components of his plan are:

1. Most important is partnership for progress. It starts with County agencies working more closely together instead of competition with each other.

2. Working with civic and social organizations that are already doing a great deal of work individually.

3. The third part of these partnerships is the private sector. The absolute necessity of open a government is essential to bring the public into decision making.

Denny has a long history of evaluating a problem, creating a plan to deal with it and implementing the plan step by step. One of things I think that stands out about Denny is that he really listens when you talk to him and responds to public concerns. He is a person who actually does what he says he will do. No grandstanding. He is the kind of commissioner we need to help the County back on track and take care of its residents

We cannot be stuck in the past and rely on what has driven the local economy in the past. We need new advanced businesses. We need to revitalize our efforts to attract technological companies and small businesses. That is our future prosperity and jobs.

We also need to protect and clean up the environment for both our health and well being. We want to make Mason County an attractive place to live. We need to become the “model county” of our State, and known for our concern and care of our air, water, and soil. How wonderful it would be if counties and cities from all over the country would come to us for advice about healing our wounded environment. and placing the health and welfare of its citizen above that of special interests. Why do we tolerate the term MCL, Maximum Contamination Levels? This concept is sanctioned by Department of Ecology and the EPA. There should be NO contamination allowed!

WE THE PEOPLE are the true governing power in this country, not County Commissioners, the State or even the Federal Government. All governing bodies get their power from us.

WE DO NOT RENOUNCE THAT POWER. No matter what the Supreme Court says, a corporation is not an person.

Let us take our rights back and elect Roslynne Reed and Denny Hamilton for County commissioners!

Photo by Christine Armond