12/19/2007: "County Council Supports Voters"

Council members Peterson, Lichter and Myhr vote to support the voters’ wishes on the Stormwater Ordinance issue. Congratulations and kudos. Based on some comments by Councilman Lichter it appears that they did listen to, and understand, what the voters were trying to convey.

The story in the Island Guardian stated: “Lichter said he believed that one of the reasons the voters rejected the original funding ordinance was because ‘we had not made it clear’ what the problem was, ‘and we had not made it clear what we were going to do with the money.’ He added ‘I am not comfortable establishing a fee to do research.’ He said the County should not ask the citizens to pay to define a problem they then have to pay for. He explained that ‘if we are going to the citizens and saying these are the problems we have to deal with, we (the Council) should somehow find the funding’ to do the analysis’.”

Alan has hit it dead center. Defining the problem is not only one of the reasons, but the main reason the funding ordinance was rejected.

There are many other problems with the original funding ordinance, but he has correctly identified the main issue. Now the question is, “What are they going to do with the $700,000 plus that was already collected”?

Perhaps give it back. Maybe use some of it to “Define what the specific problem is?” We the voters will be patiently waiting to see.

Ray Bigler
San Juan Island