After reading recent letters by Larry Mann and Ann Welsh regarding their concerns about public safety and the actions of elected officials, I, too, find myself outraged — especially in light of the conduct of the Port Orchard City Council.
They plainly aren’t listening.
But before we throw the bums out, remember there were two who dissented on the roundabout vote.
I would caution readers and those who from time to time write letters to the editor not to generalize. These issues are much too serious to not give credit where credit is due.
Both Councilmen Jim Colebank and Jerry Childs voted on the side of reason ad against the roundabouts, passionately stating their concerns for publis safety.
If we are to elect a city council that is responsive to all the residents, we need to keep the electorate informed as to who is actually listening.
Ann Welsh’s point about synchronizing the stoplights, ignoring fire and police officials an the waste of taxpayer money is right on.
Larry Mann’s observations about Gov. Gregoire and the elected state officials doing only what they want on the Seattle Viaduct and other bridge projects sheds light on the fact that, once in office, elected officials seem to ignore the voters who put them there.
So we might ask ourselves why this is happening, and in the case of Port Orchard, who is pushing these roundabouts, anyway?
Well, it doesn’t take much thought to realize that some of this comes from the people operating out of the State Capitol.
Just look at the roundabout “farm” they’re cultivating in Olympia.
They seem to sprout up like weeds. Someone down there loves those things.
And we must note on the roundabouts that the other five Port Orchard City Council members didn’t listen to the public or, incredibly, their own public safety officials who testified.
Why?
Well, there is obviously more here than meets the eye. On closer look, we know that two of the five council members who voted for the roundabouts are closely associated with the Washington State Department of Transportation and Kitsap Transit.
Then there are some who have long-time ties to state elected officials.
This leads one to ask what really goes on in all those executive sessions the public isn’t privy to?
These connections and back-room dealings seem to have strings attached that don’t always work out in our best interests.
Next year we will again be asked to vote for four of the council positions. I would encourage everyone to remember how votes are being cast now.
Remember those who listen and vote with the public safety officials like Colebank and Childs.
And finally, remember those who didn’t listen. We can make a difference in this town, but first we need some council members who will put the interests of the voters first.
VANCE VAUGHT
Port Orchard
