Credibility Factor Limited-When a Political Thug Recasts Himself as a Bi-Partisan

Some years ago, I was sitting in the dark on a ledge of a windowsill outside the Ellensburg Public Library talking with Debbie Strand, who was then the Executive Director of the Kittitas County Economic Development Group.  I had known Debbie only in her professional capacity, who was, at the time, actively working with the wind farm developers who were facing huge opposition from a coalition of groups and individuals eager to preserve and promote residential development in Kittitas County's wildlands.  Much to my surprise and shock that evening, a man walked up and without any acknowledgement of my presence, and began to verbally threaten Ms. Strand's job if she did not get control of the Development group's board, specifically, Desmond Knudson, a board member and local business owner, who was at the time engaged in a lawsuit to remove the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners.

Ms. Strand, kindly, wisely and diplomatically, I think on behalf of Mr. Manweller, pointedly interrupted him and introduced me to Matt Manweller. 

This is how I first met Matt who was at that time chair of the Republican Party.  My impression at the time of a person that would make such threats in the dark without regard to who might be listening was that he was a thug.  I think he was fortunate that the person he addressed these threatening and bullying remarks to was the long suffering Ms. Strand who very patiently put up with this incident and even covered his back a little bit.

This first impression was indelible and continuing.  It was amplified when Matt was filmed calling a protester stupid (you can easily find the links to this video on the web).  It was further solidified, while pandering to a Tea Party crowd, he called public employees generational parasites (this video also easily found on the web).  Finally, there is the infamous radio show incident involving the parking lot brawl, and its precedent and subsequent messaging by Matt, which was nothing but a display of the worst kind of partisanship.

However, I can also see that there is a new Matt who is now trying to put "his baggage" behind him and emerge as a bi-partisan.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of baggage to tow.

I understand that it is easy to dismiss me as a partisan due to my current involvement in the Democratic Party as the Kittitas County Chair.  However, as a very moderate Democrat, who was self described at the time of my election to my current political role as being 51% Democrat and 49% Republican, I really do have a problem with Matt now trying to present himself as a bi-partisan given what I have witnessed as a resident of Kittitas County for many years.  As a business person,  I also have sincere and serious concerns for those of you in the agricultural and business communities of all three counties he might be representing and whether concerns across the entire spectrum of business activity in our counties will be heard rather than just those segments of the business community Matt has traditionally associated himself with. 

As a former non-profit board member, I am still appalled at the suggestion he made that an executive director of a non-profit board should control the board members.  As most of us who have served in such capacities understand, the board is, at least in theory, supposed to direct the the executive. 

I hope my story is something those of you serving on port district boards, economic development boards, and other non-profits throughout the 13th Legislature District will take to heart and ponder as you cast your vote in a few days.  There is an alternative to Matt Manweller in Kaj Selmann.  I urge you to call Kaj, talk to him and think about who can best deal with the entire spectrum of business interests in our district, including who would be best suited by temperament and track record in situations where various segments of the business community have conflicting interests.

YES I-502-WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATS ENDORSE

This is a guest post by James W. Green who is the Second Vice Chair of the Kittitas County Democratic Central Committe and the State Committeeman for the 13th Legislative District. Committeepersons from both the county and legislative districts are voting members of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee.  This is heartfelt commentary on party unity and consistency as it pertains to forward progress on all issues of importance to Democrats and a reflection on a recent local endorsement vote where the Kittitas Democrats did not vote to endorse I-502, which provides for limited decriminalization of marijuana use, but the Washington State Democrats did vote to endorse I-502 and recommend a Yes vote. 

To vote for or against Initiative 502 is an individual vote by each on their ballot. To endorse on behalf of an organization is the decision through vote of that body. This is done to aide, and, perhaps educate, individuals in determining their vote on their ballot. The issue of I-502 came up at the State Democratic Party convention in June and it was endorsed by the vote of the delegates.  While individually one may not support this endorsement, this body debated, and vetted their support through endorsing. I-502 has also gained a great deal of other respectable endorsements since then.

 At this point, several points come to mind to set the grounds for this document. One is that the progressive path to legalize (decriminalize, medical use, and distribution) is also supported in the Kittitas County Democrats Platform; and strongly supported in the Washington State Democratic Platform, both of which were recently updated. Also, one must be aware of the organization of the Democratic Party which is that the state party is under and supports the national party; and that the 13^th Legislative District and the Kittitas County Democrats are under and support the Washington State Democrats. These two entities join to conduct the business of the state through their respective voted committeepersons. At the time Kittitas County Democrats decided to not endorse this measure, I took a look at my definition of a state committeeperson.

First I defined STATE COMMITTEEPERSON; as; ”one who provides representation and a conduit for communication to and from the state organization and the represented organization.”  Next, I sent a request for their opinion or comment to Dwight Pelz, Washington State Democratic Party Chair, who referred me to the state charter and bylaws and to Jaxon Ravens, Executive Director of the Washington State Democratic Party, who referred me to the same and added,” the state charter and bylaws do not specifically state the role of the state central committee member in regards to the relationship to the local party organization although your description seems reasonable.”     

 The Washington State Democrats Charter reads, in part in ARTICLE I:

A. the Democratic Party of the State of Washington exists to:

 

1.      Adopt and promote statements of policy to serve as standards for democratic elected officials and goals for the people of the state, and
2.      Nominate and assist in the election of democratic candidates at all levels who support thegoals of the party.

In the Kittitas County Democrats Bylaws it reads that “ State committeepersons shall serve as liaison between county and state central committees.”

So, as the state committeeman for the 13^th Legislative District and a member of the Kittitas County Democrats Central Committee, I believe we have an obligation to acknowledge and, not hide from, the state party’s endorsement of I-502.  The fact is that Kittitas County Democrats voted to not endorse this measure. This is why I spoke out to acknowledge the state party’s endorsement, while still supporting the local vote to not endorse.  While I do believe we do not need to follow the state party blindly, I also believe we should strive to be basically united to remain strong and move “ FORWARD.”  It is also my opinion that going “FORWARD” we as democrats should be promoting and educating the goals and positions of the party statewide and nationally as well as locally.

On the issue of I-502, I encourage each to look for the information and the supporters (or lack of) for each to make your own decision as this is the only measure moving this issue “FORWARD” this election cycle, then get involved to move us “ FORWARD” to 2013. There is great opportunity to be involved early on as these positions and policies are brought forth,and, it becomes harder to move most issues in the final moments. Thus moving “FORWARD” as Democrats we should become engaged early and often to effect changes we believe in early on.

     James W. Green