RSSYakima City Council votes to start over on budget policy
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Under threat of a court order, a contrite Yakima City Council rescinded a controversial budget policy on the same night a replacement was sworn in for a council member who quit over it.
Emerging after a 90-minute meeting behind closed doors, the council voted 6-0 late Tuesday to rescind the policy and start over. Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez was absent.
Councilman Rick Ensey, the figure at the heart of the controversy, called the court order "garbage" but conceded that he was wrong to have rushed a vote on the policy during a study session on April 14. The move so incensed Councilman Neil McClure that he quit on the spot.
"My mistake," said Ensey. "I'll make sure and learn from this."
The other three council members who joined with Ensey on the original vote -- Micah Cawley, Kathy Coffey and Bill Lover -- also requested a mea culpa.
"Let's try to move forward, go from there," said Coffey.
The new policy was modeled after one used by Yakima County and, according to supporters, is designed to give council members broad policy input on municipal priorities at the front end of the budgeting process.
Opponents, however, assailed the move as a thinly veiled attempt to wrest control from City Manager Dick Zais. They also complained about the behind-the-scenes role played by Yakima Valley Business Times publisher and longtime Zais critic Bruce Smith.
Weeks of hard feelings followed McClure's resignation, coming to a head two weeks ago during a tense council meeting when the divided group briefly united in picking Maureen Adkison as his replacement. She was sworn in Tuesday.
The second-guessing continued, however, in the form of public records requests seeking evidence that backers of the new policy conspired in violation of the state open-meetings law.
The controversy went to a whole new level last Friday when a lawyer got a court order blocking the city from implementing the new policy -- and effectively stopping work on its 2010 budget.
Curiously, one of Adkison's first votes as a council member was to rescind the policy that caused her predecessor to quit in the first place. Ensey, meanwhile, was defiant.
"If we need to study, do it over, fine," he said. "But let me be clear on this: I'm not apologizing."
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Ensey one of the council members who insisted that the ems levy was "proceding to fast and had to be vetted in the community first"? Yet he trys to quickly sneek in a completely new budgeting system in-after he agreed to "study it" first, only a week earlier... They don't call him "Slick Rick" for nothin!!!
Report ViolationThe YHR isn't screaming about the delay in releasing the electonic messages between council members on this issue? Huh? Now that was delayed so this vote could be corrected because they did violate the open meetings act.Ron Bonlender requested and is recieving all the emails between counci members but it was purposely delayed to allow Ensey, Coffeey and Cawley to correct thier "mistake".
Ensey and Cawley are poison on that council. Mary Place is experienced, level headed and mature. These two act like brats. If they don't get thier way they act like spoied children and unapologetic ones at that.
Thier actions are dividing the city as well as the council. Hopegully more women on the council will get the testosterone under control.
Man, one of the first thoughts when I saw Place was going to run against Calwey was "At last finally something Eloy and I can agree about". Since both of us have posted about the detrimental effects of the good 'ol boy system on Yakima and his outspoken stance on how certain council members have driven business' out of town. I can't tell you how surprised I was to see him in support of her, it makes no sense.
As for rescinding the budget I predict that it will still pass because it has merit, but now some people won't feel left out of the loop ad their feelings won't get hurt and I hope no one else will throw a tantrum and take their ball and go home about it. And if it doesn't so be it, a team will have made a team decision.
The emails that superman....I mean sandwich-man, has asked for to stir the pot with should be released, those are the rules fair and square. And with that information released I hope there is still a ruling on IF there was a violation or not.
P.S.-Eloy, I am pretty sure Place did vote no on the Mall project on N 16th Ave you were pinning on Cawley last week. So much for her not hurting growth and business.
Let me see if I have this right. Councilman Ensey - according to the article - conceded he was wrong to rush the vote. Later in the article he is quoted as having said, "My mistake". And then he wraps it all up with, "But let me be clear on this: I'm not apologizing." Clear as mud councilman. Just like you cleared up the issue of your wife's blog...eventually. I guess he has to wait until Mr. Smith tells him an apology is in order??
Report ViolationI find it amusing how Yakima liberals can find a way to blame Bruce Smith for everything that doesn't go their way. It's like our local version of Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS), only it's Bruce Derangement Syndrome.
Report ViolationThese are the signs of more trouble with the city council.
Councilman Rick Ensey seems to be the pack leader and the driving force is usually a business man that will gain from their actions, in essence making them just puppets to do their work.
With Councilman Neil McClure quitting as he did just really did a disservice to Yakima Residence, but a good indication that he knows what is transpiring in the city council.
I have seen this up close before where a city council tried everything to give a local business man a settlement in a lawsuit that the city insurance company recommended against.
There are similarities here and the way the city took care of it was to replace 90% of the city council.
As for Bruce Smith, I do not know what his stake in this is, but I am sure time will tell if he does or doesn't.
Heywood, you missed the post where I corrected my mistake , the developement was on N.40th,(40 million) mea culpa, but Place may have voted against that N. 16th project back years ago or may be she did not..what I do know is she is consistent, has an education, and is mature. She doesn't have puppet strings attached either nor is she a parrot!
sjauna and heywood are smith apologists...If he is going to be dictating what Ensey, Cawley, Lover, Coffey are to say publicly and privately, then why do we need them on council?
And why am I labled as "liberal". I am conservative, but I do not believe in the "my way or the highway" politics and torched earth tactics for a city council. It hurts the city image, it is divisive and shows that these people cannot compromise thier ideology for the good of the community. They believe there is a conspiracy behind every tree.
If i could count on them to think for themselves, which they have shown they are incapable of doing so, then maybe I would have a different opinion. But it seems if Smith is for it, they are for it, if Smith is againsit it, they are against it...if thats what they call leadership, they need to look up the definition. They are followers.
It appears that Eloy, Electra glide and Graduate are either full fledged members of the good old boys/girls club, or at the very least, associate members.
Let
Bruce Smith's column in the Business Journal is vociferous and continual in his criticism of Zais, and unequivocal in his support of particular council members. Regardless of whether you agree with Smith's reasons, you can't deny that he uses his newspaper column as a soapbox, and his readers don't get much of a balanced view.
Report ViolationAs far as an apologist for Bruce Smith, I am sure I am not. Especially since I have never seen, spoken to, or met him, not to mention ever read any article he has written. Sorry to disappoint, but the witch hunt is back on hold.
I find it remarkable if Cawley votes against a building complex that was a violation of zoning it is because he is uneducated, immature, and cutting local jobs, but when Place voted against a shopping mall it was out of consistency, maturity and educated. I don't buy it, can't be both ways.
BillyJack, you did a great job of breaking it down for those that have been unable to figure it out or are late to the Yakima political game!
Heywood and Billyjack
The long disseration by Billy (AKA) Smith, tells me that
a raw nerve had ben hit..violation of building zoneS... come on...review and changes to building zones are common since city's are not static animals...they evolve, it is called progress. It did cost jobs and developementTHAT YO CANNOT EVADE.
The status quo group of which you and BillyJack claim not to be a part of "the good Ol Boys group" tells me the complete opposite..infact it is the back room smoke filled chicago style politics that smith and company profess to be against that brought about this fiasco. It is one good ol boy's group being traded for another goood ol boys group of which I am proud to say i am not a part of either. they both catch @#$% from when they are wrong.
I am an observer of the obvious..somebody's ox is getting gored and niether side is serving us but their own agenda.
national politcs on a microcism in Yakima..divisive and no holds barred, take no prisoners and disregard the collateral damage. winn at all costs!
BillyJack
Your pecking order diatribe, describes a city whose management has never layed off employees, never had a deficit budget, always balanced, whose reserves have a AAA bond rating, highest that bond raters give in New York, and you promote a system that has layed off over 50 employees including law enforcement, is way below recommended reserves...A current system whose reserves exceed recommedned levels for a city budget this size...
Let me see, you are upset because parttime amatuer volunteers who have]never had to balance a 50 miilion dollar budget, can't understand how a budget is formulated thus it status quo must be changed to fit thier level of expertise? Hmmm...how many CPA's, finanicial experts are on the council...? Oh excuse me we have a partime DJ...does that count?
"You see, members of the good old boys/girls club do not represent the residents of Yakima; they only represent special interest groups who want either the status quo to remain the same or pass pet projects"
NAME THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, OR THE PET PROJECTS!"
LETS DEMONIZE THE OPPOSITION SIMPLY BECAUSE OUR SPECAIL INTEREST AND PET PROJECTS DON'T GET ADDRESSED
"In order to re-establish the good old boys/girls club, the city manager and the mayor along with club members from the Yakima business community have established a plan."
lET'S EXAMINE THIS QUOTE
fROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE CITY MANAGEMENT SHOULD NOT CATER TO BUSINESS THAT CREATES JOBS THAT EMPLOYES PEOPLE WHO PAY TAXES AND PAY FOR THE SERVICES AND BUY GOODS THAT IN TURN PRODUCE REVENUE PAY FOR THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY THE CITY SUCH AS GARBAGE PICKUP, STREET MAINTENCE, POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION?
THIS IS VERY LOGICAL..KILL BUSINESS, KILL JOBS THUS KILL TH E"GOODL OL BOY SYSTEM" THE GOOD OL BOY SYSTEM YOU DECRY IS CALLED "CAPTIALISM" AND "FREE ENTERPRISE" SOMETHING THIS COUNTRY HAD ASCRIBED TO SINCE FOR THE FOUNDING OF THIS COUNTRY.
tAXES..NOBODY LIKES THEM BUT JUST AS NOBODY LIKES DEATH,BUT THEY COME WITH THE DEMOCRACY..BUT LIKE DEMOCRACY..YOU CAN VOTE THINGS OR PEOPLE IN OR OUT, BUT YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU SACRIFICE.
"The founding fathers of our country, via the constitution, were smart enough to insert a system of checks and balances in order to prevent one individual or group unchecked unlimited authority. Currently, the city of Yakima does not have those checks and balances. The city manager and the good old boys/girls club through the city charter believes that they have unlimited authority without any checks and balances."
LETS BRING IN THE FOUNDING FATHERS IN TO THE ARGUEMENT..ALL OF WHO ARE DEAD AND WHO'S WISDOM NEVER ENVISONED THAT THEIR WORD WORDS ARE ALWAYS BE USED TO TRY AND WIN ARGUEMENTS...I ONLY RECALL THESE WORDS 'IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT GOVERNMENT.." BUT THERE IS NO PERFECT GOVERNMENT! OURS IS THE CLOSEST THING EVER CONTRIVED TO ATTEMPT TO GIVE THE INDIVIDUAL A SAY...tHERE ARE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN CITY GOVERNMENT..THEY (ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS)CAN VOTE NO TO BUDGETS PRESENTED AND SEND IT BACK FOR CUTS, BUT THE POLITICIANS DO NOT WANT TO BE BLAMED FOR THE CUTS..LETS CUT 20 POLICE OFFICES 10 FIREMEN, LOSE FISHCER PARK AND CLOSE ALL POOLS....THEY CAN ORDER THIS BE DONE AND SAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND GO BACK TO THIER VOTERS AND SAY THEY SAVED MONEY..THAT IS UNDER THIER AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY CHARTER WITHOUT CHANGING THE BUDGET PROCESS! BUT THESE GUTLESS, BRAINLESS WONDERS WOULD RATHER THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF BEAR THE BLAME FOR THE HARD DECISIONS SO THEY CAN GET RE-ELECTED AND NOT HAVE TO FACE AN ANGRY ELECTORATE WHEN ALL THESE SERVICES DISAPPEAR...BUT LETS LOOK LIKE WE ARE IN CHARGE AND BLAME THE MANAGER AND THE STAFF. WHAT COWARDS!OHH I FORGOT THEY ARE POLITICIANS NOT LEADERS.
It Is the Soldier
by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien United States Marine Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor TO BURN THAT FLAG!
ADDED:
IT IS THE POLITICIAN WHO PRAISES THE SOLDIER WHEN THEY ARE HEROES AND DEMONIZES THEM WHEN THEY FALL SHORT YET THEY CHOOSE TO FIGHT NO BATTLES. WHAT HIPPOCOSY!
Eloy,
That is quite an impressive response, and I would love to continue to carry on a philosophical as well as intellectual discussion with you concerning your philosophy of
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