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Fife City Council – Not Easy Being GREEDY!

Published on October 31, 2012

I believe most people are honest working people. Many work hard for their money. They do their 9 to 5 jobs and come home to family or friends for a few hours then it’s back to work in the morning. We are a nation that “lives to work”. Very few have the luxury of enjoying the benefits of their labor and gets to actually just “live”. It’s a nation of people who grind it out. Our minds are filled with numbers, math, money, bills, and creditors. With that being said, let me introduce you to the armpit of the Northwest – Fife Washington. The people seem as nice as every other city, however, the council and police officers are working hard to get every drop of money they can out of you.

The speed traps in Fife are arguably the worst in the nation. Only a few mph over the limit of 25 and you’ll experience the Officer friendly on the side of the road. I have discussed this topic with many people and you just mention the word “Fife” and the conversation automatically goes to the hatred of the City, Policies, and stringent traffic laws. If they live here they hate it. Visitors hate it also and many would never live here for the that reason. In fact, many avoid it and simply go around. Can’t blame them for that. The policies of this small town make it bad place to live or even visit by many.

Fife Washington has approximately 9,200 residents. The red light cameras are shameful. They alone last year generated 2.9 million gross ~~blood money~~ revenue for the City Of Fife. I’m not writing this out of anger nor have I ever been ticketed in Fife (or anywhere), however, this is a clear example of a City just abusing it’s powers. It certainly doesn’t make me want to visit. I will be the first to admit that I have ran a few orange lights in my time. It wasn’t because I was in a hurry or felt I could get away with it. In realty slamming on the breaks half way would not only put me in more danger but others also. Should I get a ticket for $130 in the mail for that? I have heard many are getting several PER DAY. There are several mysterious “rules” the red light cameras follow also. For example if you are making a right turn, stop at the red light, then make your right turn (as you would normally/legally once clear) you can still get ticketed. It depends where you stopped exactly. It must be behind the white line. If you stopped after the white line, the camera will get you.

When Fife started their red light camera program the Fife City Council voted to only use the extra ~~blood money~~ revenue for public safety. It wouldn’t be used to support general fund expenses. However, last Tuesday they voted to do just that. They will use the revenue to pay for a officer on duty. The Fife City Council approved it by majority. One Council Member voted no saying its a slippery slope from here. He is obviously correct on that because this is how greed starts and how Cities spend money foolishly. They get dependent on it. The Mayor of Fife, Rob Cerqui, said it was a “minor tweak” and was consistent with safety. I guess paying your officers because the money isn’t available in the general fund is now a safety issue. Next thing you know they’ll be getting new police cars, fancy fire trucks, more cameras, safety inspectors, crosswalk flaggers, street toll to check for DUI’s…. look I can make things up just like you can. Get serious and admit you pulled a fast one on the public. This money should goes to schools. More specifically it should go to Teachers (not management) and student supplies.

Here is the bigger problem with Fife Washington and their greedy Council / Policies and that is the fact that the city’s sales tax revenue is down 50%. It was $8 million 6 years ago and it’s approximately $4.5 million this year. They of course blame it on the recession. The facts are people don’t like coming here because of the GREED. The excuse of the recession is garbage. In 4 more years they’ll still be “hoping” for change. It’s all down hill from here folks for this city and why anyone would even visit this city is beyond me. It makes absolutely no sense at all. There is nothing extra special about Fife that the other surrounding cities can’t provide (with less cameras and risk).

Before making excuses about why your sales tax revenue is down or continues to go down each year Fife City Council, you may want to look at yourself and try to fix a few things. If not, you’ll find out everyone has moved, doesn’t visit anymore, and you’re all alone with just your greedy policies and fancy cameras. The buck stops with you.

**UPDATE 3/29/16 – User submitted feedback

Fife Red Lights – A few years ago I spoke to the City Manager in Fife because of how tickets are given for red lights in that city. My mom and I had stopped for a red light and I’d gotten a ticket because apparently in Fife you have to stop completely behind the white line or a ticket will follow. The City Manager had one of the police officers he said he “trusted” look at my video and the officer verified that I should have gotten a ticket. Several friends and family looked at my video and said there was no way I’d run the light. Since then I’ve spoken to several people who won’t do business in Fife anymore because of how many tickets they’ve gotten there for running red lights. One couple used to go to a restaurant in Fife every Sunday until they got so many red light tickets that they started eating elsewhere. They swear that they did not run the lights. Last night at Bible study I spoke to a woman whose son-in-law went to court last week for a red light ticket in Fife. The family had all seen his video and said, like me, there was no way he ran the red light. His fine was reduced in court but they said they had reviewed his video also and that he had run the red light. It’s absurd. I was also told last night of a man from California who had pulled off the freeway in Fife and had gotten a red light ticket there also. He was so angry he wrote to a local Tacoma newspaper when he got home from his trip to warn other travelers of the danger of driving in Fife. I’ve spoken to many people since I got my ticket who have my story. They are as frustrated as I am and stay away from Fife as much as possible, as I do. I know that businesses in Fife have lost customers because of the city’s red light policy (I do mean stop lights). If they don’t know about the problem they should be made aware. Something is wrong there. Police policies need to be reviewed. In Fife’s Traffic Division quote online it says, “There is a common misconception that writing tickets generates revenue for the police department. This is not the case. The actual purpose is to educate, and enforce for the safety of other motorists and pedestrians.” The truth is that they are just plain greedy. The city needs to welcome shoppers with open arms instead of chasing them away. This is my second letter of complaint about the city. If more people would complain we might make some headway in stopping this nonsense.
– D.W

Losing Your Job With Obama Care?

Published on October 31, 2012

With Obama Care running wild in the next few years there will be a common trend… letting people go. As a business owner, I understand how it works. However, as an employee, you may not. At his point, I will only hire independant contractors. That will take care of me. However, companies with a larger staff will need to make serious cuts to make it work. That means if you’re currently employeed, your job is in jeopordy. Making it work for new hires shouldn’t be a problem though. They will just get offered less when they start the job. It’s simple math. A job that normally starts at 50K will be offered at 38K now to cover the extra Obama Care expenses. Of course less jobs will be available because company’s will have to pay more. Since there are a lot of desperate people looking right now, they will take the “offer”. Companies will simply offer you less (when starting the job) to absorb the extra costs involved of the Obama Care program. If you got dental or health insurance now with your company, you already are getting this cut from your paycheck or were offered less when you started to cover those costs. You didn’t really think you were getting eye/dental coverage for free did you? It was calculated into offer before you even applied for the job.

I recently read an article about David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts. Mr. Siegel has a staff of 7,000 in Florida (battleground state). He is very unhappy with Obama and sent out an email to everyone working for him basically saying that the economy isn’t a threat to you job but another 4 years of the same President puts your job at risk. He continues to say that if any new taxes are levied on him he’ll be force to cut the size of his company. He doesn’t mention Romneys name in the 1,400 word email and also says you certainly have the right to vote for whomever you choose. However, it makes it quite clear employees will be cut if Obama is re-elected.

I admit I respect David Siegel for coming straight out with it. SO many employees working right now will not get the luxury of that pre-notice email about their job.

Can Felon’s Vote?

Published on October 10, 2012

If you’re incarcerated, on parole, or community supervision, you are NOT eligible to exercise your right vote. If you’re out of jail/prison, you’re eligible to vote but you’ll need to re-register again. You may only vote in one state and will need to be a resident of Washington.

If you were convicted in another state, you are eligible to vote as long as you’re out of jail/prison.

If you have a misdemeanor conviction or a conviction in juvenile court then you’re still eligible to vote in Washington State.

If you’re a felon and still unsure, you can call Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) directly at: 1-800-430-9674. They will answer any specific questions you may have.

Advisory Vote No. 2 (Substitute House Bill 2590)

Published on October 10, 2012

This is on the table and I do support it. It’s a tax break, however, I do think it’s justified. We all know our tax system is messed up and more complicated than a 10,000 piece puzzle. That is why I have to pay people to manage it for me quarterly and yearly. I shouldn’t have to do that! I think measures used to less complicated things should be installed and that means less measures complicating the system. I understand we are not lose some money here for taxes, however, the tax was unfair as it was. I don’t believe some people or business owners should pay more for what they do or who they are. That includes the taxing the rich which I don’t support.

Even Though this should have gone to a public vote and not just eliminated without anyone knowing, I do support the expiration of the tax.

Advisory Vote No. 2 (Substitute House Bill 2590)

“The legislature extended, without a vote of the people, expiration of a tax on possession of petroleum products and reduced the tax rate, costing $24,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.”

Can I Vote?

Published on October 9, 2012

Here are the rules for voting in Washington State. Everyone is encouraged to vote and it is your right. You do need to register to vote, however, and you do need to be a resident of Washington State.

To register to vote, you must be:

A citizen of the United States;
A legal resident of Washington State;
At least 18 years old by Election Day;
Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections; and
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order.

Don't forget to vote Seattle! You have a voice so let the World hear it. — Don’t forget to vote Seattle! You have a voice so let the World hear it.

Senate Joint Resolution No. 8223 (Not Supported)

Published on October 8, 2012

I will be voting against the Senate Joint Resolution No. 8223 which allows “universities to invest specified public funds as authorized by the legislature, including in private companies or stock.” I think any of our money giving to the universities should be highly regulated. We certainly shouldn’t let them make investments into the stock market with it or other gambling ideas which they think would be better. First off, we shouldn’t giving the universities any money at all. They should be rewarded by graduates only and should support themselves. The universities charge way to much for tuition and books and their management, CEO, football coaches are making big dollars. Universities make a lot of money and their business model is simple to make things work (students to teacher ratio). The schools, however, should be regulated by the state as they are now just for doing business in the state but we shouldn’t be giving them more money to gamble on other investments which doesn’t help the school or students working hard there.

In fact, if they are just considering putting into the stock market then that tells me they have way to much money to be thinking about already.

With that being said, that is a no thanks on Senate Joint Resolution No. 8223.

Initiative Measure No. 502 (Marijuana – Supported)

Published on October 8, 2012

I support Initiative Measure No. 502 concerning making marijuana more legal. I hate the fact that the only real reason the measure is even on the ballot is because tax revenue will be generated off of it similar to liquor. If it were a free resource, then it would not even be considered or presented to the people. The state is only ok with certain initiatives if they are getting their “fair share”. Same reason why prostitution will never be legal (unless it’s highly taxed and regulated). That is another topic, obviously. Seattle’s poor leadership is always on the wrong side of history. They will support this measure as long as the tax revenue is collected.

As I do support the initiative, I also don’t like the 21 and over legal requirement. If you can legally smoke at 18 now, then it should be the same with marijuana. There is no real argument around this age except it is a bargaining chip for lawmakers to get their tax money.

Another reason why I support the law is because we’ve spent billions of our tax dollars trying to fight it. The courts are filled, lawyers are greedy, and it’s a bad situation overall. Our city waste so much tax money on efforts that don’t matter. For the record, I don’t smoke.

I would have liked to have seen how this tax revenue would be spent. I would feel better knowing it would all support the schools, education, and safety. My fear, history, and experience tells me it will be another wasted revenue stream abused. If they started to collect millions and millions of dollars, Seattle will continue to claim poverty and force more taxes from the people.

I think supporting Initiative Measure No. 502 is a movement in the right direction.

What is Initiative Measure No. 502?

Initiative Measure No. 502 is not specific to Seattle but is a measure that was approved by voters statewide in Washington State in 2012. This initiative legalized the possession and private use of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. Here is a summary of its provisions:

1. Legalization of Marijuana:

Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of solid marijuana-infused products, or 72 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused products.

2. Regulation and Licensing:

The initiative authorized the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (previously Washington State Liquor Control Board) to regulate and license marijuana producers, processors, and retailers.
It established a system of state-licensed marijuana growers, processors, and retail stores where adults could purchase marijuana.

3. Taxation:

I-502 imposed a 25% tax at each transaction level: producer to processor, processor to retailer, and retailer to customer.
Tax revenues were designated for specific purposes such as substance-abuse prevention, research, education, and healthcare.

4. DUI Standards:

The initiative established legal intoxication standards for driving under the influence of marijuana, similar to blood alcohol levels for alcohol.

5. Decriminalization and Law Enforcement:

The measure aimed to allow law enforcement to focus on other crimes by reducing the time and resources spent on enforcing marijuana-related offenses.
However, public use of marijuana remained a civil infraction.

6. Federal Law Consideration:

Despite the state law change, marijuana possession and distribution remained illegal under federal law. However, in practice, the enforcement of federal marijuana laws became a lower priority in states where marijuana had been legalized and regulated.

I-502 was significant as it represented a shift in drug policy and had considerable implications for criminal justice, public health, and the economy in Washington State. The legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington has also been part of a broader trend towards marijuana legalization in the United States.

Update: Voters approved I-502 legalizing marijuana in Washington State.

Initiative 502 was prevailing at 55 to 45 percent, garnering backing from over half of Washington’s counties, both rural and urban.

This voting outcome positioned Washington and Colorado to the left of the Netherlands regarding marijuana legislation, establishing them as the focal points of a novel societal experiment with unpredictable outcomes. Media from across the nation and around the globe observed as the vote totals were announced at I-502’s election-night celebration in Seattle, sparking waves of ecstatic cheers.

“I’m prepared to deliver my victory speech now. Post this, I can sit down and halt the trembling,” proclaimed Alison Holcomb, the campaign manager and main architect of I-502.

Molding The Perfect American Citizen

Published on October 6, 2012

I find it incredibly interesting how American citizens are molded from a young age. How and why they stand for or against a certain topic then calculating why they believe that based on history or their early environment. We all our products of our environment. A simple example is Christianity in America. Surveys suggest that roughly 92% of Americans identify themselves with the religion. Every once in a while I will ask one if their family growing up was religious (not always). Then I ask do they think they would be a Christian if they were born in another country where a different type of religion was more popular such as Buddhism in Cambodia (95%) … they of course say no and that they would still be Christians. The reality is that our environment plays a huge impact of what we are. We all start out as products of our genes, food and growth is provided by our environment, experience is learned through events, parents help guide us, then opportunities for decisions. Some we have control over and others we don’t. We all are hardwired with certain things like fight or flight.

I was talking with a guy and some of his friends I met at the Ram Restaurant recently. He has given up on American and has made the decision to leave it all behind and move to Ecuador. I found the topic interesting because I personally have considered doing a “World Tour” myself. However, he was done with it here and made the decision already. He wasn’t going for a few months – he was going forever. Upon hearing the plans his friends asked him, “what about the stability of the country?” He replied, “you mean the stability of a country whose banks don’t do horrible loans or invest is derivatives? “You mean the stability of a country where the general population has the courage to march in the streets to make a change or throw out all the corrupt officials out of office?”

I couldn’t help but laugh a little on the inside because he was exactly right. In America, our citizens have been molded to believe in staying inside political boundaries “protest zones/areas”. Most Americans through complacency are cowards to political activism. To make a real change we are to believe that your vote really matters and emailing their Senator several times a year can help. In America, marching down the street in a large crowd is viewed by many uncivilized and even unpatriotic.

The example above about protesting is just one of many topics Americans think differently about. It’s concerning how much power the media has on all of us. It reaches into all our homes and pursueds the young or old through the years. There isn’t a king, pope, or general who can even compare to the few dozen who control the information and ultimately we make decisions on. So many American do not even see it. They completely fail to realize that they are being manipulated.

For many years now I have been educating myself of what other countries think of Americans. Some countries are good, however, most are bad. We are viewed as egotistical, flag worshipers, greedy, thinking the US is the center of the World, vain, & loud. Many view us as being to over the top with our own nationalism (we are the best talk). I can’t blame them this is what we hear all the time. There is a constant voice in the media that we are the best. “America The Beautiful” type.

Why are we so committed to believe this type of media or perfect citizenship. Is it our environment or we simply don’t know better because that is all we hear and know. The truth is many do believe and will continue that hardcore commitment in believing we are the very best. Even though when compared to others countries we simply are not. Our education system is ranked at the bottom, our leaders are corrupt, we have lost our status of a Wold Leader by many. What about our freedom? Gay marriage is not allowed, drinking age is higher than many countries, drugs are viewed as a crime where other countries have monetized it and using it to help people medically. We owe more money then money we have in circulation available, our culture is a blend of everyone else’s so we don’t have the best as its a mash up, we have no real plan to spend less, and finally all politicians are bribed and bent to their opinions based on who has paid them.

So are you molded to be the perfect American citizen?

Initiative Measure No. 1240 – Against

Published on October 6, 2012

At this time I’m against Initiative Measure No. 1240. Our schools are constantly needing more money now and obviously can’t manage what we have in place so I can’t imagine them digging any deeper into a hole with charter schools. I do support the idea of the charter school system and perhaps would support it in the future. At this time, however, better management, reviews, and oversight is needed in our current public schools to see where the over spending is happening and how improvements can be made. Our public schools today are constantly complaining about lack of funding (I blame it on spending), however, with the money they are getting now through enrollment – it would be passed to the charter schools making it even more difficult. It’s a very messy situation and the main reason I can’t support it at this time is because our current system (financial for schools) needs to be examined and repaired first.

Initiative Measure No. 1240.

“This measure would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools. “

As I do support the idea of charter schools and would most likely support it down the road, due to to the current situation of public school system I can’t support this initiative at this time. We need to root out the problems with our current system first.

Initiative Measure No. 1185 – Supported

Published on October 5, 2012

I’m tired of the constant and steady (and sneaky) raises in my taxes. It’s always the same story each time and it goes a little like this “we’re broke” or “the recession is hurting us” or perhaps “they keep cutting our funding”. It’s troubling especially with all the revenue being generated from every sector. The revenue being generated is at it’s highest! I believe the problem is with the spending and management and it each department needs to become completely transparent with line item spending. Until that happens I will never be for raising taxes.

I believe most people would support raising taxes if they knew where each dollar was going. They wouldn’t have a problem supporting their schools or the local fire department, however, without honesty and complete transparency, the public will not support it because they know it’s due to wasteful spending internally.

Initiative Measure No. 1185

Initiative Measure No. 1185 is already the law but will be expiring soon. Your vote supporting it renews the law making it more difficult to raise taxes on all of us. Your vote for Initiative Measure No. 1185 “would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.”

Just two years ago, 64% of voters approved this measure. I stand with them to re-instate this measure for many years to come. Don’t raise my taxes unless you come to me with a plan and full transparency (line item spending) for your department/program. We then can make a decision if its useful or useless.

Seattle Newspaper for the People by the People

Headline News - page 40

Fife City Council – Not Easy Being GREEDY!

Losing Your Job With Obama Care?

Can Felon’s Vote?

Advisory Vote No. 2 (Substitute House Bill 2590)

Can I Vote?

Senate Joint Resolution No. 8223 (Not Supported)