Do you know who you're voting for???

I do.  But I'm not telling.  Well, maybe if you called me (just kidding, I won't pick up). Here's an opportunity to get informed: Kirkland City Council Candidate Forum, Monday Oct 12th @ 7pm, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Sanctuary (10021 NE 124th St, Kirk, 98034).  This event will include all of the 09 Kirkland City Council candidates: Tom Hodgson, Doreen Marchione, Amy Walen, Karen Tennyson, Brad Larssen, Penny Sweet, Martin Morgan and Joan McBride.  We've got lot of issues on the table- annexation, taxes, budget woes and development challenges to discuss.  Kudos to the League of Women Voters for moderating the event.  Maybe they should come moderate some actual council meetings for us too (oooh- low blow!)

Let's check out what these brave-hearted candidates have to say for us and what they're all about. Also do your research at www.kirklandviews.com where there is some in-depth coverage on each of the candidates.  We need to get acquainted-these are the people that will be representing us and making decisions with our city money next year, so be smart and get informed. Questions about this event go to mathewpruitt@gmail.com. Feel free to chatter about it here... ~j

Comments

[Vince Armfield]

Thanks for the information and dates for meetings. For some reason, I had no idea that such a meeting was taking place and so soon! Thanks!

[Herb Reed]

I'd like to recommend Kirkland Views, too. There are several good articles about the events and the politics leading up to this election. This one sums it up: http://www.kirklandviews.com/2009/09/26/10998/

I am sure Kirkland citizens will hear all sorts of well-rehearsed answers at this candidate forum, but those words mean little when we have such a mess on the City Council.

[KP]

Kirkland Views is a biased, one-sided place for like-minded people (those who enjoy the blabbering of Bob Style and John Gilday). It gives good laughs but substance is lacking and lies are plentiful.

I suggest if you are interested in knowing where candidates stand, talk to each of them and go to candidate forums. I'd also suggest you look at who has contributed to their campaign.

[Herb Reed]

I won't vouch for anything that is posted by the public at Kirkland Views, but the content that the owner, Rob Butcher, puts there himself seems to be careful and truthful, and with the possible exception of the occasional editorial, I believe he is doing a good job of being unbiased and without any agenda. If there is a lie that Mr. Butcher has posted, I'm sure that he would like to correct it if you inform him about it.

I don't agree with everything that Mr. Gilday and Mr.Style write, but they are willing to put their names on their opinions, and Mr.Butcher is willing to let them be heard.

[KP]

If you enjoy a gang mentality, head over to Kirkland Views. Just because you say "if there's a lie, then go report it" means nothing in that environment. He has allowed hate to fill his pages so enjoy it if that's your kind of thing.

If you spend enough time on that site, you'll see that EVERYONE has an agenda, everyone.

[Jay Arnold]

It's not just Rob Butcher and John Gilday who are concerned about the direction of the current council. 10 Former Kirkland Mayors and Kirkland's legislative delegation have endorsed Doreen Marchione.

P.S. It looks like you don't have Doreen's web site linked above. See http://www.VoteDoreen.com.

[Kendall Watson]

Hi all,
Hunh. I used to work at the Kirkland Reporter and I'm curious to know why no one has suggested getting information from there. Is it because of a perceived bias, or that the content is lacking?
Thanks and good luck to all the candidates.

[KP]

Kendall- It's not a perceived bias, it's just a plain, 'ol fashioned bias. They love the ladies: Penny, Amy, Doreen and Joan. If you like someone who feels entitled to the position, vote for Penny. How about someone who doesn't care enough to vote and has lived in Kirkland a year, vote for Amy. What about a former Mayor who's claim to fame is Redmond (anyone up for trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond?), give your vote to Doreen. Last but not least, if you like someone who is a complete idiot, vote for Joan.

They lack content as well, though the only redeeming quality has been the unedited Q&A between each candidate per issue. Sorry to say but, it's hard to take a newspaper seriously with all the spelling mistakes and errors.

Kirkland Views allows pure hate. Just go to the site and search "Hilter" and you'll get a smackdown between Gilday and Style - and the article posting was election based. It's allowed on that site and personal attacks are unending. It's one thing just to give in and not moderate, but the owner says he moderates and is selective. Judging by the Hilter WWII debacle that went on what seemed like forever, he just sat back and watched his ratings and ad revenue go up. It's a waste.

[KP]

woops... it wasn't Bob Style, it was Todd Boyle and John Gilday.

[Herb Reed]

No matter what KP or anyone thinks of the blogger who owns Kirkland Views, there is still ample opportunity there for anyone to post their side of the story. I invite all defenders of Tom Hodgson, supporters of Ms. Tennyson, and campaigners for Brad Larssen to join the conversation.

I guess you haven't because you have no defense for Hogdson's handing over confidential City of Kirkland legal papers to one side in a lawsuit but not the opponents. You can't explain why Brad Larssen's politic party cohort, Judith Shattuck, appeared at a council meeting with City of Kirkland e-mails that no one will admit giving to her.

But let's make it easy - answer either of those questions right here, and you can keep avoiding answering over on Kirkland Views.

Your next post will tell the story. Answer one of those questions and we have a dialogue going. Keep posting your sweeping criticisms instead, and you are once more avoiding the issues, so we can only assume that you have no good answers.

Which will it be? Accusations or answers?

[Herb Reed]

Kendall, the Kirkland Reporter is another good source. It can't match the speed and frequency of a blog, but there is some good content there. I'm particularly pleased that they published an article about the 15 former mayors and council members who are asking the voters to oust Tom Hodgson by voting for Doreen Marchione.

You can also see that I posted a few comments over on the Kirkland Reporter website, but I can't get a civil discussion going there, either.