Posted on 02/17/2005 6:21:50 PM PST by No phonys allowed
CAO opponents crash meeting - Democrats had hoped to keep county executive's appearance to themselves 2005-02-17 by Jamie Swift Journal Reporter
ISSAQUAH -- Fifth District Democrats, fearing a mob of rural property owners angry over the recently passed Critical Areas Ordinance, chose not to publicly advertise a Wednesday night meeting fearing opponents would crash the event.
And crash they did.
About 30 protesters -- who feel their rights to do what they wish with their property have been infringed -- surrounded King County Executive Ron Sims as he arrived at the meeting at the King County Library Service Center on Newport Way.
Sims kept his eyes straight ahead and did not address the protesters, who carried signs that read, ``They can't have 65 percent of my land,'' and shouted at him as he walked up a few steps and into the building.
``It's not your land; it's our land,'' they yelled. ``Tell the truth, Ron.'' ``Good house training, Ron.''
The protesters were allowed to attend the meeting, but were told not to bring their signs inside. Once inside, they helped themselves to the M&M cookies and coffee the Democrats had set out.
A woman sitting in the back of the room said: ``This is going to be an interesting meeting.''
No `Jerry Springer Show'
In a Feb. 3 e-mail, the chair of the 5th District Democrats wrote to other Democrats, ``We don't want this event to be confused with `The Jerry Springer Show.'''
Democrats had hoped to ``pack the floor with over a hundred Democrats so that any vocal GOP opposition that shows up can be kept under control,'' according to the e-mail.
It didn't happen. Sims was not on his home court; those angry with him made up at least half of the audience.
Demonstrator Ron Ewart of Fall City summed up the situation this way: ``It's city folk ruling rural folk.''
Presentation proceeds
Sims gave his planned presentation on King County's Critical Areas Ordinance, outlining its history, its intent and its merits.
Protesters snickered and sneered, then voiced their displeasure when it was announced Sims would be taking just three questions, and only from Democrats.
``Ah, Ron, you're going to take the heat for this,'' protester Robert Larsen boldly shouted out of turn.
``I'm used to that,'' Sims quipped.
But a curve ball was thrown when the final question was asked by a woman who turned out to be a Democrat no longer.
``I was a Democrat until September,'' said Cherri Mann, her throat quivering. ``I walked the walk and I talked the talk.''
Mann proceeded to explain to Sims that her five-acre Bear Creek property is ``worthless'' now, because of the strict development limitations of the CAO.
Mann said she needs to get an $800 permit to pick raspberries on her property, and her dog can only run free on two acres of the land.
``My property is worthless,'' she said. ``How can government overstep so much?''
Sims said he would take her phone number and investigate her case.
Then a long-haired man in the back stood up.
``It's not just her,'' he said. ``She speaks for thousands of us.''
Sims briskly made his way out the door and to his car as the Democrats thanked him and applauded him.
Larsen wasn't satisfied.
``His back is against the wall,'' Larsen said. ``His house of cards is collapsing. He didn't expect hundreds and thousands of people to call him on this communistic taking (of land). This may be the end of Ron Sims.''
I would scream in protest until I lost my voice and I would pick those raspberries without getting the permit.
The brilliant concept "we the people..." made by visionary individuals over 200+ years ago..."we" are just now becoming a reality. "We" are connecting very rapidly.
It's great to have you on board with us raftertailj. The UN is totally out of control, I'm specially appauled at the "internation income tax" they want to impose on us American's so that they can fight world hunger.
What a joke, it would just be another wealth redistribution scam, probably like the oil for food fiasco.
Stefan had a field day w/ this - http://www.soundpolitics.com/archives/003789.html
Cool!
NPA - I, again, most assuredly agree with you. In my opinion the U.N. is one of the BIGGEST mistakes ever made by the U.S. of A. I've often had the thought that that org is not much different than our own government. Full of liars, deceivers, cheats and pretty much the dregs of society. Don't get me wrong, they're not all bad, but you put a good honest and true man (or woman) into a system that has been corrupted over many years of abuse by career politicans(the reason I'm all for term limits), in time that good honest and true individual will succumb to his surroundings and become just another bad apple in a barrel thats rotten to the core. We need to oust the UN out of our country and completely withdraw our involvement and support of that organization. I remember hearing a couple of weeks ago that the UN head honcho named Bill Clinton as a his senior advisior over some activity the UN was undertaking.
I also remember the American Taxpayer
(You & I) paid dearly for that appointment, in the sum of a $$2BILLION dollar donation made by him in the last few months of his term.
You believe that crap, all that money they collect from us and we have absolutely no say in how its used.
Total BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raftertailj
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