Edmonds

May 31, 2009 Dear City Councilmembers: On Tuesday, June 2, I will be unable to attend the council meeting and public hearing on the water rates and storm water rates and utility tax increases. Therefore, please accept this email as my public comments regarding the proposed rate and tax increase for the Edmonds water and storm water utilities. While the increase in rates may be justifiable, the City’s notice and announcement of this public hearing was inadequate. The hearing notice failed to advise the public of two important things; how much of a proposed increase and why the action is necessary. Especially, since just six months ago, the utility taxes were increased. A reasonable person could assume another increase is unwarranted. Furthermore, in order to increase the rates and taxes the City must demonstrate to the ratepayers that the increases are required to recover increased costs of administrating, regulating and providing the service. The staff agenda memo and exhibits do not p

Ordinance 3709 Utility Tax increases passed 11/19/2008 Cable TV 5% consumer - 6% Business Tax Sewer 10% Water 10% Strom Water 10% Ordinance 3618 12/27/2007 Natural Gas 6% Consumer 6% Business Tax Telephone 6% Cable 6% Consumer 3% Business Tax Water 6% Storm Water 6%

I dedicate this song to Mayor (aka Captain) Haakenson and the Councilmembers that vote to raise the Water and Utility city tax. Went to see the captain, strangest I could find, Laid my proposition down, laid it on the line. I won't slave for beggar's pay, likewise gold and jewels, But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools. Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me.It was later than I thought when I first believed you, Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools. Saw your first ship sink and drown, from rockin' of the boat, And all that could not sink or swim was just left there to float. I won't leave you drifting down, but woh it makes me wild, With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child. Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me. It was later than I thought when I first believed you, Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools. The bottles stand as empty, as they were filled before. Tim

Do you think this is an informative announcement? Does it say, how much and why the tax increases are needed? HEARING NOTICE EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009: PUBLIC HEARING ON A UTILITY RATE AND WATER TAX INCREASE The City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, Washington. At the time and place stated above, all interested parties will be heard; however, there will be a time restriction for oral comment. Written comments are welcomed prior to or at the Public Hearing. If the item is continued to another date because it is not completed, or further information is needed, the date of the continuation will be announced only at the meeting. Additional information may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office: (425) 771-0245. ____________________________ Sandra S. Chase, CMC Edmonds City Clerk Posted: May 15, 2009 Published: May 17, 2009

For more information: Diane Buckshnis 425 672 5119 votediane@comcast.net FORMER BANKER AND BANKING REGULATOR OPPOSES APPOINTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR POSITION #2 Diane Buckshnis, former banker and banking regulator, announced her candidacy for Edmonds City Council to a group of over 40 Edmonds residents, hosted by Brian and Betty Larman. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Buckshnis worked in Lithuania, with American and European consortiums and effectively assisted in rebuilding its regulatory and banking system. She also served as a federal bank regulator, including investigating and cleaning up the (Keating) Savings and Loan debacle. According to the Larmans’ “Diane’s past experience in financial management, budgeting and gover