We can make this happen

As I write this we have just 34 days to get petitions signed and into the hands of our chief petitioner. It's not a lot of time and there is much to be done. This recall is important not only to me, or to Sally, or to all of you who are involved in it. It is critical to the city and the citizens of St. Helens. And, sadly, many of them don't even realize that.

I heard a citizen say recently that the next two elections (November 2008 and 2010) are critical to the future of the city. I happen to agree (although I'm a political beast and believe every election is important). These two particular elections are vital because they will frame the tenor of the city for many years to come. To elect Morten mayor, re-elect Keith Locke or Charles Grant this year, or re-elect Doug and Phil in 2010 means we can expect a council that all agrees that the financial stability of the city beyond their terms is not their problem. They will agree on everything that Doug and Phil want. Everything.

If Morten wins the election for mayor, he and his council of yes-men will be able to handpick the person of their choice to fill Morten's seat. Did you know that? That gives Morten his vote, the appointee's vote, Phil's vote, and assuming re-election of Charles and Keith, the remaining two votes. Envision a City run by a really nice guy who heartily shakes your hand and says whatever you want to hear and then does what ever he and his buds want. Talk about budget issues!

City employees (with few if any exceptions)and certainly the staff at City Hall and the Police Department are very concerned. For a guy who is always complaining about staff morale, and claiming he's our great savior and the great communicator, I wonder if he has any clue how truly disgruntled we will be under his leadership.

We worry about our jobs and the fiscal security of our employer. With these guys in direct control of all the city departments, are we likely to have better or more informed decision-making? Or, can we expect, as we too often see right now, just a free-for-all to see who can get their pet project pushed through first?

Both this November's election and the one in November 2010 are important. And for similar reasons this recall is just as important. Getting this to the ballot is a more than just a diversion for the November election this year, as some claim. Peterson needs to win the mayoral election and then we need to win the recall that follows.

We need to get Doug out before he does any more damage. We need to get Doug out for the city and it's citizens. And, to do that, we need to get the recall to the ballot; we've got just 34 days to make that happen.

Please commit to filling one petition to recall Phil and one to recall Doug. That's 20 signatures. There have been over 800 hits on this blog so even if there are only 20 people reading it, you 20 people can make the difference. 20 signatures each is 400 signatures. If each of us got just 20 signatures and convinced a friend to do the same, we could more than make this happen.

We need more than 1200 signatures, 600+ for each recall. Sally can't do that alone, no matter how much we wish she could. If you can only get five signatures or three signatures, get them! And, get your petitions to Sally or to me by the 24th of October.

We won't have the chance again. And, it could affect us for years to come. Please.

I've got to stop browsing the web......

[Photo deleted here because I just couldn't stand to see it anymore. Sorry; visit the website below to see it and others.]

http://www.myspace.com/phillipsbarlow

Words of encouragement

It's been a busy week but highlights come in wonderful ways, from people who stop you on the street to introduce themselves and say how much they appreciate what you're doing to people who stuff $20 in your hand, saying, "it isn't much, but thanks."

Or, the woman who asked if I was the same person who wrote the letter to the editor about people being afraid to sign the petitions. When I said yes, she shook my hand and said "Thanks; that's what got me to sign it!" She'd been supportive but hesitant to sign to that point.

Likewise the responses to letters and commentary from Bob Braud and Jim Adams are wonderful. Not only do Jim's and Bob's words lift my spirits, they also add credence to our statements for recall. Two eloquent and thoughtful gentlemen.

Then, there is our chief petitioner herself. At the top of my emails this morning was her latest pep talk.

I have to say that some days I feel hopeless in this world of Recall. I get tired, disheartened by the apathy, and feel like saying "[screw] it all" and just quit.

So, I took a nap and still felt like "blah"! I sat here and thought, "why the hell care......too many people are lazy, don't care, and they are [rude] to me, to you, to people who do their jobs day after day".......blah, blah, blah.

Then, I look at Patrick and realize that we have to teach our children that you can change something. If we aren't the hope for our kids, or our friends, then what are we doing on this planet???

I'm always so humbled by her strength and spirit. We haven't collected enough signatures on those petitions yet and I use the word "we" very, very loosely. Sally is pretty much doing the job on her own. She doesn't quit. And, until her email this morning, I would never have known that she ever sees a downside to this effort.

She's right. If we don't do something about what we believe in, we have no one to turn to when things go awry.

So, thank you. To Bob, Jim, all the others who wish to remain nameless, and especially to Sally. Thanks for reminding me, regularly, how important it is to speak up and to make yourself heard.

Winning is nice and it's certainly our goal, but it isn't everything. MLK is right....it's always right to do what's right.

As goes Portland, so goes St. Helens?

In some sense, Councilors, you need to communicate

Last night's joint meeting with the Arts, Parks, and Tourism commissions was about communication among the groups. Off to a slow start, the fun picked up when Parks Chair John Brewington said he thought there had been a lack of communication between Parks and the Council for a year and a half. I hear what I want to hear, of course, but just how long has Morten been their Councilor?

Then, Arts commissioner Amy Williams let it be known how unhappy she was over Parks Commission issues with placement of the Summer Art Camp's fish sculpture. After some discussion between Parks commissioners and Amy, where Parks said they hadn't gotten a clear picture of the project, Amy visibly controlled herself as she explained that Doug had stood next to her (at her request) in Dalton/Grey Cliffs Park and not only agreed to the spot for placement but had wholeheartedly endorsed the project. She shared photographs with him, explained the sculpture and answered his questions. Amy wasn't able to be at the next Parks meeting to present the project but said she didn't understand why Doug hadn't conveyed any of that information to the Parks Commission when they raised their questions. All Doug had to say at that meeting was that the placement was worrisome because the bank was sloughing off. (Sadly, Doug managed to leave the room last night before this entire discussion took place. He returned shortly after talk moved on to another topic. Bet he'll claim he was misquoted when the notes are transcribed.)

Just a note: Charles Grant (Library Board and Arts & Cultural Commission councilor) wasn't even in attendance! Phil was there, as were Doug, Keith, and Randy. But no Charles. Not much of a surprise, actually, as attendance records for the Arts & Cultural Commission in the past 26 meetings show Charles Grant in attendance twice. Twice! Talk about lack of communication between the council and a commission. (Remember that when you vote this November.)

Thank you to Councilor Morten for the new fluff words: in some sense. Used in a sentence, "In some sense I think I hear you saying loud and clear the commission needs to weigh in before the council can move forward." Huh? In some sense, I think I hear, loud and clear, that Doug needs to pick up a few more catchy little phrases. We're done with "weigh in" "move forward" "hear you loud and clear" and "in some sense." But, please, not Keith's "what not," ok?

Imagine my disappointment

I was sniffing around Houlton Bakery today and saw a stack of bright yellow, red, and black business cards with a new website listed on it. I raced home and typed in the address and got this:

If you are the owner of this web site you have not published (or incorrectly published) your web site. For information on publishing your web site, see Publishing Your Web Site.

Imagine my disappointment! I finally decided the website lives up to the candidate: not much there. Let me know if you find anything better at www.mortenformayor.com.

P.S. Don't look for me at "the-bakery-that-shall-not-be named" again any time soon.

Button, button .... where is your button??

Had to laugh today at work when a co-worker pulled down the corner of her blouse to show a RECALL button pinned to her bra strap, right over her heart!!

She fears retaliation for wearing it more visibly but I think there would be other charges filed if someone asked what she was wearing under her shirt. So, she's safe and it gave me a great chuckle!