Northwest Progressive Institute: As if we didn't have enough to worry about

Northwest Progressive Institute: As if we didn't have enough to worry about:

"For the first time in this state, a political action committee has been formed to help elect candidates to the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The Constitutional Law PAC has a right-of-center orientation"

I guess the whole state will have to put up with developer's money next time around.

Crossposted to ThreeLakes.

Sax and Council are trying Railroad on Growth Management Act!

Jeff Sax and the other pro-development members of the County Council will make one last try to steal our county for the Developers. They plan to hold what they call the "Final" hearings for the Growth Management Act revisions on December 7. If their actions at the last hearings are any guide, they will probably make a lot of changes in the ordinance to help their Developer friends, and they quickly pass it before the New less development-friendly Council takes control at the first of the year.

This Action alert just came through from Kristin Kelly:

Please click the link below and let the county council know that you want a thoughtful growth plan for Snohomish County, not a maximum growth plan at any cost scenario to satisfy the developer feeding frenzy.

On December 7th at 1:30 p.m. the council will hold their final public hearing on the 10-year comprehensive plan update. They have introduced 65 amendments to the County Executive Preferred Alternative. They are also considering changes that reflect the Alternative 3--highest growth scenario that was not advertised as part of this public hearing process. These changes they are considering mean UGA expansions and rezones to every UGA, some of which will impact critical areas, resource lands and rural lands unnecessarily, and transportation impacts and costs that the public has not had a chance to see or comment on. This hurried public process was advertised on the Friday after Thanksgiving while you were no doubt focused on making turkey sandwiches and visiting with friends and relatives.

Please send in the letter. Feel free to edit the letter to reflect your concerns as well. Let the Council know you are not happy with the land grab scenario at the expense of a thoughtful plan on growth.

For more information, visit the county's website at www.co.snohomish.wa.us and click on the 10-year comprehensive plan link.

http://actionstudio.org/?go=1901&i=KjsmUjddXD8qUlw5W1JAICAK

Thank you,
Kristin Kelly, Field Organizer

Sax Loses, Somers Wins!

Washblog:

"COUNTY COUNCIL- DISTRICT 5155/155
D - Dave Somers 10,909 49.31%
R - Jeff Sax 9,448 42.70%
I - Greg Stephens 1,694 7.66%
Write-In 74 0.33%"

These are unofficial final results. There will be a few more mail ballots coming in that will possibly change things a little bit.

The stack of pro-Sax propaganda that I have piled up on my desk can now be burned (or recycled) and the county is now safer from Developers.

The People have spoken!

Dave Somers Interview Link on Washblog

Dave Somers interviews with Evergreen Politics
Dave's interview, and Lynn's subsequent post on dirty tricks revealed the last minute barrage of lie-mail from the Sax camp, and the reason Somers decided to run against Sax.

It has been difficult watching Jeff. I think he fundamentally doesn’t believe in government. On land use he seems to do whatever the developers want. When I was on the council I had a sense of really wanting to protect the land, manage growth, and keep the natural environment in good shape. I really wanted us to avoid becoming like the Los Angeles area with its uncontrolled growth.

When Jeff came on the Council it tipped the balance and they undid so many things. It was difficult. My background is in natural resources. I’m a fisheries biologist. When I was on the Council I enjoyed broadening my understanding of other issues and getting into transportation, criminal justice, parks, and other issues. It was a rewarding experience. There are so many aspects of county government. I’m a problem solver; I like to jump in and see if I can help resolve issues.

Now there is not a strong voice to argue the other way on unrestrained growth. I was successful in steering things in a positive direction. I thought about challenging Jeff for 4 years. I’m glad I did it.

Last I heard, Dave Somers was leading Sax narrowly in a GOP sponsored poll, but can't confirm this rumor. Dave will need a big GOTV push tomorrow.

Read TODAY! Make sure you go and Vote!

The Seattle Times: Opinion: Sax's act has grown old

The Seattle Times: Opinion: Sax's act has grown old:

"Sax's act has grown old
Early in his 2005 re-election campaign, Snohomish County Councilman Jeff Sax sat down for a political roast meant to poke premeditated fun at his bull-in-the-china-shop style. No one mentioned the embarrassing fact that a house was built on his property without a building permit. Ho, ho, ho, ha, ha, ha."

Seattle Times Editorial Columnist socks it to Sax.