Neither censured nor censored beHigh Drama at the Port:
Well, not exactly...
Dozens of members of the air-breathing community showed up for the Port meeting Sept. 21st to support Jack Miles, and in anticipation of the censure/censor he was promised by Jay Hupp, which was on the agenda. The first clue that we were not going to get to see this drama unfold was that the Port's attorney, Skip Hauser was not in the room.
The first public comment was from our friend and fellow air breather, Conley Watson, who stepped up to the podium, introduced himself and asked to be allowed to deliver a card to Jack, which he then did, telling Jack it was from the 3,200 signers of the petitions to put ADAGE on the ballot; the 20-something doctors at the hospital; and lots of kids! Conley also passed out "We Back Jack" buttons, which were displayed prominently on many shirts and sweaters.
It appearing that Conley had spoken for in excess of 3,200 citizens of Mason County, there was no further comment. How do you follow a thank you from that many folks,and we were still awaiting Jack's 30 whacks to be delivered from the HUPP.
Which was when the HUPP himself informed the Commissioners that two items were going to be removed from the Agenda: The item in connection with the letter to the Lt. Gov. Brad Owen was being removed, because someone had leaked a draft of that document, and it had therefore served it's purpose of apologizing to BO, and thanking him for how well he supported biomass Incineration in Mason County, by spouting ADAGE talking points both in the spoken and written word. Because someone had leaked that letter, with all manner of words to suggest how bad that was, it was not now necessary to discuss, approve and mail the letter. Apparently BO reads this blog too!
The next item to be removed from the Agenda was the censure/censor of Jack Miles. Jack should watch his back, however, because the SKIPPY's absence may mean he was researching, at taxpayers expense, on behalf of the HUPP and the members of his three ring circus, how to punish Jack in a way more painful and lasting, in case Jack was the source of the leaked letter.
Then things got lively real fast.
The HUPP wanted to have the Commissioners approve the minutes of the quarterly county/city combined meeting on September 1st.
The September 1st minutes, according to Commissioner Jack Miles, were merely a repeating of the Agenda. Commissioner Miles stated that the law requires the minutes to reflect a little bit more than that, especially when it is an inter-governmental meeting. Commissioner Tom Wallitner said (paraphrasing here): " Hey, didn't we agree to be
informal and not keep minutes?"
There were several exchanges. The HUPP told Commissioner Miles he was out of order. I think Commissioner Miles told the HUPP, "No, you are out of order", and then the TOM threw in a few cents, and that was the really exciting part of the meeting.
Commissioner Miles challenges the HUPP and the TOM, and they lose their cool. Commissioner Miles keeps his, and the other two look like the clowns we have been already been thinking they really are.
At the final public comment period, I did stand up and thank Commissioner Miles for continuing to treat us as if we, the folks who elect the Commissioners, were who he worked for. Since I am not a comfortable public speaker, I don't recall exactly what I said, but my intent was to express extreme gratitude for Commissioner Miles treating us with respect.
I was pleased at the turnout. It was not the standing room only crowd hoped for, but there were certainly more than enough folks there to make it clear to the HUPP and the TOM that Commissioner Miles has the support of the community. This was hard to ignore, since we were all wearing buttons declaring "We Back Jack."
Keep it light, fellow air breathers,
Katherine Price
40+ concerned citizens in attendancePhotos by Christine
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