Over the past 12 months or so, there has been a lot of activity by our (yes, it really is ours) federal government to prevent the financial systems of the world from collapsing, shore up the American (and global) economy and “save or create” (pick a number) of jobs. Now might be a good time to take a hard look at results achieved and who is going to be handed the bills. One thing to question as we go through some of the actions and unintended consequences (at least for average Americans) is how government was empowered to do some of the things they have done.
While our attention has been diverted to the national debate (Is it really a debate when only one side gets to talk?) and the unintended consequences of a “Cash for Clunkers” program, your county planners and commissioners remain hard at work fixing “problems” for you and me. Unfortunately, working under the radar of most citizens, the commissioners are beginning to implement the policies they agreed to under Puget Sound Regional Council’s Vision 2040. The most immediate stealth effort is to significantly reduce or eliminate the opportunity for industrial development in rural areas of the county. There is no indication what the problem is, just an assumption that such development is bad. If the Commissioners are successful in implementing the proposed zoning changes, a significant amount of property will be devalued and opportunities for reasonable economic development in the county will be eliminated.
While our attention has been diverted to the national debate (is it really a debate when only one side gets to talk?) and the unintended consequences of a “Cash for Clunkers” program, your county planners and commissioners remain hard at work fixing “problems” for you and me. Unfortunately, working under the radar of most citizens, the commissioners are beginning to implement the policies they agreed to under Puget Sound Regional Council’s Vision 2040. The most immediate stealth effort is to significantly reduce or eliminate the opportunity for industrial development in rural areas of the county. There is no indication what the problem is, just an assumption that such development is bad. If the Commissioners are successful in implementing the proposed zoning changes, a significant amount of property will be devalued and opportunities for reasonable economic development in the county will be eliminated.
Just Jack, Aug. 7, 2009.
The August primary election ballots have been mailed and received by many voters in the county. Not all voters will get a ballot because there may not be an election in the district in which they live or there may not be more than two candidates running for a position. If you think you should have received a ballot, but have not, call the Elections Office at (360) 337-7128 and check it out. When you call, please have your voter registration card in hand so you can identify the specific precinct and districts in which you reside.
Please join with me in extending your most heartfelt sympathy to Commissioner Josh Brown and his parents for the tragic…
Please join with me in extending your most heartfelt sympathy to Central Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown and his parents for the tragic loss of his sister and their daughter, Tersha. Regardless of your political affiliations, this is a time for the community to come together to support the Browns in any way we can.
In the current great “blame game” over the cause and effects leading to the “bust” of the housing bubble, the role of government is being downplayed. That is unfortunate. Without an understanding of the role played by government, we are most likely to repeat the errors with the same outcomes. We are already seeing the resurgence of the “sub-prime mortgage” mentality as a solution to making housing “affordable.” Are we unwilling to face the truth and address the actual problem?
In the current great “blame game” over the cause and effects leading to the “bust” of the housing bubble, the role of government is being downplayed. That is unfortunate. Without an understanding of the role played by government, we are most likely to repeat the errors with the same outcomes. We are already seeing the resurgence of the “sub-prime mortgage” mentality as a solution to making housing “affordable.” Are we unwilling to face the truth and address the actual problem?
The tale of high-speed, low-wake passenger-only ferries that appears to have no end would be amusing if not so expensive. Apparently, as in so many other instances in this state, the opinion and will of the taxpayers has little impact when the political leadership focuses in on a solution. With the solution firmly identified, they are then free to find any number of problems that can be solved. In the case of high-speed ferries, after clear rejection by the voters and after buying and selling two boats at significant loss to the taxpayers, the saga continues.
The tale of high-speed, low-wake passenger-only ferries that appears to have no end would be amusing if not so expensive….
JUST JACK
It is common practice in business and active organizations that when you have an important or time critical task, assign it to a busy person. While counter-intuitive, the reality is busy people are good time managers. They don’t find time to do things, they make time. That is an admirable characteristic that, when developed in a larger number of citizens, benefits both the individuals and the community as a whole. Here are a few recent examples.
JUST JACK
Water, Water everywhere, yet aquifers may shrink. Water, Water, anywhere. A resource? Do you think? (My apologies to Samuel Coleridge).
In the current political discourse, we seem to spend more time labeling the messenger than actually listening to the message. We would rather deal with “issues” than actually explore core values and ideals of parties and candidates. We find it easier to exclude the ideas of others because they are “far right” or “far left.” We never ask, “Who is actually in the middle and what does that mean?” Being a conservative apparently places one on the “extreme right,” wherever that may be. I think it’s time to set the record straight and actually define what a political conservative is. I am not discussing political parties, but core political philosophies.
