Council Quickies, October 13, 2004

Council Quickies - October 13, 2004

The pro-business, pro-development,, pro-growth, pro-Bart Dalmasso/Anti-Josie Fallgatter cadre, in a strong show of force, fluffed their feathers and squawked on cue last evening, in a well-planned maneuver by Commissioner Dalmasso to lob yet another attack against fellow PC member Fallgatter. He lead this newest charge against Josie Fallgatter and other unspecified "anti-development" forces by his reading of a statement which he said "was faxed to me." (Sent by a person or persons unknown. Again.)

Now that Mr. Dalmasso has been taken soundly to task for his recent unfounded personal attacks against Mrs. Fallgatter, he is now going after her for filing an appeal of the City's recent revision of the City's Open Space codes in the absence of a valid CFP with the Growth Mgt. Hrg. Board. As a Commissioner, Mr. Dalmasso should understand that the Growth Management Hearings Board was created as a means by which a private citizen or other entity can easily appeal a bad county or city decision which conflicts with the mandates of the Growth Management Act. As a Commissioner, why doesn't he KNOW that? And THIS is one of the individuals charged with planning for the future of Sultan? We find Commissioner Dalmasso's recent actions, which exceeded his authority as PC CHair Pro-tem, combined with his stupendous lack of knowledge of local codes and GMA statutes, consistent with this goosepimply time of year (Halloween): Br-r-r-r, very scary, indeed.

Scarier still is the absolute silence from this same group of individuals (and others) who have no problems whatsoever when a developer files such an appeal -- or a "real" lawsuit -- against the city, such as the BNI/MBA recent appeal involving lack of adequate notice to parties with a known interest.

On hand to support Mr. Dalmasso's actions in his reading of this ANONYMOUS fax was: Cheeko Boucher, Planning Commissioner Ray George and his wife Kay George, Jackie Rowe, Robyn and Joe Schlicker and Joan Wilcox.

We are also dazed and confused as to Mayor Tolson's (and Thom Graafstra's) "non-reaction" to Dalmasso's statement, considering Tolson's August 25 admonishment regarding proper content for the public comment period.

Quickly.... Other events of last evening:

Mike Ingalls, Pearl Bowen (and Mayor Tolson) presented a brief summary of the FD #5 Levy to be decided at the November election. (They both recommended the movie, Ladder 49 as a good representation of the heroism of firefighters. Despite the critics' elitist commentary about this movie, I would also highly recommend that film.

Sultan's sign code was discussed at length. Attorney Graafstra offered a snapshot of the City's discussions and negotiations with the state DOT and AG's office concerning what the state considers to be violations of the Scenic Vista Act relative to signs. Mayor Tolson has also spoken with Rep. Kirk Pearson on this subject. We will place a public information request for availabile correspondence on this issue.

Chief Walser reporteed that the Oct. 25th Highway 2 Safety Coalition Meeting will be well-populated with state and federal representatives with the power to help solve our traffic problems. This is a good meeting NOT to miss! (More on this later.)

County's recently-published UGA/Comprehensive Plan proposal does not include the Sultan watershed. Chief Walser reported meth lab operations on that land and said they have no jurisdiction, despite the fact that the watershed is city-owned property. (In the past, the SPD has patrolled that area.) Cisar reported working with the county on an interlocal agreement to patrol/protect that area.

Jim Flower agreed to become the new representative to the County Health District (while Councilman Champeaux, with tongue planted firmly against his cheek, bemoaned the "good ol' days" when fireworks used to fly between Councilmen Raney and Porter on health issues).

Discussion regarding the methods and procedures for the purchase of ASP, a badly-needed single-entry billing and accounting software.

Council Quickies - October 13, 2004	G.R.I.T. Home Agenda Packet, this meeting Previous Agenda & Minutes
The pro-business, pro-development,, pro-growth, pro-Bart Dalmasso/Anti-Josie Fallgatter cadre, in a strong show of force, fluffed their feathers and squawked on cue last evening, in a well-planned maneuver by Commissioner Dalmasso to lob yet another attack against fellow PC member Fallgatter. He lead this newest charge against Josie Fallgatter and other unspecified "anti-development" forces by his reading of a statement which he said "was faxed to me." (Sent by a person or persons unknown. Again.) Now that Mr. Dalmasso has been taken soundly to task for his recent unfounded personal attacks against Mrs. Fallgatter, he is now going after her for filing an appeal of the City's recent revision of the City's Open Space codes in the absence of a valid CFP with the Growth Mgt. Hrg. Board. As a Commissioner, Mr. Dalmasso should understand that the Growth Management Hearings Board was created as a means by which a private citizen or other entity can easily appeal a bad county or city decision which conflicts with the mandates of the Growth Management Act. As a Commissioner, why doesn't he KNOW that? And THIS is one of the individuals charged with planning for the future of Sultan? We find Commissioner Dalmasso's recent actions, which exceeded his authority as PC CHair Pro-tem, combined with his stupendous lack of knowledge of local codes and GMA statutes, consistent with this goosepimply time of year (Halloween): Br-r-r-r, very scary, indeed. Scarier still is the absolute silence from this same group of individuals (and others) who have no problems whatsoever when a developer files such an appeal -- or a "real" lawsuit -- against the city, such as the BNI/MBA recent appeal involving lack of adequate notice to parties with a known interest. On hand to support Mr. Dalmasso's actions in his reading of this ANONYMOUS fax was: Cheeko Boucher, Planning Commissioner Ray George and his wife Kay George, Jackie Rowe, Robyn and Joe Schlicker and Joan Wilcox. We are also dazed and confused as to Mayor Tolson's (and Thom Graafstra's) "non-reaction" to Dalmasso's statement, considering Tolson's August 25 admonishment regarding proper content for the public comment period. Quickly.... Other events of last evening: Mike Ingalls, Pearl Bowen (and Mayor Tolson) presented a brief summary of the FD #5 Levy to be decided at the November election. (They both recommended the movie, Ladder 49 as a good representation of the heroism of firefighters. Despite the critics' elitist commentary about this movie, I would also highly recommend that film. Sultan's sign code was discussed at length. Attorney Graafstra offered a snapshot of the City's discussions and negotiations with the state DOT and AG's office concerning what the state considers to be violations of the Scenic Vista Act relative to signs. Mayor Tolson has also spoken with Rep. Kirk Pearson on this subject. We will place a public information request for availabile correspondence on this issue. Chief Walser reporteed that the Oct. 25th Highway 2 Safety Coalition Meeting will be well-populated with state and federal representatives with the power to help solve our traffic problems. This is a good meeting NOT to miss! (More on this later.) County's recently-published UGA/Comprehensive Plan proposal does not include the Sultan watershed. Chief Walser reported meth lab operations on that land and said they have no jurisdiction, despite the fact that the watershed is city-owned property. (In the past, the SPD has patrolled that area.) Cisar reported working with the county on an interlocal agreement to patrol/protect that area. Jim Flower agreed to become the new representative to the County Health District (while Councilman Champeaux, with tongue planted firmly against his cheek, bemoaned the "good ol' days" when fireworks used to fly between Councilmen Raney and Porter on health issues). Discussion regarding the methods and procedures for the purchase of ASP, a badly-needed single-entry billing and accounting software.