"The Status Quo Is Killing Us"COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' MEETING 1/25/11
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
This week's BOCC meeting was interesting in that I actually learned something about Commissioner Tim Sheldon’s vision of the future of Mason County.
After I gave testimony about the economic opportunities that will be eliminated if the county should proceed with its plan to site two biomass plants in Shelton, Commissioner Tim Sheldon treated all who were present to a somewhat romanticized history of the timber industry. I was then asked to contemplate the meaning of the big saw-blade that hangs on the chamber wall, while Mr. Sheldon put the whole matter into perspective by reminding me that it was he, not I, who was born in Mason County, implying that my opinions were of little value.
But what I did learn was that Tim Sheldon has not the slightest intention of diversifying the economic engine of our community into one that can withstand the myriad of challenges the future will surely bring; even worse, he remains clam-tight against any paradigm that does not revolve around timber.
Particularly disturbing was that Commissioner Sheldon seems less interested in making our community a better place to live than he is on maintaining the status quo. I say this because he went on about how proud he is of Mason County, completely ignoring the fact that we have a higher than national number of high school drop outs, a higher illiteracy rate, lower household incomes, higher unemployment, a higher per capita crime rate, and an entirely unacceptable number of people who do their weekly shopping at local food banks. Add to this the fact that Mason County rates 37 out of 39 when it comes to overall health, morbidity and mortality, what the heck is he so proud of?
Given this reality based assessment of our community, I suspect Mr. Sheldon’s source of pride may be rooted more in his personal accomplishments than in those of the county he presides over. What Mason County desperately needs is fresh eyes and new blood. The status quo is killing us.
What follows is a letter read before and submitted to the Mason County Commission Tuesday evening:
January 25, 2011
Mason County Commissioners:
I am requesting that sitting Mason County Commissioners Lynda Ring Erickson and Jerry Lingle demand fellow Commissioner, Tim Sheldon, resign his position, effective immediately, for the following reason:
House Bill 1081, soon to be voted on by the Senate, would all but eliminate the authority of County Commissions to appropriately impose a moratorium, or to exercise other legal instruments, for the purpose of halting or delaying construction of a biomass to power facility within their jurisdiction.
The introduction of this bill clearly demonstrates the existence of the conflict inherent in a situation whereby an elected official occupies the positions of State Senator and County Commissioner.
With respect to Commissioner Sheldon, the conflict is clear: no matter which way Senator Sheldon casts his vote on HB-1081, the fact that he has the opportunity to vote on a state bill that directly affects his ability to carry out his duties as County Commissioner is, in and of itself, a conflict.
And if Senator Sheldon chooses to absence himself from the vote, he will serve neither his Mason County constituents nor those of District #35, which he also represents, thus proving the existence of a conflict.
For these and other reasons, I ask that you demand Mr. Sheldon to step down from position as Mason County Commissioner.
Tom Davis
Shelton
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
CONTACT: Senator/Commissioner Tim Sheldon
sheldon.timothy@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson
(360) 427-9670 Ext. 419
CONTACT: Commissioner Jerry Lingle
(360) 427-9670 Ext. 419
Tom, you give me hope!
ReplyDeleteI'm very perplexed by Tim Sheldon's lack of perspective and respect for the American way of life.
ReplyDeleteI would remind Mr. Sheldon that many of this country's Founding Fathers were not born in this country, much less in a particular county.
The FACT is, you are a resident, you pay his salary through paying property taxes, and you vote in Mason County, which gives you every right to voice your opinion and makes yours equal if not more important than his.
I would also point out that Mr. Sheldon attended an eastern University and the UW, so his views are not typical of Shelton or Mason County, but, as he might argue against others, that of a East Coast elite, hardly that of a working class Mason County resident.
Mr. Sheldon is confused and conflicted, if nothing else. He is also blatantly violating his oath to represent the people of Mason County.
The oath he swore to doesn't say he represents only those born in Mason County. He is clearly an enemy of the American way of life and representative democracy.