32nd Democrats debate Shoreline Prop 1: con position
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Wendy DiPeso is a member of the group Shoreline Citizens for Good Government, whose campaign slogan is No Blank Check. They oppose the acquisition of the Seattle Public Utilities water system in Shoreline
By Wendy DiPeso
A Proposition One debate took place at the 32nd District Democrats meeting at the Masonic Lodge off Linden and NW 185th street in Shoreline Wednesday night.
The scope of the debate could be summed up in an exchange that took place between two observers, Pat Weber Precinct Committee Officer and Mayor Keith McGlashan who recently joined the 32nd District.
Listening to the debate Pat said “Proposition one is like me buying a size six dress with no plan for diet or exercise and expecting to fit into it.” McGlashan in good humor responded, “It’s a great goal!” to which Pat replied, “Yes but a goal without a plan is not a basis for a business decision.”
The “Goal without a plan” referred to statements made by John Behrens of Shoreline Citizens for Good Government recounting that the management “plan” consists of two ideas. One is to hire Seattle Public Utilities to continue to run the system after purchase, (Doesn’t that sound like we will be spending a lot of money to keep the status quo?) and the other is to hire two people to job shadow SPU for two years prior to the purchase.
After the debate the 32nd District considered whether to endorse a position against or in support of Proposition one. The vote was 20 to 19 against Proposition One, however the bylaws require a 60% vote so the motion did not pass.
Council member Will Hall spoke with all the passion and flair of a seasoned politician in favor of Proposition One equating it to making Shoreline a shining city unmatched by none. Though emotionally moving, just like the Proposition One itself, the speech lacked substance.
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1 comments:
Again, the voters have to decide which side of a ballot measure will receive their vote:
Unfortunately, the 32nd District Democrats (of which I am an elected, not appointed Precinct Committee Officer) have had a track record of opposing Shoreline Propositions and this night was supposed to be no different. Unfortunately for the 32nd, PCOs and other voting members who had long given up on this organization rallied last Wednesday night to stop the OPPOSITION motion from receiving the necessary votes...and this time they succeeded. For the first time in recent years, an endorsement of opposition to a Shoreline ballot measure did not get the 60% it needed to get the green light to be added to their SAMPLE BALLOT which goes out as a mailer to thousands of homes. I seem to remember that at this meeting, the final tally was not 20-19, but never mind, the vote FAILED and it was for all practical purposes a very divided, split vote. Why would an organization want to go on record on either side of the debate when it was clearly a 50/50 split? The 60% rule is there for a reason, although some in the audience now think it should be changed.
There was also no mention of the Pro Statement given by Chris Eggen. There was no mention that members were at times rudely interrupting him while remaining quite civil to the Con speakers. It was not a pleasant evening, but the supporters of this ballot measure prevailed to STOP the vote and that is all that matters. The 32nd District Democrats can not use their financial and human resources to oppose this measure. Thank you to Representative Ruth Kagi and the others who voted in support of Shoreline Prop 1, although your motion failed as well. Thank you for coming out to yet another meeting.
Now, the voters will have to do their own due diligence and I trust that they will. Progress and change can be difficult because there is always the element of the unknown. Change by its nature is moving toward a new and untried path. Fortunately for us, the history in our region and country is to embrace change. "If it's not broken, don't fix it," the opposition’s mantra is not always a good thing... That's been Seattle Public Utilities maintenance plan for Shoreline water facilities for years. Now we have our first and maybe only opportunity in the foreseeable future to get out from under their outrageous taxing of Shoreline ratepayers. Aren't you tired of being their "profit center" (Publicola article dated July 30, 2012)?
Thank you Shoreline Council member Will Hall for your piece in SAN. It is for the same reason you stated, that I and all of us on the city council continue to do the work of elected officials, while having to ignore the personal attacks by a few. Most of us moved to Shoreline for the many reasons you spoke of and continue to live here because of our community that understands your city needs the support of its citizens in order to flourish and grow.
Doris McConnell
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