by Sue | Oct 2, 2017 | From the Chair
Still in keeping with my motto, “everybody has a right to my opinion”, this column reviews those candidates vying for “non-partisan” positions. I attempt to fairly evaluate them on the basis of their perceived logical and intelligent stances and/or actions, because, party politics aside, we need competent people in these key positions regardless of their affiliation. (But don’t be surprised if they turn out to be conservative Republicans)
County auditor… Shoona Riggs vs. Kim Yacklin. Both capable candidates but the nod goes to Shoona who has 23 years in the auditor’s office. Shoona was hired just out of high school and has come from the “ground up”. She has performed virtually all of the jobs in the office and is, therefore, very capable of supervising subordinates in the tasks that she knows so well. Vote Shoona.
Director, Community Development… Sheila Roark Miller vs. Mary Ellen Winborn. Both candidates have desirable attributes but incumbent Sheila has a broader skill set plus years of experience in the department and, as noted above, can easily supervise/oversee job performance throughout the department. Sheila gets my vote.
Judge, District Court One… Rick Porter vs. Cathy Marshall. Incumbent Rick Porter has performed well; especially in the area of holding criminals accountable for their actions. I particularly like his pay-or-appear program which provides opportunity for offenders bear up to their responsibilities and, also, have the program pay for itself. Give the gavel to Rick again.
Charter Review Candidates… As most of you are aware, Clallam County is one of 6 Washington counties that have a County Charter which can be likened to a county constitution. This charter is subject to review in 2015 and each of our three commissioner districts will elect 5 candidates from their district to serve on the review committee.
While non-partisan, it certainly behooves us to ensure that successful candidates will embody conservative values. In my opinion – there I go again – the most capable candidates are as follows:
Commissioner District One… Sue Forde, Brandon Janisse, Nola Judd, Jon Kirshbaum, and Jerry Sinn.
Commissioner District Two…Kaj Ahlburg, Stephanie Noblin, Maggie Roth, Susan Shotthafer, and Glenn Wiggins.
Commissioner District Three… Connie Beauvais and Bill White.
When you go to the polls, please consider voting for these candidates. But, for sure, vote. Because those who do not vote are destined to be ruled by their inferiors.
And you can see how that is working out…
by Sue | Oct 2, 2017 | From the Chair
Okay all you political junkies, it is election season again. And time for I, your beloved chairman, to voice my opinion on the partisan races. Because, as we all know, I believe everybody has a right to my opinion.
Firstly, I am delighted to project that our soon-to-be-elected Prosecuting Attorney will be a Republican. I don’t need a crystal ball for this as we are blessed with two very qualified candidates – Mark Nichols and Will Payne – both of whom are Republicans and either of whom will do an excellent job. Wish I could vote for both of them…
GOP Newcomer Tom Greisamer opposes Steve “Tax and Spend” Tharinger for State Representative. Tom offers refreshingly conservative stances on all points and adamantly opposes the hallmark of the Tharinger campaign which answers every question with the same answer… raise taxes… If you can’t vote for Tom, vote against Tharinger…
Marty McClendon is opposing Derek Kilmer for US Representative. Marty easily gains the conservative nod due to Kilmer’s continuation of Norm Dicks’ 32 year disastrous policy of exporting Clallam County jobs to other areas of the state. Marty is the obvious choice…
Bill Peach contests Sissi Bruch for County Commissioner. Bill has soundly grounded ideas with regard to how to improve the business climate which will generate jobs and income. Sissi likes trees. Peach is my man…
For those that don’t know it, Clallam County is one of six Washington State counties that has adopted a charter form of government which is, in essence, a “County Constitution”. And during this election cycle, our county will be electing representatives – 5 from each commissioner district – to the “Charter Review Commission” which will review – and possibly amend – the charter. While non-partisan in theory, it certainly behooves us to elect conservative representatives to this commission.
Candidates from district one are Nola Judd, Sue Forde, Brandon Janisse, Jerry Sinn and Jon Kirshbaum. District two candidates are Maggie Roth, Kaj Ahlburg, Stephanie Noblin, Glenn Wiggins, and Susan Shotthafer. Connie Beauvais and William White are from district three. Please take note of these names and consider voting for them
Remember to vote because those who do not vote will most assuredly be governed by their inferiors. And, quite frankly, I am getting tired of it…
Dick Pilling, Chair
by Sue | Oct 2, 2017 | From the Chair
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie…” Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister.
Recent events have proved this statement to be as true now as it was when Goebbels first said it back in the run up to World War II.
For instance, President Obama telling the American people that, “if you like your health insurance, you can keep it”, would qualify as a big lie. A really big one! And, in keeping with the first sentence in the above quote, many people came to believe it, thereby attesting to the quotes veracity.
However, as illustrated by President Obama, a lie can be too big. If it is soooo big that it encompasses nearly 1/6 of our national economy – as his lie does – it will ultimately have an effect on millions upon millions of people. Sooner or later, enough people will experience a sufficiently adverse effect such that the State can no longer shield them from its consequences, thereby proving the second sentence as well.
Obviously, President Obama knows nothing about the law of holes – like, when you are in one, stop digging – and continuing to compound his mistake, he decided to lie about his, uh, lie.
First it was he didn’t really say that. And then it was he really did say that but it was taken out of context and not what he meant to say. And then it was that he was misinformed when he said it, and, therefore, he didn’t know he was lying. Which, in itself, was a lie.
Once caught in a lie, you are – and always will be – a liar. And everybody knows it. Which is why President Obama has lost favor with much of America… Except for two people of course…
Jimmie Carter likes him because he is now no longer classified as the worst president ever… And Clinton likes him because he is no longer seen as the biggest liar…
~Dick Pilling, Chair
by Sue | Oct 2, 2017 | From the Chair
Wow! Election season is upon us! Again!
Of course, this is referred to as an “off year” wherein there are no national or state-wide contests. However, there arelocal elections which, in my opinion, are sometimes more important than those that take place at the higher levels.
You see, the local “Grass Roots” are where you first hear the voices of the people themselves and it is during these local elections that public policy is born. In so doing they provide the ultimate compass bearing for the direction of state and national policies.
For instance, what could be more important than a school board election which ultimately determines the curriculum that will be placed before our young people? Will it teach them conservative values? The fundamental nature of our constitution and the philosophies of our founding fathers? And, more importantly, will we locals have a voice in what our children are taught?
Or will we surrender our voice to a national “Common Core” which is nothing less than a federal “take over” of our local schools whereby the omniscient federal government will dictate the educational standards and, more importantly, the “values” of our children. Please remember… Russia’s Vladimir Lenin once famously said “Give me 4 years to teach the children and the seed I have planted will never be uprooted”.
So while school board elections are “non-partisan” – and rightfully so – it is essential that school board members hold certain conservative values and so I encourage you to vote for Debbie Fuson for Port Angeles School Board and for Michael Howe for Sequim School Board.
Other “non-partisan” positions, which nonetheless cry out for conservative valued candidates, are as follows:
Sequim City Council position 3. Political newcomer – and recently of the 101st Air Born (Iraq) – Brandon Janisse has declared for this position. A Sequim native, Brandon stands for transparency and fiscal responsibility. He thinks the city should stick to local infrastructure and help businesses develop to the benefit of the community. He is well worth your consideration.
Sequim City Council position 4. Congratulations are offered to Dennis Smith who is uncontested and will remain on the council for the next four years. He has done a great job thus far and we look forward to more of the same.
Port Angeles Council position 4. Congratulations also to Dan Gase who is also uncontested and will fill the position vacated by Brooke Nelson who is stepping down. Further congratulations to him for stepping in to fill the vacant position created by Max Mania’s departure.
Sean Ryan, an 18 year resident of Clallam County, a local business owner, and a volunteer fireman for the past 5 years, is contesting for Commissioner, Fire District #3. He appears to be voice for a new direction and would merit a close look.
Colleen McAleer, vying for Port District Commissioner #1, has served her country as a platoon leader assigned to the front lines of Operation Desert Storm – the first woman to be so assigned – as a helicopter pilot, and as an intelligence officer. She will utilize her recent experience as the Port’s Director of Business Development, her intelligence background, and her passion for detail, further augmented by her “inner geek”, to take the port to a more financially sustainable level by pursuing untapped business opportunities. Colleen will do a great job as Port Commissioner.
Obviously, I have not covered all of the positions up for election but will continue to acquaint myself with the other candidates and will offer my opinion on the candidacies via email in the coming weeks. Because, as I often say, everybody has a right to my opinion…
by Sue | Oct 2, 2017 | From the Chair
from Chairman Dick Pilling…
I don’t know about you, but all this talk about Obama’s health care plan is making me sick.
Let’s get this straight… the whole plan is based on providing health care to an additional 30 million or so recipients which, on the face of it, sounds like a good idea.
However, we are not going to increase the number of healthcare providers which, incidentally, are retiring in droves without significant replacements on the immediate horizon. Nor will we increase the “waiting time” for services. And we will definitely not institute a method of prioritizing services whereby certain persons will be “more eligible” than others. (Can you say death panels?) Moreover, to top it off, we will actually decrease the overall cost of healthcare.
Really?? Well, maybe… But only after we successfully repeal the law of supply and demand…
Let’s face it… the bottom line is that providing healthcare to many more people will, in fact, cost more money. And if those who are newly added to the healthcare roles cannot or will not pay for these services, someone else will be required to. And that “someone else” is likely to be you!
You see, there are only three payment options for health care. One pays for their own healthcare… or one “freeloads” on the system thereby making others pay for their healthcare… or one pays for their own care and that of the “freeloader” as well.
This last option is the one to be chosen for you in the coming year and this is why your healthcare costs are going to skyrocket. You see, Obama is determined to save you money no matter how much it costs you…
In the past, I have had the opportunity to live in several countries wherein health care is provided without charge to its citizens. And I have to tell you… if you think your healthcare is expensive now; just wait until it is free…
Dick
