Friday, July 9, 2010

ADAGE: The Voters Are Talking

Over the last month I've knocked on several hundred doors and stood in front of Wal-mart. This evening I want to report to you what I've heard and reiterate what my position is on ADAGE and the advisory ballot.

After speaking with hundreds of voters, I must report to you that I can count on one hand the number of people who think ADAGE is a good idea for Mason County. Of those I've visited with, every single one wants to see an advisory vote on the November ballot. The only five people I'm aware of who are not in favor of the advisory ballot are 5 of the 6 commissioners we elected to represent us, two on the Port Commission and three on the County Commission. The few people I found who favor ADAGE still thought it ought to be put to a vote of the people. What is wrong with this picture?

I do believe we need to attract new jobs to this county but based on my own research on ADAGE, I believe the costs far outweigh the benefits for the citizens of Mason County. I also feel there are some very real health concerns. For a county that ranks as one of the most unhealthy counties in Washington State, why would we want to bring more health risks into this community?

I continue to urge our elected officials to put the issue of ADAGE on the November ballot and then act based on the will of the people. I realize seeking, listening to, and then acting on the will of the people is a novel concept for some of the elected officials here in our county. But if our elected officials fail to represent us, then shame on us if we don't replace them when we have the chance.

5 comments:

  1. There is an awful lot of talk abuot this vote. I recall a meeting where linda said that if we denied adage the right to apply we'd be violating there constitutunal rights. is that true? if we vote and the vote says no to adage, can the board really tell them to go away?

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  2. "if we vote and the vote says no to adage, can the board really tell them to go away? "

    Great question! What can be done is to stop the nonsense by our elected officials that end up putting our local tax payer money in the hands of ADAGE. That means forcing ADAGE to pay their fair share of the waterline being funded by the PUD for instance. It would also mean that the County Commissioners could require ADAGE to follow both the letter of the law and the intent of SEPA and require an EIS. If an EIS isn't required here - then when in the world would one ever be required? It would also likely mean - or at a least is sure SHOULD mean - that the Port would end this warm fuzzy relationship between a couple of the Port Commissioners and ADAGE. The Port would for a change start representing the people instead of a single interest. Port management is completely brain dead on this issue I believe.

    The Port isn't ADAGE's property and the infrastructure that the people of the community are paying for - both now and in the future - hasn't been put in place to make ADAGE a viable business that it wouldn't under any normal circumstances be.

    Steve

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  3. Is there some way that a lawyer can be contacted to advise the citizens of Shelton on how to get our voices heard? Or have we given up our voice because we have a representative county government? There must be something we can do-is anyone collecting signatures about the vote?
    I talk to a lot of people each day..and I've never had one person tell me they want Adage in our town. Not one. The commissioners are out to ruin us.

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  4. Brenda, thanks for reiterating your stand on the Adage project. You have consistently said that you began with an open mind and after weighing all the available evidence, you find the costs are greater than the proposed benefits. And it seems that most local residents agree with you. Please continue your good work on our behalf.

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  5. "Or have we given up our voice because we have a representative county government? "

    Bruce Jorgenson made comment at the PUD vote to put out the waterline for bid about small Boards and Roberts Rule of Orders. The comment as I remember it is that small Boards can put important issue up to the voters for approval. I don't have a general knowledge of Roberts Rule of Order - but I do think the Port is wrong not to get a feel for this in the community by asking for a vote. No way has the public given up its right by voting people to represent them - that just gives rouge Commissioners a chance to work against the best interest of their constituents. Commissioners have a fiduciary responsibility to the public they represent. Once they are instead pursuing an agenda that is not in the best interest of the public - then people better sit up and take notice and work to change that.

    Steve

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