12/22/2006: "Let's Get Serious"

Last week's little "dust up" on the Council in response to Councilman Ranker's request for more taxpayer money to cover the cost of his frequent freelancing trips to Olympia, brings some thoughts to mind. The first is: who is watching the store, or more to the point, is anyone on the Council paying any attention at all.

Chairman Lichter and the rest of the Council need to say enough already. Kevin apparently feels he does not need to report on his activities to the Council or the citizens who are paying the bills. So, Councilman Ranker, pay for your trips on your own. Lord knows the salary is high enough -being twice what the new council members get.

I am sure Kevin means well. The reality is that his wandering around Olympia without any agenda, aside from his own, is likely to do more harm than good. The department heads and elected officials he may chat-up from time to time know full well that he is operating on his own. They will give him about as much credence as they give any other private citizens with an opinion; In other words, not much. He is wasting his time and our money.

Most important, a Councilman freelancing in Olympia tells the elected officials and decision makers in the State capital that San Juan County isn't really very interested or concerned about what they are up to. If San Juan County did care, we would be making a real effort as a Council and a County to speak with one voice, inform legislators in both parties on matters that affect us and influence their decisions.

A good lobbyist, who is paying attention to the legislature daily, is a big help for getting the County's message delivered where it is needed and for keeping the Council informed on new bills in the legislature that will affect the County. (A related story)

The only way for San Juan County to have any effect at all on what happens in Olympia is the Council to work as a team. On matters such as the millions of dollars in Capron road funds that slipped away without even a mention by the Council until it was too late or the upcoming discussion about ferry fares, the only chance we have is for the Council to work together and to involve the citizens of San Juan County in the effort.

A number of years ago, the three San Juan County Commissioners of whom I was one, mounted a full court press on the legislature in cooperation with other ferry-served communities in an effort called "Save Our Ferries". The effort involved buttons for participants, scripts, press releases, chartered buses loaded with citizens from San Juan County, scheduled appointments with legislators and a massive rally on the steps of the legislature and full coordination with the Washington Association of Counties. It Worked!

It is time for the Council to step up, reign in the personable and well-intentioned "one man band" stumbling around Olympia and get serious about the very important issues that affect us all.

First on the agenda should be doing whatever we can to change the apparent direction on ferry rates, or it is Martha's Vineyard, "Here we come".