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Second Legislative District Democrats say they endorse Calvin Goings – not Pat McCarthy – for Pierce County executive.
In a statement released late Tuesday, the group announced its endorsement and repudiated claims it had ever endorsed McCarthy. Both Goings, a county councilman, and McCarthy, the county auditor, are running for executive as Democrats in November.
The announcement contradicts a notice on McCarthy’s web site that claims the Democratic group endorsed her. According to the group, members in January unanimously recommended both Goings and McCarthy appear on the November ballot under the county’s new ranked choice voting system. However, they also unanimously picked Goings as their top choice but advised voters to list McCarthy second on their ranked choice voting ballot.
Chairman Bob Chamberlain says McCarthy has mischaracterized that action as an endorsement of her. The group says it wrote McCarthy and asked her to stop claiming the endorsement. And on Monday it withdrew its positive recommendation.
The news follows last week’s announcement that McCarthy had won the endorsement of the Master Builder’s Association. The Second District Democrats cited the MBA’s position on “planning for a sustainable future” as a contributing factor in its decision to withdraw its recommendation of McCarthy.
Below is the press release issued by the Second Legislative District Democrats.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Second Legislative District Democrats unanimously endorse Calvin Goings
At their meeting in Graham Monday, June 16 the Second Legislative District Democrats unanimously endorsed Calvin Goings as their sole recommendation for Pierce County Executive. The move was seen by the membership as a repudiation of claims that the Democrats had endorsed Auditor Pat McCarthy and a removal of ambiguities that had allowed her campaign to claim otherwise. In January, the members unanimously recommended that the Pierce County Democrats allow both Pat McCarthy and Calvin Goings to campaign as Democrats and be listed as Democrats on the ballot. The members at that time, after talking with both candidates, unanimously expressed a strong preference for Goings and recommended that, in this fall’s Ranked Choice Voting ballot, voters be advised to vote for Goings as first choice and McCarthy second in the Ranked Choice voting contest.
Unfortunately, says Bob Chamberlain, chair of the Second Legislataive District Democrats, the January resolution has been mischaracterized as an endorsement of Auditor McCarthy, a characterization rejected by those who voted for the original resolution. In April many persons received a widely-disseminated e-mail advertising that the Second LD Democrats had endorsed her. Several individual members complained and the Legislative District chair wrote to the Auditor asking her to assure that the mischaracterization would no longer appear in her advertising.
Her website, at least through June 17, presents the exaggerated claim[*] that the Second Legislative District Democrats has endorsed McCarthy.
The point was made more urgent when she announced her endorsement by the Master Builders’ Association. That organization opposes plans that promote planning for a sustainable future, in the opinion of those who took part in discussing the endorsement, requiring a direct confrontation of the false impression.
Therefore, on June 16, the Second Legislative District Democrats in their regular monthly meeting unanimously gave sole endorsement to Calvin Goings, removed positive recommendation from the candidacy of Pat McCarthy, and directed the Chair to prepare and broadly release this information.
[*]From her website, www.patmccarthy2008.org, link “In the News,” link “Staff Blog”:
2nd District Democrats endorse McCarthy
POSTED APRIL 27, 2008 at 10:05 pm
The 2nd Legislative District endorsed Pat’s run for County Executive citing her longstanding record of supporting Democratic causes. Pat is a lifelong Democrat. As a member of the 27th District Democrats, Pierce County Democrats, Democratic Women’s Luncheon Club and Washington State Democratic Party, Pat champions Democratic ideals, including building a fair and sustainable workplace, civil and women’s rights, education for all, and the welfare of our families.
COMMENTS:
Bob Chamberlain - Chair
olguy32_2000Yahoo.com
Jean Marie Christenson - First Vice Chair
Marianne Lincoln - Treasurer
Second Vice Chair - Jeff Stephan
Secretary - Bob Akervick
State Committee Man - Bob Akervick
State Committee Woman - Pat Roberts-Dempsey
Goings......going......gone......
One of the biggest things I had to learn is how much our Charter has permitted Exec.s like John L to totally bypass the Council safety net and make his own deals and decisions . That kind of power currently in the wrong hands is terrifying. Even with the next Exec. who might not be so self serving, I think voters need to look at this danger and call for Charter changes to ensure we no longer place so much power in one set of hands.
We need our Citizen Groups to have more real power and not just hand patting. We need a high powered Unincorporated Representative position within the Exec's office ( voter or Council designated position- not Exec)
And we need to demand that there is real Open Government such as meeting tapings ( despised by John L for obvious reasons)and easier access to Public Records.
I don't know which of the candidates will in the end prove to be about the County and its residents instead of all about themselves and their political future. But I can tell you, being hated in your home turf like John L doesn't help having a future.
I have been a Democrat in good standing for over 30 years. I was proud of the endorsement. I was simply thrilled and wanted to let people know.
The press release also referred to the Master Builders’ endorsement of my candidacy, a group that represents over 10,000 employees in Pierce County. I interviewed with the MBA, as did all Executive candidates.
The next Executive needs to take a reasonable approach to Pierce County’s inevitable development and growth. The MBA is one of many organizations concerned with the County’s future. I am proud of their endorsement, and I am proud of my record of being able to work with stakeholders with diverse points of view.
Why am I being held to a different standard than my opponent? As the only Democratic countywide elected woman, I am proud of my accomplishments. I have represented the Democratic Party and all divergent groups with integrity and honesty and will continue to do so.
".......and the Legislative District chair wrote to the Auditor asking her to assure that the mischaracterization would no longer appear in her advertising.
Her website, at least through June 17, presents the exaggerated claim[*] that the Second Legislative District Democrats has endorsed McCarthy."
We NEED elected leaders that can bring real life experience to the table, not years as a politician especially like Goings whose main job has been to try and get re-elected. He claims and plays up his private side experience but please ASK him what it really is like when he claims to be a banker. Again, I don’t hate anyone but when someone makes there life out like they are JFK, then we need to be afraid. Citizens and voters deserve leadership to fix roads, keep people and property safe and create some business opportunity in PC not a ladder climbing politician like Goings.
My advice to Knowles, go get a job, or do you already have one...as a "slimer" for a politician who believes in personal attacks instead of debating the issues.
Thanks for the reply. I would suggest though that much of the perceived Councils inactivity or ability to do many things again rests on the shoulders of a current Exec.
His repetitive failure/ refusal to include the legislative branch ( Council) in many contracts, deals , etc. and his veto authority on issues the Council does address has taken a huge toll here. I have seen the Council struggle with issues knowing that John L might get a bug up his hinney and veto it out of spite.
I personally think Junk Car King John L has caused some of the worst problems and reputation issues of Pierce County in his appointments, decisions and deal making. Instead of a cohesive government that works together, its divided into fractions. I don't know if Goings or any of the other candidates can get all branches and departments working together but it needs to be included in their priority, along with a real Open Government system.
All the candidates have the same or a bit less experience in different ways. John L didn't have Exec. experience either and look what it got us. And we were stupid enough to "bite" twice! Look at his record. Even in his campagin all he can find to claim to fame in 8 years is removing thousands of junk cars, a golf course and his old history as a lawyer. His "accomplishments" are an old dog with no bite.
The voters will roll the dice. I just hope the winning candidate isn't entrenched into the tiresome " good ol' boys" club that John L has developed here. Thats the REAL change we need! Get rid of the buddy buddy perks and the habit of throwing citizens, county funds and property rights to the wolves in order to make friend rich and concrete up our dwindling open spaces for temporary profit.
Shall we discuss Mr. Goings holding up the County towing contract until after he had a fund raiser with the towing companies that benefited from the contract?
Maybe we should look at amount of development that has happened under his watch in his council district. By developers that gave very heavily to his campaign. As someone pointed out he did ask for the MBA’s endorsement. Had he received it, would have the 2nd district rescinded their co-endorsement of him?
The bad blood between Goings, Bunny and the rest of the council runs deep. There is no way Goings can bring leadership to a council he has been so combative and divisive with.
He has even less support among the county employees, the ones he wants to manage and lead.
Real leadership is what we need in times like these, and Mr. Goings inconsistent voting record and caustic style proves he lacks real leadership.
The development in his district...where I happen to live-if it wasn't for Mr. Goings battle with the the developers in the early 2000's during the passing of both the Parkland and Spanaway Community Plan and the South Hill Community Plan, we would have a rather different looking area right now. Your "facts" are not only twisted, they bare no resemblence to the truth.
As for having the leadership skill to lead this County--in the past seven years, since Calvin Goings has been on this Council, there hasn't been a major compromise in land use development, compromise in open space legislation, farm land preservation, or designation of parks that Calvin Goings hasn't played either THE leadership role or partnered with a council member in a leadership role. And you know it! And that is why you singled out these areas to attack him.
"Slimers" are aware of the truth; they either twist it or lie about it because the candidate they support is usually not as qualified. So they can't and don't choose to fight fair.
I only claimed one fact:
"Mr Goings worked at a credit union for a couple of months managing 2 or 3 people."
Is this fact true or false?
The issues I raised were: his claims of management expirence, double dealing with towing companies, quanity of development, his close relationship with certain developers, the 2nd Democrats bias, his inabality to work well with others, lack of County employee support, his inconsistent voting record and how all that the adds up to a "complete lack of leadership." Other than that he's doing a hecuva job!
These are all valid questions to ask about issues raised in the race for County Executive.
And let's not forget the issues around the Puyallup Tansit Station, collapse of the mental health programs at the County, and rise in youth gang violence all in the last seven years, all in pierce county, all in his district.
I have never seen Goings with his son and I will never say anything bad about family, but I have seen Goings waving signs during the day on the tax payer dime. Goings.....goings.....gone.
To Davidson100
You said "And let's not forget the issues around the Puyallup Tansit Station, collapse of the mental health programs at the County, and rise in youth gang violence all in the last seven years, all in pierce county, all in his district."
===================================================
I know nothing of the Puyallup Transit center issue. Will you elaborate?
===================================================
Regarding the "collapse of the mental health programs", here's a couple of quotes from a January 27th, 2006 TNT article :
"Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg believes his office may have made a mistake not revealing to the state the details of a plan to transform Puget Sound Behavioral Health, the county's embattled psychiatric hospital, into a smaller, less-expensive inpatient psychiatric unit."
and
"Cutting staff in preparation for the switch is largely what led to the state order earlier this month to shut down the hospital. Inspectors found too few workers on hand to care for and control sometimes-violent patients. The crisis triage unit remains open.
and
"The state Department of Health knew about the transition plans, but not about the staff cuts and other particulars." and
""Not telling them how we were doing it led them to come in" and order the shutdown, Ladenburg said."
==================================================
And finally, as for the rise in youth gang violence "all in the last seven years, all in pierce county, all in his district." - well, there's been an increase in youth gang violence across the county (and state and nation). This is not a District 2 only issue, nor could anyone really believe that one councilmember has the power to stop the migration/formation/proliferation of youth gang violence.
======================================================
One more thing Davidson100...
According the the PCSD, the area most problematic regarding youth gang violence is in Roger Bush's district. Mr. Bush is running for reelection. Bruce Lachney is running against him.
WHile I honestly hope the new Exec. can bring together all departments under his management, I do have to say I also hope it includes a real shake up of the entrenched good ol boy club John L has formed here. After seeing most of the outcomes and decisions made by many department managers, I wouldn't be too sad to see many replaced. I think a significant shake up in how most departments are currently run wouldn't be a bad thing at all. We've seen the outcome when they "like" their boss, maybe it would improve when they hate him.
Most of the departments seem to hate Goings because he doesn't take just their input on issues but asks for more information. Don't know if you have had any experience with dealing with depts here but I can tell you- watching some of these guys in action with their "best data" presentations is a real smoke and mirrors con. I like the fact Goings, along with Terry Lee and a couple of others tend to blow all the smarmy wording away and put them on the spot for real facts.
Personally, I think the race is mainly between Goings and Bunney. Both will have to prove to us that they won't continue to support the developer controlled county growth influence, Council shut outs, land grab, microscopic citizen rights and lack of real citizen committee voice we're seen evolve under JOhn L.
I really don't care a rip about more roads right now- I want to see more police, land rights protection,and using our budget to maintain/repair current infrastructure, parks, etc. before they spend money on more bright ideas. Make it livable NOW not base all goals on some 2020 concept. Those are the campaigns I'm looking for.
"I want to see more police, land rights protection,and using our budget to maintain/repair current infrastructure, parks, etc. before they spend money on more bright ideas. Make it livable NOW not base all goals on some 2020 concept. Those are the campaigns I'm looking for."
Top three priorties from web sites:
Pat McCarthy
Public Safety
Liviable communitites
Accountability
Calvin Goings
Expand economic hope
Livable neighborhoods and business districts
Ethical government
Shawn Bunney
Protect Our Quality of Life – Prosperity and Jobs
Make Sense of County Government
Healthy Communities and Families
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