http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics?disp=comments en-US hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/08/27/ray_corpuz_s_past_is_following_him#c178028 2009-10-27T12:10:34Z cloud The picture above is priceless. "Members of the police union are considering a vote of no confidence for Interim Police Chief Stephen Willis, Interim Deputy Executive Officer Don Macquarrie, and City Manager Ray Corpuz..." http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11376267 What I don't get is why is Seaside bothering now. They knew and brought him on anyway. Maybe like the new wife they felt we just didn't understand him, or they could love him better.
"Members of the police union are considering a vote of no confidence for Interim Police Chief Stephen Willis, Interim Deputy Executive Officer Don Macquarrie, and City Manager Ray Corpuz..."
http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11376267

What I don't get is why is Seaside bothering now. They knew and brought him on anyway. Maybe like the new wife they felt we just didn't understand him, or they could love him better.

]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/05/20/state_parks_dodge_a_hail_of_bullets_but_#c178009 2009-10-22T16:44:33Z tod701 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance files lawsuit to block transfer of ORV funds to State Parks Olympia, Washington – 5 October 2009 The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance has teamed up with the Northwest Motorcycle Association to file a lawsuit against the State of Washington to block the transfer of over 9.5 million dollars in offroad vehicle funds from the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account to State Parks. Attorney James Buchal will be representing both organizations. This spring the Legislature passed House Bill 1244, which transferred the money out of the NOVA account. The NOVA account money comes from the gas tax paid by offroad vehicle users and the license tab fees on offroad vehicles (ORV). According to the Washington State Constitution gas tax collected must be used only for roads. To comply with that the state allows refunds on gas tax paid for other uses. In 1972 the offroad vehicle community supported passage of legislation that waived their right to a direct refund of the taxes they paid for ORV fuel in exchanged for having those same funds “refunded” into a dedicated account to promote and protect their sport. Later on, their ORV license tab money was added to this account too. The NOVA program was established to administer these funds. Now that all the money is going to State Parks and State Parks is not going to spend the money on offroad vehicle recreation, this is no longer a legitimate refund for the benefit of these taxpayers. The NOVA funding is normally distributed by the State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board in the form of grants. These grants are awarded to governmental agencies such as the United States Forest Service, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and various counties. It is the primary source of funding for offroad vehicle recreation and for law enforcement on public lands in Washington. If this funding is not returned to benefit the taxpayers that paid for it, families and their children throughout the State of Washington will lose the healthy, outdoor recreational opportunities they were promised and for which they paid their taxes and ORV tab fees, as the trails they have enjoyed together are closed. And public employees throughout Washington who maintain and patrol those trails will lose their jobs. The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance and the Northwest Motorcycle Association are nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting off highway vehicle and offroad motorcycle recreation. Tod Petersen Political Action Committee Chairman – Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance Legislative/Land Use Coordinator – Northwest Motorcycle Association P.O. Box 61161 Seattle, WA 98141 tod701@aol.com www.wohva.org www.nmaoffroad.org
Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance files lawsuit to block transfer of ORV funds to State Parks

Olympia, Washington – 5 October 2009

The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance has teamed up with the Northwest Motorcycle Association to file a lawsuit against the State of Washington to block the transfer of over 9.5 million dollars in offroad vehicle funds from the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account to State Parks. Attorney James Buchal will be representing both organizations.

This spring the Legislature passed House Bill 1244, which transferred the money out of the NOVA account. The NOVA account money comes from the gas tax paid by offroad vehicle users and the license tab fees on offroad vehicles (ORV).

According to the Washington State Constitution gas tax collected must be used only for roads. To comply with that the state allows refunds on gas tax paid for other uses.

In 1972 the offroad vehicle community supported passage of legislation that waived their right to a direct refund of the taxes they paid for ORV fuel in exchanged for having those same funds “refunded” into a dedicated account to promote and protect their sport. Later on, their ORV license tab money was added to this account too. The NOVA program was established to administer these funds.

Now that all the money is going to State Parks and State Parks is not going to spend the money on offroad vehicle recreation, this is no longer a legitimate refund for the benefit of these taxpayers.

The NOVA funding is normally distributed by the State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board in the form of grants. These grants are awarded to governmental agencies such as the United States Forest Service, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and various counties. It is the primary source of funding for offroad vehicle recreation and for law enforcement on public lands in Washington.

If this funding is not returned to benefit the taxpayers that paid for it, families and their children throughout the State of Washington will lose the healthy, outdoor recreational opportunities they were promised and for which they paid their taxes and ORV tab fees, as the trails they have enjoyed together are closed. And public employees throughout Washington who maintain and patrol those trails will lose their jobs.

The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance and the Northwest Motorcycle Association are nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting off highway vehicle and offroad motorcycle recreation.

Tod Petersen
Political Action Committee Chairman – Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance
Legislative/Land Use Coordinator – Northwest Motorcycle Association
P.O. Box 61161
Seattle, WA 98141
tod701@aol.com
www.wohva.org
www.nmaoffroad.org

]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/17/leavenworth_hopes_to_open_amtrak_station_2009#c177813 2009-09-17T16:42:58Z geordieromer It's finally here! Folks can ride the train starting in a few weeks! http://iciclecreekrealestate.com/2009/09/17/leavenworth-train-service-begins/
http://iciclecreekrealestate.com/2009/09/17/leavenworth-train-service-begins/]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/06/11/grit_city_vs_the_nomads#c177734 2009-09-15T13:02:18Z Grantster Just a few things, Tidal Wave is a group of citizens who first asked to meet with Eric Anderson when he came to town to talk about things within City Law that were broken (laws that didn't work, etc.), the first few meetings ended up being productive, so there group has been meeting for almost 3 years. It now has citizens from many parts of Tacoma, and most of the City's command staff (heads of departments) so they can go right to the source if they need a solution. The group tackles the hardest issues that most of us have heard about, but have no idea how to solve, they study what other cities have done, they work to find something that should withstand the lawsuits that may come, and try to build rules that will help ALL of the responsible citizens of Tacoma. Now, as far as this ordinance goes, we have a number of people who have been 'living' in Tacoma for heaven-knows how long, but it appears to be years, they just move their motor homes, etc. from one location to another, break out their folding chairs, camp stove, etc. and leave whatever mess they make behind. Many dump their 'waste-water' into the storm drains which goes right into the Thea Foss waterway. They are a blight on the neighborhood, and as we looked at ways that we could impact their bad behavior, we found that existing laws didn't help, so we looked at what other cities have done, and came up with what was proposed to the City Council. We never make decisions on our own, we have our representatives take the possible 'solutions' back to groups they meet with (Neighborhood Councils, neighborhood crime prevention groups, etc.) and ask what people think is fair. The goal is to come up with solutions that don't cost the taxpayers any more money, but rather to make the people responsible pay. We've done some amazing things. If you want more information, call the Hilltop Action Coalition, ask for a call back from Jeanie Peterson (leave your name and #) 383-3056 ext 112. Tidal Wave is looking for very dedicated citizens to join the group from all over the city, you have to be prepared to work hard, because reading ordinances, and coming up with solutions (not just griping about what's wrong isn't easy). Thanks for the intelligent responses here. The group IS trying to do things well for all of Tacomans.
The group tackles the hardest issues that most of us have heard about, but have no idea how to solve, they study what other cities have done, they work to find something that should withstand the lawsuits that may come, and try to build rules that will help ALL of the responsible citizens of Tacoma.

Now, as far as this ordinance goes, we have a number of people who have been 'living' in Tacoma for heaven-knows how long, but it appears to be years, they just move their motor homes, etc. from one location to another, break out their folding chairs, camp stove, etc. and leave whatever mess they make behind. Many dump their 'waste-water' into the storm drains which goes right into the Thea Foss waterway. They are a blight on the neighborhood, and as we looked at ways that we could impact their bad behavior, we found that existing laws didn't help, so we looked at what other cities have done, and came up with what was proposed to the City Council.

We never make decisions on our own, we have our representatives take the possible 'solutions' back to groups they meet with (Neighborhood Councils, neighborhood crime prevention groups, etc.) and ask what people think is fair. The goal is to come up with solutions that don't cost the taxpayers any more money, but rather to make the people responsible pay. We've done some amazing things. If you want more information, call the Hilltop Action Coalition, ask for a call back from Jeanie Peterson (leave your name and #) 383-3056 ext 112. Tidal Wave is looking for very dedicated citizens to join the group from all over the city, you have to be prepared to work hard, because reading ordinances, and coming up with solutions (not just griping about what's wrong isn't easy). Thanks for the intelligent responses here. The group IS trying to do things well for all of Tacomans.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/08/21/lawsuit_challenges_ballot_language_of_pi#c177716 2009-09-11T06:30:10Z alphy79 Can't we all come to a consensus that RCV cost too much and takes to long? Prop 3 is going to slide through with ease. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/mccarthy_would_eliminate_funding_for_pie#c177712 2009-09-10T17:56:20Z Sturq Provisional ballots will always be available at the Elections Dept. should someone need to come in the day of the Election and get a new ballot. Otherwise if they lost or destroyed their ballot - then they can always call the Elections Dept. to issue them a new ballot. As for active duty military and their dependents - they would need to go to the Elections Dept. to register the day of the election anyways... not their local polling station. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/06/11/grit_city_vs_the_nomads#c177708 2009-09-10T01:48:10Z Arborist Exactly where was that photo of RV's taken? It looks like a Nascar racetrack in the background, not Tacoma. It looks like a Nascar racetrack in the background, not Tacoma.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/01/lindquist_sworn_in_as_pierce_county_pros#c177698 2009-09-08T15:59:01Z dennyknowles Too much working behind the scenes for me to trust Lindquist regardless if he has Clark Kent or Lex Luther hair. All I see is more sex offenders coming to Pierce County and a guy who has made a deal with the PC Council and party officials to get what he wants. People wonder why PC is dumping ground for criminals, it is becuase of our inept and corrupt local politicians that only take care of themselves. Clark Kent or Lex Luther hair. All I see is more sex offenders coming to Pierce
County and a guy who has made a deal with the PC Council and party officials to
get what he wants. People wonder why PC is dumping ground for criminals, it is
becuase of our inept and corrupt local politicians that only take care of themselves.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/01/lindquist_sworn_in_as_pierce_county_pros#c177692 2009-09-07T22:59:14Z norse1943 Mark will be an outstanding prosecutor! http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177677 2009-09-07T00:53:42Z Hoodsportwriter I find it interesting that the media ignores the fact that we have groups of people who are put up to disruption and intimidation of what are to be "discussions" of public importance. Also ignored is the idea these people seem to have the idea that Americans or for that matter humans living in the same geographic area can function as a society without government. Now that has not proved to be a legitimate idea for 10 to 15 thousand years of urban history. Why does this question never come up? These people hate government - hate the American government - hate everything it stands for - what do they propose instead? Why is the media not asking that question. Also the reason "health care reform is so badly misunderstood is because the media has not done its job of reporting facts and issues. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177671 2009-09-06T08:01:12Z papasan ADD: Yes, randydutton, I would take Canada's health plan ANY DAY. Why??? THEY HAVE ONE! Don't you see, if you have SOMETHING then you can improve upon it. adjust it, fix the glitches in the system as time passes. If you have NOTHING THEN YOU HAVE JUST THAT. Zero, Zip, Zilch. Nothing to build upon, nothing to fix. Oh you still have the same people raking in mounds of cash like Doctors, Hopital Administrators and all the Vice Presidents under them. The entire Corporate structure od the health care INDUSTRY. Notice that they even refer to themselves as an INDUSTRY. Count how many Vice Presidents ther are at Tacoma General or St. Joe's. I haven't actually crunched the numbers, but I'll lay odds that the combined annual salaries of all the Management staff of both hospitals could pay for health insurance for everyone in Pierce County that is uninsured and NEEDS to be insured. It's GREED, plain and simple. Now when there is talk of reducing how much goes into the coffers to help cover those in need, they're running screaming through the streets about Government intrusion into health care and socialized medicine. Hell, I would rather the Government be involved in health care just to get it out of the hands of the greedy, tight fisted bastards that have made a fortune for themselves while people have done without basic medications or care. Tell me how to regulate care AFTER you or your family has gone without it for over a decade. Complain about the cost AFTER you have had to decide on another night of Mac & Cheese because your youngest was sick and needed antibiotics again for an ear infection because the surgery for ear tubes is too expensive and you don't have insurance. Tell me your ideas AFTER you've made those choices between the Doctor, the rent or the light bill. When it comes down to dollars and cents, TPU doesn't give a damn about how sick your kid is, they want their money. Give me Canada's plan ANY DAY. Don't you see, if you have SOMETHING then you can improve upon it. adjust it, fix the glitches in the system as time passes.
If you have NOTHING THEN YOU HAVE JUST THAT. Zero, Zip, Zilch. Nothing to build upon, nothing to fix. Oh you still have the same people raking in mounds of cash like Doctors, Hopital Administrators and all the Vice Presidents under them. The entire Corporate structure od the health care INDUSTRY. Notice that they even refer to themselves as an INDUSTRY.
Count how many Vice Presidents ther are at Tacoma General or St. Joe's. I haven't actually crunched the numbers, but I'll lay odds that the combined annual salaries of all the Management staff of both hospitals could pay for health insurance for everyone in Pierce County that is uninsured and NEEDS to be insured.
It's GREED, plain and simple. Now when there is talk of reducing how much goes into the coffers to help cover those in need, they're running screaming through the streets about Government intrusion into health care and socialized medicine.
Hell, I would rather the Government be involved in health care just to get it out of the hands of the greedy, tight fisted bastards that have made a fortune for themselves while people have done without basic medications or care. Tell me how to regulate care AFTER you or your family has gone without it for over a decade. Complain about the cost AFTER you have had to decide on another night of Mac & Cheese because your youngest was sick and needed antibiotics again for an ear infection because the surgery for ear tubes is too expensive and you don't have insurance. Tell me your ideas AFTER you've made those choices between the Doctor, the rent or the light bill. When it comes down to dollars and cents, TPU doesn't give a damn about how sick your kid is, they want their money. Give me Canada's plan ANY DAY.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177670 2009-09-06T07:40:38Z papasan Ms. Santos, Good job at hearing of and correcting a possible error in reporting. It takes a big person to admit a mistake and an even bigger person to admit it in print! Kudos to the Trib as well for following up and getting it right. As for the number of uninsured Americans: Why debate the number? 40 Million, 50 Million, it's to damned many! Families are having to decide between the rent, utilities, food and health care. My wife can't get insured because of pre-existing conditions, ei, Arthritis. Is the condition getting better or worse? She has been unable to work the past 12 years. No care at all, and NO, we're NOT on welfare. If she had care from the beginning, should would be a productive, taxpaying member or the workforce. If you don't like the President's plan then tell us YOURS. Otherwise, shut up and let the man get the job done. People are dying for lack of care and the whole world is laughing at how stupid we look while we debate the numbers of who is insured and who is a citizen. Good God what has happened to the humanity of this Nation? If it were YOU that were suffering, you would be singing a different tune for sure. As for the number of uninsured Americans: Why debate the number? 40 Million, 50 Million, it's to damned many!
Families are having to decide between the rent, utilities, food and health care. My wife can't get insured because of pre-existing conditions, ei, Arthritis. Is the condition getting better or worse? She has been unable to work the past 12 years. No care at all, and NO, we're NOT on welfare. If she had care from the beginning, should would be a productive, taxpaying member or the workforce.
If you don't like the President's plan then tell us YOURS. Otherwise, shut up and let the man get the job done. People are dying for lack of care and the whole world is laughing at how stupid we look while we debate the numbers of who is insured and who is a citizen. Good God what has happened to the humanity of this Nation? If it were YOU that were suffering, you would be singing a different tune for sure.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/mccarthy_would_eliminate_funding_for_pie#c177664 2009-09-05T15:22:28Z dennyknowles So Dick Muri and the PC Council is justifing this decision for a few people that lose or cant find their ballot or if someone wants to vote in the last hour possible versus paying for a pierce County Sheriff that may save a life or a prosecutor that may put a child molester behind bars. Ldozy - Dick and his PC Council friends have to add one more term onto their jobs via the Fall ballot before they can manipulate an amendment for the ballot to protect the polling stations of PC. Considering Hunter George's numbers in his comments above, the cost is high for taking care of a select few people. I read that most poll voters are Repulblican so Dick forgot to mention that one too. God Bless America Dick. their ballot or if someone wants to vote in the last hour possible versus paying
for a pierce County Sheriff that may save a life or a prosecutor that may put a
child molester behind bars.
Ldozy - Dick and his PC Council friends have to add one more term onto their jobs via
the Fall ballot before they can manipulate an amendment for the ballot to protect
the polling stations of PC.
Considering Hunter George's numbers in his comments
above, the cost is high for taking care of a select few people. I read that most poll
voters are Repulblican so Dick forgot to mention that one too. God Bless America Dick.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177655 2009-09-04T14:50:59Z demeter Corruptus in Extremis http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177654 2009-09-04T14:44:37Z demeter Nearly nine out of 10 Americans say they have coverage—and large majorities of them are happy with it. Of the 46 million uninsured, 9.7 million are not U.S. citizens; 17.6 million have annual incomes of more than $50,000; and 14 million already qualify for Medicaid or other programs. That leaves less than five million people truly uncovered out of a population of 307 million. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/mccarthy_would_eliminate_funding_for_pie#c177653 2009-09-04T06:15:12Z John Earl When an elected official desires to change some portion of the election process "for our own good", a healthy dose of skepticism is in order. ]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/01/lindquist_sworn_in_as_pierce_county_pros#c177643 2009-09-03T21:32:59Z S_Emerson DennyKnowles - Lindquist's hair looks nothing like Goings' hair. Goings parted his hair way too far down the side of is head, sorta Clark Kent-like. My mom always told me that men who had a center part, or no part at all, were more trustworthy. Hmmmm. ]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/08/31/rep_tom_campbell_will_run_for_state_hous#c177637 2009-09-03T19:33:31Z denismenis JT should run for McCune's seat. McCune has been about as effective as a bowl of tofu in the legislature. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/mccarthy_would_eliminate_funding_for_pie#c177634 2009-09-03T18:27:18Z ldozy1234 Confucius: I have no problem with it changing IF that is the will of THE PEOPLE. It is NOT up to a sole elected individual to decide how the people here vote. Put it TO the vote and let the will of the people decide... funny how after all her excuses and justifications, this obvious honest path still isn't the one she's chosen. Until its out in the open and up for the vote, all this other verbiage is just petty,pushy and a personal goal.. not true representation of the voters or an example of well thought out decision making. Sorry- the Exec.'s " right" on this matter is the same as all of us, she can cast one vote at the polls or via mail. Put it on the ballot and just get it over with. Put it TO the vote and let the will of the people decide...
funny how after all her excuses and justifications, this obvious honest path still isn't the one she's chosen. Until its out in the open and up for the vote, all this other verbiage is just petty,pushy and a personal goal.. not true representation of the voters or an example of well thought out decision making.
Sorry- the Exec.'s " right" on this matter is the same as all of us, she can cast one vote at the polls or via mail. Put it on the ballot and just get it over with.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/09/02/correction_on_town_hall_scuffle#c177631 2009-09-03T17:34:36Z randydutton Canada currently is in financial crisis. To pay for the last three months of this fiscal year's health care, they've had to borrow from next year's account. Do you really want to emulate them? Canada also has a severe doctor and nurse shortage because many have migrated to America for a better income. IF the US goes to single payer, the migration may reverse, and they may return to Canada. That helps them, it hurts us. Doctors of other nationalities have come to America for the same reason. Expect to see an exodus if HR3200 passes. Then the news reports would ask "who would have thought this would happen?"
Canada also has a severe doctor and nurse shortage because many have migrated to America for a better income. IF the US goes to single payer, the migration may reverse, and they may return to Canada. That helps them, it hurts us. Doctors of other nationalities have come to America for the same reason. Expect to see an exodus if HR3200 passes. Then the news reports would ask "who would have thought this would happen?"]]>