A Response to Tracy

We need to stop this trend and I would ask that you stay engaged here toward an open and engaging discussion of local issues.

A Response to Tracy …

I am at somewhat of a loss in understanding your post other than you are not supportive of others opinions or points of view. You stated that this site is for “a few self-congratulating republicans bashing progressives” and then point out that the “progressive agenda and those supporting this agenda are not the enemy”. You mention your interest in opinions from well-read, thoughtful, articulate people with discernment, wisdom and meaningful life experiences and their beliefs of various issues in the world.

First, I will not claim to have any of the qualities you listed and will not be labeled with a party affiliation that I must support. I do lean toward a Republican interest as I support smaller conservative government with more individual responsibility and less government intrusion into our lives. At 65 years of age, I believe I have meaningful life experiences to support my positions. As a Republican leaning individual, I am anything but “self-congratulating” as I am no more trustful of the R party than I am of the D’s. What I do know is our Country has some real significant problems of which we at the Kittitas County level will have very little impact.

Which brings us to what I see in the Kittitas County Sentinel; a platform to discuss Kittitas County issues and our (County citizens) perception of how Kittitas County leadership is handling these issues. Currently, I see the 3 R’s on the BOCC (board of county commissioners) as card-carrying members of the progressive agenda promoting an ever-expanding government intrusion into citizens’ lives with increasing budgets to support their agenda. Over the past 8 years our County budget has ballooned by 40% and the regulatory base has increased exponentially with a substantial shift in individual oversight by government. Look no farther than the Counties position on rural water access and the government mandate that waters of the State, historically viewed as public domain, are now being shifted to private property ownership to be sold for private gains.

This same methodology is progressing through all land use regulations which ultimately will result in our County’s transgression from a regressed and depressed economic community toward the playground for wealthy owners and well to-do retirees. Currently, there is very little opportunity of upward mobility for the young people of our County as economic development has basically been stopped through regulation. This has been put into place by a predominantly Republican electorate but also seems to be the model for State Democrats and Agencies. So I guess my confusion is; What’s your point as party affiliation doesn’t seem to be an issues here.

I am hopeful that this web site will solicit a balanced discussion of County issues which then drives our citizenry toward demanding more responsibility, accountability and transparency by our elected officials. If nothing else, it might give us more insight as to why our officials are acting as they do. In recent years County leadership has reacted to the wants and whims of Olympia or Westside interest over the needs and concerns of local citizenry.

We need to stop this trend and I would ask that you stay engaged here toward an open and engaging discussion of local issues.