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Re: Vancil is generous and trustworthy | Letters | Aug. 28 - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:02:45 -0000

Exactly to whom is Vancil generous? Questions that need to be answered are:
Did she disclose her son's past or present representation of person or persons who may benefit from the the latest incarnation of Winslow Way or the HDDP?
Did she come forward or recuse herself from any vote which could even have an appearance of bias?

We have more integrity as a community than to have even possibile conflicts like this. It is, at best, appalling. And that is the nice word. Wonder what the AG would think.

On the same note, it would seem that the councilmember/lawyers have an even greater duty of disclosure. Have we heard "boo" from them on potential conflicts?

Re: Vancil, Hytopoulos, Lester big winners in primaries - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:04:14 -0000

And which family member represents that developer?

Re: North Ward race a battle of two councilors and a newcomer - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:11:41 -0000

Marvin, why not look at Mrs. Keenan's website and keep checking? She is a successful business person, with a clear, clean and strong credit record (can that be said of other candidates?) She has managed budgets, consulted and worked with a number of government agencies and private individuals for decades. She has no history as a representative on the City of Bainbridge Island Titanic while our island has been sinking. This is all to her credit. She is a mom who understands family issues and values. She also knows first hand what abuse of municipal power on the single family property owner looks and feels like. It is something she will work to stop - and instead will implant transparency, fairness, greater respect of property rights and an ability to live within a balanced budget. She is a great candidate and we look forward to supporting her all the way through.

Re: Candidates' experience defines South Ward - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:39:26 -0000

There is one great candidate in the south ward who has a proven track record in what matters most and that is Kirsten Hytopolous. She has always taken a conscientous and responsible position. She has stood up time and again for families. for a better infrastructure, for fiscal responsibility and greater accountability. She has spoken up for traffic safety, the best and lasting water quality and quantity and the welfare of her district - even when it may not have been the "popular" position in the City government. Just one example was her questioning of the safety and viability of the Lynwood nightmare, before they clear cut the trees and graded the hill. Sbe knew and knows alot about what can and will make this community safe - especially for families - and she will be a responsive and thoughful representative for the entire island.
Her combination of being a former prosecutor and now a great mom provide a uniquely balanced perspective. She is the south ward candidate who will best bring the changes we need to city hall and who will protect the family and community values that are Bainbridge Island.

Re: North Ward race a battle of two councilors and a newcomer - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:02:37 -0000

I don't think this race is about whether her daughter's small 4H project of two goats was enough to cause the City and some others coming down on her relentlessly, or not. If you are so concerned about background and credit and think this is all so important, take a good, long look at the auditors web site going back years. You may be very, very surprised. The question is, do we want to go into personal attacks as a community? I vote no. This is just about issues. The "agenda" attack - now leveled at no fewer than 3 candidates in three wards, is a real red herring. Everyone has an agenda. One great agenda is making our island and community the best possible place to live. There are many ways to phrase this and many more positive and constructive changes that can be made.
If personal attacks are the way this goes, this race could get very, very ugly and for every candidate. So let's stick to a debate on the issues - there are more than enough to keep us all talking until and long after this election.

Re: North Ward race a battle of two councilors and a newcomer - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:45:27 -0000

Since "credit problems are not the kind of baggage I want my local elected offical to bring on board" why not check out the credit history of the other candidates. You might find that very, very interesting. There are lots of ways to check out credit - like the auditor's web site for starters. In the future, one might want to consider the advisability of opening Pandora's boxes witih personal attacks. This race is about the issues.

Re: North Ward race a battle of two councilors and a newcomer - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:48:57 -0000

Ah, what happens when personal stones are cast. Have any of the commenters against Keenan followed what happened to her and family here? Like other non-developers, from the media accounts, it looks like they may have been picked on and shockingly harrassed.. So while you are looking at records, why not look at those of the neighbors and see if they acting similarly against previous owners? The answers may be interesting.

Now that personal backgrounds and relationships are out, the questioners of course would want to know what relationships anyone running has with any attorneys representing anyone who might profit from proposed or approved Council or executive actions. If these exist, have they been disclosed by the candidates?

Re: Liens filed against Lynwood project - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:04:17 -0000

I will stay away from the personalities (there are a whole lot of people talking about Nelson) but get into some larger issues. I heard that Title One of the municipal code made it a crime for them not to do code enforcement. How can they just leave that mess there? Of course, the compelling issues are about what happens to the citizens: did they finish all the mitigation necessary to keep the Lynwood Center hill in tact this winter? What about the insane combo of kids, bicyclists, cars and trucks trying to get through that skinny street now that the fence and barricades are up? Oh yeah, and what about the aquifer recharge that is underneath the weeds now growing on the soil that was supposed to be returned on Blakely/Bucklin? Lots of questoins out there that need to be answerred. A sore thumb like this mess turns into much more - how long will the City turn a blind eye?

Re: Liens filed against Lynwood project - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:47:51 -0000

This is brought to us by the very same City now pushing the HDDP and Winslow Way. There were articulate voices in this community raised in opposition to the Lynwood Center monstrosity. But we were told (aren't we always) that the citizens just didn't know what was good for them and the City staff knew much better. So they clear cut the older growth slopes, graded the hill, have a looming potentially very serious stormwater and unstable slopes problem, but they knew better.
But this is the City where developers rule. This hill is destroyed, and the citizens may get to look at this disintegrating,, environment destroying traffic and pedestrain danger.for who knows who long.
The blame for this falls squarely on the City that approved it - public works, planning and executive.
And what about the Planning Commission? What are they doing now: upzoning that would undo the comp plan? Lynwood Center may just be the example we are stuck with of the future of our island.

Re: North Ward race a battle of two councilors and a newcomer - Bainbridge Island Review

bivoter — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:25:33 -0000

I was as supporter of Ms. Vancil, in spite of a miserable voting record her first four years. Her last minute switch on WT and the upzone without any adequate EIS on the island water resources or specific traffic infrasture were the last straw. I then looked very carefully into the newcomer Melanie Keenan and was and am overwhelmed by her excellent character and qualifications. She stands up for what she believes in, is an expert in water management (which we must have) has a great professional track record and is a strong advocate both for the environment and property rights - a unique combination.
She is exactly what the island needs, not the two career councilmembers whose voting record and actions speak loud and clearly for themselves. A vote for Keenan is a vote for pragmatic, honest change, responsive, open government and real accountability. The choice is clear and what a great candidate there is now in the North Ward!