Meet the Candidates: Ronald Wastewater Commissioner Pos. 1: Arne Lind
Monday, October 17, 2011
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| Arne Lind Ronald Wastewater Commissioner Position 1 |
It is not often that a contest for commissioner in the 68 year old Ronald Wastewater District has cast an opponent for the incumbent, Arne Lind.
This November's race proves interesting because the opponent, Bob Ransom, is an advocate of assumption of the district by the City of Shoreline pursuant to a contract, whereas the incumbent Arne Lind asserts that the contract for assumption is not valid without a vote of the ratepayers in Shoreline.
A ratepayer's right to vote on this issue he vows to protect. Why do I say this? I believe that the city will impose a utility tax on the the ratepayer, without any limit, causing the sewer rate to escalate beyond the present $ 11.15 charged per month.
Ronald has held the rate steady for the past 4 years and does not expect a raise this year. A vote for Arne Lind will assure you the right to vote on assumption and will continue to hold the line the line on costs, insuring you the lowest possible sewer rate.
Web: no website
Email: ArneLind@msn.com
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8 comments:
Arne was absolutely fantastic in Olympia this year when the City of Shoreline tried to sneak an anti-democratic bill past the citizens whereby they would abrogate our right to vote on taking over Seattle Public Utilities. The City of Shoreline did not trust the citizens, so they sought to get rid of the law that required 60% of us to approve the takeover of Seattle Public Utilities at the State Legislature - Arne spoke against this anti-democratic bill that would have increased your water bill without benefit.
Our City of Shoreline staff and City Council tried to sneak this by, and the Ronald Wasterwater District Commissioners and Shoreline Water District Commissioners like Arne prevented this from happening - we need responsible stewards like Arne re-elected. Ronald Wastewater is only responsible for a very small fraction of your sewer bill, Brightwater is a huge part of it and you can blame King County for it.
There is no reason whatsoever to replace Arne as he has proven himself to be a good steward of the public trust in spending our public money wisely, the Ronald Wastewater District has retired their public bonds EARLY, that is more than you can say for the spendthrifts at the City of Shoreline.
Mr. Lind,
Didn't you sign a binding agreement for annexation to the city in 2002? What's changed your mind? How are you going to break this binding agreement - your promise?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Actually if you go and look at the creation of the City of Shoreline, the voters never approved of a full service city, so a better question for you @1:54 pm is: why is the city staff promoting takeover of SPU and the wastewater district when we never approved of a full service city? A full service city includes local delivery (not by contract) of fire, police, water, sewer, electricity, etc.
The agreement you are referring to is not a binding agreement for annexation, there is no such agreement. The agreement is for a franchise with discussion of a possible integration at the conclusion of the franchise contract. The city has a similar agreement with Shoreline Water, Seattle Public Utilities, City Light, etc. Get your facts in order.
Here's a question: do you want to pay a utility tax on top of your sewer rate? If so, vote for the pro-assumption candidate. If not, vote for Limd.
Here's another question: do you think the City should follow State law and allow the citizens to vote before taking over Ronald Wastewater District? If so, vote for Lind. As a prior poster said, Lind stood up to the City at the Legislature and the Legislature rejected the City's cynical attempt to deny its citizens the right to vote on this important issue..
In looking at the agreement he signed in 2002, section 4.8 is titled "Cooperation with Assumption and Dissolution". Seems pretty clear that he can bluster, but he's already approved it.
@12:42 pm - you should go inform yourself about Washington State law, the contract isn't enforceable at this time, see RCW 54.16.180:
(1) A district may sell and convey, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its works, plants, systems, utilities and properties, after proceedings and approval by the voters of the district, as provided for the lease or disposition of like properties and facilities owned by cities and towns. The affirmative vote of three-fifths of the voters voting at an election on the question of approval of a proposed sale, shall be necessary to authorize such a sale.
So, you don't get it, do you? The citizens of Shoreline have to vote on it and approve of it at a super majority of 60%
Not only that, but our sneaky city staff and city council tried to amend the state law the last legislative session without any open and public discussion to get rid of our right to vote on the acquisition of either the SPU water utility or Ronald Wastewater, what is the city all about anyway? They are becoming like the former Soviet Union, trying get rid of our right to vote.
Actually, check RCW 35.13A.020. No vote to assume a special purpose required. Arne knows it. Bluster, bluster, bluster.
By the way, the agreement Ronald Wastewater readily signed (see Arne's signature at bottom) is binding.
Who doesn't get what?
Maybe you should ask Ronald about their HUGE reserve from our overpayment of monthly rates. No wonder they haven't had to raise rates while inflation has risen. They were too high in the first place.
No vote required? Really? Then why did the City try to get the Legislature to change the statute requiring a public vote to get into the utility business?
You might check with the Chris Eggen: "On the Ronald Wastewater District, Eggen said he would only vote to put it to a vote of the people." (shorelinepatch.com 10/12)
Or the City website (after losing at the Legislature): "While State law is ambiguous on this issue, the Council has decided that an issue this significant should be made by the citizens of Shoreline." How's that for making a virtue out of necessity.
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