Disqus - Latest Comments for loves_to_wine

Re: Driver suspended for leaving special needs child on bus - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:52:00 -0000

this is not the first time the district drivers have left a child on a bus or lost them all together.

A few years ago, a 5 year old was left on the bus after school and the bus was put up for the afternoon (the child fell asleep on the bus and the driver -again- failed to walk the bus). The mother was in a panic for more than an hour.

More recently, many kids were put on the wrong busses at the begining of school year and at least one was "missing" for almost 2 hours.

Thank God we live in a "safe" community and have a wonderful police force who are out looking for the missing and misplaced kids.

I am so happy this ended on a good note (or at least better than it could have had it been super hot or cold day).

Re: City Council allows interfund loan, opts to reopen 2010 budget - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:38:31 -0000

Canada is looking real good right now!

I really want to know if this is how the council members would run thier own personal accounts...spending what they don't have on "extras" while the roof needs repair and the brakes on the car need replacing.

Check your lifevests people...the Island is sinking!

Oh-have they made any headway on finding a new city manager yet? How about fixing the roads or repairing pipes in the sound?

REally folks-this is scarry!

Re: Council gets down to some monkey business - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:11:33 -0000

demerara-

Have you forgotten that Knobloch has already been found GUILTY of violating ethics on the council and will soon be held accountable? You may say you are sorry now!

I will agree he is hard working-for the RPA!!!

Re: Council gets down to some monkey business - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:01:48 -0000

Are you kidding me?

With all the problems the city is facing and all the changes going on...a hearing for a pet?

ONE: I am sick of Islanders asking for someone to "make an exception for me". Get over it- you are breaking the law!!! The monkey should go. What if it gets out of the house and hurts someone. If you really want to keep it, move from BI or do what every other person on the Island does-sue! (haha-not)

SECOND: The city council should be working on ways to create reveneu, settle pending litigation and looking for a new manager. Oh yeah, did I mention-fixing roads, getting rid of dirty council members (Knobloch), listening to more belly aching about Strawberry Plant Park issues, buying more land and selling it at a loss, and other pressing matters at hand.

I say NO monkey (business)! And NO to the monkey staying!

Re: City Council approves sewer surcharge - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:01:29 -0000

Now lets see how many of the RPA group come forward to out those on the council (or those who will soon be on the council) as to thier involvment in this disaster. HINT: Some already have! If those who face this increase are angry and bitter, they should call Sally and Dick and ask them for the money to pay the bills. In the end we all will pay, as many of those who will see an increase are businesses we use and they will pass the price on to us.

The RPA has had many chances to settle this but they don't want to. Hey...Dick and Sally...if you hate this place so much-MOVE off the isalnd! Let the rest of us stay in peace!

Re: Council moves forward with Strawberry Plant; grants more funds to BIAHC - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:13:08 -0000

Knobloch and Vancil absent again? Wonder Why?

I don't know why I continue to be amazed by the spending that takes place. I think I'll move to Canada!

Re: City officials busy placing blame for mess on others | In Our Opinion | Nov. 20 - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:08:44 -0000

Are you for REAL? Somehow I think you might be part of the RPA too.

Knobloch was clearly wrong and you did NOT run the story. Franz is being attacked by Sally and you run it...no double checking the facts. That is POOR journalism.

Had Dombrowski NOT filed the ethics complaint against Knobloch, you would have wondered why.

Sadly, you are writing without knowing all the facts and clearly trying to cover you A** for not running the Knobloch thing. It is the JOB of city management to keep the city clean, even if it means doing it on your way out the door. I hope you will print a retraction when all is said and done.

Re: Council member accused of leaking confidential information - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:43:46 -0000

FACT: These talks were informal (words out of Knoblochs and Bracketts mouths during a city meeting). No more formal than councill members meeting for drinks! No council member can represent the city in these talks as there was no legal council present and it was not a public meeting where all matters must be handled in public (find the RCW that fits here). The city manager was not there nor was this an "executive session". YES-subjects talked about during "executive session" are privledged, but this was not an ES.

FACT: Just because a source was a"confidenctial informant" does not make the content "confidential information".

Sally is having sour grapes and trying to draw attention from Bill's charges. Sorry Sally...time to go home and play by yourself because nobody likes a troublemaker! Why don't you file a suit for the dead grass on city property or the pot holes in the street? I am sure you can find more than a dozen other people to hassel.

Re: Council member accused of leaking confidential information - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:19:51 -0000

Never fear...I am told all files and e-mails are turned over to the proper authorities and are being reviewed by those who have them. They are in a safe box too...lest something happen (like a hard drive failing). Depositions are on going and in the end, when all comes out...those who have created this mess will have to answer to authorities. Tick tock...Time to tell the truth Bill and fiends!

Re: Council member accused of leaking confidential information - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:59:38 -0000

JEM-I get your point about posting...there is always a chance people will find out who you are. The fact that bothers me is that a COUNCIL member would HACK into others computers to find out who they are and then make THREATS to others because of what they say...really now. THAT is way out there.

By the way-"forgetting" or having a "messy desk" are just excuses. He was asked more than once and his responses were not "oh sorry, I forgot" they were more like "buzz off". The paper work should show he did not do it on purpose. Come on Bill...do we have to do a PRR to find out the truth?

Re: Council member accused of leaking confidential information - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:28:00 -0000

TWO VERY important comments here...

ONE: Watch out people. There are people on the council (and those they are close to...to be named later) who are researching who all the bloggers are and where they live. One council member approached someone I know and told them -flat out- that they snooped and hacked into records to find out who everyone is and ran the names to their home addresses. They then made several inapprpriate comments about what they intend to do to the bloggers and those who get in the way of what they want. They seem to think that the first amendment is only for them. BLOG with caution!

TWO: Knobloch...Bainbridge has a great computer store that can retrieve your info from your hard drive. It will only set you back about $150 bucks. If you have nothing to hide, take your computer in and they can get your information! You will find them in a space just across from the ferry on Winslow way (the Winslow way area with safe sidewalks).

And an FYI- Knobloch, Sally and Kristen H were spotted eating dinner / having drinks at a place on Winslow (watch your step on the sidewalks) just a few weeks ago. (My source states that Dick may have been there too but was not sure of the back of the other persons head). With everything going on...how can you guys be so bold! STINKY-STINKY!

I am sure when the dust settles and all documents are in the opened, Hillary will be cleared, Knobloch (and others) will go down, and everyone will see things as they are. Hey Knobloch...your computer is not the only one on Bainbridge and others have e-mails that have come from hard drives that did not crash. Care to make a statement to that?

Now go take your computer in for service!

Hillary-hold your head high and keep on doing the work you do. Being right isn't always easy, but your rewards will be great.

Re: Arts forum questions budget cuts - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:02:15 -0000

The reality is that times are hard. If people don't know that by now, they are living in another world.

First and formost, the government is NOT in the arts business. It should be paying for basic government needs...STREET REPAIR would be great. Second, the fact that the arts gets any $$ from the city should make them thankful, not whiney! GET over yourself here people. Police, streets, water...those are the basics of the city, not the arts.

I am not against the arts. My family and I support the arts and enjoy what there is on Bainbridge, but face it, the arts should be privately funded. If you want to support it, use your own money, NOT tax $$$.

And what does the arts board consider art?

Take a guess at how much the council paid for the "art" at the ferry. To paint the railings, put names on them (poorly I must add) and hang a few pics...it was in the price range of $50,000. That was even after the city faced a real financial crisis.

Art is important, but it is NOT a city government concern!

Re: City Council names Lee Walton interim city manager - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:01:36 -0000

So...it takes 2 people to do the job Dombrowski does. That may explain (with just one of the reasons) he is leaving. Maybe Lee just deon't feel up to working 60-70 hours a week to get nothing done (another reason to leave) because the council wants to "study" something to death.

And the council is not concerned about spending the $$ on another "manager". Please people...you were spatting over how much the judge was going to make last night and if you could even pay her. Get a clue!

Good luck Lee, you're going to need it.

Re: Kirsten Hytopoulos: City needs to get back community's trust - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:51:43 -0000

Salmon2,

I have to agree with you about Dombrowski bringing some order to this place. I know his departure will hurt those of us left behind. Some on the council know this too and are hurting and wondering how we are going to keep this together with him gone. Of course, now we have to we (and the council) have to worry about other departures as well. Who is next?

This election is even more important than the change of government one. Seven...that is right...7 people will decide the fate of our community. WE must do our best to get people out there to vote and to be infomed voters at that.

Re: Kirsten Hytopoulos: City needs to get back community's trust - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:45:02 -0000

Sally,

Perhaps you and Kristen should get together and talk before you post. She has already ADDMITTED she is part of this group (verbally and in private) to others, she just has not done it publically in writing. And you are not off the hot seat when it comes to Knobloch either. How funny that you are forgetting your late night meeting in a bar DURING a city council meeting that Bill excused himself from to meet you and Kristen!

While these two (and perhaps others) may not be dircetly involved because of thier address, they are still involoved. Anytime an elected official gets involved in this type of thing, they are opening themselves up to being "transparent". When Kristen announced she was running, she is held to the same standard as those who are seated.

I sure hope that this thing settles with ALL the council members and (new) city managers approval. Not just those in the meetings held "behind closed doors" as Knobloch likes to say.

I also hope the public sees the smoke and mirros to this election. Everybody get your life vest on, this place is going to sink if certain people get elected!!!

Re: Tim Jacobsen: Local ownership of electric utility makes sense - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:37:58 -0000

GO Tim GO! You have my vote and I can't tell enough other people they should vote for you too.

Re: Kirsten Hytopoulos: City needs to get back community's trust - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:36:05 -0000

In all fairness (and transparancy) you should disclose which groups you have worked with. Yes, you worked hard for the change of government. But you also have worked with the Rate Payers group and supported them in thier lawsuit against the city. It all boils down to you supporting the very same people who are taking money from the city you want to represent. Come clean-admit it in print!! Admit too, that you are aligned with Knobloch, Vancil and Brackett. You have a set agenda! You REALLY want to keep Winslow Way from repairs and upgrades. How can you be "ecology minded" and not support the new WWTP and WW projects?

Re: Bob Scales: Budget, hiring new manager are critical issues - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:24:39 -0000

Bob’s statements show that he is the type of candidate that we do not need, one that is unformed on what is happening at City Hall, and willing to say anything to get elected.

First off, very few cities’ have the capacity or ability to conduct an effect search for a City Manager. (Just consider the hours put in by the current council trying to seek an interim manager…to no avail.) This is why most cities utilize a professional recruiter, someone who has had the experience screening hundreds, if not thousands, of candidates. Knowing what it takes to be a good city manager is a skill, and something I would not want our dysfunction city council to do on their own. I don’t know if Prothman is the right firm or not, but they should defiantly seek help.

To state that the current city manager has not cut expenses at city hall shows Bob’s willful ignorance of the issues. If you look at spending at the city, it has decreased significantly since the beginning of 2008 – when Mark Dombrowski was hired. He made the tough choices and backed them up with action. Last year he cut more that $4M in spending. Something Bob Scales did not do as a council member the last time. Don’t give him a second chance to do nothing.

Bob states that the labor reductions were mostly union. Well Bob, aren’t most of the city’s employees union members? What percentage of the reductions were union compared to the overall percentage of employees? Don’t know Bob, maybe you should find out before you speak.

Bob states the city should cut seven management positions. Well Bob, which seven? I looked at the organization charts on the city’s web site – maybe you should too – and I don’t see how you’re going to cut seven. Tell us Bob, which seven would you suggest be cut?

Bob states, “My proposed budget cuts would result in $14M savings over the next two years.” Where is your budget? I went to you r out of date web site and found nothing. That is a spineless attempt to impress the uninformed. Maybe you don’t like the city manager’s budget, but at least he has the ability and guts to put it out there in front of everyone to look at.

Lastly, a council member has no authority to do any of the things he says in this article. What a good council member does is form consensus around good ideas, garners community support for the ideas, and gets the majority of the council to support those ideas – that’s how a council member makes things happen. Which, by the way, hasn’t been happening. You also spend no time in your article discussing this either.

Other than serve as an uninformed (and unofficial) critic, Bob brings nothing to the table. Between Debbie Vancil and Bob, go with Debbie. At least we know what we are getting with her.

Re: City Manager Mark Dombroski to resign - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:41:03 -0000

Thanks for the info. I am fairly new to blog and wan't aware CB already knew. But then again, who really knows who the other person is. Perhaps CB is also JMO. And yes. I do love to WINE. I prefer red! Now back to work everyone before we are out on our butts looking for new employment!

Re: City Manager Mark Dombroski to resign - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:55:36 -0000

To Jon Q-So sorry to have to post this. I have debated with myself and have chosen the "low road".

First: Congrats to Dombrowski and his family. He has endured way too much this past year. Our loss will be DC's gain. I am sure there are very sad eyes at City Hall today. He will be missed by many and the city will suffer. A city is a business and he has done a great job getting this place on track.

In the end, he must put his personal goals, health (which I am told has suffered) and the welfare of his family first. I am sure this will be a perfect job for him. I am told it pains him to leave with so much still left to do. He loves the people who work at City Hall; they are like family to him. But look at the facts. The election is coming up. With the exception of Jacobsen, whoever gets elected will not improve the council. Things will only get worse. God help us who are left behind. Inside info was mentioned...it doesn't take too much to figure it out. This place is going down in flames. I guess Dombrowski could have waited until January and the new council to be seated. They would most likely fire him then and he would collect his exit package. But why put off the inevitable...He has a great offer in hand-take it.

Thank you Knobloch, Brackett and Vancil! You have managed to get rid of another great employee. Get a clue...The one constant is you guys. The sad part is, you don't get it. Maybe after a few more managers, you will. Isn't there a mental health clause for elected officials?

And on the topic of the RPA suit: get a clue there too. There are no negotiations in place. If there are, why is Allen saying there isn't. The "3" are all in bed together (so to speak) with the RPA so maybe it is under cover (play on words). If the new FOG is to be truley transparent, why are these talks going on behind closed doors. If it were Dombrowski or the ex-mayor in these talks, Knobloch would be screaming bloody murder. And-if 4 or the council are in on it, isn't that illegal?

Good luck to us in finidng a replacement. Who in there right mind would move here and take this place on? Dombrowski took it on becasue it was his community and he wanted to make a differance "at home". He didn't have to move here, invest in a house, pull up roots-all to be booted a short time later.

Good luck to the other council members. Please fight hard for the new manager. Keep us afloat. thank you for working with the "3" who are set on taking BI down. Your service is noted!

On the sign topic-I must say: I LOVE the signs that read, STOP stupid signs, STOP being grumpy and TAX Stupid Signs! Whoever you are. Koodos! Can I make a contribution to your sign fund?

Re: City Manager Mark Dombroski to resign - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:36:48 -0000

Charlie B-
Haven't you figured it out yet-Admirals and Bainbridge Clear Cut are one in the same. He is not stealing others work, only posting under different names. The "banter" between the two is too funny as he is playing word games with himself on-line.

Re: Sewer rates could double or triple to pay for WWTP - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:52:01 -0000

Jon Q-
You are a true Chirstian! I am challenged to be nicer just by reading your words.

Re: Sewer rates could double or triple to pay for WWTP - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:16:04 -0000

First-Can we get an AMEN for Hunter? You are right on my friend. Knobloch is part of the problem. The cities problems have been on going for years and he is part of it. He just doesn't see it (he must be blind). Knoblochs idea of solving the lawsuit is to give them what they want. The RPA just wants to create havoc and are not interested in solving the problem. If they were, they would have accepted what was offered them before this issue went to a judge.

Knobloch is a government hater. He just can't wait to see BI fall apart so he can say "I told you so".

He is more than supportive of the RPA lawsuit. Fact:Several months ago, he excused himself from a council meeting that was running late (par for the course) and told those at the meeting it was past his bedtime and he had to leave. Well, he must sleep at a bar! He was seen not long after at a local bar. Guess who he was sitting with...Sally (from the RPA) and Kristen Hytopoulos (I am told by someone who was there and saw them for themselves). Sally stated on line a couple of weeks ago that Kristen was not part of the lawsuit and neither was any sitting council member. I think she must have forgotten about this meeting. I must say, this is all TOO COZY for me.

Shame on you Bill for leaving a council meeting early to meet with someone who has a pending lawsuit against the city. I smell a RAT!

Now to the rate hike: What did the RPA think was going to happen? When you run the numbers, someone is going to have to pony up the cash. The WWTP must be finished (by law) and the city must pay for this to be done with money. Funds are being used up left and right to pay for the lawsuit by the city and the bond was turned down becasue of the lawsuit so where is it going to come from? Higher rates. And you thought the rates were high before! Come on people...

If I were a Winslow rate payer and NOT part of this lawsuit, I would be screaming bloody murder and holding the RPA accountable for this mess. A few are using others and now it has backfired. Time to call ALL involved with this lawsuit on the carpet. Time to expose WHO THEY ARE to everyone. The people of Winslow have a right to know who they are.

The city has its hands tied. They are being forced to do something they don't want to do. Since the WWTP funds can not come from the general public, they are going to have to come from those it will serve. Thank you Dick and Sally (and all else involved)!

I have a sneaky suspicion if it goes before the council for a rate hike vote it will go something like this...5 for it and 3 against. Guess who the 3 will be.

Good luck to Dombrowski in his efforts to obtain a bond / loan so the majority of the Winslow residents won't have to pick up the tab with higher rates and/or putting this lawsuit to rest.

Re: Who is benefitting from this lawsuit? | Letters | Sept. 18 - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:14:32 -0000

Great letter!

Re: Man ditches stolen car for kayak during chase - Bainbridge Island Review

loves_to_wine — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:47:30 -0000

I read the piece in the Sun and there was no mention of a firearm or body armor. Do you get a special version of the paper that others don't get?