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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 27, 2016     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 27, 2016
 
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Page A-6 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016 GUEST COLUMN It's D-Day for American voters. With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump carrying unusually low approval ratings and having a deep antipathy for one another, no matter which one ultimately is elected, the nation will be bitterly polarized. Hopefully, each has a plan to bring us back together af- ter Nov: 8. America thrives on a peaceful transfer of power. It is one of the important tradi- tions which has been handed By DON down since John Adams suc- BRONELL ceeded George Washington on March 4, 1797. For guidance, Clinton and Trnmp ought to look to Gerald Ford. First, Ford acknowledged the loss and his concession statement was gracious and reassuring. He urged all Americans to leave the rancorous campaign behind and unite with Pres- ident-elect Carter. He pledged and gave his full support to Carter. Ford was our first President to as- sume the office without having run for president or vice president. Late in 1973 when Spiro Agnew resigned as vice president, Nixon surprised every- one by appointing Ford. Then, on Aug. 9, 1974, when Nixon became the first president to resign under the threat of impeachment, Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office as 38th president. Ford faced some unusually difficult decisions during his 30 months as president. One month after taking office, Ford granted Nixon a full, free and absolute par- don. It outraged many Ameri- cans, but Ford believed it was a necessary first step toward healing a divided nation. Politically, the pardon was very costly. Ford's approval rating quickly fell from 70 percent to below 40 per- cent, but over the years, Ford was vindicated. In 2001, the John F. Kennedy Li- brary Foundation awarded him with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Cour- age Award. In presenting the award, Sen. Ted Kennedy, who vociferously opposed the pardon, stated that his- tory proved Ford made the correct de- cision for this country. Internationally, in March 1975, during the final days of the Viet- York City voted heavily for Carter, nam War, Ford ordered the airlift of Ford barely lost the state overall. 237,000 Vietnamese refugees to the Gerald Ford was a devoted and United States. It was an unpopular gracious public servant, who put his decision but he deeply believed that country first. He served in the House people who Supported the United of Representatives from 1949 to 1973. States should be saved. He was re-elected 12 times, winning At home, families and businesses each time with more than 60 percent faced interest rates, inflation and anem- of the vote. ployment climbing toward double-digits. Ford served most of his legisla- The economy was dropping quickly,tive career in the minority -- eight Ford believed America needed to put its of which were as minority leader. finances in order and stem borrowing. He could passionately disagree with But New York City leaders were presidents, Democrats and even fellow looking for a massive federal bailout Republicans, yet limited his criticism of the public pension system. Ford to points in dispute without personal- believed the rescue would be a fatal izing differences. trend for our country although he kept On Inauguration Day, President the discussions going. Ultimately, Carter began his speech: "For myself Ford agreed to extend federal loans to and for our nation, I want to thank my the city, preventing bankruptcy, predecessor for all he has done to heal The political damage to Ford in our land." New York City was deep and vitriolic. A grateful people concurred. It sparked the infamous New York Daily News headline "Ford to City: • Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, Drop Dead." writer and columnist. He retired as If Ford would have acquiesced president of the Association of Wash- to the bailout, he likely would have ington Business, the state's oldest and defeated Carter. The state's 41 elec- largest business organization, and now teral votes would have been enough to lives in Vancouver. He can be contact- swing the election. Even though New ed at theBrunells@msn.com. LE'n'ERS cont. from page A-5 Don't forget: Prop. 1 is Editor, the Journal What happens if citizens vote for Prop. 1, which forms a new Metropolitan park Dis- trict (MPD), and then realize we don't like it? That would be a problem. The MPD is a new govern- ment, and governments don't go away just because citizens wish they would. RCW 35.61.310 lays out the rules for dissolving a Metro- politan Park District. Here's what it says: • Only a vote of the MPD commissioners can dissolve the MPD. • Citizens can hold a vote, but it is only an advisory vote. That means no matter how many citizens vote "yes, please shut down the MPD" they can't actually shut down the MPD. All that happens is that the election results are sent to the park commission- ers as a "petition" to please shut the MPD down. If the park commissioners say "no," the MPD remains in opera- tion. End of story. • It's the same for the county commissioners. They can petition for dissolution, but the MPD board always has the final say. How likely do you think it is that the MPD board will ever vote to dissolve its own power/money base? This is one reason why in recent years, more and more proposals similar to Prop. 1 have been rejected by the voters. Here's a list of recent "no" votes: • University Park Place (in Pierce County) - Defeated in April 2016 • Ferndale Metro Park District - Defeated in 2015 • Kirkland Recreation Dis- trict - Defeated in 2015 • Skamania County Metro vice for employees; regulate, manage and control; improve, acquire, extend and maintain parks, parkways, avenues and playgrounds, within and with- out the park district. They also can sell, ex- change or otherwise dispose of surplus property; annex terri- tory; and take homes and land through eminent domain. MPDs can also form Local Improvement Districts, which have the power to permit im- provements to be financed and paid for over a period of time through assessments on the benefiting properties. Ask yourself this one ques- tion. Do we really need anoth- er government taxing agency? I would encourage everyone to look up Washington state code RCW 35.61 and study it carefully. Thomas Nevers Grapeview Park District- Defeated in Do we really commissioners are under no 2014 obligation whatsoever to fol- Neatherlin • Bonney Lake Metro Park need another low any advice from an over- District - Defeated in 2013 sight committee. They voted "no" but that a. : __ -...'1 Proponents of Prop. 1 also represents US didn't mean the end of parks.Lax|n9 a9ency~ want you to believe the 20 All these jurisdictions continue cent per thousand tax as- on commission to have parks and recreational Editor, the Journal sessment will remain. If you programs for their citizens. Proponents of Prop. 1 believe that, you do not know Editor, the Journal Voters simply said "no" to would like the people of Ma-how government taxing enti- Randy Neatherlin is the creating a Metro Park District son County to believe there ties function. The rate will be real deal. He stands up for us. with power to assess taxes (up would be equal representation increased to the 75 cent taxAs our county commission- to $150 per year for a house for everyone if Prop. 1 is ap- rate very quickly. As a tax-er, he gives his all. He doesn't assessed at $200,000), to incur proved. The truth is, there is payer, you will not have anycare what people think of him debt and to condemn private no guarantee that this wouldvoice or control over the rate or what their politics are; he property to advance its single- be the case. being increased. Remember, will help you if you need help. focus agenda. Since they failed to create these taxes would not expire, He has proven through his The Journal has done a districts representing all ar- ever. actions that we can count on good job of informing voters eas of the county, it could eas- No compensation for the fivehim to protect the interests of about Prop. 1. That's impor- ily happen that all five com- elected members? Far from it. all of us, not just a select few. tant because the county did missioners could be from oneRCW 35.61 clearly allows forOn the other hand, his oppo- not. There isn't even any Prop. small area. Worse, since three each board member to receivenent has shown she would be a 1 info in the voters' pamphlet, members represent a major- up to $10,944 per year. Who proxy commissioner who would If you'd like to learn more, ity, it is entirely possible that are they going to hire? Whatdo the bidding of special inter- please visit my blog at www. the majority board members will these people be paid? ests and her friends at the ex- masoncountyfocus.com, could be from one family or The functions and pow- pense of the people she serves. And please vote "no" on one special interest group, ers of a Metropolitan Park That's why we're voting Prop. 1. It's more than a parks They also make it sound District are numerous. MPDs for Randy Neatherlin for re- levy. It's a new government, as if the citizen oversight have the power to purchase, election and ask you to vote And it really is forever, committee would control the acquire and condemn lands, for him as well. actions of the five board mem- issue and sell warrants, short- Barb Parsloe bers. Metropolitan Park Dis- term obligations, or general Don Cady Shelton tricts make no provision for obligation bonds; issue rev- Belfair oversight committees. MPD enue bonds; establish civil ser-