The Pierce County Council this afternoon appointed 15 people to write “for” and “against” statements on the three proposed amendments to the county charter that will appear on the November ballot.

Any nominations for the oddest pairings?

Here’s the press release announcing the appointments:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 18, 2009

Fifteen Pierce County residents will represent their fellow citizens in formally supporting or opposing the proposed amendments to the Pierce County Charter that voters will see on the November ballot.

The County Council this afternoon unanimously appointed up to three members to citizen committees that will write “for” and “against” statements for the 2009 Pierce County voter’s pamphlet. More citizens applied to serve on some of the committees than there were available slots, Council Chair Roger Bush said.

“We’re grateful to everyone who stepped forward to perform this important function of our elections process,” Bush said. “This was a difficult process and a tough decision to make, but I think the citizens will be well served by the result.”

• Proposition 1 would move the election of the County Executive and County Councilmembers to odd-numbered years by 2015, and would increase the term limits of the executive and councilmembers from two to three consecutive four-year terms (same as the limits currently in effect for the auditor, assessor-treasurer and sheriff). The “for” committee will include Mark Lindquist, Rick Talbert and Charla Neuman; the “against” committee will be John Hathaway, Sherry Bockwinkel and Larry Faulk.

• Proposition 2 would move the election of the auditor, assessor-treasurer and sheriff to odd-numbered years by 2015. The “for” committee is composed of John Herr, Alex Hays and Doug Richardson; the “against” committee will be John Earl (no additional candidates applied).

• Proposition 3 would eliminate Instant-Runoff Voting and restore the primary election for Pierce County elective offices. The “for” committee will be Pat McCarthy, Karen Vialle and John Herr; the “against” committee will be Kelly Haughton, Richard Anderson-Connolly and Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow.

State law allows local legislative bodies to appoint committees of up to three members to support and oppose ballot measures at least 45 days before the voter’s pamphlet is published. Given that deadline, the newly created committees will have until Aug. 24 to submit their statements to the Pierce County auditor.

CONTACT: Brad Chatfield, Council Communications Manager, 253-798-6626

That's the word from the Secretary of State's office, and those election folks are the ones who should know.

I got an e-mail on behalf of a candidate, someone who thought candidates were being unfairly (and illegally) denied access to homes in gated communities and could not doorbell. Her e-mail is below, but I deleted her name. She was well-meaning, but wrong.

Hi Joe,
Can you print some information for the public regarding the legal right of candidates to enter gated communities to campaign.
It would be useful to the great number of non-partisan candidates running this year.
I know there is precedent on this issue, but some people get very mean and threatening.
Thanks for your help.

…and no, this is not for me, it’s for others less experienced and the people who live out in the south county in all these new gated places.
Thanks!

Here is the official word from state election folks:

Joe,

Gated communities are private property. We don't know of any basis on
which candidates can demand to enter private property, even for purposes of campaigning.

=> Read more!

This year’s budget trouble at Pierce County’s Chambers Bay Golf Course may spill over into next year as well.

Deputy County Executive Kevin Phelps told the County Council this afternoon that “the likelihood is strong” that Chambers Bay will finish this year with a budget deficit. And he also expects the course to run a deficit next year as well.

But Phelps said the county will come out ahead when revenue from the 2015 U.S. Open championship is taken into account. He told the council that payments of up to $5.5 million from the United States Golf Association in coming years will more than cover those deficits and pay for course improvements needed for the championship.

“Yes, we think there will be a deficit,” Phelps told the council. “We’re doing everything we can to minimize it.”

As I reported earlier this month, Chambers Bay finished the first half of the year with a deficit of more than $700,000. While a strong August and September might diminish the deficit, it’s likely the course will finish this year in the red.

County officials say the recession has taken a toll on the number of golfers willing to pay up to $169 a round to play the nationally acclaimed University Place course.

While the course is making enough to cover its operations, it’s doubtful it will generate enough income to cover an $800,000 debt payment due in December.

Phelps has said the course may borrow from the county general fund or sewer fund to cover the deficits. He told the council that guaranteed payments from the USGA – payments due under the county’s contract to host the U.S. Open – would be used to repay any interfund loan.

The County Council will have the final say over how the county covers the Chambers Bay deficit. Previously the council pledged to sell land near Chambers Bay to help repay the $21 million golf course debt, if necessary.

In other Chambers Bay news:

=> Read more!

OK, August seems a little early for election season, but here we are anyway geared up for a slate of primary contests for municipal offices. Believe it or not, there's actually some drama on the ballot today.

Look for coverage here and on the homepage, starting at about 8:15 p.m. Here are the storylines we're watching closely.

• Will voters oust embattled Federal Way Municipal Judge Michael Morgan in the primary? Normally, muni court judge races fly under the radar. But Morgan's behavior in office has earned him a reprimand from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct and five challengers. Morgan has made a fight of it, outspending the other candidates to keep his job.

• Will Tacoma School Board Director Connie Rickman survive a crowded primary against five challengers? Rickman was the most vocal supporter of controversial former superintendent Charlie Milligan. Rickman hasn't reported spending any money, so she may be counting on name familiarity and the fact that any detractors may split their votes among the challengers.

• Who will contend in November in Tacoma for two open City Council seats representing south and east districts? In Puyallup, who will survive the three primary races for council?

• Which of several heavyweights will emerge from the fight over the much coveted King County executive slot?

• Will Seattle voters bag the proposed grocery bag tax? (My guess: Yes.)

What are your predictions?

This just in...

Washington’s unemployment rate dipped in July

OLYMPIA – Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 9.1 percent in July, down from June’s revised rate of 9.2 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The state gained an estimated 4,000 non-agricultural jobs over the month, seasonally adjusted.

=> Read more!

Of course, those meetings on Wednesday and Thursday will be closed to the public, but at least we know there are happening, right?

The commission is looking to replace Jeff Koenings, who announced his resignation way back in December 2008. Here is The Olympian story on his departure (ouster?).

Naturally, the commissioners will be looking for a replacement who can balance the needs and desires of the sports fishermen, commercial fisherwomen and the tribes. Of course, that's impossible, but they will look for that person, nonetheless.

WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

August 19-20, 2009

The Commission has called a special meeting to interview candidates for the Department Director position. The public is not permitted to attend the interviews, which will be conducted during executive session. The public portions of this meeting will be recorded and the audio will be posted on the Internet by the day after adjournment. To listen to the audio afterwards, visit our website at: www.wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html

For additional information, contact the Commission Office at (360) 902-2267

Should voters who sign initiative and referendum petitions be allowed to remain anonymous? Or are petition forms and the names recorded there public records and available for inspection under state open government laws?

Those are the issues in a lawsuit filed by backers of Referendum 71, which seeks to repeal recent expansions in gay partnership rights. Protect Marriage Washington claims that signers would be subject to harassment and even violence if their names were known. They claim their First Amendment rights to petition the government are threatened by disclosure of the names.

The state attorney general will argue to keep the records open because any assertion of privacy by the backers of the referendum are outweighed by the public policy of open government.

The same lawyers are asking the state Public Disclosure Commission to seal the names of donors to the campaign.

The case is Doe v. Reed and is to be heard before U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle on Sept. 3.
Here is the filing by state Deputy Solicitor General James Pharris.