Where is Paul Harvey when you need him?
Never fear, years after Paul's death, the Stranger is here with part of the rest of the story and released many more of the sordid details of Matt Manweller's hypocrisy to the general public yesterday.
This follows the lifting of the injunction on the release of Central Washington University's report in attempting to come into compliance with Title IX regulations on sexual harassment allegations made by students against Manweller in 2006 and 2007. Manweller is attempting to spin this report as absolving him of these actions. It does not. The simple problem is that CWU's response at the time was ineffective and the "complaints" were "resolved" on an informal basis and CWU made only the most cursory attempt to correct the problem, i.e. Manweller. The sad fact of the matter is that CWU bungled the process under the requirements of Title IX back in 2006 and 2007 and knows it.
CWU is not currently disciplining Manweller due only to the lapse of time.
During the past week, Mr. Manweller, his campaign, and his sycophants have also been distorting an editorial run by the Daily Record's editorial board to claim that the Daily Record endorsed him. They did not and when confronted with their distortion refused to admit that they were not telling the truth about the endorsement. Hence, yesterday, Joanna Markell, Managing Editor of the Daily Record, restated that the Daily Record did not make endorsements in two of the local races, the race for the State House (i.e. Mathew Manweller versus Kaj Selmann) and the judicial race in yet another editorial.
I appreciate these two local papers making the attempt to at least provide the information held by Central Washington University. Democracy is helped by having a free press that strives to at least appear non-partisan. However, the people in Grant County are not as fortunate as we are here in Kittitas and Yakima Counties, as the dominant paper there, the Columbia Basin Herald,
has essentially refused to even cover the CWU report other than a few lines sandwiched inside a thinly veiled campaign piece. This is where we can all be grateful for the growth of the internet and the great platform it gives individuals to share information that does not find an outlet due to partisan journalists.
For more information on the actual court hearing lifting the injunction and allowing for the release of the Central Washington University investigative report on the sexual harassment allegations made against Mathew Manweller please go to Steve Verhey's blog post on the hearing.
Updated 11/3/2012 to link to Joanna Markell's Out and About Column.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
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.
At this point, several points come
to mind to set the grounds for this document. One is that the progressive path
to legalize (decrimina lize, 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 13th 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. Nomina te 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.”
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.
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.
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.”
A. the Democratic Party of the State of Washington exists to:
2. No
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 13th 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
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The View Through the Windshield, Brightly
I've logged many miles, in all types of weather, behind a car windshield the past few months for medical treatment and I'm looking forward to the bulk of my drive time to shift to court appearances, a little fun and meeting my volunteer commitments with the Washington State Democrats. The past few weeks of sunshine was a real blessing. Metaphorically speaking, the view through the windshield for our party locally is brightening as well. In 2008, locally and throughout the country, Democrats experienced the Obama campaign in a wave of excitement, that I'm not sure had been experienced with such intensity before. While the euphoria has subsided, and the political weather has varied and there may remain a variety of frustrations, the commitment to move forward down the road in support of President Obama and the middle class remains strong here in Kittitas County.
We’ve also just finished a very interesting primary season in which six Republicans and one Independent vied for two open county commissioner seats here in Kittitas County. Interestingly enough in the District 2 race, the endorsed Republican candidate, Steve Senger, failed dramatically. Del Knudson, one of our truly great local real estate agents and a long-time Republican PCO, also did not advance to the general election. Leading the race without doing significant fundraising and simply attending candidate forums, is Paula Thompson who is running as an independent. Gary Berndt, who for all practical purposes was a Democrat prior to running for county commissioner as a Republican, is running a close second behind Paula.
Many local Dems do not see the lack of a D behind either Gary or Paula’s name as problematic because they believe either candidate if elected will represent all the people of our county regardless of party affiliation and that Democrats and others who have not been listened to will now have access to the “courthouse.” While I have not personally experienced any action or response from a Kittitas County Commissioner that would lead me to feel as though my voice could not be heard, I have heard anecdotes that do help me to understand why others might feel that way. And past and sitting commissioners have engaged in prolonged bouts of boneheaded fighting of the wrong battles in terms of land use and water issues here in Kittitas County, at taxpayer expense.
In the District 1 commissioner race, Catherine Clerf, who like Paula Thompson, is well known across the political spectrum as an exceptionally dedicated advocate for sensible land and water use and the protection of Kittitas County’s agricultural economy, is mounting an aggressive challenge against incumbent Paul Jewell who is the endorsed Kittitas County Republican Party candidate. While many local Dems (but not all as Paul has a few Dems supporting him as well) and others often express concerns about Catherine’s ofttimes acerbic personality, they value her independence, consistent messaging and work ethic, even though they may not always agree with her. And, this includes several of the local Dems who might have been potential candidates in her district. As chair, I have to simply conclude that many of those potential Democratic Party candidates either see her as the right candidate for this time, or like Paula and Gary, a Republican who will listen and act for all the concerns of the people not just a select few.
In terms of the local superior court judicial race which is non-partisan, I marvel at the opportunity we had as a community to see three qualified candidates grow as members of the bar, members of the community, and as individuals. Each one of the candidates became a better person because they ran for the bench. And, we became a much more informed electorate about what the role of judges is at the local level.
Probably the greatest delight in the past eighteen months as the chair of the Kittitas Democrats, was to witness the emergence of a true citizen politician in Kaj Selmann who stepped up to “offer an alternative” to CWU professor and erstwhile conservative opinion purveyor, Matt Manweller. I am sincerely grateful to all the Democrats here in Kittitas County who are organizing to assist Kaj now that the primary is over. All of the difficult work that you are doing will help to build not only Kaj’s campaign, but will build our party’s infrastructure in Central Washington. To me that is the bright sunshine down the road for us in the local party. It will also help us to incrementally support our 8th Congressional District Candidate Karen Porterfield, Jay Inslee for Governor, Maria Cantwell as Senator, the entire slate of state executive office candidates that we endorsed at our last General Business meeting and President Obama.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Kaj Selmann website link
http://www.selmannforstaterep.com/
Kaj will have more information, like the name of his dog, and more issue related pages as the website continues to be built. In the meantime, you can volunteer, donate, contact Kaj with questions and sign up to receive email newsletters.
Kaj will have more information, like the name of his dog, and more issue related pages as the website continues to be built. In the meantime, you can volunteer, donate, contact Kaj with questions and sign up to receive email newsletters.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Manweller Timeline-Just the Facts Ma'am
What we Kittitas County voters know that the rest of you may not know about Matt Manweller who is now a candidate for the 13th Legislative District:
2008- First wife, Oralynn Manweller, files for Divorce in July, 2008. The couple had no children. Source Washington Courts Website Docket.
2008- "You're dumber than a post . . ." video from the 2008 Rossi Campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UQmh7jOPnU
2009- Dissolution proceedings between Oralynn Manweller and Mathew Manweller final in April.
2010- Fist fight with Fred Huber in the KXLE parking lot in Ellensburg in Sepetember..
Yakima Herald Coverage: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/22/radio-comments-lead-to-fisticuffs
Daily Record news article with audio clip Mr. Manweller's talk show the "Right Opinion:" http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_b1bf7122-c5ae-11df-8562-001cc4c03286.html
Protection Orders Denied: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/manweller-huber-not-granted-protection/article_d3337306-c812-11df-9191-001cc4c03286.html
2010- An "aging and pregnant" second wife of Matt Manweller, Shelley Manweller, stands by her man in a Daily Record Letter to the Editor on October 1, 2010. Note that she walked the parade route with "their son": http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/article_f78bd21a-cdae-11df-9a82-001cc4c002e0.html?login_success=true
2011- Calls supporters of collective bargaining and state unions "Generational Parasites" and states that they are uneducated and ignorant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI9s-GFpnWo
2012-Promises to represent scoflaws of Washinton State's Hydraulic Code regarding law enforcement actions by WDFW and other state agencies: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-battle-with-ecology-one-reason-for-seeking-office/article_1f2c2d90-5753-11e1-959b-001871e3ce6c.html#user-comment-area
Responsive letters to the editor from local water and fisheries professionals:
Dale Bambrick: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-manweller-needs-to-step-out-of-ideological-vacuum/article_7cb90bd2-59af-11e1-a8f1-001871e3ce6c.html#comment-7a7141fe-5e6a-11e1-8469-5f2abd6ca4b4
Scott Nicolai: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-rerouting-a-creek-is-not-flood-clean-up/article_f09441ca-5cd9-11e1-bf8c-0019bb2963f4.html
2008- First wife, Oralynn Manweller, files for Divorce in July, 2008. The couple had no children. Source Washington Courts Website Docket.
2008- "You're dumber than a post . . ." video from the 2008 Rossi Campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UQmh7jOPnU
2009- Dissolution proceedings between Oralynn Manweller and Mathew Manweller final in April.
2010- Fist fight with Fred Huber in the KXLE parking lot in Ellensburg in Sepetember..
Yakima Herald Coverage: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/22/radio-comments-lead-to-fisticuffs
Daily Record news article with audio clip Mr. Manweller's talk show the "Right Opinion:" http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_b1bf7122-c5ae-11df-8562-001cc4c03286.html
Protection Orders Denied: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/manweller-huber-not-granted-protection/article_d3337306-c812-11df-9191-001cc4c03286.html
2010- An "aging and pregnant" second wife of Matt Manweller, Shelley Manweller, stands by her man in a Daily Record Letter to the Editor on October 1, 2010. Note that she walked the parade route with "their son": http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/article_f78bd21a-cdae-11df-9a82-001cc4c002e0.html?login_success=true
2011- Calls supporters of collective bargaining and state unions "Generational Parasites" and states that they are uneducated and ignorant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI9s-GFpnWo
2012-Promises to represent scoflaws of Washinton State's Hydraulic Code regarding law enforcement actions by WDFW and other state agencies: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-battle-with-ecology-one-reason-for-seeking-office/article_1f2c2d90-5753-11e1-959b-001871e3ce6c.html#user-comment-area
Responsive letters to the editor from local water and fisheries professionals:
Dale Bambrick: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-manweller-needs-to-step-out-of-ideological-vacuum/article_7cb90bd2-59af-11e1-a8f1-001871e3ce6c.html#comment-7a7141fe-5e6a-11e1-8469-5f2abd6ca4b4
Scott Nicolai: http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-rerouting-a-creek-is-not-flood-clean-up/article_f09441ca-5cd9-11e1-bf8c-0019bb2963f4.html
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