To: Kittitas County BOCC
From: Jerry Martens,
Rarely, during a term of service as an elected official, does a “defining moment” rise which will label you and how people see your service. And even more rare is a defining moment that will follow you into the future, whether it be as an elected official or otherwise.
This afternoon, each of you faces this moment!
In the past, I have met with each one of you and came away from these meetings realizing that you heard nothing that I spoke about and had one single underlying interest: your representation of the county and how you looked in that position.
WHAT EACH OF YOU HAS FAILED IN, IS YOU AND THE POSITION YOU WERE ELECTED TO, IS IN REPRESENTATION OF COUNTY RESIDENTS AND HOW THE COUNTY TREATS ITS CITIZENS.
A county commissioners’ position is unique to county elected offices; your single purpose is for the people. All other elected positions support county operations and how the county functions and interact with constituents. A county commissioner is strictly in place as the people’s representative.
The vote in front of you this afternoon has been labeled as a means to promote tourism, a funding source for flood abatement, and a ream of other special capital interests which completely misses the target of servicing your constituents, county taxpayers.
Furthermore, the tax you are considering targets an under-represented segment of the population and to a greater extent, those seeking to become residents. How can you represent to them that this added funding burden will benefit them?
Commissioner Osiadacz, you have spoken frequently about your close ties with Olympia. Last year, those in Olympia increase the REET tax substantially and your vote this afternoon will illustrate your willingness to pile onto the one-party rule from Olympia or support the interest of county residents.
So be very much aware that your vote this afternoon will follow you. We will make sure of it.
CC: Clerk of the Board
Mark Cook, Public Works Director
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