So just who are these people who claim to “trust islanders” and want my vote?
[On April 19] I checked the Public Disclosure Commission website about TrustIslanders, the new political action committee on San Juan Island, and learned a few things about them. The couple who made the largest single donation, $5,000, list their address as Bellevue, although they vote on San Juan Island where they own a multi-million dollar waterfront estate.
Altogether, there are 57 people, or companies, who have contributed to TrustIslanders’ $24,000 war chest. But only five of these, including the Bellevue folks, account for 54 percent of the total.
Contributors whose connection to the County is through San Juan Island are at least 77 percent of the supporters of this PAC. The big five donors are all San Juan and Bellevue interests. One large donor isn’t even registered to vote in our county. The new three-member County Council system is intended to foster a whole county focus; they seem sort of insular (pun intended). There are only 8 contributors from Orcas and Lopez.
I also looked at a few records of past political contributions from the largest donors to TrustIslanders. Almost all are to partisan Republican party candidates and entities. So how can Trust claim with a straight face that it is non-partisan?
Why are they making all this investment in our election? What are THEY afraid of? What is it they expect from the candidates they are pushing? Are they just so used to throwing their weight around that they think it is their right to tell the rest of us how to vote?
Of course, the rich are different from you and me. They have more money. But that shouldn’t mean they can buy our government.
David Dehlendorf
San Juan Island
Trust Islanders! is a nonpartisan PAC. Mr. Dehlendorf knows this. His selective “research” and his complaints about “wealthy” outsiders seeking to buy our election are ridiculous. It seems that wealthy donors (who live and vote here) are only a problem when they contribute to an organization that does not support the Democratic party’s endorsed candidate..
Wouldn’t it be nice if the rhetoric of political campaigns concentrated on issues, governance and the service aspect of holding office, rather than “they, they, they”? “Us versus them” speaks to me of polarization and fear of those who hold different views. Admirably, the candidates in this election have steered clear of “They” rhetoric. Too bad the many side-conversations can’t follow their fine example.
David–I want to thank you again for your fund raising on the behalf of TrustIslanders! The letter that you wrote, and had published in all of the Island papers last week, resulted in the majority of the almost $9,000 in new donations that we received.
The two separate checks that we received from one couple, who you referred to as the Bellevue folks, are actually residents of San Juan Island. We welcomed their donation but did not solicit it. It also occurs to me that the council candidate from Lopez, Jamie Stephens owns a multi-million dollar waterfront home with a bulkhead and a dock. Would you like to further discuss your point?
Factually speaking, the six individual contributors that have written checks for $1,000 or more add up to $11,000. This amounts to about 45% of our deposits. The other $13,000 was donated by the other 50 plus individuals.
TrustIslanders! has no control of who contributes to support our vision for a community that is built on trust. Our supporters as well as contributors have joined us because we have very clearly stated what we are advocating for. We as a group are non-partisan in a very partisan council race. For more info. go to: http://WWW.Trustislanders.org.
Byers, Pratt and Stephens are supported by the San Juan County Democratic Party. In a recent letter, the Democratic Party informed the public that they had contributed no money to the candidates. This letter is a bit ingenuous as their treasury is empty. What they did not say was that they have fully supported their three endorsed candidates with their contacts, mailing lists and campaign advice.
Now lets look at the campaign contributions to date:
Byers $30,000+
Stephens $19,000
Pratt $23,300
total $72,300.
All of the candidates that we endorse are true independents and did not seek our support. TrustIslanders! endorsed candidates:
Jarman $18,000
McClerren $7,000
Hughes $11,900
total $36,900
TrustIslanders! $23,900
Grand total $60,800.
David, do you still want to discuss who is trying to “buy” the election? The above financials do not fully reflect the support that we have received. Most of our supporters are working to make a living. Many are struggling and could not afford to donate. We are fortunate to have people of means stand up and support the working families of the islands.
In closing, the readers should know that you are past Treasurer of the San Juan Island Democratic Party and a former executive with Wells Fargo Bank. I have been to your home for dinner and have met your lovely wife and seen your lovely home. Please hold the “Us vs.The Wealthy” card for a different audience. Thanks for being our best Friend.
Royce Meyerott
TrustIslanders!