Edmonds

(Click on title for complete letter) Note: Letter date 10/19/2009 - Received by the City 10/20/2009 - I didn't see this letter until this morning. The letter states "ESC Associates plans to refile the rezone application shortly". Building Heights is a current issue!

Edmonds Beacon 10/15/2009 STROM PETERSON responds , (“What is truly spooky is the attempt to TRICK Edmonds citizens into becoming zombie voters by telling ghost stories. The TREAT is that Edmonds residents are too smart to fall for these tall tales.”) STROM PETERSON blatantly ignores the truth. (His fear-mongering Press Release has been deleted.) "Peterson agrees, saying, “Building heights is not the issue in downtown Edmonds. Having vacant storefronts is the issue. Edmonds is known and treasured for its character, and I have always expressed my commitment to maintaining Edmonds small-town charm.” Building heights in the Downtown is a CURRENT ISSUE. Two examples: 523 Alder St and 190 Sunset Ave S . Click on the addresses for detailed information. First address is a 35ft tall single family residence. Second address is the Old Safeway/Antique Mall property, west of the Ferry loading lanes. In previous campaigns, Mr Peterson accepted thousands of dollars from Albert Dykes and ESC As

Be sure to check it out - link on the left

Edmonds City Council Position 2 - Diane Buckshnis - former bank regulator (This one is a no brainer because she running against a Cheesemonger.) Edmonds City Council Position 1 - Michael Plunkett (Michael knows the issues having been around 30 years and sides with the citizens first.) Edmonds City Council Position 3 - Lora Petso (A lawyer with a degree in Economics, Lora is one smart cookie always protecting taxpayers wallet.)

It's so refreshing. Do you remember that Paul McCartney song "Let em in"? Someones knockin at the door Somebodys ringin the bell Someones knockin at the door Somebodys ringin the bell Do me a favor, Open the door and let em in Sister suzie, brother john, Martin luther, phil and don, Brother michael, auntie gin, Open the door and let em in. http://www.orvisblog.blogspot.com/ I can't get the song out of my head! Don't Bother Knock'en DJ Wilson Strom Peterson Ron Wamblot Peggy Olson Welcome - Come on in! Steve Bernheim Michael Plunkett Dave Orvis (Candidates) Diane Buckshnis Adrienne Fraley-Monillas Lora Petso Hiding in the Basement Priya Cloutier

It doesn't take a CPA degree to realize the City of Edmonds is fiscally challenged. Even the Mayor, who is not a CPA, describes the current financial state as " cash strapped ". The Mayor's 2009-2010 Budget presentation to the Council blamed Tim Eyman for the City's current financial predicament. The Mayor's Fire District 1 Contract proposal presentation to the citizens and council contains a material misstatement of fact . Slide 11, Cost from a contract, Fire District One is offering a contract for 2010 that will cost $6.2 million. This figure is from Exhibit A, Fire District Cost Model which excludes the EMS Transport Fees estimated at $700,000 in the 2009 Budget. The Budget figure amount is based on 50% collectible of the billed rates plus mileage charge. My calculation using the 2007 Edmonds Fire Department Annual Statistics Report conservatively found the billed amount at $1.4 Million. Material Misstatement The cost to Edmonds taxpayers would be some

This is DJ Wilson's mantra. Last night, the Edmonds City Council met with Fire District 1 Commissioners to discuss the proposed Fire Service Contract and sale of the Edmonds Fire Department. There were two issues that struck me in their discussion: 1.) The Edmonds City Council is not concerned about the Level of Service Fire District 1 will provide the Edmonds taxpayers. 2.) Edmonds City Council President DJ Wilson said the District has 27 Million in unrestricted and unreserved tax dollars, while the city has a 7 Million deficit. On the Level of Service subject, State law requires all public providers of Fire and Emergency Services to set measurable performance standards and goals. RCW 35.103 and 52.33, City and Towns and Fire Districts. As I heard several councilmembers publicly state their lack of concern about the level of service the District would provide, I wondered If they knew about these required reports. I don't think so! The Mayor has provided very little information

The following financial information was obtained from the city's website and financial reports: Comparison of Ending & Beginning Cash Balances for the General Fund #001 2004-2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report/ Final Budget /Variance 2004 Ending $5,727,099 2005 Beginning $3,461,927 $2,265,172 2005 Ending $6,055,094 2006 Beginning $3,273,822 $2,781,272 2006 Ending $6,161,803 2007 Beginning $3,551,328 $2,610,475 2007 Ending $5,810,379 2008 Beginning $2,207,263 $3,603,116 2008 Ending $3,260,920 2009 Beginning $977,951 $2,282,969 The ending cash and cash equivalents is found in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Profit and Loss figure less the Emergency Reserve Fund $1,927,600.

PUBLISHED BECAUSE THE CITY REMOVED THIS PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY'S WEBSITE On October 6th, The Edmonds Interim Financial Director announced the existence of a City Council Contingency Fund in the amount of $93,000. The money currently is hidden and comingled in the City's General Fund. Funny thing - not one council member knew that this existed back in March when Mayor Haakenson announced these budget cuts. Press Release City of Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson March 13, 2009 For Immediate Release To: Edmonds City Council The Edmonds Beacon editor@edmondsbeacon.com The Edmonds Enterprise edmonds@heraldnet.com The Everett Herald newstips@heraldnet.com Contact: Mayor Gary Haakenson425.771.0247 Mayor makes service cuts to city budget(Edmonds - WA) Mayor Gary Haakenson has announced the following service cuts to the City of Edmonds’ budget that will be implemented immediately.Since the approval of the 2009-10 budget in November of 2008, the City’s sales tax revenues have dropped d

BOO! With Halloween fast approaching, the word spooky comes to mind. These are genuinely spooky times. Two frightening proposals are before the City of Edmonds, the sale of our Fire Department to Fire District 1 and a Contract Rezone to allow for 75 ft tall buildings on our waterfront. Prior to completing the public hearing process, Edmonds City Councilman Strom Peterson has publicly endorsed the sale of our fire department and the give away of $700,000 to $1.4 Million taxpayer dollars yearly to Fire District without contract credit. Despite his claims to the contrary, Strom Peterson favors taller buildings in the downtown, a well-documented fact in City Council and Planning Board Meeting Minutes. Come November the citizens of Edmonds can put these scary thoughts behind us by electing Diane Buckshnis to the Edmonds City Council. Diane will bring financial experience to the Council. Unlike her opponent, Diane will not only listen to, but will welcome citizen comment and participation. P

From studying the City of Edmonds Budget and looking at surrounding City Fire Departments, it costs approximately 2 Million Dollars to operate a Fire Station. Edmonds has 3 Fire Stations equaling 6 Million Dollars. Fire Station 20 located in Esperance (outside City of Edmonds boundary limits) serves unincorporated county and the Town of Woodway . Increase fire service contracts to match the cost of providing fire and ems service to these two jurisdictions 1.6 Million or close Fire Station 20 for a 2 Million savings. 6 Million Less 1 Million Fire District interlocal agreement, less 600,000 for the Woodway Fire Service interlocal agreement. Propose a 4.4 Million Contract with the Fire District 1. Keep our Fire Stations, Fire Equipment assets and the EMS Transport Fee tax revenue! Revenue: EMS Levy 3.9 Million EMS Transport Fees 1 Million Bond Revenue $270,000 Wow - Edmonds realizes a profit to use for the Fire Station maintenance and future upgrading Fire equipment. Reasoning: Sin