Greetings!

 

The Holiday Season is upon us and I wish the best for you and all those you share the time with. 

May you find an abundance of reasons to be thankful!

 

PandoraPandora Petition?    


Being considered at this Wednesday's workshop is whether
or not to go forward with a proposed ordinance change relating to the discharge of firearms.

The proposed language would set precedent for petition rights in our non-charter county, usurp the authority of our elected sheriff as the chief public safety officer and bring on the opportunity for extremely costly litigation from gun, civil and property Rights groups.  It could blur the lines between our representative republic form of government, and failed democracies, such as Rome, which succumbed to "mob rule."

Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in the "citizen's advisory," but I believe it to be most effective at the ballot box.  That is where EVERYONE has an opportunity to express themselves confidentially and not live in fear of retaliation.

Petitions should be saved for the referendum/initiative process where the proposed change then goes out to a vote of the people.  In that form it is a grassroots "check and balance" of the legislative representatives.  Allowing petitions to be used as a way of restructuring the balance of power would diminish actual representation and eventually have us controlled by agitators.

We the people of the State of Washington have agreed to fund this process at the state level to allow us that "check and balance."  We the citizens of Island County have not agreed to allow for this process in the auditor's, assessor's, prosecutor's, sheriff's and commissioner's budgets and I'm not sure we would.  I requested input on the topic some time back and the "No" votes won.

The other part of the question is whether the commissioners have the authority to regulate the use of fire arms on private property.  I would submit to you a recent supreme court decision that gives commissioners VERY LITTLE right to regulate the use of fire arms on PUBLIC PROPERTY. 

This is clearly a case of different reasons for choosing a rural lifestyle.  I have NO authority for holding one person's "quality of life" above another, but I do have a DUTY "to protect and maintain individual rights."   

 CSPCamano State Park in Peril Again?    


Last year at this time we were celebrating success in stopping an effort to destroy our state park on Camano.  Here we are again this year with that effort starting up again. 

This time it's important we get involved early as we may be able to set the course for years to come.

The Camano Island State Park was created by a herculean effort of the citizens.  Its future should be decided by the citizens, not the state or some special interest group.

This requires involvement however.  There must be a plan because you can't reach into the pot of largess for funding without a plan.  Let's make sure the plan involves your ideas and not just those of the Skagit River System Coop and CARE (Camano Area for a Rural Environment).

The state staff and rangers were very accommodating at the meeting held at Cama Beach last week.  They hope to hear from you as well.  If you care about the amount of private property being bought up, taken off the tax roles with no ability to maintain, you'll want to be involved. They are considering expanding the boundary lines of the park.

The planner, Chris Parsons, would, I'm sure, be happy to include you in the information going out to all interested parties.  You can e-mail her at: [email protected]

Get involved because...whether or not you take an interest in politics...it takes an interest in you... 

      

CatastrophyAre You Prepared for a Disaster?  

 

Our Department of Emergency Management director Eric Brooks recently hosted a workshop on disaster preparedness as it relates to the need for transportation.  Each tabletop exercise dealt with varying degrees of damage from a catastrophic earthquake affecting both islands and beyond.   

It was an extremely informative, eye-opening experience that took us from immediate response through lingering obstacles to recovery.  It shined a light on how/and why the state would prioritize its actions and put focus on how to do so locally.

 

Some of the important notes I took away from it were: Individuals/families need to be prepared to provide for themselves for 72 hours minimum; Communities will need to work together to help friends and neighbors meet their needs; IT WILL TAKE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SAVE THE DAY; Assessment of jails and inmates should be done immediately; Lots, lots more.  Thank you Eric.  

          

RACRural Counties Think Alike   

 

As a member of the National Association of County Officials (NACO) Rural Action Caucus (RAC) Legislative Steering Committee, I was invited to attend a RAC retreat in Louisiana earlier this month.

The retreat was free, most of the meals were provided, lodging was quite inexpensive and the airfare wasn't bad.  All in all it was an invaluable experience to be able to network with so many like-minded individuals, share problems/solutions and set lobbying priorities for the upcoming new congress.

High on our list of priorities was relief from unfunded mandates.  Rule-making authorities such as the EPA seem to have no realization of the cost to implement their regulations.  They push for a progressive agenda that would take us back to a time before man impacted the earth.  (I'm not kidding you..  Their suggested figures pertaining to the Clean Air Act couldn't be attained even if we took every automobile off the road.)

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with groups like this that are focusing their efforts on common sense protections for both the environment and the people. 

It is an honor to serve you.

 

Sincerely,

Kelly Emerson

Island County Commissioner - District 3

Join The Mailing List! 

 

District 3 County Commissioner

Kelly Emerson 

 

1 NE 7th Street

PO Box 5000

Coupeville, WA 98239

 

Ph. (360) 679-7354 

 

 e-mail: 

[email protected] 

 

In this issue

Commissioner's Meetings

First 3 Mondays at 10am

Fourth Monday at 2pm

 

Click here for meeting agenda information

Commissioner's Workshops 

1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays' at 9am

   

Click here for workshop agenda information  

 

Donate to keep WSU Extension programs alive!

 Planning Commission Meeting Info. 

I SERVE ON THESE BOARDS 
    
IC Council of Gov.
IC Transit Board

IC Board of Health
Reg. Transport. Policy 

NW Regional Council 
NW Clean Air Agency

NW Workforce Council
Courthouse Security

LEOFF
(Law Enf. Ofc. Fire F.) 
 
Farmhouse Gang 
Solid Waste Advisory 
 
SRF Loan Committee  
NACO Public Lands

NACO Veterans and Military Service Committee 
 
NACO Rural Area Caucus
WA Bridge Replacement
   

Adopt-a-Senior-Pet 

Seniors on Whidbey 
360-678-5816

    

Seniors on Camano 
360-387-1902



Do your Civic Duties.

The Washington State Transportation Commission has discovered that public hearings seem to just draw in the same impassioned activists and agitators.  They really want to broaden the scope and hear from YOU.

Soon they will be sending out a survey asking for your input.  If you haven't already signed up for the Voice of Washington Surveys (VOWS), please, do so today by clicking the link above.

Clicking here will get you an e-mail invitation to share with your friends and family.  Your state wants to hear from you, don't let them down.