HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarolee SmithFrom: Marolee Smith
April 7, 2016
An open letter to the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney,
Staff, Ethics Board, and Citizens of Port Angeles:
I am dismayed to read the pleadings to re-visit the ethic’s board
decision by the hired attorneys and by Ms. Kidd.
I find it insulting – to the Ethics Board; the people of Port Angeles;
the spirit of the ethics code; the spirit of fairness; as well as, to
me personally.
The Board did their job, (perhaps a compromise) but they settled on
the most egregious offence committed at the meeting of February 2,
2016. (BRAVO)
What has happened since has been an attempt at brute intimidation to
try to influence a decision already made. It is not heroic to make
excuses and whine. No one – no individual, no elected official, should
forget that none of us, alone, makes a community. It is our love for
each other; our ability to admit our foibles, that ultimately, makes
us human and binds us together in unity.
I am, now, even more ashamed of our Deputy Mayor and her actions. Here
she is, rising up on a high horse – only representing selfish
interests. She passed up a learning moment: to reflect; to introspect;
to grow. She passed up a time that could have helped us all move
together as a community. However, sadly, she is only arrogantly
interested in her interests, her desires, and her appearances.
“The opposite of humility is arrogance--the belief
that we are wiser or better than others. Arrogance
promotes separation rather than community. It looms
like a brick wall between us and those from whom we
could learn.” -- John Marks Templeton
Instead, it has become a silly show, a spectacle. A prime example of
why our town’s people are angry and upset, and distrustful of all in
local government, and sad. Some are hopeless. Some are frustrated.
Many are disgusted. This could have been a turning point of the city’s
steady decline.
Leading people is not cutting ribbons, showing up, and cheerleading.
It is listening, and apologizing. It is finding humility. It is
embracing critics and learning from mistakes.
I believe the attitude of the council (some) and the staff (some) is
defeating. The attitude ignores that many citizens are struggling.
There is widespread hopelessness, anger, frustration, and community is
in discord. Our town is struggling, while others around us are
thriving.
The message I hear, is that we, the people, feel disrespected. From
raising the utility rates (and service rates) to outright, disregard
of the simple things that really do count (i.e. fishing derby, for
one) and the outright slaps in the face (i.e. hiring legal advisors
for the Deputy Mayor to the tune of $20,000+).
The people want so much more. Our community is fraying at the edges.
Nevertheless, it does not need to be this way.
It really does FEEL as if we are here to serve at the pleasure, and
whims, of our elected council, which is just backwards.
People say: Why does our local government work against the people? Why do they disregard us? To what end?
I am ashamed at the height of the hubris. I thought it was bad with
the hiring of legal counsel from the wallets of the constituents. It
was not good when the city attorney continued to “advise” (even though
a clear conflict of interest exists). Then, unbelievably, there was
sworn testimony, with outright lying, blaming another council member,
and crocodile tears. Now, there are these manipulative, arrogant,
demanding letters of disagreement with the ethics decision. It is
beyond understanding.
It is beyond disappointing.
The deputy mayor lied, under oath. She, literally, blamed a situation
(of her making) on another council member. How does an adult lay blame
on another, instead of taking a hard look at their actions? I am
incredulous.
Essentially, pride is a 'my will' rather than 'thy
will' approach to life. -- Ezra Taft Benson
Why did the ethics-conflicted city attorney not step up, and do his
job, at that point? It was NOT in the best interests of the city for
one councilmember to outright attack another -- on record, videotaped,
audiotaped, with an audience of citizens, for the whole world to see.
Why didn’t the deputy mayor, at her expense, hire the legal advisors?
Then, she could (perhaps), have been reimbursed. That, certainly,
would have been more honest and “reasonable”. It would have been less
adversarial, too. It feels as if WE (the people) are the enemy. Are
we?
Why were the ethics codes put in place? Were they so the people would have an opportunity to speak up?
(Or, were they put in place as faux rules, and enacted so that some
out-of-the-area attorney bullshit could be heeded?)
Instead of this becoming a learning moment, one where we all could
have found some common ground, it has become a battle. A will of the
elected against the electorate. Our government is not supposed to work
this way.
We did not elect dictators. We elected representatives.
To Ms. Kidd: A simple apology would have sufficed, and some
acknowledgement of wrongful, mistaken, hastily taken actions.
Perhaps further Parliamentary training could have been in order.
Finally, to clarify: My motives were NOT (as the Deputy Mayor was
quoted in the PDN) politically motivated. It is not a personal
vendetta, or anything of the kind. My actions had nothing to do with
the fluoride (anti- or pro-). It was not to harass, or demean. It was
because I am a law-abiding, long-time resident, and citizen, a
taxpayer. I am American. I believe in our form of government, the
Constitution, Free Speech, and Liberty for all. I believe in
excellence in local government.
I have been insulted and outraged at the degree of disrespect foisted
upon the people at the city council meetings; at the ongoing attitude
that (and I quote) “you should be grateful for all that we do for
you”.
I have zero political motives. Clearly, I am not a politician. (I ran
for office, only because I could not bear another dismal election,
with no challengers to the incumbents.) I am not a “failed council
candidate” (as the PDN seems to like to portray me). I am a person,
just like everyone else. I care about the people and my community.
I am tired of the personal attacks (in person, on social media, etc.)
To speak up for my fellow citizens takes stamina, and courage. (This
has not been without a cost to me.)
I urge the Ethics Council to hear MY PLEAS.
Please, stick with your decision.
Please, honor US.
Respectfully Yours,
Marolee D. Smith