LETTER | New Council’s Trust to be Tested

By on December 16, 2009 in Archived, Government, Headlines, Opinion
By Robert L. Style

At last night’s Council meeting, the Council approved annexing the PAA 4 to 3.  It was one of the most serious breaches of trust between four elected officials and our citizens that we’ve seen in many years.  The four did not represent the people who elected them.

How we got to this vote is important.  Several Councilmembers lead by Mr. Sternoff said they did not want to reduce services to its citizens. They were disingenuous which brings into question, can we trust them or not.  Mr. Sternoff and three other councilmembers were insincere.


It’s been said that becoming a larger city was necessary to prevent stagnation of potential development.  The Council ignored those who don’t want change because change jeopardizes what we have now.  The annexation does exactly that.  We will be paying more for fewer services.  That is not good.  Our quality of life is being jeopardized.

To pay for “ramping” up of services, the Council must come up with more than $5 million over the next two years from the current city residents.  The people in the PAA are getting what they want at no cost to them.

The PAA will also get to vote for their Kirkland representative if the annexation effective date is move up to June 1st, 2011 from July 1st, 2011.  If moved, Kirkland will lose out on more than $75,000.  Also, the move was instigated by Mr. Toby Nixon who lives in the PAA and just might want to run for a position.  Given his manipulation of information regarding annexation, his trust should also be questioned.

We already know a lot about the new city council.  All of them supported annexation.  Now we need to find out how they plan to pay for it. My guess is they will raise fees and taxes, and once again complete the city’s service matrix to determine which services are essential and which ones are not.  In any case, our services will suffer.  It will be interesting to see whose ox will be gored.  I can almost guarantee the citizens of Kirkland especially the taxpayers will suffer.  At least we’ll find out how each Councilmember wants to spend our money.

Over time we will be able to see if the new Council is more trustworthy than the old Council.  I hope it’s sooner than later.

Robert L. Style

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  • Anonymous

    Mr. Style,
    My respect for you can go unquestioned. You stick your neck out when others are ducking for cover and I’ve always found that an admirable quality.

    BUT, here I have to partially disagree.

    I say partially because the PAA voted in only half of the proposal. The other half was defeated by the slimmest of margins, but the same way you can’t be almost pregnant – you can’t almost win – you win or lose. It may be an Al Gore loss – but a loss is a loss.

    The bigger question here, at least in my mind, is the promise that was made years ago when we took the commercial districts of the PAA and swore we would come back later and annex the neighborhoods – well Bob, it is now officially ‘later’.

    The matter of annexation should be closed unless those regions choose to secede from the union and take their commercial districts with them. I would, but that’s just me.

    Regarding Toby’s probable fight for a seat on the council. I suggest he challenge Dave Asher to a Butt-Off . They step on the scales January 1, 2010 at the Polar Bear Plunge (oops, cancelled) and the man who loses the greater percentage of body fat by Jan 1, 2011 wins the seat, er, position.

    20 children in Bangladesh will thrive, global warming will be slowed, it’s healthy, green and think how many cows, pigs and pizzas will be saved from the slaughterhouse !

    It will be Kirkland at it’s finest !

    • http://www.tobynixon.com/ Toby Nixon

      Egads. I don’t know whether to feel insulted or not! Somehow, though, I think the people of Kirkland have bigger more important things on their minds that the relative sizes of Dave’s and my posteriors.

  • http://eastsidesun.com John Gilday

    Mr. Style,
    My respect for you can go unquestioned. You stick your neck out when others are ducking for cover and I’ve always found that an admirable quality.

    BUT, here I have to partially disagree.

    I say partially because the PAA voted in only half of the proposal. The other half was defeated by the slimmest of margins, but the same way you can’t be almost pregnant – you can’t almost win – you win or lose. It may be an Al Gore loss – but a loss is a loss.

    The bigger question here, at least in my mind, is the promise that was made years ago when we took the commercial districts of the PAA and swore we would come back later and annex the neighborhoods – well Bob, it is now officially ‘later’.

    The matter of annexation should be closed unless those regions choose to secede from the union and take their commercial districts with them. I would, but that’s just me.

    Regarding Toby’s probable fight for a seat on the council. I suggest he challenge Dave Asher to a Butt-Off . They step on the scales January 1, 2010 at the Polar Bear Plunge (oops, cancelled) and the man who loses the greater percentage of body fat by Jan 1, 2011 wins the seat, er, position.

    20 children in Bangladesh will thrive, global warming will be slowed, it’s healthy, green and think how many cows, pigs and pizzas will be saved from the slaughterhouse !

    It will be Kirkland at it’s finest !

    • http://www.tobynixon.com Toby Nixon

      Egads. I don’t know whether to feel insulted or not! Somehow, though, I think the people of Kirkland have bigger more important things on their minds that the relative sizes of Dave’s and my posteriors.

  • Anonymous

    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his french fries for his friends”

    Nothing but love Toby, nothing but love.

    • http://www.tobynixon.com/ Toby Nixon

      I still remember the last time I went to Beijing and visited the Forbidden City. As we exited to return to our tour bus, a bunch of locals ran up to the tourists to try to sell overpriced maps, “jade” statues, and such, but I was the only one that the little kids ran up to, patted me on the tummy, and exclaimed “Buddha! Buddha!”.

      Believe me John (and Katherine): I got over being sensitive about comments about my weight a long time ago.

      • Anonymous

        Hey Toby,

        There are far worse entities to be confused with other than Buddha !

        Happy New Year, now get ready for your city council race, you need to declare your candidacy in 18 months!

  • http://eastsidesun.com John Gilday

    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his french fries for his friends”

    Nothing but love Toby, nothing but love.

    • http://www.tobynixon.com Toby Nixon

      I still remember the last time I went to Beijing and visited the Forbidden City. As we exited to return to our tour bus, a bunch of locals ran up to the tourists to try to sell overpriced maps, “jade” statues, and such, but I was the only one that the little kids ran up to, patted me on the tummy, and exclaimed “Buddha! Buddha!”.

      Believe me John (and Katherine): I got over being sensitive about comments about my weight a long time ago.

      • http://eastsidesun.com John Gilday

        Hey Toby,

        There are far worse entities to be confused with other than Buddha !

        Happy New Year, now get ready for your city council race, you need to declare your candidacy in 18 months!

  • KWinder

    If ever I’ve need to see a time for mending and putting aside the past it is now. I certain have my own view on the world – the main one seeking to insure police/fire response times remain the same – yet we are neighbors just the same.

    Please I ask that the issues and personal attacks be separated. There is nothing productive in this. I certainly took my share of accusations and insults during the last year. The moment you step into the public eye – you are up for commentary. It is so easy for people to not be involved, because the moment you do – people will go on the attack.

    I for one have learned my lesson. If you don’t want to be called a liar (when you voice your opinion), have dog doo thrown in your front yard, have your yard lights vandalized with notes, receive nasty emails, have your signs that you stayed up until 3am making by hand torn down and then get accused of being a party to stealing those from the other side, get personal jabs about appearance…don’t get involved. But, then again be willing the accept what is handed to you.

    My mother use to note that the person that does all the work and planning is also the person the is most open to criticism from those going along for the ride. If you want a different world, you are required to step up and participate, but it comes at the risk of personal attack.

    John, I appreciate that you are out here and are part of the process of sharing opinion, however can I humbly ask for an apology for the above. As much as I disagree very strongly with many of the views held by Mr. Nixon – I can’t stand by without voicing how disappointing the personal attacks in our community have been.

    Time to have a positive new year; how about the slogan “2010 on the mend”. We can have different views and opinions – I encourage more people to get involved. I know that is hard in light of my above comments, but this is our world and we can shape it without the personal put downs.

    • Anonymous

      As long as you aren’t bitter, that’s the important thing.

      Merry Christmas!

      • KWinder

        Bitter no, Wiser yes. I wouldn’t being putting my neck out quite as far next time without more participation. I also am more enlightened about those that will publically do one thing, but secretly another. Oh, the webs politics weave. It is just so sad as I was naive at the beginning of this process and now I have to live in the middle of a sacked garden of eden.

        The hour is a little late, but since there are 12 days of Christmas – I can wish you the same Merry Christmas!

    • KWinder

      Thumbs down on what I said???

      Why? Three people want to be giving personal jabs or am I missing something here? I’m not running for office, you don’t have to like me, but do you really have a problem with what I said?

  • KWinder

    If ever I’ve need to see a time for mending and putting aside the past it is now. I certain have my own view on the world – the main one seeking to insure police/fire response times remain the same – yet we are neighbors just the same.

    Please I ask that the issues and personal attacks be separated. There is nothing productive in this. I certainly took my share of accusations and insults during the last year. The moment you step into the public eye – you are up for commentary. It is so easy for people to not be involved, because the moment you do – people will go on the attack.

    I for one have learned my lesson. If you don’t want to be called a liar (when you voice your opinion), have dog doo thrown in your front yard, have your yard lights vandalized with notes, receive nasty emails, have your signs that you stayed up until 3am making by hand torn down and then get accused of being a party to stealing those from the other side, get personal jabs about appearance…don’t get involved. But, then again be willing the accept what is handed to you.

    My mother use to note that the person that does all the work and planning is also the person the is most open to criticism from those going along for the ride. If you want a different world, you are required to step up and participate, but it comes at the risk of personal attack.

    John, I appreciate that you are out here and are part of the process of sharing opinion, however can I humbly ask for an apology for the above. As much as I disagree very strongly with many of the views held by Mr. Nixon – I can’t stand by without voicing how disappointing the personal attacks in our community have been.

    Time to have a positive new year; how about the slogan “2010 on the mend”. We can have different views and opinions – I encourage more people to get involved. I know that is hard in light of my above comments, but this is our world and we can shape it without the personal put downs.

    • http://eastsidesun.com John Gilday

      As long as you aren’t bitter, that’s the important thing.

      Merry Christmas!

      • KWinder

        Bitter no, Wiser yes. I wouldn’t being putting my neck out quite as far next time without more participation. I also am more enlightened about those that will publically do one thing, but secretly another. Oh, the webs politics weave. It is just so sad as I was naive at the beginning of this process and now I have to live in the middle of a sacked garden of eden.

        The hour is a little late, but since there are 12 days of Christmas – I can wish you the same Merry Christmas!

    • KWinder

      Thumbs down on what I said???

      Why? Three people want to be giving personal jabs or am I missing something here? I’m not running for office, you don’t have to like me, but do you really have a problem with what I said?

  • Curtis Thompson

    Before and lest Mr. Gilday’s comments get absorbed as reasonable, I would like to share my comments/questions to/with the Eastside Sun in response to the “My Take – TEN FOR TEN”. This is my response to the pitch that Mr. Sternoff has undeservedly been much misaligned:

    “To Anyone With Their Head Attached:

    “MY TEN”, who in the world are you? What planet do you come from? How in the world do you conclude that Bob Sternoff was somehow misrepresented? Did you not read the content of the emails between him and his fiancé? Did you miss the fact that these emails were made public ONLY because Mr. Sternoff wrote and read them WHILE sitting in an OPEN council meeting? How badly does an elected official have to behave before you think their behavior should have consequences? How much public trust must be lost before it is clear that the people who elected Mr. Sternoff deserve another choice? Your stand is incredible.

    I fear that the next thing you will publish is your opinion the torture techniques we have previously prosecuted others for using that were used and approved by our own sitting president became legal (at least legal for us to use, not others) because George W. Bush said so.”

    Curtis Thompson
    Kirkland

    • The Ghost of Peter Kirk

      I guess my head isn’t attached (maybe that’s why I am a ghost), because I have a different view from my experience participating in Kirkland city politics.

      I have heard and even read similarly impolite comments from Mr. Sternoff’s political opponents, the soon-to-be-disbanded Gang of Four and their supporters about Sternoff and the others that the Gang opposed on so many issues. Bob was just unwise in using city email to do it.

      I would ask you to step back a little from this and look at it objectively. Have you ever sat in a meeting and read, written, or whispered for 5, 10, 15 seconds while someone was speaking? Talk to someone while watching TV? Bob didn’t miss anything important.

      I thought this red herring would go away after the election, but it seems doomed to live on.

  • Curtis Thompson

    Before and lest Mr. Gilday’s comments get absorbed as reasonable, I would like to share my comments/questions to/with the Eastside Sun in response to the “My Take – TEN FOR TEN”. This is my response to the pitch that Mr. Sternoff has undeservedly been much misaligned:

    “To Anyone With Their Head Attached:

    “MY TEN”, who in the world are you? What planet do you come from? How in the world do you conclude that Bob Sternoff was somehow misrepresented? Did you not read the content of the emails between him and his fiancé? Did you miss the fact that these emails were made public ONLY because Mr. Sternoff wrote and read them WHILE sitting in an OPEN council meeting? How badly does an elected official have to behave before you think their behavior should have consequences? How much public trust must be lost before it is clear that the people who elected Mr. Sternoff deserve another choice? Your stand is incredible.

    I fear that the next thing you will publish is your opinion the torture techniques we have previously prosecuted others for using that were used and approved by our own sitting president became legal (at least legal for us to use, not others) because George W. Bush said so.”

    Curtis Thompson
    Kirkland

    • The Ghost of Peter Kirk

      I guess my head isn’t attached (maybe that’s why I am a ghost), because I have a different view from my experience participating in Kirkland city politics.

      I have heard and even read similarly impolite comments from Mr. Sternoff’s political opponents, the soon-to-be-disbanded Gang of Four and their supporters about Sternoff and the others that the Gang opposed on so many issues. Bob was just unwise in using city email to do it.

      I would ask you to step back a little from this and look at it objectively. Have you ever sat in a meeting and read, written, or whispered for 5, 10, 15 seconds while someone was speaking? Talk to someone while watching TV? Bob didn’t miss anything important.

      I thought this red herring would go away after the election, but it seems doomed to live on.

  • Anonymous

    Well Mr. Thompson,
    Pretty interesting point you make there bucko. You ask “Did you not read the content of the emails between him and his fiancé?”

    No I didn’t… for a couple of reasons…

    1) it’s not any of my business what a man says in private to the woman he loves.
    I realize you, Karen Tennyson and a third party desperately want to read every juicy tidbit. – so much so that you have made a Freedom of Information request to get all the emails. Might I suggest that a pair of binoculars and a proper hiding place would provide just as much titillation. Bring tissues.

    2) The only people that HAVE read the emails sit on the council plus two reporters. So how would I have read the emails you have obviously been enjoying?. How exactly did you get your copies? The city hasn’t sent them to you yet. At least not officially.

    3) I find Penthouse Forum to be better material. Try it. The subscription department is available online. Playgirl’s got something similar and I hear Levi Johnston will be a bonus pictorial if you get your subscription in before Jan 15th ! WOW, that would give you fodder to malign Sarah Palin, Bob Sternoff and The Republicans while getting your jollies at the same time !
    Dang, that’s a voyer’s trifecta !

    So Curt, here’s the deal… you are trying to force Bob Sternoff out of office in a clear ploy of partisan politics. When you got your heads handed to you at the polls in November you scurried away for a few weeks and then limped back trying your old tricks to malign and find fault where none exists..

    The only reason Sternoff won’t be mayor in January is that people he supported did a little resuscitation on emailgate to cast enough doubt so that one person will get the next two years followed by a newbie taking over in 2012. It puts a little tarnish on the new council, but hey, we can’t be shiny and new forever.

    Plenty of blame to go around.

    • Scott Brady

      Partisan politics? LOL!

      How about having Bob Sternoff give up his laptop while at council meetings from now on. His concentration will improve; and consequently so will his decision making.

  • http://eastsidesun.com John Gilday

    Well Mr. Thompson,
    Pretty interesting point you make there bucko. You ask “Did you not read the content of the emails between him and his fiancé?”

    No I didn’t… for a couple of reasons…

    1) it’s not any of my business what a man says in private to the woman he loves.
    I realize you, Karen Tennyson and a third party desperately want to read every juicy tidbit. – so much so that you have made a Freedom of Information request to get all the emails. Might I suggest that a pair of binoculars and a proper hiding place would provide just as much titillation. Bring tissues.

    2) The only people that HAVE read the emails sit on the council plus two reporters. So how would I have read the emails you have obviously been enjoying?. How exactly did you get your copies? The city hasn’t sent them to you yet. At least not officially.

    3) I find Penthouse Forum to be better material. Try it. The subscription department is available online. Playgirl’s got something similar and I hear Levi Johnston will be a bonus pictorial if you get your subscription in before Jan 15th ! WOW, that would give you fodder to malign Sarah Palin, Bob Sternoff and The Republicans while getting your jollies at the same time !
    Dang, that’s a voyer’s trifecta !

    So Curt, here’s the deal… you are trying to force Bob Sternoff out of office in a clear ploy of partisan politics. When you got your heads handed to you at the polls in November you scurried away for a few weeks and then limped back trying your old tricks to malign and find fault where none exists..

    The only reason Sternoff won’t be mayor in January is that people he supported did a little resuscitation on emailgate to cast enough doubt so that one person will get the next two years followed by a newbie taking over in 2012. It puts a little tarnish on the new council, but hey, we can’t be shiny and new forever.

    Plenty of blame to go around.

    • Scott Brady

      Partisan politics? LOL!

      How about having Bob Sternoff give up his laptop while at council meetings from now on. His concentration will improve; and consequently so will his decision making.