Strom Peterson's flip-flop on heights

I know that by putting up this blog, many of my supporters and friends are cringing. I can here it now, “Dave your being negative again.”

But here me out for a second…

Look, if Strom Peterson were a candidate for a national office, wouldn’t you want the press to point out how a candidate’s statement changed over time? Would you fault the press for citing how a candidate’s current “stated” views differed from his or her actual “actions?”

A candidate’s flip-flops are highly relevant to a campaign, are they not? If you care about a particular national issue, don’t you want to know if the candidate you are casting a ballot for has changed his or her mind on that issue?

Why should it be different for the council?

Strom Peterson’s record clearly shows two facts:

1) As the president of the downtown merchants association, Strom Peterson advocated for changes in downtown codes that included increasing downtown heights. The quote above is just one. He is also on record in front of the planning board on 12/15/2004.

2) Strom is now saying he doesn’t want to change codes in downtown.

I am sorry, that’s a flip-flop. You may not like to hear it, but that’s what it is.

Now, add the fact that Strom Peterson does not make a commitment about heights on the waterfront, where a Seattle developer is now applying for 75 foot tall buildings.

If you care about taller buildings in Edmonds, and you are considering casting a vote for Strom Peterson, I urge you to consider his record. You don’t need to trust me, just look up the cited references above.

Strom’s record may cause you to doubt his sincerity.

And sorry for being negative again…

Happy Birthday Bro!

My brother Bill turned 40 two days ago. He lives in San Diego and flies helicopters for a living. Isn't that a sweet job!

When we were growing up, I became the high school nerd and he became the high school athlete. His sport was the triple jump, which he gave up after injuring the connection between his thigh muscle and hip. He literally busted his ass for his high school!

It also turns that I am the one who gets motion sick and he doesn't. Hence, he can do the flying thing, and I am grounded to science labs.

Now he's 40, happily married to his wife Tracy, and flying helicopters for a living.

I am 41, happily married to my wife Martha, and I program computers and represent the public of Edmonds on the city council.

I love representing the people of Edmonds, but I can't help but wondering what it's like to be my bro, flying helicopters.

Challenging Priya Cloutier’s website

I am glad that Priya Cloutier has a website, just like I am glad to have a blog. Discussion is good, but ideas must be challenged in order to get to the truth. So let’s do some challenging…

Assertion: Priya describes herself as “a highly involved community activist.”

Challenge: Priya has lived three years in Edmonds and has missed many local elections in that time. She is the only candidate for any position who did not cast a vote for our EMS levy. She also missed two school levy elections. Michael Plunkett has perfect voting record over the same period, and has lived in Edmonds 30 years. If Priya won’t vote, then Priya has no business calling herself a community activist.

Assertion: Priya states; “Through his (Plunkett’s) actions, it is clear to me that my opponent is too comfortable in his 12 years…”

Challenge: Priya criticizes Plunkett’s actions, but then she doesn’t tell us what those actions are.
So Priya, what did Plunkett do that you disagree with? Are you upset with him because he formed a historic commission and fought for historic structures? Are you disappointed with his vote to fund Yost pool, the senior center, and public health? What about his votes to create the Edmonds Center for the Arts, streamline architectural design review, or save paramedic service after Mountlake Terrace pulled out of Medic 7? Are you upset that he wanted a larger park in South Edmonds and that he voted to save Marina Beach from development?

Or do you just hate the fact that Plunkett said “no” to taller buildings?

Assertion: In 12 years all my opponent has to show for is passing frivolous laws such as “paper or plastic” or cat leash ordinances!

Challenge (1): Plunkett voted against the cat leash ordinance, check the record, and look it up next time.

Challenge (2): This statement does not indicate how Priya would vote on these issues. Priya seems to fault Plunkett for making a decision. We know what his decisions are. Priya, what would your decision have been?

Assertion: “I am not interested in turning Edmonds into a casino-haven such as Tacoma or Lynnwood .”

Challenge (1): Lynnwood bans casinos, but I am glad to know that Priya wants us to be better than Tacoma.

Challenge (2) Her statement does not take a stand on casinos in Edmonds. In fact, her statement suggests that she would be willing to allow casinos under certain conditions. So what is it Priya? Where do you stand on casinos in Edmonds? Please clarify, clearly please.

Assertion: “I, too, oppose increasing building heights in the downtown Edmonds corridor.”

Challenge: This deceptive statement is designed to trick you. I have heard it again and again from other candidates trying to dodge the issue of building heights in downtown. Priya is trying to give you the impression she opposes taller buildings in all of the downtown and the waterfront, when in fact the phrase ‘Edmonds corridor’ refers only to a portion of downtown.

Priya, the public would like you stop your lawyerly dance and take a stand. What is your stand? Quit dancing around taller buildings and tell us.

Well this concludes my blog for now. Priya, I hope my challenges will improve your website.

Attention All Campaigns: Disclose Pledges

A commitment of funds for later in the campaign is called a pledge. Pledges must be disclosed when you file your C4.

If you've arranged to have a lot of money from unpopular donors come in late in the campaign (where it's difficult for folks to hold you accountable for accepting those contributions), the law says you must disclose this arrangement (or pledge) on your next C4.

I just thought I'd make that nugget of information available.

A better way to look at campaigns: Number of Donors from Edmonds

You'll see many a newspaper article talking about how much money has been raised by such and such a candidate. However, this last primary has taught us that money does not equal votes.
The public disclosure commission's website contains an "advanced search" feature that allows us to look at data differently. I put in a query asking how many donations each candidate received from someone in Edmonds. I did not look at the position 3 race, since one of the candidates has chosen the minimum filing option.


I would argue that the number of donors from Edmonds is a better measure of campaign strength than simple money totals. You don't win by having the majority of the money, you win by having the majority of the votes.




The Position 1 race shows Michael Plunkett has almost 4 times the donors from Edmonds that Priya Cloutier has. Not surprising, since most of Priya Cloutier's cash contributions come from outside of Edmonds. Interestingly, the latest PDC filings show Michael Plunkett has clearly outpaced Priya Cloutier in terms of "Cash On Hand", mostly because of wasteful spending (including a $1200 kickoff party) by the Cloutier campaign. The Plunkett campaign seems to now have the upper hand in terms of financial and popular support.

Diane Buckshnis beat Strom Peterson in the primary, even though Peterson vastly out spent her. Looking at the Number of Donors, we can get a glimpse as to why. Diane Buckshnis has more individual donations from Edmonds residents. While her cash contributions may not be large, they are numerous.

Diane Buckshnis's primary win has also had a leveling affect on the campaign. Both Peterson and Buckshnis are at a financial tie when looking at "cash on hand." Peterson is now just recovering from a major dry spell in the month of August, while Diane keeps bringing in a steady rate of modest, but numerous contributions. This race is a close one, with Peterson's fundraising ability pit again Buckshnis's grass roots networking.

Way to go Michael and Diane! You two clearly see that winning in Edmonds means getting support from the people of Edmonds.

An Innovative Archery Target

My son has been developing an interest in Archery, so much so that he is now taking lessons. He has a home made bow he uses in the backyard, because we don't allow him to use professionally made bows unless he's at a range.

He wanted to shoot an apple off of some one's head, but he obviously did not want anyone to volunteer. He took an old Halloween zombie mask and nailed it to a post with an apple. Now, he has an excellent archery target.

So far, the zombie has not fared well.

Great Voter Turnout in Edmonds

Edmonds voter turnout in the primary election was the third best of every city in Snohomish county. Only Granite Falls and Woodway bested us. You can see the data here.

Let's be first in the general election!

Every candidate should go on channel 21

You may have seen channel 21, the city government’s cable channel. It has a lot of info about the city, and every city official gets his picture on it.

During my last election, I advocated that my opponent, Strom Peterson, should get some time on channel 21, too. Even though, channel 21 is not election oriented, it still puts across information about elected officials, and I felt it needed to be a level playing field.

I still feel that way.

I even made a slide show suggesting how channel 21 should be formatted during elections. I used a “make believe” race for Position zero. Photos are provided by Gary Larson. :>)

During elections, I proposed that channel 21 be turned into a TV voter’s guide. The city provides the name, picture, and contact information for each candidate. We could even add a link for a website or blog (like this one). This way the playing field is kept level and the city is NOT maintaining anything political. The candidates can then exercise their right to free speech on their OWN website and blogs.

One of the reasons I have my own blog is so I don’t have to worry about mixing my “political” thoughts with my “city official” thoughts. This is my own blog, so public money cannot be used for “political” purposes. I can say what I want, freely.

The Life of Anne and Alex

Anne and Alex have recently moved to Edmonds and they are blogging! I have added a link to their blog in the left hand collumn. They recently reported on the new Hickman park and are now blogging about their travels. They and I share a common interest, hiking and camping.

They seem to like Edmonds, but they are hoping for better bloggers. Apparently, they are not impressed with "old-man orvis' blog" :>)

Welcome to Edmonds, Anne and Alex.