Saturday, July 23, 2016

Vote For Me- Still Feeling Fine

This is my 6th Video I made for this campaign, and the shortest one. I truly hope you have sent in your ballot- Tuesday, August 2nd at 8pm the primary election is over. Out of 93 names on ballot, only 32 move on to final November Election. I truly have enjoyed running with two outstanding candidates for County Commissioner #1. They both have good morals, would do a good job and I think would follow some of my concerns. So please,  Just VOTE! Get Er Done!
A lot has changed since I decided to run last April, from Presidential candidates running to news and mandates handed out. I have no regrets in running. 16 years ago I backed out at last minute to run against Ken Stanton and Leslie Emerick. I was a bit surprised being in a bigger league than city council was at the requests to spend my money. I had over 22 emails just on that and several phone calls- yet I have only spent 675.00 to file and around 10.00 in ink for my campaign posters. I do have more campaign posters up in District #1 than Trump and Hillary combined, I believe. Thanks to KPQ and KOHO for having me on the air, and for Wenatchee World for doing two articles on my campaign. I was thankful how positive people were and the media was very fair to me as well.
I never said I spoke for DOT, and some roundabouts are good, but I still believe funds could be better spent on adding traffic lanes to encourage growth and business, and we need to avoid roundabouts on high traffic truck routes when possible. I was reprimanded for suggesting we lower the speed limit at 5th/28 to curb accidents there.  I am thankful Douglas County did pass a fireworks ban- something I supported when on city council both for fires and for animals. I am also thankful East Wenatchee kept 4 lanes on Valley Mall Parkway.  I hope whoever is elected will curb tax increases at all levels- the only tax increase I still support is on the importation of Garbage to our Landfill in Douglas County. The Sales tax should be reduced when the Town Toyota Center is paid off and fire levy will go down as well when it is collected. I still believe spending involves priorities and not, more taxes.  I also know who ever moves on will need our prayers as we seek to unite our country and will be difficult to please both sides on many issues. If you have voted- Thank You- your vote really matters and says a lot to those running and those  already in office. If you have not voted- Please- get that ballot dropped off or mailed Today- Please VOTE!
Although not in Douglas County, I do have a road named after me just south of here! This is my 22nd blog post under Douglas County Commissioner and 6th video I made for this campaign. Got To Again and Roundabouts were the most popular blogs with over 333 hits between the two of them. Take A Chance On me had over 88 hits on YouTube as the most popular song. Still the One was second with 50 hits. Vote for me just came out, and has 26 already.  Again, my campaign is different, I had fun and I appreciate all who encouraged me in my dream and kept things positive.
I am proud of and support the GOP Platform....It's Official -- GOP Approves Platform
One of the first orders of business for the 2016 Republican National Convention was to adopt the platform that delegates from the state and territories crafted last week in advance of all the delegates arriving for the Convention. The platform has been described as the most conservative in history. As a delegate from Louisiana, I was able to take an active part in shaping the document with the assistance of my team at FRC Action. Here are just a few highlights of the platform as it was adopted earlier today:
National Defense
"We believe that our nation is most secure when the president and the administration prioritize readiness, recruitment, and retention, rather than using the military to advance a social or political agenda. Military readiness must not be sacrificed on the altar of politically correct social agendas, which this administration has done."
Economic Growth
"Republican budgets will prioritize thrift over extravagance and put taxpayers first. We support the following test: Is a particular expenditure within the constitutional scope of the federal government? Of not, stop it."
Marriage
"The American family is the foundation of civil society and the cornerstone is marriage, the union of one man and one woman...we do not accept the Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to the States."
Health Care
"Any honest agenda for improving health care must start with repeal of the dishonestly named Affordable Care Act of 2010: Obamacare. It weighs like the dead hand of the past upon American medicine."
Protecting Human Life
"The Constitution's guarantee that no one can "be deprived of life, liberty or property" deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence's proclamation that "all" are "endowed by their Creator" with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to children before birth. We oppose the use of public funds to perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations, like Planned Parenthood."
Title IX
"We emphatically support the original, authentic meaning of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. It affirmed that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." That language opened up for girls and women a world of opportunities that had too often been denied to them. That same provision of law is now being used by bureaucrats – and by the current president of the United States – to impose a social and cultural revolution upon the American people by wrongly redefining sex discrimination to include sexual orientation, or other categories. The agenda has nothing to do with individual rights; it has everything to do with power. They are determined to reshape our schools -- or entire society -- to fit the mold of an ideology alien to America's history and traditions. Their edict to the States concerning restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities is at once illegal, dangerous, and ignores privacy issues. We salute the several States which have filed suit against it."

This was above my work desk and how it survived the fire in our house a few years ago. I kept it there for years as a reminder. Today, I would use this quote “I’d rather stand with God and be judged by the world than stand with the world and be judged by God.”

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.   Abraham Lincoln


Originally the above video was posted July 1st, 2016- but I wanted to consolidate some of the blog posts. Below are 3 questions from that post.

I appreciate those taking time to ask my views on issues and that opportunity. I try to post questions that I respond to- some could change upon calling to clarify them, as with this response to Wenatchee World's three questions to all Douglas Count commissioners today;

1) What you think are the strengths and weaknesses in Douglas County’s economy, and do you believe any changes are needed?

According to news during the primary race- Douglas County is in best shape financially in years and not one person has said we need to raise taxes. that is a Strength. We also have some great county employees and a low turnover. We have room to grow. We have the major airport in our county with new expanded runway. Weakness's would tell me that after election is over, some will want to raise taxes and unfunded mandates be shoved down our throats and threats of loss of funds if we do not follow a presidential mandate. There is a huge difference just in the two parties beliefs so no one will please both sides. We have not kept up with traffic needs and housing needs- mainly due to restrictions and priorities and not necessarily the lack of taxes.

2) Do you feel Douglas County’s departments do a good job of serving its residents, and are there ways they could do a better job? I am proud of our employees and they are doing a great job. I think Ken Stanton did a great job in serving. I want to learn how we can do better in helping growth and building requirements- some areas are due to outside mandates-(you need to help change those with me), but all rules should be fairly and equally enforced. If you don't like something, don't get yourself an exemption, change it for all. I want to treat others how I would want to be treated, and if it isn't broke, why fix it.

3) What should voters know about you and your qualifications to serve as Douglas County commissioner?

We have some great candidates running- each have different strengths and views- that is good. My 23.5 years on city council shows you where I stood and I see few changes in how I would vote if elected. My 24 years working for WSDOT and truck driving experience would be helpful in serving on Transportation Council and give it more of a balance with the push for bike lanes and roundabouts over adding more traffic lanes for growth. I have worked under 3 different mayors and worked with many of the department heads already. I have lived in District 1 since 1987. Having been married for 42 years has taught me I do not always get my way and there are two sides to every decision- but communication is important. I have more signs up than both Trump and Clinton in our area and have stayed within my budget in that area already.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

There Is A Mountain- Hurricane Ridge & Sol Duc

On this date in 2015, we made a short trip to Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc- near Port Angeles, on the Westside. It was 32 years since we were last there. We had perfect Weather and so much fun camping. We camped the first night at Fairmont, 2nd night at Sol Duc, and The 3rd and final night was at Hurricane Ridge. Jan fixed 8 great meals over the campfire and we survived with no internet most of the time. We hit the quilt shops, hot springs, hikes, ferry ride, and even McDonalds for internet hookups. It was a great weekend and fun to spend time with Jan.