The question is: After a tumultuous 2010, when budget-driven transformation at City Hall was a constant, is the city better off than before? The answer depends on where one sits, but it would be good for the community if the council, during its final year together, would keep one eye on the tiller and the other on exactly where the USS Bainbridge is headed.
Certainly this council has little in common with the previous spend-at-all-costs city regime and should be applauded for effectively tackling the city’s its dire economic situation, despite taking heat from several special interest groups. Still, it’s only a first step since 2011 could be worse economically and there’s still too little in reserve for the first half of the year.
Justifiably so, the council has been single-minded when dealing with the nmany tough budget decisions, which may have led to times when the members – as a whole – gave too little forethought to some of the complex community issues before acting. Times when the council, often led by a pro-tem mayor, Bob Scales, already had its collective mind made up, even while allowing the community input despite the fact it was token act – giving citizens only a bit part in the play. Not on every issue, but it happens.
Two examples involved decisions to start municipal court negotiations with Poulsbo and the $2 million or land offered by Washington State Ferries. Councilors may disagree, but it was obvious to many community members involved in these issues that often facts were being twisted a bit to fit the council’s goal.
As the city’s policy maker, the council’s decisions that are critical to community direction and well-being should include open-minded gathering of pertinent facts, rather than making a decision first and then manipulating reality to justify it.
Understandably, the council focus has been all about money, so banking $2 million was to be expected. But in 2011, it would be nice if the council becomes a little more open than closed when considering the community’s ideas on important issues.
Local foundations feed our long-term needs
