Larry Little Resigns from Port Angeles City Council
Well, that was short-lived. Larry Little was sworn in last Tuesday as a new City Council member. Then two days later he resigned, via an e-mail to Kent Myers and the rest of the City Council.
His wife has cancer and is in the middle of chemotherapy.
“She is stronger than me and I know that she is saddened that I am making this decision to resign. I thought I could do it. But already things have been forced to slide in some of my other obligations. First in my list of priorities is the physical and emotional health of my family. My obligations with the Volunteers in Medicine clinic are second.”
Best of luck to Larry Little and his family.
At next Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will discuss what process they’ll use for filling the vacancy.
His wife has cancer and is in the middle of chemotherapy.
“She is stronger than me and I know that she is saddened that I am making this decision to resign. I thought I could do it. But already things have been forced to slide in some of my other obligations. First in my list of priorities is the physical and emotional health of my family. My obligations with the Volunteers in Medicine clinic are second.”
Best of luck to Larry Little and his family.
At next Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will discuss what process they’ll use for filling the vacancy.
Labels: Larry Little, Port Angeles City Council
posted by Tom Harper at 8:23 PM
33 Comments:
Well, THAT is a great start for the new council.
I wish his wife all the best, but, shouldn't he have thought this through a bit?
Are we going to end up having Betsy, or Edna being appointed by the council majority?
That's rough. All the best for his wife.
I'm sure Edna's already bustling around gathering up support for her bid to be appointed.
Sheesh ... not a great way to start the year.
Trust me, there is no way that Edna or Cody will be selected, and even Betsy is a long-shot. Still, Dick Piling must be beside himself over this. I can't wait to see what youthful whackjob he pushes forward as a candidate.
At the end of all this, I hope this will actually be good for the Council. In my opinion, Larry Little was never going to be a fully-engaged member. So this is an opportunity to improve that situation.
"There's only one dead-ender left on the council, Don Perry. Brooke Nelson will probably vote "old council" but Dan DiGuilio, Cherie Kidd, Larry Little and Max Mania will be the progressive bloc.
While I don't expect these four to agree on every isuue, I do believe it will be near impossible to keep the city from moving forward now. And absolutely impossible to sneak Edna on should someone decide to cut out early!"
How prophetic.
With Little gone, do you think it so impossible that Edna get back on the council, now?
I wish his family the best and hope his wife makes a speedy recovery.
But... there's always been problems with the Little candidacy. He's always had too many other commitments elsewhere to really focus on the council, and was prepared to telecommute for a good chunk of his commitment. I'm sorry about the reasons for his withdrawl, but there were other issues that he might have wanted to look at before even running.
Then again, I doubt there's much the Council can do for this town at this point anyway, so it doesn't really matter anymore. Edna, Max, Little, Blevins... doesn't matter.
I wonder why Little decided to go ahead and take the oath. Surely he knew he was going to be resigning. Does one come to the sudden realization that vacationing, business and a sick spouse might suck time?
Did he take the oath specifically so they could appoint? If they did that is like they are taking away our right to choose for ourselves. That is not right! Will they be held to account for that? Is anyone asking Little about that or is there going to be pussyfooting around him because his wife is ill?
I sure hope the best for his wife and pray chemo works for her and she gets well, but should not be given a pass by hiding behind his poor sick wife!
I think it would be best for the City for the remaining Council Members to appoint Betsy to the newly vacated position. She has the experience and would get along with the other members. As much as I respect Edna, I think she would be a throwback to the old guard.
Peter Ripley will apply for appointment to the City Council.
Oh! I think they should appoint Bob Stokes!
"Peter Ripley will apply for appointment to the City Council."
Yikes! Now THERE is a throwback to the "old Guard" !
In fairness to the voters, none of the people who were defeated in their bid for a council seat in the last election should fill the vacancy. It was wrong for the 2006 council to appoint Rich Headrick in this manner following the untimely death of Councilman Jack Pittis (RIP). Betsy Wharton solidly defeated Headrick in his bid to retain his seat, and yet his former council cronies voted him back on. Even though the most recent election races were won by smaller margins, the Headrick injustice is not something that should be repeated.
Now is the time for honorable independent non-partisans to be encouraged to step forward and apply for the vacant council position. At the risk of somehow jinxing their candidacy if indeed either could be interested, two names that immediately come to mind are Brad Collins and Dave Flodstrom. Both have experience in working for the city in pre-Manager Madsen days. Their municipal government experience would be valuable on the new council.
On a different note: I echo all who wish Michelle Little a speedy return to good health. How unfortunate that she is facing such a challenge.
I know nothing about the man, but I wish him and his wife luck.
Can't fix anything with politics anymore anyway, if he has any brains at all he won't run again, ever.
Us that bitch about them are more important than they are, we help keep a balance.
" ... two names that immediately come to mind are Brad Collins and Dave Flodstrom."
I would support Brad Collins. He was very good when he was planning administrator for Port Angeles, years ago, so he does know the realities in local government. And, he is a genuinely "good" guy.
Great suggestion! I hope he applies.
To anon 3:19 I agree with you about not wanting a repeat of the Headrick appointment. Seems if the people voted you out there was a reason. I do not know Brad Collins - is he the guy that ran for the Port position? How soon we forget. I am familiar with Dave Flodstrom. While he is a nice man and I am sure he would certainly know the ropes I do worry about his ability to be open about a new and maybe changing Port Angeles. I think he is one of those throwbacks that do not want change and wishes all the new folks (meaning anyone not 2 or more generations PA) would all pick up and head back home. He said as much to me. It made me very sad because I really liked him. Still do outside of his wanting outsiders - well - out! Do we want that sort of attitude or do we want promise and a go forward with promise and energy?
I would not be heartbroken if he won, but I would not be throwing confetti either.
BBC - I think I saw you (and you talked to me) in Walmart today. I was going to ask, but I did not want to put that person (you?) on the spot.
Frank McPhee is going to be appointed. Heard it here first!
Anonymous at 9:54,
I love it when you say "progrethive." Thilly boy!
I understand that Edward Cullen has been tapped to fill the vacated City Council position. It won't matter that he's a vampire or, for that matter, a fictional character because Twilight is so *squeal* COOOOOL!
BBC - I think I saw you (and you talked to me) in Walmart today. I was going to ask, but I did not want to put that person (you?) on the spot.
No, it couldn't have been me, I wasn't in Walmart on the 2nd. In truth I'm a pretty easy going and talkative chap so if you ever do spot me feel free to say hello.
Never mind that I bitch a lot on blogs, ha ha ha ha
Randy said...
Anonymous at 9:54,
I love it when you say "progrethive." Thilly boy!
11:36 PM, January 02, 2010
How clever and witty. Yawn
Ah, yes. We read in the PDN that Betsy is considering her decision whether to apply for the seat.
Betsy, you were defeated like Headrick was. Show some integrity, and respect the voters of Port Angeles. Stay home.
Dave Flodstrom? The old city manager? NO!
Does anyone know where I could find the rules for appointing a council member after the one that got voted in drops out - and if the rules are the same whether or not the person is sworn in. I know the paper reports it is the same, but it does not seem that they do any real research or verify anything.
Also is it voted on by the council and is the vote made in public?
This whole thing is creepy. If they are not careful people could regard them with less esteem than they do now.
Newish friend in PA.... It's a good old boys and gals club at city hall.
It's not that I have anything against good old boys and gals clubs, just that they are not the same as in the good old days.
I agree with The Watcher. The likely applicants will include a cast of the usual suspects: Edna, Cody, Betsy, Peter. And why not Karen Rogers?
I'd be interested in knowing whether Larry Williams could apply. It's only an interim position until November 2010 (or is it 2011?) and, as the argument for Richard Headrick went, he's "up to speed" on current Council issues. Same goes for Karen Rogers.
A vote on Edna, Cody or Peter (and Larry or Karen) would be an even split as I see it: Max, Cherie and Dan voting no, Brooke, Pat and Don voting yes. I would suggest that a vote on Betsy would see her back on the council, Brooke probably tipping the balance in Betsy's favor.
I would hope that Betsy would sit this out and run again in '10 or '11 when this interim position comes open. Another end run a la Headrick is not in the city's best interest.
Brad Collins sounds like a good choice and I hope he'd apply.
The council should appoint someone who can read a balance sheet, someone who understands economic development, someone who really gives a shit. How about a business owner....uh....say "Rauch at ACTI" .... "Wakefield at Westport" ......"Harmon at Arrow"
"Rauch at ACTI" .... "Wakefield at Westport" ......"Harmon at Arrow"
None of whom have cared enough to get involved in trying to help Port Angeles in the past.
Rauch? Harmon? Are you really serious?
OH! I get it, You're being sarcastic. Sorry.
Appoint a business owner......that's a great idea, how about Rauch do the council thing and stop growing ACTI, then we'd have less jobs to go along with our already shrinking community, some poeple are brilliant. I do think he'd be great, but I'd rather have him focusing on his business!
The sad truth about getting any successful business owner to take the time to participate in local government is that they are very busy trying to run their own companies during these difficult times AND they are not willing to take the grief from all the Cynics that "know the price of everything but the value of nothing"
"None of whom have cared enough to get involved in trying to help Port Angeles in the past"
how can anyone say that with a straight face
All 3 do more for this community, it's economy, and it's children than anyone on the council.
......"Harmon at Arrow"
Obviously you haven't had many dealings with Jack. Wow! What an Ego Bomb! He has the temperment of a two year old!
On a lighter (but related) note...Please go to www.olympus.net/personal/llittle/Bio.htm. At the bottom of the page, you'll see where Larry explains why he's running for "pubic office." I guess that once he got sworn in, he heard about the missing "l" and decided that he...was...outta there. (After all, serving in pubic office DOES sound like more fun...)
(After all, serving in pubic office DOES sound like more fun...)
LOL! That IS pretty funny. Weird mental images.
Watcher. LOL
I so dearly want to make a comment, but I have resolved, ahem, for now to try not to run to the scratching post so often.
But I do appreciate a good chuckle at the expense of a total arse.
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