Drescher's Benefits & Salary Cuts Vrs. Aesop's Wisdom

Regarding the Newcastle News Q & A for Position 6 candidates, John Drescher answered the question about cutting the city budget by saying, in part, that he wants to cut the salary and benefits of underperforming staff.  For one thing, it should be the city manager's prerogative to discipline underperforming staff, if any, which N.P.R. doubts is a big problem in Newcastle.  Moreover, Drescher's idea smacks of overreaching management retribution to deal with problems and would create problems with the unions.  Generally, the City Council should not be trying to micro-manage how the city manager commands and disciplines his staff.  The Council gives broad guidelines to the city manager, but neither they nor the manager should be using salary and benefits as a tool to punish underperforming staff, but instead should use positive steps, such as setting goals, to improve performances that don't meet standards.  Improvement letters or talks, and goal-setting, that's it, not threatening to diminish the living standards of workers.  The city must abide by the agreements with the unions in spirit and in practice, and avoid costly legal entanglements.  Has Mr. Drescher ever read Aesop's Fables?  If so, he should re-read "The North Wind and the Sun," and he would find that positive influences work much better than trying to blow the cloaks off of workers that he may come to disapprove of.

Update:  "Here Comes the Sun": a new post on the Commons blog, "Groundswell."

[updated on 10/11/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified. If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

Greene Attends Gathering of Candidates

Mark Greene (Commons) attended the Newcastle City Council candidates' gathering at the Newcastle Golf Club yesterday hosted by the Jensen family (John & Lisa, the Deputy Mayor) and spoke to various guests about environmental advancement and, among other subjects, a proposed public safety initiative in the name of hiring a few more patrol officers under the guidance of Police Chief Melinda Irvine.  The event was lightly attended, about 30-or-so guests, but lively as conversation about governance and politics, among other topics, took place.  Mayor Rich Crispo, Councilman John Dulcich, and Candidate John Drescher (R) also attended, among other politicians and officials, including City Manager Rob Wyman and County Councilman Reagan Dunn.  Incidentally, Greene and Drescher shook hands.

[updated and revised on 10/10/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified. If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

What the News Left Out

Why the Newcastle News used a larger than usual typeset size in their print edition for the Question and Answer segment by the candidates for Position 6, and thus did not display all 14 questions presented to the candidates, is curious, but we can only speculate.  Here are the 4 questions and answers that they did not print, and the endorsements they left out as well.  

[The following Q & A was derived from the Newcastle News' on-line edition (October 4, 2013) and posted here under the Fair Use Doctrine regarding copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).]

What should be the city's role in economic development? 

Mark Greene: 

Encouraging it through proactive policies, such as inviting developers and entrepreneurs to City Hall, and running the city well will help to achieve that goal.
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John Drescher:
 
Newcastle should make clear through word and policy that it welcomes and encourages entrepreneurs who choose to invest in and bring services to our city.


What recent council decision would you have changed if you could?  Why?

Mark Greene:  

No one decision, but approving various zoning ordinances without requirement that large real estate gentrification cannot displace renters without limitations on increased rent or compensation.
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John Drescher:

It was unfortunate to lose a full-time parks director. Parks are our strength. We should invest in their proper care and fullest use.


How will the city continue to improve public safety?

Mark Greene:

Support Police Chief Melinda Irvine and her proposals, including a few extra patrol officers.
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John Drescher:

My goal is for two Newcastle officers to be on duty 24/7 for added prevention and quicker response to combat the sharp rise in crime.

Should the city expand its recreation programs? Explain.

Mark Greene:

Maybe, but under a tight budget, recreation won’t be high on the totem pole. With all the wide-open fields, here, people are quite innovative.
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John Drescher:

Parks/trails are our strength. I am in favor of funding a full-time community activities/parks manager when the city finances better allow for such.

Mark Greene's Endorsement:

Darcy Burner (former two-time Congress nominee)
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John Drescher's Endorsements:

Adam Smith, 9th District; Dave Reichert, 8th District; Rob McKenna, former Attorney General; Rodney Tom, state Senate Majority Leader; Steve Litzow, Senator 41st District; Burien mayor Brian Bennett; Newcastle Mayor Rich Crispo; Newcastle Deputy Mayor Lisa Jensen; Gordon Bisset, Newcastle City Council; Steve Buri, Newcastle City Council; John Dulcich, Newcastle City Council; Bill Erxleben, Newcastle City Council; Allen Dauterman, Newcastle Planning Commission, vice chairman; Rob Lemmon, Newcastle Planning Commission; Tom Magers, Newcastle Planning Commission; Jon Simpson, Newcastle Planning Commission; and Elizabeth Thompson, Newcastle Planning Commission

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified. If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

Public Officials and Criticism

Goes With the Territory

I've been hearing that I'm being criticized for, myself, criticizing several of Mr. Drescher's endorsers.  However, I've gone down the list of Drescher's endorsers as publicized on his site or in the Newcastle News, and every one of them are public officials or former public officials.  So, in effect, they are using their positions, some of which are very well paid and others are volunteer (it's makes no difference either way), to effect the outcome of an election.  Generally, I would not criticize a non-public official who endorsed Drescher, because they are just exercising their rights in a democracy, and I respect that immensely.  However, there is a different and higher standard for someone who is using their government position to effect an election, so they are subject to criticism.  By the way, a lot of my criticism of Drescher's endorsers is trying to be light and sometimes humorous.  I will take the criticism of my criticizing public officials with a grain of salt, but there's no apologies, here.

-- Mark Greene, Candidate for Newcastle City Council, Position 6

[revised on 10/14/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified. If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

Mediocrity Speaks

At Least He Doesn't Think He's Spock (probably)

Jon Simpson, one of the Planning Commissioners and one of John Drescher's (R) endorsers, wrote a letter to the editor praising Mr. Drescher in the Newcastle News.  N.P.R. has barely noticed Simpson at some of the Planning Commission meetings, as this flabby mediocrity, who puts on airs like he's some kind of intellectual, seems as delusional as the Seattle-area billionaire who thinks he's the second coming of Lieutenant Spock (Star Trek).  Simpson probably hopes that he'll rise up a notch from the bottom of the totem pole at Planning if Drescher ascends to Council.

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified. If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

The Establishment Tries to Run Up the Score

The Newcastle News published a Question and Answer segment for the Position 6 council candidates in their latest (October) edition.  At least that was neutral.  Additionally, however, the News endorsed John Drescher (R): "Surprise, surprise, surprise," as TVs Gomer Pyle would have said.  In the past the News has endorsed several, if not many, of Drescher's many endorsers, and they published a letter to the editor in favor of their endorsee in the October edition as well.  Almost the entirety of the mostly Republican Newcastle City Council and Planning Commission, and especially an anti-apartments commissioner who wrote a testimonial, endorsed Drescher. Regarding outsiders (not from Newcastle), Drescher received endorsements from everyone from turncoat political charlatan Rodney Tom (D) [it should be (T)] to unsuccessful though renowned gubernatorial candidate, Rob McKenna (R). 

In football, they call this running up the score, but I remember a game where the Seahawks fell way behind and then managed to come back and win the game.  Mark Greene (Commons) has met hundreds of voters, maybe even thousands, coming into downtown ever since he first ran for council in 2007, and is continuing to work hard to win this election.  As you can remember in "Aesop's Fables," the hare pulled away in front of the tortoise quite dramatically, but the tortoise ended up getting the victory.

[revised on 10/11/13]

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.  If GM food is the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to them), then why don't they want it labeled?

Tortoise at the Table

Mark Greene

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for your attention to this close council election in Newcastle between me and my "2" opponents, Mr. Drescher and the Washington Establishment.  I cannot even identify the latter as just the town Establishment, because big shots from outside of Newcastle have meddled in our politics to make sure that the "little people" do not get a foothold in governance.  After all, they realize that the game (of special interest politics) is up once the little people start governing.  Which is why, my friends, that I need your vote and for many of you to join my relatively new 3rd party, the Party of Commons.


I started this campaign back in early December, and like the Tortoise in Aesop's Fables, "The Hare and the Tortoise," I have been inching along towards victory, receiving support from commoners from all parts of Newcastle as we try to get a seat at the table.  Naturally, I'm not going to put up signs in every square mile of Newcastle (I put up just a handful of signs), because for one, all these political signs everywhere aren't that aesthetic-looking, and secondly, I don't get the money from wheelers and dealers who try to influence politics for their own narrow or special interests as opposed to that of Newcastle, generally.

As someone who has promised that I'll never vote for the annexation of Newcastle, voters will have at least 3 solid votes against annexation on the Newcastle City Council in the next 2 - 4 years (Councilmember Carol Simpson being among those).  This loyal bloc will keep Newcastle independent and sovereign until we pass the baton to a new generation.

-- Mark Greene, Candidate for Newcastle City Council, Position 6

[Revised on 10/3/13 and updated with a photograph on 10/5/13.]

Note #1:  Please, pass the word around about Northern Pacific Report, URL: http://commonsnorth.blogspot.com.  The larger the circulation, the better chance that commoners will get a seat at the table. Thank you!  

Note #2:  Yesterday's Council Meeting: the Newcastle City Council was in session yesterday with an agenda filled with budget matters.  N.P.R. did not attend that session. 

Yesterday's agenda format is from the City of Newcastle:

GENERAL BUSINESS
 

a.  AB 13‐068  Operating Budget Needs and Council Priorities for 2014      Christine Olson, Finance Director 

 

Councilmembers will begin the 2014 budgeting process by discussing needs and  priorities for next year.   

b.  AB 13‐069  Revenue Forecast for 2014 ‐ 2019  Christine Olson, Finance Director 

A review of financial forecasts as part of the budgeting process.   

c.  AB 13‐070  Ordinance Amending the 2013 Budget  Christine Olson, Finance Director

The Council will review proposed amendments to the current fiscal year budget.

A public comment period is provided.

From N.P.R.: Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.  If genetically modified food is so great, why don't the producers of it want it labeled?