||| FROM MARTHA FARISH |||
It is important for us all to realize that our charter calls for our council positions to be nonpartisan. Rick Hughes has often supported Democratic candidates but he has never aligned himself with one party’s platform over the other. I am uncomfortable that we are allowing, via his opponent, one party’s platform, to infect this position.
Another reason I support Rick is my understanding of how things get done. Our islands run on a unique blend of public and private partnerships. As a long time islander I have been particularly supportive of non-profit Early Childhood Education, parks, land preservation and many many activities related to the arts. Rick Hughes knows the government system, is fair in the distribution of time and treasure and is always willing to do what he can to further local solutions to local problems. Life has changed with COVID but I can barely imagine our accomplishments pre-COVID without his skill and expertise at the County level.
Finally, COVID rages on. Rick helped us navigate through a very stressful mess and he worked tirelessly. While I strongly disagreed with some of his shut down decisions I came away realizing I had not walked a mile in his shoes and NONE of us knew what was the “right” action at the time. Rick exhibited grace under extreme fire from all sides. He has proven himself capable of navigating the tough times. Now is not an appropriate time to have someone new navigate the unknowns ahead.
Please vote for Rick Hughes.
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I admit it, I love politics. My first political engagement was in the first grade. At 5 years old I wore an Eisenhower button to class, my best friends wore Stevenson buttons. Since then the party I once supported has undergone radical change. A party that once admired inclusion has reversed course. In 2016, I supported Republican Party endorsed Rick Hughes. Oh I know, County Councilors are supposed to be nonpartisan, but as we all know our political baggage won’t leave us behind. As a former elected official, I tried my damndest to disregard my Democratic values, but hard as I tried, inclusion, the willingness to treat all with due respect, egalitarianism stubbornly persisted in my psyche. In the current race we have the track record of an incumbent. Try, try, yes I have tried to see balance in that record, but low and behold I can’t see a record that sways from the support of vested interests. Rick came out second in the first round of voting. Certainly this gave him pause. Maybe that’s why his campaign surrogates have become so partisan. Martha, I exclude you from this group. The Outlooks cooperation during the pandemic has been stellar. You and the efforts of the Inn deserve commendation, but I believe with all my heart that SJC deserves a diversity of representation on County Council, not just those who own vast amounts of property, but those who have fostered community through their personal actions. Cindy is that candidate. For the last 8 years we have had 3 old white guys (by the way, I am an old white guy) running the course. It’s time for change. A diversified Council benefits all.
I feel I should thank anyone who replies thoughtfully and respectfully in a public forum these days so thank you Thom. For the record, all credit for the Outlook’s very capable response to the COVID pressures needs to go to Sara Farish and her amazing team, not to me. The wild accusations of the business community only acting out of “greed” by community members during COVID totally shook my foundational beliefs in the quality of our community. My appreciation for business people actually soared during this time. Hats off to all of them!
You said, “It is important for us all to realize that our charter calls for our council positions to be nonpartisan. Rick Hughes has often supported Democratic candidates but he has never aligned himself with one party’s platform over the other. I am uncomfortable that we are allowing, via his opponent, one party’s platform, to infect this position.”
Martha… could you somehow explain to the rest of us how the Democratic Party endorsing Cindy Wolf is in someway infecting the institution, while at the very same time the Republican Party endorsing Rick Hughes does not? Or is this just a continuation of the recent sleazy efforts by members of Rick’s team to misrepresent the truth, and undermine the campaign of the candidate that you don’t want to see win the election?
Michael,
It’s very simple.
The Local and State Democratic Party have invested in the campaign, made direct donations and brought in consulting and logistical assistance from outside the county in an effort to influence our non-partisan election.
Groups are entirely allowed to endorse whomsoever they wish. However, when political parties step in and utilize their partisan war-chests for intentionally non-partisan races and candidates welcome and celebrate that support, we should all be rightfully concerned.
Thank you for clarification of your position Justin. I differ in opinion, and say that “there’s nothing simple about politics, political campaigning, or about where you draw the line regarding party support of non-partisan positions.”
In an effort to hear the other side of the story I communicated with top-officers of the local Democratic Party in regards to this issue, and asked whether any wrong-doing has occurred on their part leading up to the election. As the Democratic Party has already responded twice to this concern, and you’ve provided no proof of your position, I find their response (see below… and shared with their permission), to be open, transparent, and believable. If you have strong sentiment favoring your position please provide the basis for your perspective, (where’s the beef?).
From SJC Democratic Party–
“While the county council positions are considered nonpartisan officially, there is nothing wrong with political parties weighing in to help their members in providing information on how to vote. In addition, in situations where candidates have very little in the way of their own resources, a political party can be helpful in making it possible for candidates of any income level to be able to run.
As to what we have actually done, our local party donated $500 to each of Cindy and Ryan Palmateer. Both of them have served us well as officers, and there is no reason we shouldn’t financially support their campaigns. As far as consulting and logistical assistance from outside the county, I know that Rep. Debra Lekanoff’s campaign coordinator helped to organize a phone bank for Cindy, whose spots were filled by local county people (including me). Cindy had helped Debra last time when she ran, and Debra is repaying the favor. I believe that Rep. Alex Ramel has endorsed both Rick and Cindy, and Sen. Lovelett has endorsed only Rick (as he was so helpful in getting her appointed to her seat). I am not aware of anything else, so I don’t see any problem here.
The Republican Party has endorse Rick and Christine, apparently without their consent. In our case, we asked both Ryan and Cindy if they wanted our endorsement, and both said yes. We gave Rick the opportunity, but he chose not to ask for our endorsement.”
So, Justin, Martha, et. al– for transparency this (see below) is the response I received from my questions to Cindy Wolf. I again say, “if you guys have any evidence supporting your position… spit it out”. Otherwise this will go down in history as one of the sleaziest political campaigns ever run by an incumbent in SJC history–
“The County Democrats gave me a $500 donation, the State Democrats gave me a good price on access to the voter database, the regional field officer gave me a link to that database and the State Communications director answered my phone call about whether Facebook ads are allowed. I hired a very part time campaign coordinator for the last six weeks out of the campaign’s funds. My campaign strategists are both volunteers and long-time county residents. My mom’s long-time friend, California State Senator Anthony Portantino, made a last-minute donation from his PAC as a gesture of solidarity. I haven’t spent the funds and don’t know yet what I will do with them, but it was kind of him and perfectly legal. I do have the option of saving them for re-election.
A few more details on the campaign coordinator specifically, she also works for Debra, but what she does for me, my campaign pays for, including organizing that phone bank. Her time will end up costing a total of about $1800 for 5-10 hours of work per week for 6 weeks. My sister-in-law did my webs for pay. Orcas Island resident Paul Huber did a donation-in-kind for the graphic arts We have worked hard to keep it clean. Perhaps it is hard for Rick and his supporters to accept the fact so many local people were willing to donate time, skills and talents to this campaign.”
Great letter Martha Farish! I too am uncomfortable with the opponents’ affiliation with a political party and parading it as if it has meaning. Taking money and support from a party when the job description is non-partisan?? It’s is a big misstep. Other than showing their naivety and proving the point that she is too inexperienced for the job-especially when we are heading into some really tough times. VOTE HUGHES FOR COUNCIL! Keep our county stable!
Show me the beef ? Unless you show me evidence supporting your position they are just words.
SHOW ME THE BEEF!
When one candidate represents business and the other the people, it’s partisan/ The non partisan chimera that attaches to our county council positions is just that. There is little question in this election just who represents what or just what interests Mr. Hughes works for in his tireless manner. Of course Cindy Wolf is a donkey, this seems obvious. Get over the ‘non-partisan” scam or we get more of the same
When half the commenters here, (including the author) are in Rick’s millionaire club… that, in itself, tells you a great deal about who’s supporting who.
Cindy Wolf has carried herself with a tremendous amount of grace throughout all the one-sided misrepresentations being thrown out in this political campaign… she has my vote.