Blogs

By Cindy Alia                                                                                                                                                                              February 11, 2019

By Cindy Alia

January 27, 2019

As much as I would like to take credit for this article, a very savvy and critically thinking facebook follower often has very in depth and well thought out comments to articles posted there.  Grateful for this kind of response and the research behind it, I feel compelled in this case to share the thoughts and conclusions reached from the research the follower had done.

Guest Column by Debra Tash 

January 22, 2019

The Planning Commission’s public hearing will be on January 31st , 8:30 AM at the County Government Center, 800 So Victoria Ave. Ventura.  

After the pomp and circumstance was accomplished, the silliness began.  Reportedly the Senate ran an hour behind on their duties to swear in Senators though no explanation was given.  Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib had his Nancy Pelosi moment when he declared he did not feel safe because the Senate had not banned concealed carry weapons from the Senate Gallery.

Symbolism accomplished the legislators got down to the business of how to capture that most prized and coveted thing, other people’s money.

By Guest Columnist Steve Busch

December 27, 2018

December 2018

Help protect your property rights—add an ally

By Glen Morgan, Executive Director

It is obvious to most that there is strength in numbers. This is true with most endeavors in life, and protecting our freedoms and our property rights is no exception. Unfortunately, the challenge with protecting our freedoms or property rights is the usual paradox associated with concentrated costs and distributed benefits. Everyone benefits from strong property rights, but few are willing to lead the fight to protect them.

Until this summer, property owners have never been represented on the Washington State Department of Health Onsite Sewage System (OSS) policy and technical rule revision Committee (basically an ad hoc committee to determine Washington State’s rules regarding septic systems).

Historically, only bureaucrats, environmental extremists, and industry representatives (septic pumping, designers, etc.) were involved. This may have been one reason why these policies seem to keep getting worse and more hostile to property owners over the years.

by Cindy Alia, December 8, 2108

The Energy and tenacity of Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR), Spokane Treasurer Rob Chase who pursued coordination under the  the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, Idaho based Avista Customer Group, and many concerned and commenting citizens of both Washington and Idaho were very effective in putting pressure on the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Committee (WUTC), who in Washington State had the final say in determining if Avista, a United States owned utility company could be purchased by a Canadian utility company, Hydro One! 

Skagit County – Winning The Fight to Defeat the Charter Initiative

Twenty-one days after the November 6^th election, the excruciating slow process of counting votes in Skagit County was over.  However, after only a week of sorting through ballots, it was evident the initiative to transform Skagit into a county that resembled its dysfunctional neighbors was soundly beaten back.  In the end, voters turned down charter government by a 2 to1 margin.    

When the Washington State legislature begins the 2019 session in mid-January, civility matters.

Civility impacts our governance, it does not matter where one stands politically, our form of representative governance is dependent on the courteous and orderly participation of citizens and legislators.  This is the best way to get the most information exchanged in the least time-consuming manner.

Civility matters because our form of governance depends on citizen/legislature communications and effective communication depends on getting facts to our legislators int the most efficient way.  Most legislators are operating under a very tight schedule which includes caucus meetings, committee meetings, meetings with constituents, and private lobbyists representing a wide array of business and ideal based civic groups.