As we close the page on 2010 and open a new chapter on 2011, I would like to comment on some issues facing our city, Battle Ground, Washington.
Let me first provide a thesis to my personal views by stating the obvious; as a city, state, and nation, we continue to face deep fiscal challenges that must be addressed by action, not just words. What are some solutions to our challenges?
First, we must continue to petition that our elected officials use fiscal restraint on expenditures. Second, we must voice our opposition when our elected officials look for new, non-voter approved, tax revenues to solve budgetary issues; they dampen economic activity, burden an already high unemployed population, and once they are established, chances are they will never go away. Lastly, we must promote individuals and groups that encompass pro-business and pro-economic development agendas. One of my philosophies is we must grow our tax base, rather than increasing taxes on our base.
With those broad views, I must now respectfully comment on specific leadership dissentions I have. Over the past several months there have been two authors who have submitted letters to The Reflector newspaper who have voiced support for Councilman Paul Zandemela however, I must ask them and every Battle Ground citizen for that matter a few important questions. Can you support someone who has lobbied hard for a NEW Cinema tax to solve budgetary issues? Would you support someone who lobbies hard for new user fees or TOLLS to utilize our parks system in Battle Ground? Should you support someone who originally ran for office on “reorganizing our police department” and who currently supports “outsourcing” our Battle Ground Police? Is having the worst attendance to council meetings in the citizen’s best interest?
Mr. Zandemela will undoubtedly spin my letter in a context to fit his own needs. He has consistently stated that the Mayor or all of the Battle Ground city council is out to get him. When Mr. Zandemela was recently charged with “ethics violations” of lying to fellow councilmembers, he lashed out and utilized slick legal tactics to defer being found guilty of devious acts; although in my personal opinion he was clearly guilty. A question to ask Mr. Zandemela is what has he done for our city in the term he has served? What businesses, jobs, or economic development has he brought into our city? Has he reduced our tax burden? According to public records the only resolution Mr. Zandemala has introduced and approved while in office is placing his picture (and all other councilmembers) prominently at the entrance of Battle Ground City Hall; actions speak louder than words.
-Adrian Cortes
Battle Ground citizen advocate;
A voice of the community.
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2 comments:
You do indeed raise some valid points, however what have the other members of the Council done to create jobs, bring businesses to town and lower my taxes. As for the Ethics issue, just what solid evidence did anyone have? Is it ethical for three members of the good old boy club to allow their pet projects to keep fire works permits while all other permit holders are told they have to be part of a lottery? Where was the ethics investigation for that one? As I stated before, your questions need to be asked of all the other Council Members, because I am thinking that the answers will all be about the same.
Thank you David for the post! You as well bring up some valid points. As for the ethics violation, Mr. Zandemela got off on a technicality. The bulk of the inquiry was on Mr. Zandemela pushing a new Cinema tax and telling his council collgues that the owner of the cinema supported it. After I contact the business owner he was shocked to hear of this falsehood; he never spoke to Mr. Zandemela in support of this. This whole issue boiled down to Mr. Zandemla wanting to "sneak" a new tax on a business owner plain and simple. He ultimately escaped punishment by fellow councilmembers unable to recal exact dates of his remarks. In regards to the fireworks permits there was nothing unethical undertaken from what I witnessed. It boiled down to giving the first three permits to the non-profits with the longest operating history in Battle Ground. In addition, all three had loud representation lobbying all of BG council; plain and simple. Lastly, questions do need to be asked of all other BG concil members on many issues that I have in mind however, I am running against one individual not the entire council. On every one of my platform issues and more, Mr. Zandemela has been on the opposite side of my position. It will be up to the people of Battle Ground to decide who will represent their voice and values. Again, thanks for the post-keep em coming!
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