Total disregard for the yes voters for this levy. The council could not wait to get their sticky fingers in this new "Pot of Gold". Rather than act like the representatives that the people elected to figure things out the best way for the residents, they took the easy way out. No way will I ever vote for anything to do with this city again. The council should be ashamed of themselves for violating the taxpayers wishes.
People are watching - 8 years ago
History repeats itself. This isn't the first time the Cle Elum City budget has benefited from passing of a special levy that was meant to enhance public safety. A few years ago a countywide ballot measure for increasing deputies and city police was overwhelmingly passed. The 3/10ths Criminal Justice tax was for a very specific in it's language and intent. Soon after it passed the Legislature made a rule change which allowed counties/cities the ability to divert those tax funds to the general fund budget. Immediately the Cle Elum Council did so resulting in the delaying of hiring the police positions for which it was intended. Those positions have since been filled but not when they should have been. Unfortunately any new levy proposals will be difficult to pass in the future.
Jerri Pardini - 8 years ago
The council showed total disregard for the input of those who elected them. The photo on the front page of the Daily Record the next day was indicative of that to me....or maybe they already knew what the vote was going to be! They showed the same disregard by not giving their funding cut plan to the levy committee last spring so everyone could be fully informed. No, the council did nothing illegal but their priorities need to be reviewed! The fire department needs proper equipment and training to do their job to protect all the residents...they need funding to accomplish that. Their budget was not ridiculous nor was Chief Campbell trying to stir up controversy. He was trying to express the importance of the dollars the department needs to best serve our community.
uppercounty resident - 8 years ago
The phrase "bait and switch" comes to mind. It feels like the City is pulling a fast one defunding the fire department just because voters approved a levy to fund UNMET ADDITIONAL expenses. Taking money away from firefighters, thus reducing the effectiveness of the levy dollars, to pay for a city planner may be within legal rights, but shows poor judgement and disregard for the safety of the citizens. The first job of this city planner should be planning to find a more palatable way to pay their high salary and return money to the community's fire protection.
Total disregard for the yes voters for this levy. The council could not wait to get their sticky fingers in this new "Pot of Gold". Rather than act like the representatives that the people elected to figure things out the best way for the residents, they took the easy way out. No way will I ever vote for anything to do with this city again. The council should be ashamed of themselves for violating the taxpayers wishes.
History repeats itself. This isn't the first time the Cle Elum City budget has benefited from passing of a special levy that was meant to enhance public safety. A few years ago a countywide ballot measure for increasing deputies and city police was overwhelmingly passed. The 3/10ths Criminal Justice tax was for a very specific in it's language and intent. Soon after it passed the Legislature made a rule change which allowed counties/cities the ability to divert those tax funds to the general fund budget. Immediately the Cle Elum Council did so resulting in the delaying of hiring the police positions for which it was intended. Those positions have since been filled but not when they should have been. Unfortunately any new levy proposals will be difficult to pass in the future.
The council showed total disregard for the input of those who elected them. The photo on the front page of the Daily Record the next day was indicative of that to me....or maybe they already knew what the vote was going to be! They showed the same disregard by not giving their funding cut plan to the levy committee last spring so everyone could be fully informed. No, the council did nothing illegal but their priorities need to be reviewed! The fire department needs proper equipment and training to do their job to protect all the residents...they need funding to accomplish that. Their budget was not ridiculous nor was Chief Campbell trying to stir up controversy. He was trying to express the importance of the dollars the department needs to best serve our community.
The phrase "bait and switch" comes to mind. It feels like the City is pulling a fast one defunding the fire department just because voters approved a levy to fund UNMET ADDITIONAL expenses. Taking money away from firefighters, thus reducing the effectiveness of the levy dollars, to pay for a city planner may be within legal rights, but shows poor judgement and disregard for the safety of the citizens. The first job of this city planner should be planning to find a more palatable way to pay their high salary and return money to the community's fire protection.