The Legislature’s proposal to charge parking fee at state parks would discriminate against the poor and elderly, argues guest columnist Lynn Kessler, a former House Majority leader from Hoquiam. She argues the state’s experiment with a parking fee was an utter failure. A better idea would be to increase the requested voluntary donation citizens...
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From Joan Schrammeck, Camano Action for a Rural Environment Background More than 5 years ago, Dr. Geoffrey Anderson bought 42 acres on the north end of Camano Island and, working with Designs Northwest of Stanwood, began site plans for an 84 housing units residential development. The property lies between Maple Grove Road and North...
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AMERICA IS NOT A DEMOCRACY: IT’S AN OLIGARCHY RULED BY THE WEALTHY by Norman W Wilson, PhD We Americans toot the idea of democracy the world over. History, however, tells us, that we are not a democracy. Fact is, we never have been. When this great country of ours was first established, it was...
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by Lawrence Baum As a member of the Cama Advisory Board, I learned at the recent meeting about a number of changes involving our two parks that are being proposed in Olympia to help deal with our state’s massive budget black hole. It is as a Camano resident, a Camano business owner with a...
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Camano Island is home to one of the most successful state parks, Cama Beach. It has generated over $1 million in revenue since it opened, and consistently receives some of the highest customer satisfaction results on guest surveys, thanks to the park’s dedicated, enterprising, public-service staff. read the rest at  Cama Beach cut by...
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Editor’s note – Here is an excellent analysis of the public pension situation in California by Tim Cavanaugh.  It’s important reading for anyone interested in state budget issues across the country, including Washington State. Farewell, My Lovely: How public pensions killed progressive California by Tim Cavanaugh from the March 2011 issue The Democratic Party...
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We may not notice teachers’ aides who have been laid off, state workers on furlough, or roads that are in bad shape but still passable. But give us some garbage on the beach and listen to us whine. via Editorial: Public feels the first pinch – Whidbey News Times.
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Public employees may keep their bargaining rights in the current showdown. But union leaders need to make adjustments to maintain public support. via Union battle is about history and future | Crosscut.com.
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Along the Columbia River Gorge in the southern part of Washington and along the ridges of Ellensburg in Central Washington one can witness the growth of the wind power industry as dozens of huge turbines are being erected to provide renewable energy and meet government mandates. What is happening is remarkable, but not quite...
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Sometimes it seems that the economic downturn will never end. Nary a day goes by that we don’t hear or see some message of just how bad things are — cuts to local school districts; cuts in city services, programs and staffing; another local business closing; more unemployed and more demand at local food...
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