Disqus - Latest Comments for wants2know

Re: Lewis seeks 3-Pete: Mayor holds early lead - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:26:37 -0000

Let's leave all this pettiness behind us. It's time to put our best foot forward. The best person for the job won and will continue to move Auburn on a positive path - one we can be proud to leave for future generations. Congratulations to Mayor Lewis on running a positive campaign. The citizens of Auburn had ample time to hear from both candidates, saw beyond the the negativity and smears and chose to re-elect Mayor Lewis by a wide margin. No matter what side you were on, we all want Auburn to succeed - let's work together to do so.

Re: Candidates clash in mayoral debate at the Ave - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:54:08 -0000

This is a link to a 2 year old investigation of alleged mismanagement by a former employee in the police department. What does this have to do with Mayor Lewis' ability to lead the city? The video clearly shows that once the matter came to his attention, he dealt with it quickly and openly.

To try to smear Mayor Lewis during this campaign with allegations of wrongdoing is unfair and dishonest if you cannot come up with clear facts - not innuendo - of malfeasance.

Please, let's run a campaign on issues and not rumors!!!!!!! This seems to be something the Lewis campaign is doing.

Re: Time to select wild card in Haugen - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:40:41 -0000

Just curious, citizenauburn; why do you think that VH supports economic development since she stated clearly in the debate that it was not the Mayor's job to work on this. She placed it squarely in the hands of the private sector. What makes you, Virginia, or anyone else think that anyone in the private sector would want to do business in a city whose mayor is not willing to work in partnership with them? As for grants and stimulus monies, if Auburn doesn't go after it's share of the funds those hard earned dollars you speak of provide, the money will just go to some other city whose mayor & council are willing to work to bring to their own city.

As for missing monies, how do you account for the fact that the City of Auburn has received 5 (I believe) perfect audits reports from the State in the past 5 years? When the error to which I believe you refer was discovered, Mayor Lewis immediately requested an investigation, neither the Police or any other investigating entity was able to uncover any wrongdoing as was reported in the media. To imply otherwise is disingenuous at best. Please do not distort proven facts. As has been said many times in all these blogs - to continue to repeat a lie doesn't make it into fact.

Re: Time to select wild card in Haugen - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:31:14 -0000

There are three new buildings under construction and nearing completion in the downtown area. Yes, one is a parking garage built by Auburn Regional Medical Center. A number of spaces in that building have been allotted to the city for use by those visiting the downtown area. The second is the beautiful professional plaza which will house Key Bank, city workers and others .And the third - forgotten by the letter writer - is a fully leased and state of the art Oncology Center. The Oncology Center will bring a huge number of new employees to the area who will dine and shop here as well. Patients & their caregivers will also bring added revenue to the downtown core. This is more than "a flurry of activity" but true economic development. In addition to these three projects, progress is being made on the four block redevelopment project called Auburn Junction which will provide a mix of condos, office space, retail shops and dining to the downtown core. Council and staff are hard at work with the developer to ensure that the finished product will be one that we can all be proud of.

As for surrounding oneself with "smart people" Pete Lewis has done just that and he is smart enough to hold his own with each of them and to understand what they are talking about. Most current councilpersons are well respected throughout the region on numerous city and regional issues (the exception is Ms Haugen who declined to sit at any of the regional tables). Auburn posses a City Staff second to none. Pete does his homework so that he is not hostage to one person's opinion.

Any serious voter wants Auburn to be respected throughout the region and to get projects beneficial to to our community cited here. Pete Lewis has done just that during his tenure. Let's continue to build upon the respect and positive momentum already in place. A vote for Pete Lewis will do just that. A vote for Ms. Haugen will set our community back.

Re: Ages apart, Council candidates offer different approaches - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:59:02 -0000

Per the above article Partridge's issues are:

His major issues are downtown redevelopment, meeting the city's basic needs and fiscal responsibility.

Partridge said the business owners and residents he has met during the campaign lack confidence in how the City is using their tax dollars, the direction the City is taking and their own involvement in what's happening.

"They are hearing things after they happen rather than before and having input into what is happening," Partridge said. "I want to help restore that confidence. This is a team thing, we are a city … I intend to be that bridge, develop that confidence and see that involvement."

He said city officials need to remember their basic responsibilities as a City.

"Everyone is concerned about money these days, and we have to be responsibly covering our bases in terms of public safety, basic infrastructure and what happens at Howard Hanson Dam."

1) What does he mean by a concern with downtown redevelopment? Is he in the Haugen camp wanting none or is he pleased ? The statement gives the voter no clue where he stands.
2) In speaking of a concern for the City's use of tax dollars -what is the concern? What is his remedy? Again , where does Partridge stand?
3) As to people not learning about city decisions until they are made - a plethora of information is available on the city website, Mayor Lewis and the current Councilmembers are very accedssible and willing to discuss what issues they can. What would Partridge do differently?. Again, specifics please.
4) re: fiscal responsibility withing the city - what is the complaint & what is the remedy? This statement as many of the others above could be used for any city anywhere.

Voters cannot make an informed choice without such information. Mr. Partridge may, in fact, be suited for the position he seeks, but until I learn where he stands on the issues he brings up I will reserve my vote. Having the backing of persons with vendettas against the city is a red flag for this voter.

Re: Hire a city manager? - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:29:36 -0000

Show you where Haugen said she was not qualified? From the Auburn Reporter article:

Haugen, a member of the City's Municipal Services Committee and its Leoff Board, is the only Auburn City Council member who does not represent the City on any of the regional boards or commissions.

Asked if she could see herself as mayor attending these meetings or if she had the required skills, Haugen responded, "probably not."

Re: City inaction led to Cavanaugh property debacle - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:48:15 -0000

How do you explain the letter from Jan & Pat Cavanaugh in this same issue of the Reporter affirming their support for Mayor Lewis?

Re: Lewis holds monetary advantage over Haugen, filings show - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:26:53 -0000

Most people going to a website are interested in seeing who else supports a particular candidate. Since Ms. Haugen and her campaign committee don't feel the need to inform curious voters about who, in fact, supports her it make me wonder if anyone truly has signed on as a supporter. What is there to hide? If you print first names, why not last names? If I know these people, I would like to ask them, not Virginia, why they support her. Why list a "voter" from Tacoma as a supporter since, contrary to their statement, they cannot vote for Virginia?

Re: Lewis holds monetary advantage over Haugen, filings show - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:00:21 -0000

Mark,
Thank you for your reply to my question. I have another one for you. If I go to Mayor Lewis' campaign site I find a long list of endorsements with complete names. If I go to Ms Haugen's site to look for supporters I find a brief list of negative quotes with only a person's first name. And, the first quote from Lois (I believe) states that she's voting for Haugen yet she lists her hometown as Tacoma! How can someone seriously trying to determine who to vote for get any information from like minded folks if no real names are given? I look forward to your response.

Re: Lewis holds monetary advantage over Haugen, filings show - Auburn Reporter

wants2know — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:24:38 -0000

I agree. Also, how much do the several Haugen ads on this website cost? Campaign signs throughout town, Ad in Reporter, Ads on website - do all these amount to less than $5000?