Debate Between Linda Barnfather and Jim McEntire
Port of Port Angeles commissioner Jim McEntire and Linda Barnfather, former legislative assistant to state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, held a debate in Sequim earlier this week. They're both running for the Clallam County commission seat currently held by Steve Tharinger, who is not seeking re-election. McEntire said:
“Now is not a good time to raise taxes. We need to watch the cost of living in the county very closely now.”
Linda Barnfather cited her experience in farming and property management,and said she favored a balanced approach between boosting the economy and protecting the environment. She said she would consider a tax increase “when things are at the critical level.” She also said:
“I care deeply for all of you and where I live.”
“Now is not a good time to raise taxes. We need to watch the cost of living in the county very closely now.”
Linda Barnfather cited her experience in farming and property management,and said she favored a balanced approach between boosting the economy and protecting the environment. She said she would consider a tax increase “when things are at the critical level.” She also said:
“I care deeply for all of you and where I live.”
Labels: Clallam County, Jim McEntire, Linda Barnfather, Steve Tharinger
posted by Tom Harper at 1:47 AM
19 Comments:
McEntire is not credible.
Barnfather would make a much better county commissioner. McEntire has learned too many bad habits as a Port Commissioner. The Port culture is into secrecy, self-dealing, and working the good ole boy network. The Port lavishly spends public money and the Commissioners take every opportunity to compensate themselves for the "work" they do. This is not the model we need for county government.
Linda Barnfather will be a better representative for all the people in Clallam County. I am impressed y her balance and her public service ethic. She will get my vote.
I don't know. I don't think anyone has a handle on the economic situation. To raise taxes when things ARE critical, somehow sounds anti-intuitive.
What doesn't make sense to me in these troubled times is unions going on strike, should just be thankful they have jobs and the good wages they do.
Anyway, where are the hot fishing spots?
"To raise taxes when things ARE critical, somehow sounds anti-intuitive."
I'm as anti-tax as the next person, and I think we all agree there is waste in government, but. Most of the waste that needs to be addressed that we are affected by as taxpayers is on the Federal level. The Feds can waste more money in a minute than the entire budget of local government consists of for a year. And then some.
How many billions have been wasted as gifts to Pakistan, for example? Israel? The defense contractors?
But, I sure think paying our firefighters, ambulance drivers, etc are important. Perhaps you saw the news clip recerntly of that town in New Jersey that had to lay off half of its' police force?
Or, do we somehow think Port Angeles and Clallam County are immune to the global financial problems?
I don't think anyone has a handle on the economic situation.
I think I do, it's tanking, and why since moving here I've learned how to get by just fine on what I do have.
Hell, I'm the most successful bum I know and always have money left over when payday rolls around again.
Can't believe a word anyone named "Anonymous" says! At least that's what WTF told me to say. :P
McEntire is not credible.
9:18 AM, September 23, 2011
You are 100% correct. However, Barnfather is not visible. She has run one of the worst non-campaigns I have ever seen. If she wins this one it will be a miracle.
And believe me, I'd love a miracle, because Jim McEntire would be a calamity.
I wouldn't call Barnfather invisible, I'd just say she's not in the campaign profession like McEntire is. He ran for Port Commission, then State Rep less than a year ago, and now County Commissioner. More people know his name because it's been out there. Hers isn't, but as a Port Angeles citizen, I have seen her at parades, I've seen her signs, I've heard her comments at forums and in the paper, I've seen her at public events, her doorbell thing was left at my aunt's house, and I like her. I don't know much about her personally, but what I do know, like her past work experience and opionions, I like and appreciate. She isn't "invisible", she's out there, she just doesn't have the same name recognition. You can't fault her for that. But you can fault someone for their previous actions, and McEntire has some serious red marks on his record as Port Commissioner! I don't trust him with ANY tax payer money, regardless if taxes are raised or not.
In an ideal world the Democrats inflate the government, and the Republicans deflate the size. It's what used to be the natural order. But, we've only been inflating the government for several presidents, with no end in sight.
The government, the porkbarrel entitlements, the b.s. grants (written for a very, very specific group and only given to that group), the huge amount of $$$ waste in "contractors" both here and overseas, the money diverted from everything to create this army against the people (i.e. homeland security), the multiple wars on multiple fronts, the kickbacks and favors to certain huge corporations, the restrictions on small businesses (in favor of the huge corporations,I'm thinking Cargill here)The economics are insane right now.
Now, with the super congress, more will be hidden, our elected representatives will have even LESS ability to do anything (if they are at all inclined to do so). Lets face it, this economy is going to have to crash, and crash hard before we can fix this run-away train.
GO JIM
Why in the world would anyone let politics and politicians define their lives?
"GO JIM"
Yep! Do the county a big favor, Jim, and GO AWAY!
"Why in the world would anyone let politics and politicians define their lives?"
I agree with you, Billy! That isn't to say people should not be involved in local politics. They should be, but they should also put it all into perspective.
We all see the crony-ism that results when certain types get into office. Just have to look back on HarborWorks to see how these politicians can piss away millions of taxpay money that could have better been spent on a lot of other things.
We get the government we allow.
"...her doorbell thing was left at my aunt's house, and I like her."
Well gosh, I like her, too. And I really DON'T like Jim McEntire. BUT...I'm not so naive as to think that because I like her, and because someone left a flyer at my aunt's house, and because McEntire's a sleazebag, that she's going to win without doing more than she has been.
During the primary, McEntire had ads in the PDN pretty much every day. I don't recall ever seeing a single ad for Barnfather. Nor has there been a flood of letters to the editor in support of her. Her visibility has been close to ZERO for most of the public.
And gosh, the nice gal who came to my door for her yesterday was sure a nice volunteer. A nice volunteer from Olympia. My point being, if you can't even raise enough LOCAL volunteers to do doorbelling for you, how do you expect to get enough local votes to win?
I'm really pissed at Linda Barnfather for screwing up this important race. She's most likely created a situation that will allow Jim McEntire to waltz into our County Courthouse, and do his level best to make things miserable for all of us for the next four years.
And don't even get me started on the nice-but-totally-unqualified girl she picked to "manage" her campaign. And I do mean GIRL, as in, someone too young to be managing a campaign this size and scope.
Argh!!!
2011 and 2012 will not be pretty for the Dems, no matter where.
"2011 and 2012 will not be pretty for the Dems, no matter where."
Not that I'm a big supporter of either party, but the Republicans can't even find an adequate candidate to run for Prez. They are too busy fighting each other.
What does that say for their partys' make up, when out of all of them, they can't find ONE person to run against Obama.
And, given the economy, which is forecast to only get worse, requiring on-going cuts to services which will not be popular, who would WANT to be "responsible"?
So there's NOT GOOD CHOICE for County Commissioner.
As for the Republican party, they have Ron Paul if the media would STOP ignoring him. He could turn every thing around and he will do his best to follow the Constitution. That means getting out of these wars, taking back all help to foreign countries and bringing it back here where it belongs, lowering taxes, reducing the size of government BIG TIME, and bringing jobs BACK TO THE US.
He is the ONLY HOPE for America.
So there is NO GOOD choice for County Commissioner.
As for the Republican party, they have Ron Paul. The media jerks are leaving him out of everything but the true patriots KNOW him and will vote for him.
He is the ONLY HOPE for America.
He will follow the Constitution, get us out of these wars, take back all the aid to foreign countries and bring it back here where it belongs, bring back jobs, lower taxes, reduce the size of government BIG TIME and restore balance and common sense.
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