by Greg Wright
SeaTac Council Member Mia Gregerson has been the focus of ongoing controversy within City politics since early 2010, when a private and insulting e-mail was accidentally sent to SeaTac resident Leonard Luna.
Then at the September 27 Regular Council Meeting, Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher’s wife Aileen read at length from e-mails obtained by former Council member Mike Siefkes through a Freedom of Information Act request—e-mails which have spawned a PDC complaint from community activist Earl Gipson. The complaint concerns potential violation of state law, by Gregerson and SeaTac Human Services Manager Colleen Brandt-Schluter, regarding the use of public property and funds to influence the outcome of elections.
Tension between Gregerson, Fisher, and other Council members during Regular Council Meetings remains high.
I have earlier reported on talks with Mayor Terry Anderson and City Manager Todd Cutts about the situation, in addition to Monday’s interview with Deputy Mayor Fisher.
Over the weekend, I also submitted the following questions to Gregerson, who elected to reply to me in person. The following is a transcript of the discussion we had at a SeaTac coffee shop. The line of questioning is similar to that I followed with Fisher.
SeaTac Council Member Mia Gregerson
With the exception of former Mayor Ralph Shape’s seat on the Council, which is up for grabs, we could see the same faces in City Hall following the election this year—and if Proposition 1 goes down once more, that would mean, on the face of it, little change in the makeup of City politics. If that turns out to be the case, what do you see as the greatest hope for positive change in the way that the City conducts its business—both with the public, and between Council members?
Thank you for that question. The first thing that comes to mind for me is that we already work pretty well together. I think that sometimes the Council meetings are a very unnatural setting. A lot of the work that we do is behind the scenes, via phone calls or meetings at the Committee level. And I think that, in general, we get along really well. We have retreats a couple times a year, and we’re really learning—I think we’ve been working together for at least two years, and will be going on four years, with this particular body other than the new persons on the Council. So I really do think we work pretty well together. It will be nice to have a little bit of breathing room with regard to the City Proposition 1. As the vote comes closer on Proposition 1, it tightens everything up. Everybody’s conversation gets a little more jaded; we get a little more polarized. People tend to talk about things that may set the conversation up for why the City isn’t performing its duties or doing well at being efficient. So I’d like to think that there’s a lot of positive things regardless of who runs or who gets elected—because we are elected by the people of SeaTac to represent them. Our job is to get along with each other and find where we can work together.
You did just have another of those retreats just recently, correct?
We did.
Anything particularly positive come out of that retreat?
You know, at the retreat we have a facilitator who’s been coming in for about a year, and what he does is help us to understand our communication styles. I think that’s been a lot of help, because I like to imagine the City Council as seven different religions coming together to come up with one message, or come together in a consensus format. That means we have a lot of different filters and expertise, and come from different backgrounds—and how do we find one another, and communicate in a way that’s respectful? So that’s been a great bonding activity I believe—to understand individual communication styles. The other thing that happened at the retreat is that we are going through processes to build goals—and those goals help us build direction for working with City staff, which I believe we didn’t have a very strong system for until we started going through this goal-setting process. And I think it’s a great opportunity for Council members to be heard, both individually and then to say something as a group.
So a follow-up question, then. It sounds like you believe that while there’s been a lot of controversy about what happened in 2009 and early 2010, you don’t feel like the climate is the same now as the one that produced the circumstances surrounding the controversy at that time.
Well, I was warned that this was going to happen if I decided to run again. So I just try to continue to do the best work I know how to do, to reach out to the community. I’ve done a lot of great work—so I’m actually very busy. And although there is a lot of controversy that’s being recorded, it’s old information. And for the Council members involved, I still have to work with them; I still have to be the chair of the Land Use and Parks Committee; I’m still expected to understand the issues and go forward with other plans. So there’s a lot of work to be done, although the controversy goes on outside of that.
Is there a personal area that you’re working on for improvement as a public servant?
I’m always working on being a better public servant, personally. I’m always working on being a better person. I’ve learned a lot from this, and if anything I think that there are a lot of community members who are starting to see the true colors of some of the individuals who want to continue and keep this going—and put SeaTac in a position where people from the outside see it as such a negative place to be. I want SeaTac to be a place where we can live and work and raise our families. As you know, we’ve lived and worked in this community a long time, and I have a lot of things I’d like to see happen to keep our community that way.
At the October 11 Regular Council Meeting during discussion of Agenda Bill 3373 [regarding the establishment of a “Community Building Committee”], one of the things you said was that “in January you guys can change everything.” At the time, that struck me as a sign that you were seeing yourself on the way out. But now it doesn’t sound to me like that at all. Now it sounds like you very much see yourself as part of the effort moving forward.
Yes. I just wanted to make it very clear that nothing we talk about doing today can’t be undone. So there’s no reason to wait on something that’s a very important issue to our community—and that’s to bring forward a Committee that will allow our community to come forward and have a voice in a safe environment. So in January, once we know who has been elected and who will be on the Council, if that Council body wants to bring this topic back up and do something different, then that’s fine. I offered Deputy Mayor Fisher the opportunity to be the author of this Agenda Bill so that he could feel like he had more control over it—so it wouldn’t look like it was a campaign strategy, and I would be fine with that. You asked me earlier what I’m trying to do better to develop myself as a public servant—and that is I’m taking leadership training. And one thing about a being a leader is not necessarily to “lead” but to facilitate. So this particular Agenda Bill is not about me—it’s about facilitation.
[Editor's note—At last night’s Council Meeting, Agenda Bill 3373 was tabled for this calendar year and scheduled for re-presentation at the January 10, 2012 Council Meeting.]
A seemingly dysfunctional Council adds a great deal of momentum for the push for a change of form of government. How would you see the office of an elected mayor changing the dynamics of how the council and staff work together?
It’s unforeseen. I’ve never been in an environment where there’s a “strong mayor.” I do work with a lot of cities that have a strong-mayor form of government; but I think this is something that we’ll just have to dive into after it happens. I’m sorry I’m not more articulate about it. I don’t know!
Is there anything else you’d like the people of SeaTac to know about your plans for moving SeaTac forward?
There’s just a lot of wonderful work to be done in this town. We have a beautiful community of people, and I think we have some opportunity to work with the schools and the school district to really enhance our school system. I know that we’re on the brink of completing funding on a CPW grant, and I think that’s a really positive change.
I’ve knocked on almost 2000 doors in the last six months—and what I see over and over again is the streets, and the situation with transportation and being safe on the streets. So I think that’s very important. Also access to healthy foods. I’m excited to really start talking about that, and making that accessible.
The other thing is that the City of SeaTac Council members are elected at large; so we don’t each have little neighborhoods that have been identified. Sometimes I’ll go into a cul-de-sac and people will say, “You know, I just don’t think anybody cares about this street. I don’t think they care about us.” So one of the things that I’m really excited about trying to bring to the City Council is to find out if we can create little mini neighborhoods and have Council members adopt and rotate through them so that nothing’s political—but then every area of our community is being overseen, and we’re learning more about the ins and outs of the needs of that community. I think that’s a really exciting kind of opportunity.
And another thing is the formation of the Highline Healthy Communities Coalition. I am one of the founding members of that, and in January we’re having a summit to really formalize that. Highline area cities are coming together with the school district as the spine; and what we do is look at the community holistically, and how we can improve the community. Eventually, what I dream about is a levy that is not just the school district—where they come in and ask for a resolution at the end of the day—but a levy that’s community-wide, and has been part of a community approach that’s addressing, “What do we want to go to levy about? What kind of improvements do we want to see?” And of course the schools will be a part of that, but I think there will be a lot of other things that come out of that conversation.
So I think that there’s a lot of great work to be done in the near future.
Way to go, Mia. All that team building and leadership training must really be working (not!) you are clearly the most polarizing person on the city council. And, for the record, let me get this straight, apparently there are no fresh fruits and vegetables available at our grocery stores, public safety is a priority yet you supported slashing the police budget and have helped to hamstring them with partisan policies, and you clearly have never met a tax or levy that you don’t “dream about”. I suppose that “community wide” levy will be in addition to regular school levies, piled on top of your other two proposed new taxes, the jobs-killing B&O tax and utility tax that will unfairly punish our seniors and the poor. Thanks, Mia, job well done.
Thank you Baxter for compressing my same thoughts.
Sorry you’ve had to put up with so much grief Mia. I appreciate your focus on city issues while this small group of nasty and divisive people are OBSESSED with doing everything they can to attack, insult, and smear you. I appreciate your fiscal responsibiliy, your support for police services, and the reasonable and positive approach you take to the job. You’re a great mom, a great wife, and an even better city councilwoman. These Tea Party types are a small minority in the city– so disregard the nasty anonymous postings, the negative campaigning, and the lies and misinformation. Usually when people spend their time attacking others, it means they have nothing positive of their own to offer. I’m glad that good people like you step up to do thankless jobs like this.
Wolves don’t drink tea, so how could they be members of the tea party? If Mia wan to save the world, why doesn’t she join some masochistic cult and go save them … somewhere else (like in her neighborhood, on her block, in her house)! Oh, no, she want to save the world, but on other people’s dimes, in other people’s neighborhoods, on other people’s blocks, in other people’s houses while she basks in her Cum By Yah choruses and tiptoes through her tidy little neighborhood calling herself a “savior”. I don’t want her, you can have her!.
Mr. Anderson,
What kind of blinders do you have on your eyes? Have you been to a council meetings, have your read the paper or different blogs? You must since you are posting a comment. How can you turn a blind eye to council woman Gregerson’s illegal activity? You says, “attack, smear and insult”? Gregerson’s own published illegal words have put her in the negative position she is in. You turn a blind eye to her illegal activity as long as you support her causes and call others names. You are a hypocrit, you are blinded by your own causes and not the need of the whole, the city. You support unethical and illegal behavior. Do you actually think she didn’t submit a information for the voters pamphlet because she missed a deadline or that her behavior is absolutely disgusting? No, not at all, those aren’t the reasons. Her buddy Julia Patterson and her lock step buddies have paid her way. Have you seen the printed material and the volume that Gregerson and Bush and that group has put out. We are talking the tune of hundred of thousands of dollars. You don’t think council woman Patterson, her husband and band of bandits aren’t hi-jacking this election? You don’t think the business community will have to pay for Gregerson’s promises to Patterson? Just my opinion but I hope to the high heavens that the average blue collar citizen can see through Gregerson’s and council woman Patterson’s game. Someone who “dreams of levy’s” someone who partakes in illegal activities and someone who can give an interview and loves to hear herself speak should raise red flags. She speaks in circles until she goes after your money. VOTE FOR ANYONE, I MEAN ANYONE BUT GREGERSON, crooked as a dogs hind leg!!!!
If I may add onto the obituary Vicki Lockwood read at yesterday’s SeaTac city council meeting: civility is also apparently dead. I will truly mourn its passing.
Thank you for your comment. Keep strong Mia, and don’t listen to these people trying to put you down all the time.
Mr. Leroy Anderson:
The rant above probably brought to you by Michael Kovacs, candidate for City Council.
He has an unhealthy hatred for people. If you go to the council meetings, you’ll discover that some people are afraid of him.
Dear Bow Lake Bowler,
It was not Michael T Kovacs who sent out the information before, above, below and beyond.
Bow Lake Bowler is Debbie Batchler and Donald Anderson is Dave Bush. God knows who southend surfer is?
Michael T Kovacs
Bow Lake Bowler is Ms. Batchler? A citizen I suppose not employed by the City? Hopefully, not the Human Services department. I have no issue with Ms. Batchler with exception that when somone doesn’t share your view point but is repeating facts it is not a rant, but a highly passionate expression of the truth.
Donald Anderson is Dave Bush, go figure, really. I wish I could be surprised. Donald Anderson if you really are Mr. Bush running for an elected office have a pair of nutbush to post your real name and stand by your posts. Instead you try to divide the citizen’s by spreading misinformation (lies). At least use accurate and truthful information before accusing individuals of wrong doing. You’re such a disappointment, you can’t even point the finger at Sternberg or Patterson, geez. If some legal action comes from your untruthful posts throwing the Ms. Fernald and others under the bus don’t look at for Patterson to save you. Have you ever thought of running off your own merits?
Mr. Kovaks, I am a concerned citizen that is just tired of the same ole politics. I watch both sides and my post ARE truthful and/or my own opinion. If I am wrong and someone points it out with supporting information, I am not to proud to concede my mistakes.
The illegal activity is being conducted on the part of Kovacs, Sitterly and Councilwoman Fernald. Complaints have been filed with the Public Disclosure Commission against all three of them for their role in concealing campaign contributions from the public on at least two pieces of illegal campaign mail. Ms. Fernald created a fake organization, illegally kept the donors secret from the public and the Public Disclosure Commission, and then colluded with Kovacs and Sitterly to send the illegal campaign mail out on their behalf. Mr. Kovacs also sent out a piece of illegal campaign mail– failing to comply with the disclosure law also on his material. These are serious violations of state law. The Public Disclosure Commission is investigating, and we can expect it likely to be referred to the Attorney Generals Office for legal action against these individuals.
Donald,
I am the media contact person for the political action committee “Citizens to Save SeaTac”.
You are out of line and you are attempting to create a problem where there is none.
“Citizens to Save SeaTac” is registered with the pdc and totally legal.
It is funny that when the truth hurts, you put blinders on. When the truth doesn’t fit your personal opinion it becomes a rant. When the truth scares you then you fabricate a story. What next, really! Hi Bow Lake Bowler, below is my post from Highliine Times. Good thing Tony Anderson wasn’t here for the council meeting, you know how he hates those PDC requests, especially the one that are based on untruths, unlike Gregerson.
Mrs. Lockwood,
Thank you for stepping forwarding and speaking up on this non issue. I was only guessing that this was a ginned up accusation from an extremely nervous opposition group. Thank you for the honesty. I am so disappointed by the reporting by the Highline Times and Eric Mathison. I can’t believe he would not verify the accusation. He was either lazy on this accusation or used by Barry Ladenburg, Gregerson, Patterson, Sternberg and Bush’s entire posse. What it shows is that when they are faced with a challenge and beome unsure their answer is to create a diversion at anyone’s expense. Just get it out there and see if it sticks. Gregerson’s situation is factual. Her emails, her words and her actions. It should be easy enough for the PDC to figure out her illegal behavior.
I find this fabricated diversion really interesting in light of the incredible volume of printing that is going on. Gregerson, Ladenburg, Bush have put out an enormous amount of campaign literature. Mounds of money have been spent to print and mail all this material. Are we sure this is on the up and up? I’ve noticed material coming out of Sacramento, CA? Really, Sacramento CA, Mr. Bush, Ladenberg or Julia Patterson, heck Sternberg is running the show for this entire group. This is no longer a Seatac City election for the citizen’s, it’s for the power of King County,Julia Patterson. I do not think Ladenberg, Bush and Gregerson could manage this print barrage without Patterson and Sternberg. So much for let the better candidate win, more like who has friends that can afford to print in CA and stuff your mailbox. At least Ladenberg and Gregerson could have insisted that Seatac or WA printers print their material. They had a chance to boost Seatac business but they took a pass. Mr. Ladenberg, next time put your foot down with King County support. Those tens of thousands of dollars for printed material could have been taxed right here at home. Seatac business get ready for a rough year, Barry, Dave and Mia at some point are going to have to pay the piper soon or later, and Julia is not going to wait.
Mr. Fisher, Ms. Fernald, Ms. Sitterly and Ms. Anderson keep speaking up for the common sense residents. You can’t compete with the financial consortium that Mr. Ladenberg, Mr. Bush and Gregerson are involved in. They are just riding on Patterson’s back and connections. Go all you Sampsons!!! and Good Luck!
Mr. Mathison, it is not the weekend, can you make a retraction to this story if it is not true? You’ve had all day to check it out? Mission accomplished I guess, leave it up as long as possible, right?
SS –
The UNIONS have endorsed them, and are supporting them, with mailers. This is true.
LADENBURG, BUSH, and GREGERSON have NO control over this. That is a fact I think you and your little group just need to get over. You have no evidence of collaboration, because there is none. All you have is speculation.
There is lots of material being put out. I wonder why the working people of SeaTac, the heart of our economy here, have such a vested interest in the outcome of the city council?
Here’s something that’s not speculation. Gregerson sought out, received, and promotes the endorsement of Dave Upthegrove, Washington Conservation Voters, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2919 (SeaTac), Teamsters, and SEIU. SEIU and Firefighter Local 1747 fund UpthePAC. UpthePAC funds Washington Conservation Voters PAC. Teamsters funds Unite Here Local 8 PAC. Unite Here Local 8 PAC and Washington Conservation Voters PAC fund campaigns for Gregerson.
All above board, all perfectly legal, all properly reported to the PDC. But it also pretty much demonstrates that Gregerson does have some control over this. She requested their endorsements and support.
UpthePAC report:
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcQuerySystem/CommitteeData/contributions?param=VVBUSFAgIDE5OA====&year=2011&type=continuing
WA Conservation Voters PAC report:
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcQuerySystem/CommitteeData/contributions?param=V0FTSENWIDE0NQ====&year=2011&type=continuing
Unite Here Local 8 PAC report:
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcQuerySystem/CommitteeData/contributions?param=VU5JVEw4IDEyMQ====&year=2011&type=continuing
Also note that the lion’s share of Local 8 PAC’s funding comes out of the national organization.
You are right, Greg. I did not mean to imply that the candidates did not seek endorsement. It’s good for candidates to be endorsed ( as far as campaigning) , and also good for voters to see who is supporting who. What I meant was that the candidates have no control over material such as mailers, and their contents. Thanks for pointing out that misubderstanding.
Leann,
Have you not seen the “outside money” flyer featuring Mia’s daughter? She’s only 17, so I assume she had parental permission to become a spokesman for a group that her mother has “no control over”. You and the three amigos know who’s calling the shots for the wording on these “outside” flyers! I regret that Mia is so desperate that she’s willing to drag her daughter through the mud.
Mr. Pepsi –
You present a valid point, as I only recently saw this flyer. I am unsure whether or not Mia would legally have to give consent for her daughter to be on a flyer, but that very well could be. Still, her daughter is not her, so it is perfectly legal. But a point well taken. This is the only flyer I have seen where it appears a candidate could have known about the content before it was mailed.
Thanks for addressing these issues Donald. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed them.
Here’s the PDC filing for Citizens to Save SeaTac. http://www.pdc.wa.gov/rptimg/default.aspx?docid=2576165
I have sent out one small campaign mailing with my own campaign materials in an envelope with my campaign logo and return address. I did not approve of any additional message, nor collude with anyone else to send out additional campaign materials. I have complied with all PDC requirements, and you can view each report I have filed at their website.
I think the question the Public Disclosure Commission and the Attorney General will need to sort out is whether or not the officers in Citizens to Save SeaTac are also involved in any way in the Sitterly and Kovacs candidate campaigns. Thus far, the record shows that the officers in this fabricated organization are Vicki Lockwood, Jill Thomas, Councilmember Fernald and Councilmember Anderson. Lockwood and Thomas put their names on the paperwork, and Fernald and Anderson used their address and phone number, respectively. State records also apparently show that the reports were filed from Councilmember Anderson’s computer. The question the Public Disclosure Commission will investigate is whether any candidates or officers of Sitterly and Kovacs (such as their treasurer) were in any way involved in this 3rd party independent mail. If so, then Sitterly and Kovacs would be vulnerable to legal action. Apart from that, I think citizens should be asking why this secret group of extremists feels the need to suddenly at the last minute create a front organization with a nice sounding name to hide their negative campaigning? Something smells rotten in SeaTac…and the smell is coming from Snake Sitterly, Elite Kovacs and Lying Fisher. Everyone knows Fisher and his wife are pulling the strings of their minions to try to consolidate all power in SeaTac so that average citizens, and reasonable people who don’t share their Tea Party ideas, can be ignored, shouted down and belittled. If someoen doesnt conform to their right-wing ideology, then lets attack them, troll through their old emails, divide people based on differences, and stir up fear with lies….all while living high on the hog at taxpayer expense. Fisher apparently likes his steak dinners and fancy hotels…all on the taxpayer dime…while voting against supporting programs for seniors, police, and youth in our community. It is time for the illegal and corrupt Fisher regime to come to an end. Lets hope the Attorney General does his job!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Reynolds,
You really had my attention at the beginning. I am sure you understand all the PDC stuff way more than I. I’m one of those people that have to read the certified document and go, okay, I got it. You started out fine laying it out, but their are no real facts. If it is a fabricated PAC why is it registered? After a few probably’s you say, “If so,….” and “Apart from that…” Forget all the hypothetical PDC stuff that has no standing and just go with your opinion. You throw out, IF, Apart from that, fabricated, extreme etc. facts, just the facts Mr. Reynolds.
I passionately express myself because there is actual hard copy and electronic evidence. There are no If’s, apart from, fabricated. Individuals have been supposedly punished. The PDC will be looking into seated council woman Gregerson. Literally tens of thousands of dollars of printed material to include out of state have made some mailboxes a fire hazard and you have no questions?
But to call people extreme, teaparty and shouting down your ideas? Really, has this happen to you by Mr. Fisher? Please explain how and when this has happened. We all know that Mr. Fisher and his wife are pulling all the strings? I did not know this? Provide examples to support your claims. I like steak too, I try to eat more ground turkey because it is better for you. But please explain this comment about hotels and steaks? When you provide actual examples it’s easier to understand your passion.
I’ll give you an example pulled from your email above. You turn Gregerson’s situation and project it on others that you disagree with. Gregerson’s emails cannot be assigned to anyone but Gregerson. See, I call her snake Gregerson slithering on her belly because it has been exposed. There are documents that have been combed through by the city legal department. She brought the entire situation upon herself as unfortunate as it is, but how can you assign blame to others? You’d be better off providing examples of your claims, without fact then they become rants.
But you had me in the beginning and I’ll still listen.
Boy, you’ve really done it this time. You’ve gone and got your panties all in a wad over a whole lot of nothing! If you were here, I’d give you a whoopin like you’ve never had before.
Now come here and give your Momma a kiss. I hate to break it to you, but there are no PDC violations, therefore no PDC or AG investigations like poor Mia is probably gonna get. And you had to go and call those good people Erin Sitterley and Michael Kovacs names. I oughta wash your mouth out with soap.
Now, brush your teeth and it’s off to bed with you. And don’t forget to wash behind your ears or I’ll paddle your behind you smelly little boy.
“James” and “Donald,”
Your reckless disregard for the truth when posting on this blog has me considering seeking legal council for a libel suit.
I’ll have to get a court order to have the Blog turn over your isp address and find out your true identify.
I’m not the least bit concerned, but if I find that I have done anything illegal during this campaign, I’ll turn myself into the PDC.
Have a nice day.
Pam F.
Pam F.
Wow, threats of lawsuits are very becoming of you.
I see where you are going with this…but that would just be stooping to their level.
Fast forward a few election cycles…… to the dream world of ……. Mayor Mia…….
I like to dream about levy$ for schools and other cool stuff. Of course, for the schools, but there’s so much more money needed for improvements like…… I dunno what for. The community just needs more levies because that’s what we need at the end of the day when the conversation is taking place in the community and across other communities together.
Sound far fetched? It’s politics and the most unintended events are just as likely to happen. Does it look like a load is being spent on council seats? Imagine the stakes in a mayoral race. Think about for a minute.
Inside out,
That just turns my stomach,really. You’ve nailed it in your post. What’s another layer of government. What’s another 15-20 city hall employees. Will anyone stop and think before spending the tax payers money. Will anyone come up with community organized committees supported by citizen’s to solve neighorhood issues. Why does half the council feel that tax payers have to fund every idea? Is personal repsonsibility, neighborhood pride and what can you do for your city or neighborhood ever come before the tax payers check book?
Your post is accurate but bite your tongue. I don’t need to have a nightmare on a Sunday. Gregerson’s dream and my nightmare.
Inside out, have you noticed that the price of gas skyrocketed and has never come down. You comments, accurate, add on more state gas tax, county fees (tax) and who knows what the feds will do. Why is it so easy to spend other peoples hard earned money. What’s the average income of Seatac, 45k-or(?) so, can it really afford the levy dreams Gregerson, Ladenbergs and Bush’s? Depressing
Its funny that you would start out your post with a “dream world” of “mayor Mia” when she clearly does not support a strong mayor government. It would be more like a dream world of mayor Gene, Pam, Michael…man that would be a nightmare.
I will not vote for Gregerson, Bush nor Landenburg! And have cautioned all my neighbors to do the same. Just listening to some of the emails Gregerson wrote,tells me what kind of a person she is and the others right behind her. I am very puzzled at the huge amount of mailings I’m getting from those three! Almost every day is a very large postcard mailing from at least one, if not all three of them. Where are they getting this kind of money and why is a little city council position so important to put this kind of money into? This makes no sense so has me concerned as to their agendas which I do not believe, for one minute is any concern about our city! And I’ve been told of mailings from Kovacs, Sitterly and Fisher and not gotten them. I really don’t understand that!
Kathie Brave
40 year resident of McMicken Heights
I was just reading through the voter’s pamphlet only to realize that Gregerson didn’t put ANY information at all in there. Not one word about her education, where she works, nothing about what she thinks she can do for our city, nothing at all! Is she that confident in her winning (via the daily mailings) or does she just not care? I find this a joke!
Ms. Brave,
Due to the controversery of Mia Gregerson’s emails to the Human Services Department manager Colleen Brandt-Schulter, illegal activity. She needed more space than a voter pamphlet could afford her to paint a pretty picture. I wouldn’t doubt that Julia Patterson (her husband involved in the scandal) advised her not to post in the voters pamphlet. Mia we will get you double sided, high end, glossy flyers and I’ll get all my King County buddies and their unions to back. If Gregerson should win Patterson will be calling in her favors. Mia we need more revenue (taxes) out of your district, do something…
Ms. Fernald- if you cant stand the heat, you should get out of the kitchen. I have every right as a citizen to criticize my elected public officials. I not only have a right, but a responsibility, to speak up when I believe there is corruption or dirty tricks. You single-handedly paid for a piece of negative campaign mail and went out of your way to create a “front” organization in order to conceal your name on the mail. As of the last PDC reporting, the so-called “Citizens to Save SeaTac” had raised and spent zero money– it simply was a front group for a piece of mail YOU wrote and paid for. Why would a politician do something like this? Perhaps you were embarassed to be associated with the content of your own mail? You and your allies do nothing BUT attack people with whom you disagree, troll through emails to try to find anything you can use to embarrass someone, file complaints, post mean anonymous messages, and personally bully people. If this is the kind of politics you and your supporters engage in, you have to expect that people will punch back (in the political sense) and that you will face intense personal scrutiny and robust political opposition.
WOW…REALLY MR. Reynolds,
It sounds like you have an issue with a potential candidate or a council member PAYING their own way. How refreshing if true!
Instead, LADENBURG, GREGERSON AND BUSH are sucking up union dues monies going to political PAC to print their material , Patterson directing the show. It doesn’t even matter if the union member supports the issue they have no control over their money. King County is hijacking this election, yeah, that’s better.
Dear God, (yes, I really believe it’s not a political show) please send Washington State a Scott Walker. Please don’t let King County and the union backed politicians run rough shod over our citizen’s. Please remove the fear from our private business sector to stand up against King County. I know you’re very busy up there, but may be you can send up a ray of honesty to shine on our city politicans and those wannabe’s.
I think your honest Ms. Fernald and you do not seem to be bought by any of these special interest groups. Keep speaking up for the citizen’s of Seatac! The finish line is close and I can only hope that honest wins over special interest money.
In case you weren’t aware – and it seems that A LOT of people are not aware….LADENBURG, BUSH, and GREGERSON have absolutely NO control over the flyers, doorbellers, and information the UNIONS decide to put on on their behalf. The information on there may very well be half truths, exaggerations, etc (no better than was Fisher, Fernald, etc. have been doing against them by the way). In any case, there is no possible way you can blame candidates for being endorsed, or hold them responsible for flyers that these UNIONS are putting out. LEGALLY these candidates can’t, and do not contact these unions or collaborate with them in any way (unless you have some kind of evidence otherwise, not pure speculation).
Stop holding candidates responsible for negative campaigning that that cannot control. Period.
Mr. Reynolds,
This is a free country and people have a right to do what you see fit-as long as the law isn’t broken.
Your posts here have a very bitter and hostile tone to them. (regrettably as do some of the other posts)
Your posts regarding me ‘feel’ very personal. Do you know me personally? Are we acquainted somehow?
If you’d like to call me or meet me for coffee, I bet we can find common ground.
Have a good day.
James,
Thank goodness Ralph Shape is not running this year! He has no idea what a duty he is performing for everyone. By not making citizen’s and other council members have to listen to his Ralph almighty has spoken attitude while stuffing his face with chips. The city deserves so much more than a stuffy aroganant wind bag that looks down his nose into a bag of chips!
In 2012, you can sit in the audience eat his chips and see how a council should conduct itself with respect.
Just saying James.
Love and hearts from Barry, Dave and Mia paid for with PAC money from outside the city and outside the state! Contains endorsements from Adam Smith and Mr. Upthegrove, as well as unions and 33rd District Democrats. I thought this an election for a non-partisan city seat, NOT a partisan state or federal seat??? Such associations from the individuals that purport to be concerned about outside influence and control if we elect our mayor document more than a little hypocrisy!
NO BARRY – YOU DID NOT VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE CITY COUNCIL! It is a paid position, normally filled by election!! You applied for the job and were appointed to a partial term to fill a vacant seat. Several of the 11 other applicants have obviously superior qualifications and credentials! It was only due to blatant gerrymandering and manipulation that you were selected.*
Subsequently, Mr. Landenberg was promptly booted off the council in his first election for his appointed seat, due to generally inept performance!
Thank-you for allowing me to comment! Please feel free to share this correction of the facts to all voters.
Envt. Chemist
*Copies of applications available upon request. This statement is fact, not opinion.
Fine Print:
Not paid for by anybody, no PAC or campaign money involved. Just plain citizen resident voter trying to tell the truth to those willing to listen! My vote not for sale!
Thanks, Envt. Chemist for having the courage to speak up and for seeing through the touchie-feelie “heart campaigns”. Those folks are giving us all “heart failure” and if they get elected it will be a degenerative condition!
It takes little courage to speak out when those you speak to agree.
Or have MONEY coming out the KAZOO! Really, easy to sit back and let King County council, contact union contacts to spend union dues to speak for you. Heck, Mia Gregerson, Barry Landenberg or Dave Bush haven’t had to say boo! Let the money backed trail do it for them. They can smile and show up at functions whether they make donations or not and pass out literature. Really don’t care what the function is or what it supports, let’s pass out literature. Speaking up against big money and the likes of another poster on this thread can be down right frightening. I don’t even have to mention a handle but take a guess,you’re right! Even though it is halloween, that persons tone is scary no matter what the day it is. Some have a cake walk to make a single line statement when they have tens if not hundred of thousands of dollar speaking for them.
Thanks Evt. Chemist and Ms. Lockwood. Can’t afford the mouth piece they have but we can afford our internet connection! Stay strong and hope people wake up now or they’ll be having nighmares of addtional levies for whatever sounds good.
Are Gregerson or Bush union members of any kind?
Not sure if they are active members in any union? Good question, but I do not know. I’m always reminded of, it’s not what you know it is who you know.
Maybe that Mr. Gipson knows or another reader?
It is doubtful that Ms. Gregerson and/or Mr. Bush are union members. Their respective occupations do not lend themselves to collective bargaining. However, here is a true story I thought the media would eventually tell.
Mr. Pepsi forgot to ask about Mr. Ladenburg of where I have more data. As far as Mr. Ladenburg being a current union member I cannot say, but his being a King County Metro Machinist my guess would be yes. He was a past Angle Lake Shore Club president and he is the brother of former Pierce County Executive, John Ladenburg.
But lets go a little deeper and back to the SeaTac Levy Lid Campaign of 2006 (Prop #1 at the time) and you will see Mr. Ladenburg was the Vice Chair of a PAC called Citizens For a Safer SeaTac. The goal of this Levy Lid Lift was to build a new fire station, obtain a new ladder truck, and hire firefighters (6 to 12 or so) to staff it. The Proposition failed, we built the fire station anyway, Seatac employee Pat Patterson (Julia Patterson’s hubby) managed the project (and got in trouble for contract violation with the State Auditor) but it gets even more interesting.
Not a Single SeaTac Citizen or business contributed to Citizens for a Safer SeaTac. A paltry (by today’s standards) ~ $1,700 was raised but they didn’t really need it as you will see reading the rest of this story. It is worthy to note who did contribute to the $1,700 that was raised. By the numbers:
$500, David Clarke-Auburn, WA, Architect-Eventual Designer of SeaTac Station #46
$500, US Fire Equioment-Graham, WA-Supplier of Fire Trucks and Equipment
$300, Robert Meyers-SeaTac Fire Chief-Resident of Redondo, WA-City of SeaTac Employee-non SeaTac resident (now retired)
$120, In Kind Contribution-Avis Printing Postcards
$89, In Kind Contribution-PDC missing C4 Document-Robert Meyers shows aggregate $389 so that’s probably the missing data
$50, McPherson Supply Company-Tacoma, WA-Fire Equipment Supplier
$50, Hughes Fire Equipment-Springfield, OR-Fire Equipment Supplier
$50,Michael Leonard-Seattle, WA, MLA Engineering-Engineering firm for Seatac Station #46
$50,Person’s Unknown-Not Required-$25 dollars or less
A payment to then Chief Meyers was made for postage stamps in the amount of $888. Personally I don’t have that many stamps lying around and I would just go to the post office if I needed that many (and get a receipt).
Now the really fun part. The City of SeaTac illegally spent $8,209 of taxpayer money in support of the Levy Lid Lift campaign of 2006 by then City Manager, Craig Ward (violation/s of RCW 42.17.130). The investigation can be found at:
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/archive/commissionmeetings/meetingshearings/pdfs/2008/01.24.08.Ward.pdf
Again by the numbers:
$5,259, City/Public Funds Used for Mailing in Support of 2006 Levy Lid Lift (Proposition #1)-Inexcusable. Mailings are the most significant cost to any campaign.
$2,050, City/Public Funds Used for Production of Video in Support of 2006 Levy Lid Lift (Proposition #1), Not only illegal but stated inaccuracies as well.
$900, City/Public Funds Used for DVD reproduction (300 copies) of Video in Support of 2006 Levy Lid Lift (Proposition #1), 47 Copies distributed by City Personnel to City Employees. 12 copies to a Single City Employee, 10 to supporters of Levy Lid Lift. 203 Not Distributed. 50 unaccounted for. Insult to injury. City Manager Ward was fined and had to attend a class or two. The actual dollar fine was $1,000 and it was paid from SeaTac/taxpayer funds (I have a copy of the receipt) and NOT paid by Mr. Ward.
I spoke with Mr. Ladenburg about all this a couple of weeks ago. He said he had nothing to do with it. As the treasurer for the Elected Mayor campaign (this year’s Prop #1), I don’t believe him. As any officer of a PAC you are keenly aware of where the money comes from and plan for its spending. The PDC are the enforcers (I have to thank the PDC). The local media never reported this. SeaTac City Manager Ward was a resident of Tacoma and the violations were found in the Tacoma Tribune, which led to my looking it all up.
Mr. Ladenburg was immediately appointed to the Planning Commission upon his election defeat in 2009. A commissioner was removed because he was not legally eligible to be there for a number of years and left a spot on his forced departure.
Union member or not, in summary, I have issues specifically with Mr. Ladenburg’s ethics, judgment, and the large amounts of money. The whole partisan and lopsided spending is very disturbing to me and should be to other voters.
In reply to Mr. Gipson,
I read through the PDC report concerning the RCWs violated in the Levy Lid Lift campaign, and I’m wondering why you aren’t implicating current council members in this as well. Gene Fisher comes up a couple times in the report; first, as one of the council members who signed on to an illegal mailer, and the second time as a speaker in a video that was illegally produced using city funds and resources.
Gene Fisher was mayor at the time according to the PDC documents, so either he signed off on all this, or he was negligent in his oversight of the city manager Craig Ward. However, Gene Fisher MUST have approved of the illegal mailer because his name is that first one at the end of the letter: Gene Fisher, MAYOR (p.59 of the PDC report). Given that Gene Fisher was mayor at the time and obviously approved of this illegal mailing and the illegal video, shouldn’t you also have concerns about his ethics as well?
Secondly, how do you come out with Barry Ladenburg being a villain here? He is mentioned only briefly in a few pages in the 137-page PDC report as far as I can tell, and only insofar as to say that he did not distribute any of the 6 DVDs of the video he was given by the city council, and so that he was in compliance with the relevant RCWs (p.36,37,112 of the PDC report). The head of the anti-prop 1 campaign was also given a copy of the DVD by the city. The PDC report does not specify if he gave it away to a third party, but I assume he did not.
So while the PDC report clearly shows that Barry Ladenburg was in compliance with the RCWs, Gene Fisher and the rest of the council at the time participated in an illegal mailing and video campaign as Mayor of SeaTac. While blame ultimately fell to city manager Ward according to the PDC report, where were Gene Fisher’s ethics and oversight as mayor of SeaTac?
One last thing; SeaTac records show that Barry Ladenburg was appointed “unanimously” to fill the vacant position 6 on the city council at a city council meeting on December 2nd, 2008. That either means that Gene Fisher voted for him, or that Gene Fisher declined to vote at all. If Barry Ladenburg is such a shady and unqualified character, then why was he unanimously appointed, and why on earth didn’t Gene Fisher vote against him?
It’s all about the Patterson/King County connections!
But if I remember correctly from the Gregerson email scandal (not 100% sure) but I think Gregerson mentioned something like the following regarding work.
Dave is funny. He’ll be a good worker, he just needs to be told what to do. Gregerson, Landenburg and Bush do not have the connections to garner that amount of financial suport without the thumb of a higher seated person.
Just my opinion, as always, but the I refer to the union/ PAC money is all connected to King County, Patterson and Gregerson. Dave is funny, and will be a good worker, but needs to be told what to do. See Landenbergs donation and he was dismissed so I understand from the council once already, ineptitude was mention? OBVIOUSLY by the donation amounts King County/Patterson district is funding Landenberg trying to remove Mr. Fisher and donating to Gregerson because she can’t speak for hersef, (scandal).
Money does talk but I am sure hoping that their b.s. walks.
I just want to state again, this is just my opinion, formed from blogs, publishings, council meetings and other comments. I could be wrong on how “my” mind connects the dots or how I express those thoughts. Just saying and am open to others posts/information.
Judging from the $10,000+ (source: PDC) that her own campaign has raised (without the help of the independent groups), I’d say Gregerson has no problems advocating for herself and no shortage of people who are willing to vote for her.
Who do you think supplied all the organization for neighborhood door knockers and printed literature, pleading every neighborhood cause? Wild guess here, but I am saying Patteson/Gregerson equals union foot traffic. Gregerson on her own two feet, well, you haven’t heard a peep from her because she’s not very ethical. She’ll have to put her faith in Patterson’s and her union influence hands for her fate.
I wonder if Mia dreams of a $40.00 Seatac City car tab “fee” to support one of her levy dreams? I don’t know…
Just in case you haven’t scanned the HLT. Just passing this on, I have no verification. But it just echo’s the dots that I have been connecting with common sense. You probably knew it too, but fun to post , huh.
Michael T Kovacs 1 hour ago
Gort The Robot Says:
Julia Patterson is behind the investment of money for the campaigns of Gregerson, Ladenburg, and Bush.
Dave Upthegrove is carrying out the actions as told by Julia Patterson to Dave. Dave needs armored truck to move the money in secret. Heavy to move in his compact car.
Insiders not happy with 33rd District Democrats have communicated this in secret to outsiders. Meeting took place in Des Moines QFC parking lot Friday October 28, 2011 at 8:41 PM.
Radar is up on Upthegrove. The robots and insiders are now friendly and communicating about Dave and Julia. No conspiracy here just truth.
SeaTac citizens now running counter intelligence unit with yellow submarine on Angle Lake watching Patterson compound.
Gort The Robot signing off…
In response to Outside Observer….
Since you claim to be from another city – Kent? – just wondering why all of the interest in SeaTac? Also, for being an “outside observer”, you seem to know a lot of “inside stuff” ! You also have a strong opinion (hatred?) of Gene Fisher; your many posts on several of the SeaTac blogs are aimed directly at Mr. Fisher.
Do have this same level of interest in your own city? Oh wait, you DO, because, though you might be an Observer, you very clearly are not on the Outside…you are on the INSIDE! Probably a neighbor of mine…in lil’ ole’ Seatac..
************************ CACTUS OF THE WORLD UNITE!! *******************************
Terr Might,
You are so right! I’ve also noticed the tactic from OO, throw the mud out now apologize later and hope some hate sticks. OO, is a sneaky little ole neighbor.
Mr. Fisher and Ms. Fernald, in my opinion make every attempt to convey the issues and facts as they are and as they happen.
I want to be a cactus!
Terr Might,
I have no reason to dislike Mr Fisher. I do not know him personally, and have nothing but respect for him as a public official. If I was particularly pointed toward him, it was because his record or involvement was also relevant to the conversation. I have no special insider knowledge; everything I have brought to the table is public knowledge, either available through the PDC or the City of SeaTac website. I could live in Tampa Bay, Florida and still have the same level of engagement in the issues because of the information that is freely available to those who look.
As I have told southend surfer many times, I do indeed live in Kent and am as much your neighbor as someone living in Burien or Des Moines. Of course, you probably feel that there’s more chance that southend surfer is Julia Patterson than my being an outsider, so I don’t suppose you’ll take me at my word. There’s not much I can do about that.
What I DO have an issue with is dirty politics and character assassination, and as I said to Earl Gipson on the HLT site, while we in Kent have our own little dramas, the level of vitriol is nothing like what I’ve seen here. I don’t want to see it spread to my hometown politics.
Yes, I agree: it sounds like some of what it being said on the mailers from independent groups is false. But many of the claims I have seen here and at the HLT site have been equally false and nasty, and it’s much easier to have a discussion about that with people on a blog than with a piece of mail. Paper doesn’t talk much. I could probably contact the Local 8 union and ask them to stop sending their mailers, but I imagine that they would give me about the same reception as you have given me here. Perhaps you should try?
Have a nice evening.
A friend of mine asked how I decide for whom to vote. Among other things, I said I find out who is supporting the candidate/proposition. At this point, it’s pretty obvious who is the push behind the Gregerson/Ladenberg/Bush ticket. Local 8 couldn’t give a rip about the community of Sea-Tac; its focus is keeping union jobs at the airport and surrounding hotels. Period. Now, if all those union workers were contributing citizens of Sea-Tac, they might have an argument. I don’t know the actual numbers, but I’m willing to bet a majority do NOT live in Sea-Tac.
As for Ms. Gregerson, I could not bring myself to support a person who has shown the lack of tact she has. I, too, have read the infamous e-mails. I think I could have forgiven the initial “lunatic” comment, and maybe worked on forgiving her using the city’s spin doctors to write her “apology”. I cannot get past the e-mail exchange between her and Ms. Brandt-Schluter painting Mr. Luna as a potential criminal. That was over the top. And to put it all in e-mail knowing how public anything on the internet can become shows no common sense. I think most people are tired of the “mouth off now, apologize/excuse later” behavior by public figures.
Also, on Saturday I received yet another of Ms. Gregerson’s campaign cards. A “serious omission” in my voter’s pamphlet? Say what? Then I see this is just another stump for her. Totally bad form, in my opinion. Not to mention a lie.
To me, voting for someone is like hiring an employee. Besides having a resume that matches the job description, I want someone who shows good judgment, takes responsibility, learns from rather than repeats mistakes, and reflects positively on the group. I just don’t get that from Ms. Gregerson.
I’m excited to see a progressive grassroots coalition come together and actually mount a campaign for once against the meanspirited tea party types who have gotten our city into a mess. I know it is natural to lash out and personally attack people who are mounting a successful campaign (raising money, building coalitions, securing endorsements, etc.) But I have to laugh at the people who are SHOCKED that there are politics at play in a political election. How dare elected officials endorse and help other elected officials! How dare the working class workers at our hotels and restaurants come together and participate in the process through their union! How dare someone question the voting record of a long-time politician like Fisher! Did anyone ever consider the possibility that a well-funded and active coalition came together in SeaTac because a small group of meanspirited and ill-informed right-wingers was threatening to run the city into the ground? Or that anti-immigrant, race-baiting, extrememly conservative politics in a progressive diverse city would attract a political response? Good political leaders build support, build coaltions, raise money, secure endorsements, attract volunteers, and campaign hard. Whether you are the local hotel union or the WA Conservation Voters, it makes sense to support reasonable civic leaders like Gregerson, Bush and Ladenburg. When a national tea party activist is the paid consultant running the Fisher, Kovacs, and Sitterly campaigns, do you expect the mainstream folks in SeaTac to just roll over and take it? For the crazy-sounding and mean-sounding commenters, consider perhaps that the reason for this high level of fundraising and campaiging isn’t some kind of compliciated conspiracy. Perhaps, when trying to understand why there is so much political activity this year, you can find the answer by looking in the mirror.
Jessica,
You should read the most recent story posted by Mr. Wright and really examine the information gathered through interviews and the PDC. “Proposition 1: Has the Time Come for a Change in the Form of City Government?”
There is nothing remotely “grassroots” regarding the campaign for Gregerson, Landenburg or Bush. The outside influences being injected into this campaign is off the charts. There is no historical precedence for this type of outside influence and money being spent to buy an election. Even if all 25,000 Seatac citizens donated $5.00 each it would match what outside PAC’s have spent.
I can understand the excitement for change, I think more citizens than you can imagine want change for the better. But being fiscally responible with tax payers dollars to initiate the change can be a sticking point. Does the city have to end up like the state? Say yes to everything and figure out how to pay for it later? When cuts have to be made because tax payers have to pay for their families housing, transportation, food and unexpected emergencies is that the time to point the finger? This is supposed to be a non-partisan election yet the democratic PAC’s from outside of Seatac have spent over hundred thousand dollars, spend, spend, spend. Yet, you compare one consultant for three candidates some kind of conspiracy, a Tea bagger! A single consultant probably paid less than 8,000 for entire campaign of three. And the three have paid with their own money. Let me say that again, paid the consultant with their own money. What a novel idea in this election. Citizen’s living within their own means, taking personal responsibility, working with their neighbors to create would be more grass roots. The city, county, state or government (tax payers) shouldn’t have to write a check everytime someone wants to start a group or a committee, it’s called volunteering. There are many ways to initiate change and putting your hand out for tax payers money shouldn’t be the first option.
PDC reports show that Sitterly, Kovacs and Fisher are all paying this man:
http://www.steveberen.com/biography.html
…to serve as their campaign consultant. He does business as “One Spark Marketing”– but a quick google search shows he is better known for being a right-wing national tea party activist…trying to get his tea party minions elected in SeaTac…
Hi, Jessica. What PDC reports are you referring to? I can’t find any that reference Beren.
Mr. Wright,
One Spark Marketing shows up on the PDC reports. Unless I’m missing something, Steve Beren’s name does not show up on the reports themselves, but a quick Google search shows that Steve Beren is the owner of One Spark Marketing. I believe that is how she is making the connection. Near the top of my Google results was his Facebook page. Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Beren-One-Spark-Marketing/112705752155106
For reference, here also is one of many PDC reports that include One Spark Marketing. This one is a report for Micheal Kovacs from October 18th.
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/rptimg/default.aspx?batchnumber=100433887
Thanks, OO. I did a scan through some PDC reports this morning, but didn’ t have time to be exhaustive. It saves a lot of time when folks just supply links to things they’ve found!
OK, Jessica, you caught me red-handed, utilizing an exceptional company as a source for my yard signs, campaign literature and recorded phone messages to voters. My PDC filings also indicate that I am my own campaign manager, and if you look at the life of my campaign, you will see that I have not swerved even once from my stated goals and mission. My paid consultant and materials source, Steve Beren, has not created a PAC specifically to support my campaign, nor has he or any other “tea party” activist supported my campaign materially or in volunteering. This campaign is MY show, and my show only. I would be happy to discuss local issues with you any time, give me a call.
Steve Beren IS one spark marketing. He, as an individual, does business under that name. I believe he is the only employee of his company.
Hi, Jessica. OO provided a link to one of Kovacs’ reports. I haven’t found anything yet for Sitterly or Fisher. Do you have links for reports on them that list OneSpark or Beren?
Mr. Wright,
Gene Fisher’s PDC paperwork showing use of One-Spark Marketing:
http://hera.pdc.wa.gov/PublicAppXtender/DocView.aspx
Ditto for Erin Sitterley:
http://hera.pdc.wa.gov/PublicAppXtender/DocView.aspx
If you can’t open them directly (they link to .pdfs that open in a pop-up window), you can simply go to the PDC website, hover over the “view actual reports” menu bar, then over the “candidates bar, then select “local.” Click through until pages 39 and 40. Gene Fisher is found on page 39; Erin Sitterley is on page 40. If you click on the “Reports” link next to their names, you get a list of the reports they’ve filed. For both candidates, One Spark Marketing shows up in the most recent reports from 11-02-2011. One Spark Marketing shows up on the second page of each report.
Aha. Thanks, OO. I had done my search in the database rather than in the “Actual Reports” section, so I hadn’t found the most recent filings.
Wow … all of this dialog because three candidates used one man for consulting services. He was not hired because of his political party … don’t really know what that is, don’t really care. He was hired because of his political knowledge and ability to get mailings designed and mailed out. He didn’t donate money to the campaigns; for Gene Fisher’s campaign, he was paid for coordinating the printing and mailing of his flyers and setting up a couple of robo calls. How does that compare to the donations from UpthePAC and Unite Here for Ladenburg, Bush and Gregerson and the hiring of union paid canvassers to doorbell and lie about Gene Fisher as a candidate? How did this get so skewed?? Who decided a non-partisan race should be partisan??
Just like all rational citizens, I am thankful that this election will soon be over!
A general question to anyone in the know:
Does a PAC or campaign committee need to be registered with the PDC before they can make any expenditures?
Citizens to Save SeaTac filed their registration papers with the PDC on October 23th, but they were not posted as “received” until October 27th, two days after the City Council meeting where someone complained that CtSST was not registered, and at least two days before CtSST showed up on the PDC’s website (which makes the complaint at the council meeting understandable at the time, although ultimately incorrect).
Given the fact that the mailer from Citizens to Save SeaTac came out two days after (or fewer) it filed its papers, CtSST must have designed and ordered the mailers well before they actually registered as a PAC with the PDC. Is that legal, or is it standard operating procedure for PACs?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer my question.
From what I can gather, there are thresholds that have to be passed before filing becomes necessary — and then deadlines to be met within certain windows. But it’s a pretty complicated web of requirements. I wouldn’t want to try to figure it out on my own… and I’m sure there are plenty of pricey consultants out there who usually walk newbies through this stuff.
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/filers/page.aspx?c1=0&c2=147&c3=148
Thanks for the homework…from the PDC site:
“SPECIAL NOTE: A political committee organized within the last 3 weeks before an election with the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures for that election shall file the registration within 3 business days of organizing or first expecting to receive contributions or make expenditures.”
That helps answer my question; Citizens to Save SeaTac didn’t register with the PDC until October 23rd and their one contribution (in kind contribution from Pam Fernald) was on October 21st, two days before. I’m still unclear on a couple things though; does this say that the contribution needs to come AFTER the PAC is organized and registered, or is it okay as long as the PAC is registered within three days after the contribution is made? The wording “or first expecting to receive contributions” makes me think it’s the former, but I’m no expert on campaign finance law. Does this also apply to in-kind contributions, as is the situation here, or are they a separate case?
Thanks again to anyone who can clarify this for me.
I think you are talking about symantics. I think the question should be… when did Ms. Fernald choose to send a flyer and did she commit resources more than 3 days prior to filing the proper C1 paperwork for her PAC? If resources were obtained weeks prior then it could be assumed that is not within the intent of the law.
At this point, it really doesn’t matter and unfortunately, if any damage took place it couldn’t have been corrected prior to the election.
OO – The whole “Citizens to Save SeaTac” thing is stupid in the first place. It is just a paperwork shuffle done by Councilwoman Pam Fernald to conceal to voters that she was solely responsible for personally funding and mailing out a piece of negative mail. There is no THERE there. No money raised or spent. Just Pam creating an organization on paper so she can put the name of the organization (rather than her own name) on the mail she was funding. This seems to be a disclosure loophole that should be fixed in the laws.
So-called citizens,
Your name is very apropos. You and Outside Observer focusing on a small PAC that was organized to send out a mailer on behalf of two of our candidates, a PAC that did not break any laws and completed all appropriate filing with the PDC. If you need to find fault, focus on the travesty, engineered by UpthePAC and all of the outside support from people that do not have the best interests of our city in their “heart”. This is a well-planned agenda to line their own pockets and use our poor city for their personal gain.
According to the SeaTac Municipal Code, Section 53, licensing and bonding requirements are waived for canvassers campaigning on behalf of candidates. To play the Devi’s Advocate, should they be licensed and bonded when campaigning against a candidate, such as Gene Fisher? Are they violating these codes?
I also know several people are wondering , with as much money as is being spent by the outside supporters, how many extra voters are voting in this election that are not eligible to do so?
Jeff- I didn’t say Citizens to Save SeaTac did anything illegal. In fact I was saying that focusing on it is stupid because it is simply a front group created to conceal to voters that Councilwoman Pam Fernald sent out a piece of negative campaign mail. I don’t even think there is anything illegal about that, other than violating the “spirit” of transparancy and disclosure. Remember, the Citizens to Save SeaTac group has reported raising and spending no money. It simply reported one single “in kind” contribution by Councilwoman Pam Fernald– a piece of mail she sent to voters.
In your two posts, you make a whole series of vicious allegations– yet provide evidence for none of them. None. Funny thing…Everyone I’VE talked to in SeaTac is wondering how many illegal voters Citizens to Save SeaTac has signed up to vote to keep their Tea Party cronies in place. Your assertions are nonsense.
And, by the way, for a supporter of Gene Fisher to make a completely unsupported allegation that the candidates with whom you disagree are running to line their own pockets and use the city for their personal gain is horribly IRONIC. Gene Fisher has been living high on the hog– spending more than $14,000 in JUST ONE YEAR on his fancy meals and hotels. This is our taxpayer money. He spends more than any other councilmember. We KNOW he is using the position for personal gain. The public records prove it. Where is your evidence for YOUR claims? I’ve looked through all of the PDC stuff posted on here, and I see several groups spending lots of money in SeaTac. It all appears to be reported properly. Spending money on candidates is why these political actions committees exist. Everyone loves it when people spend money on behalf of candidates we like. Everyone hates it (and screams bloody murder) when people spend money on behalf of our opponents. It is frustrating to be outspent in campaigns, but that doesn’t mean there is some kind of sinister motivation…and it certainly doesn’t mean it is unethical or illegal.
Ms. Fisher,
I understand what I think you are trying to convey. The chatter, focus on such minimal spending by local candidates, paid for by local candidates, that has been filed with the PDC. I do not think it is a matter of licensing and bonding either. It is the explosive amount of outside money working every angle, from glossy flyers, paid (?) door knockers with union dues money to the tune of hundreds of thousandsof dollars. Let’s not question Landenberg, Gregerson or Bush on their affilates, which party is connected to the money or consultants. Who is orchastrating this effort because it sure isn’t them and why? I didn’t see where you mentioned a violation of city codes or questioned whether they were bonded. I am sure there was some incentative to get these door knockers out in droves and it wasn’t because their vested interest in the city. I don’t know but most likely they don’t even live here. It maybe heresay, but more out of state license plates were associated with this group than WA, plates. Also, having to refer to Q cards to know the candidates names…
Questioning is fine, but putting it in perspective would also be helpful. Ms. Fernald, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Sitterly, the amount of their money that they have spent is a pittance incomparison to the UpthePac and Unite Here etc. The money trail is extremely short for one group and extremely long for another. In most politics, the longer the money trail the more crooked the dogs hind leg. Landenberg, Gregerson and Bush should be limping with such crooked hind legs. I just hope that Seatac citizen’s choose change that is all inclusive and implemented with fiscal responsibility. Vote Fisher, Fernald and Sitterly.
No matter what your politcs are, Seatac deserves better than Gregerson, neither side should settle for her ethics.
Good luck to all in tonight’s election; may SeaTac be the better for it.
Ditto!