Opinion Bainbridge Island
Page A6
www.bainbridgereview.com Friday, October 18, 2013 • Bainbridge Island Review
In Our Opinion
Let’s watch where the money goes
H
old on to your ballots, undecided Bainbridge voters: You’re in for an interesting ride. Political campaigning on Bainbridge Island is being transformed this election season into something quite unfamiliar to many longtime voters on the island. An infusion of money into the campaigns for the Bainbridge Island City Council, at record-breaking levels, is being overshadowed by the new formation of a political action committee, or PAC, run by Gary Tripp, a longtime critic of local government. Many fear the PAC, called Common Sense Bainbridge, will inject a partisan bent and even greater polarization into council campaigns. They point to the involvement of Glenn Avery — a Seattle resident who is currently serving his third term as chairman of the 36th Legislative District Republicans — in the PAC, as well as Tripp’s past history of beyond-the-pale commentary. Common Sense Bainbridge has raised $23,350 — an amount more than any candidate in the race — to spend on this year’s Bainbridge races, and has so far spent just $6,000. But there’s big money, as well, that’s still unspent in the council races. Candidates in the three contested races have raised more than $73,000, and have reportedly nearly $33,000 left to spend on their campaigns before Election Day. Campaigns cost money to run effectively, no doubt, and donations help a candidate reach out to voters with yard signs, newspaper advertising, fliers and direct mail pieces. Donations can also be used for other unsavory activities, such as “hit piece” mailings and push polls. As Nov. 5 approaches, however, opportunities for using that campaign cash start to quickly dwindle and Bainbridge voters will find out if the candidates, and the outside interests who support some of them, will use their funding to build up their candidates rather than tear down their opponents.
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Letters In response
There’s nothing like a good witch hunt To the editor: I attended the recent school board meeting where the main topic, and draw of a full house, was the issue of childless male volunteers working at our grade schools during the lunch and recess periods. Concern over what their motives, and qualifications were addressed, even their character was questioned as other volunteers, and parents, didn’t seem to know that they were youth pastors. Somehow, three local youth pastors managed to infiltrate the schools volunteer program, without anyone knowing who they were? And this has gone on for eight years? Till one day a student tells a parent, because it seems “creepy” that church people work as volunteers. The investigation is now ongoing to determine whether God, Jesus or anything religious-based, was ever spoken during school hours, on school property, with any student. The perceived motive of these volunteers is to recruit the youth of our schools to start going to church and all that kind of stuff. These youth pastors have a passion for what they do. They are trained in dealing with the pitfalls of growing up on this rock. On being a kid trying to find out who they are. The kids who drive newer cars than the teachers. The kids that take the bus. The kids who are the most popular, and the wallflowers. The kids who come from broken homes with one parent, and those that come from broken homes with both parents.
The kids that have everything but feel they have nothing but misery. The bullies and the victims. They work very hard on establishing a trust and friendship with our kids. Yes, right here, in the land of milk and honey. The stats are written everywhere. All of us who have, and have had, children know they do not always listen to us. But great success is found by outside mentors, coaches, camp leaders, teachers, neighbor parents, and yes, even youth pastors. Several speakers kept repeating that this was not about religion, but about volunteers who do not have children going to the school they are working at. I mean, why on earth would you do that? What is really interesting is that none of these people have even spoken to Danny Smith, one of the youth pastors, about any concern, or issue regarding this. His agenda, motive, nothing. Not a word. An almost overflow room of people, along with the KOMO news camera man, and nobody even talked to the accused before a private investigation was initiated. Nothing like a good witch hunt before Halloween. I wonder if in the future all volunteers will have to be atheists? Just to be on the safe side. MIKE ANDERSON Bainbridge Island
Council election
We’re voting for progressive thinkers To the editor: During the 40-plus years we have lived on Bainbridge Island, we have always voted for progressive thinking people who we believe will look after the interests of the broad population on the island — not just some narrow special interest group.
We also look for those who will help steer the city toward a policy that manages growth intelligently, preserves the rural qualities of the island, and protects the environment while utilizing the city’s financial resources responsibly. This year our votes go to Val Tollefson, Roger Townsend and Wayne Roth. DALE AND REGINA SPOOR Bainbridge Island
More polarization not needed on Bainbridge To the editor: In the decades since all-island government, we have had some fantastic city council members, and we owe them our thanks for their service. But, for the last several years, the council has been dominated by a number of highly partisan folks who don’t seem to understand that local leadership is all about cooperation and transparency. This has (sadly) led to some vehement polarization in our once cohesive community. This fall’s election offers some clear choices in each ward. I ask you to join with me and vote for Val Tollefson, Wayne Roth and Roger Townsend. Each of them understands that effective leadership in any small town setting requires collaboration, consensus, compromise and civility. Good city governance is not about winning ever issue, or beating and vilifying the other guy. It should be about respectfully working together to solve problems, with everyone giving a little so they can meet in the middle. Please vote for these good-government candidates, since the last thing we need is more aggressive polarizing council members. BRUCE P. WEILAND Bainbridge Island