Erxleben Speaks Against Nullification

City of Newcastle, WA -- Council Meeting of 9/3/13

 

Councilman Bill Erxleben, taking aim at the new marijuana legalization law in the state, implied that the federal law takes precedence over the state law, and thus council members and politicians, in general, should not defer to Initiative 502 (marijuana legalization) when making policy.  He said that members, and by implication, politicians generally, had a duty to uphold the rule of law.  Erxleben said that implementing the state law would be nullification (not enforcing or rejecting laws), and he implied that nullification, generally, was in fashion in several respects.

 

Erxleben expounded on how nullification was rearing its head in the debate over Syria, implying that the U.S. would be nullifying international law if the nation attacked Syria, because no country has the authority to attack another without self defense grounds or formal approval from the United Nations.  Erxleben also gave other examples of nullification in general, particularly about how it was being practiced in other states.  Erxleben's disapproval of nullification was one of two highlights (Mark Greene's speech being the other) in an otherwise mundane council meeting that N.P.R. had to leave early.

 

N.P.R. agrees with Erxleben regarding his points about international law and war, but thinks that nullification should not be totally dismissed since some laws may be unjust, immoral and unconstitutional, but nullification should be avoided if at all possible.  There is a higher law than man's law called universal law or God's law.

 

In other Council news, the Council discussed what the policy should be for sidewalk maintenance as Tim McHarg, Community Development Director, suggested that the Council put aside a special budget account for that purpose.  Public Works Director, Mark Rigos, said that the money that was allocated for sidewalks was basically used for expansion of sidewalks where needed as opposed to fixtures.  He implied that McHarg's suggestion would give a more concentrated picture for where monies should be spent.

 

At the start of the meeting, Council Candidate, Mark Greene, speaking from the public podium, said the U.S. should stay out of Syria's civil war, because there was no justification for getting involved.  The full text of the speech is as follows:

 

Against Intervention

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The civil war in Syria is sad, tragic and long-going, but it's none of America's business, and to compound tragedy upon tragedy by starting a new front in an old war, and then justifying it by saying you are doing it for humanity's sake makes no sense when you realize that humanity will take the brunt of suffering as a result of a new front.  The chemical weapons convention has been violated a number of times by various countries before, but Uncle Sam did nothing then, so picking and choosing which violations that should be policed sounds arbitrary and discriminatory.  Uncle Sam, himself, possesses the largest quantities of weapons of mass destruction, and has used such in the continents of Asia and Europe (if not others), in the forms of white phosphorous, depleted uranium and atom bombs.  So anointing oneself as the Policeman of the World, again, makes no sense.  If the conventions need to be enforced militarily, then let the entire world act through the auspices of the United Nations.  The American people are tired of war and war-making politicians.  Stay out of Syria and use economic sanctions instead (if the case for economic sanctions can be made).

 

- Mark Greene

[revised on 9/5/2013]



Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

The Power of Incrementalism

The Newcastle News did a fair job with the article about the Position 6 race for the Newcastle City Council (September, 2013 issue).  However, regarding my quote about little towns like Newcastle not having much of an impact in regards to the environment, that is clarified further below, and thereby gives the statement more context.  What I may or may not have left out in the interview, by implication or otherwise, is that all of us together, in the universal sense, have a lot of impact.  In other words, the power of incrementalism can do wonders!

- Mark Greene

[revised on 9/3/13]

 CLARIFICATION AND OTHER COMMENTS 

As one of the two subjects of this article, my statement that Newcastle is not going to have much of an impact when it comes to environmental issues should be clarified. I only mean this from the governmental angle, because the big decisions about the quality of our environmental standards are going to be made in Washington, D.C., and not the Newcastle City Council, as it’s mainly Congress and the White House that will decide whether or not to make the appropriate regulations to ensure that the environment is not inextricably harmed, and to advance environmentally sound energy, national parks and international treaty and trade policies. 

Of course, in the sense that the power of incremental steps is great, even little towns like Newcastle play a major part in the overall universal objective of sustaining a workable, peaceful, healthy and long lasting environment. “Doing our part” is very significant when everybody does their part, and to be frank, environmental decisions by governmental entities, writ large, have been harmful in many respects, as politicians are often too connected and tied in to narrow business interests through lobbyists and powerful CEO’s that are more concerned about their bottom line than the environment that sustains us all.

Regarding my opponent saying, in so many words, as quoted in this article, that he would fit in well with the Council, well, that is true, especially if you want a like-minded, “go along, get along” Council. A soliloquy of seven that strikes harmonious notes might not be the tonic that Newcastle needs in this era of urgency. However, if citizens want someone who will ruffle a few feathers (or a lot of feathers) to stake out principle-minded positions in the interests of the common good, then they might want to check out (my blog profile section).

- Mark Greene

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

Big Shots Meddle in Newcastle Politics

Drescher's Endorsers: Part 3

Who knew that this election for Position No. 6 in Newcastle was significant enough for renowned politicians like Rob McKenna, Adam Smith, Dave Reichert and Rodney Tom to stick their noses into, but sure enough here they all are.   I have been in campaigns on behalf of myself and fellow citizens since 1976 trying to bring common sense solutions to problems based on our national constitutional premises and our greatest values that have been around even long before 1776. 

As Attorney General, Rob McKenna didn't dare step into my legal battle with the King County Elections Director a few years ago even though I was legally obligated to notify him in his position as A.G.  Maybe, he agreed with my legal argument, as I'm one of the few, besides Dino Rossi, who has challenged the decisions of the Logan/Huff administrations, but considering that he's no political friend of anybody outside of his own upper echelon class, it's doubtful.

Rodney Tom is a slick charlatan who was once a Republican, turned Democrat, and then turned the tables on his new Democratic Party colleagues by getting in some kind of convoluted coalition with his old Republican chums.   Now, that gives the word "turncoat" a new spin.  What's he doing meddling in Newcastle politics?  He would be lucky to get elected Dogcatcher in his home district, let alone possibly entertaining thoughts about any statewide offices.

To complete this mediocre foursome of washed-up politicians endorsing John Drescher are congressmen, Adam Smith and Dave Reichert.  Adam Smith, from the corporate "Blue Dog" wing of the Democratic Party, helped to overturn the "Glass-Steagall" regulations on the banks in 1999, and thus gave "Wall Street" free rein to crash the economy, which they got around to doing in a big way in the Autumn of '08, and the economy hasn't recovered much since.  Smith is no Jimmy Stewart's "Mr. Smith" (regarding the old movie, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington").

Dave Reichert, the Republican congressman (CD 8) who apparently thinks that consciousness about the environment is mostly, if not only, important for political ends than any real problem that needs to be addressed for its own sake.  He got caught a few years ago making a statement about "the environment" and politics that belied him as no more than a typical politician, to put it nicely, as opposed to the earnest friend-of-the-environment that he wanted everybody to think he was.

In a League of His Own:  And Steve Litzow ... the District 41 State Senator is a weasel.  When I communicated with him a few years ago and supported him when he was in the process of unseating Randy Gordon, I had heard rumors that he was an unethical charlatan, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt, unfortunately.  I actually was able to give Litzow essential information that helped him win his close election over Gordon, but his endorsement of Drescher -- not even staying neutral -- is the "thanks" that I get.  I even wrote statements through a Seattle Times format lauding Litzow as an exceptional Republican (what a fool I was).  [Note:  John Drescher donated hundreds of dollars to John McCain's Republican presidential campaign; NPR believes it was for McCain's most recent presidential run.]  Litzow will never reach any statewide office with his record of duplicity, I think.

With "friends," of my opponent, like these, who needs endorsers?

-- Mark Greene, Candidate for Newcastle City Council, Position No. 6

[revised on 9/12/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

Drescher's Endorsers: Part 2

As N.P.R. has reported in "Drescher's Endorsers: Establishment - Check," council candidate, John Drescher, has received a number of endorsements from Establishment politicians (Mark Greene's support from the Establishment is less ostensible, and mostly from a few appointed officials).  One of Drescher's endorsers, Councilman Bill Erxleben is the most high profile promoter in Newcastle for dismantling Newcastle's independent status as a city and merging with Bellevue, but less known by the public is that Erxleben's sidekick, Gordon Bissett (another of Drescher's endorsers), also supports annexation, but kept that pretty well hidden until after the last local election.  Bissett didn't even go an entire year, since being elected to the Council in November, '11, before voting with Erxleben for annexation talks with Bellevue at the Sept. 4, 2012 council meeting.  Lest we forget, Bissett, like Drescher, also received big support from the Establishment leading up to the election.  So the public should be very aware of the sleight-of-hand where politicians whisper about annexation amongst themselves, and may even vote against talks, but openly support politicians like Erxleben and Bissett who are not so shy about announcing their real intentions about starting the process of being Bellevue's back yard.  This is called annexation-by-steps rather than one big dramatic move.  If you really want to keep Newcastle's independence, avoid following the endorsements of  the Establishment, and vote for Mark Greene.  Thank you!

Previous post (8/28/13): "Drescher's Endorsers: Establishment - Check"

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

Drescher's Endorsers: Establishment - Check

We finally got a clear look at John Drescher's website today, and still could find no hint about his position about whether Newcastle should be annexed by Bellevue or not (if anybody sees something, please, contact us).  Mark Greene has been unequivocally against annexation ever since Councilman Bill Erxleben brought it up as an issue and proposed talks with Bellevue last September, but there was a list of all of Drescher's endorsements, and Erxleben was on it (that's a red flag right there if you want and insist that Newcastle remain independent, like we do).  Also, almost everybody on the Council, one councilmember excepting, endorsed Drescher (hint: N.P.R. will be endorsing Carol Simpson for mayor next Winter if she runs).  An unchecked, nearly unanimous like-minded Council that is quick to act in the interests of real estate barons and gentrification may need an extra dissenter.  Drescher also has an endorsement and a testimony, practically headlining the home page of his website, from fellow Planning Commissioner, Rob Lemmon (have readers, here, heard about Lemmon's anti-apartments spiel?).  We will not go over the whole list of Drescher's endorsements, but Mr. Drescher may not even be the status quo candidate if Erxleben gets his ear about Newcastle being one of Bellevue's neighborhoods.

[revised on 8/29/13]

P.S.  There are indications that Mark Greene has the support of some of Newcastle's city officials, but in the interest of circumspection, we will not name them.  It is understandable, seeing that they're appointed officials and not elected, that they would probably prefer to remain anonymous.

[revised on 8/29/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

The Environmental Speech

Mark Greene's speech in front of the Newcastle City Council on August 20, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen,





Mark Greene

With foresight and leadership from this Council, Newcastle has an opportunity to be the vanguard of environmental leadership in Washington, which is why I am proposing the Newcastle Environmental Enhancement Project which would work hand-in-hand with the Public Works Department and the Community Activities Commission in finding new ways for our community to coexist with the planet that will increase our overall human development in a way that would coexist peaceably with the many wonders of the Earth.  This project would be the work of volunteers interested in mapping infrastructure problems and potential environmental hazards on a map of Newcastle, rating them in regards to their negative or potential negative impact on the community, and coming up with solutions to counteract them.  This project, if it gets off the ground, could provide many other services, such as workable contingency plans for natural disasters, proposing ideas about energy, waste and recycling and serving as the environmental watch group for Newcastle.

- Mark Greene

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.

Decisions Punted

City of Newcastle, WA -- Council Meeting of August 20, 2013

The Newcastle City Council unanimously approved a fire and building code ordinance that is pretty much in conjunction with the Bellevue City fire codes since the Bellevue Fire Department provides Newcastle with fire protection through a contractual agreement between the two cities.  The ordinance and the proceedings were more of less pro forma, as there were no big debates, controversies, or public comment during this segment of the meeting, although one of Bellevue's uniformed fire officials did address the Council through a speech and answering their questions.

The only thing that N.P.R. would add about fire codes at the moment is that there needs to be a better system to track violations and a way for the public to have easy or easier knowledge about how particular complaints are handled, if complaints are deemed credible, and what are the outcomes of everything (in other words, what was done to solve a credible complaint and was it actually solved).

The fire code ordinance was about the only thing that wasn't deferred at this meeting as the Council tabled an ordinance to establish, in effect, a Newcastle Historical Commission.  Several of the members of the private Newcastle Historical Society were in attendance as the Council debated whether or not it was a good idea for the city to essentially take over the society and, presumably, whatever historical artifacts are in the society's possession, or otherwise the society's property (allegedly, some Newcastle artifacts are in Renton's historical museum), or in the hands of individual private ownership that may or may not bequeath or give the city items of historical interest in their possession.  The Historical Society appeared heartily in favor of establishing a commission or a board, as one of their officials and voice on the Community Activities Commission, Russ Segner, all but said so in comments to the Council, but that wasn't necessarily an endorsement of vanquishing the Society in its private form, as Segner said the society would continue operating privately even if the ordinance was passed.

Segner implied that an official, working relationship with the city would confer an aura of increased status to the society that would bring longevity, more public interest, and presumed other fruits of being officially tied with the city, not the least among them being money (although that wasn't precisely mentioned or emphasized by Segner, money and how it should be handled was kind of the elephant in the room).  However, one dissenter who spoke from the public podium, whose name N.P.R. lost track of, didn't believe that the added attraction of presumed financial stability was likely to be the result of a city-run society (or commission), and in fact quite the contrary, as he said, in so many words, that grants are or would be frowned upon to city-run historical societies, a.k.a. artistic endeavors (tell that to the billion dollar plus city-run Detroit Institute of Arts that doesn't seem to have a problem getting grants, apparently so much so that Detroit's unelected, capitol-appointed viceroy unashamedly wants to use its assets as leverage in that city's debt crisis).  There was some muttering in the audience that pointedly disagreed with the dissenter's point about grants.  The Council seems prepared to take over the society, but they deferred action until they can potentially work out the details in a study session.  Mayor Rich Crispo didn't seem pleased about letting this pass without a vote, as he's the architect of this ordinance, which came under mounting criticism from Erxleben and Co., but he (Erxleben) and others appear to just want to put their imprimatur on it, rather than outright kill it.

Then there's the marijuana business opportunity or problem -- depending on your point of view -- as a result of the passage of legalization last year.  N.P.R. had to leave before the discussion about how it would be implemented or stiff-armed in Newcastle, but this became yet another issue that was punted, according to a source, although, going by past statements and rumors, this Council seems to be pretty old school on drugs and will probably make it as difficult as possible for any potential pot entrepreneurs in this town.  This particular agenda item was entitled "Discussion of Potential Marijuana Moratorium," after all.

Regarding the proposed street name change of 88th Street to May Creek Park Drive, you guessed it, that was also deferred, according to our source.

[revised on 8/24/13]

Soon to come on Northern Pacific Report:  Council Candidate Mark Greene's speech at the August 20th Newcastle City Council Meeting that proposed a Newcastle Environmental Enhancement Project (the full text of this speech will be published tomorrow or over the weekend).

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.