September 10, 2000
A Letter to the People of Sultan:
As some of you are aware, we have come under fire recently as "name-callers," by Kenton Coy -- both in a recent Everett Herald article, and during the September 6th City Council meeting – saying that we have called city officials and council members "liars, swindlers" and had accused them of "document fraud," among other things. (Read the complete transcript.)
We began G.R.I.T. for the reasons that have been stated on our website since its inception, under our "Who We Are" web page:
"Ray Kistenmacher and Loretta Storm, husband and wife co-founders of G.R.I.T., started the organization primarily to try to help guide our little town's future over the rocky rapids of insane development, but soon recognized a larger purpose -- that of placing our future back into the hands of its citizens. And though the burden may seem heavy at times, it is lighter when shared among many. Ray and Loretta are simple people. We are not well-to-do. We are not special. We are not different except insofar as we believe in putting action behind our beliefs. If you saw us on the street, we would look just like you."
We started our website because It was our belief that Sultan residents were desperate for news and information to explain what they have been seeing happening around them over the last 18-24 months, especially those of us living on and around the Sultan Basin Road. We wished to find out what was going on and communicate it to all the everyday people just like us, busy with their own lives, trying to feed their families and pay their taxes, in order that they might be able to participate in Sultan’s future.
Along the way we have undoubtedly stepped on some toes at city hall, whose interests are heavily pro-development. But our consistency in insisting that the City comply with the public information act in providing us with information was the result of stonewalling, delay tactics and other games of "hide and seek" being participated in by a few influential city staff members. It is the law.
Our libel suit was decided upon only after Mr. Coy ignored a private request by us that he make amends for the posting he placed on his discussion forum. That posting, which was displayed glaringly on a bright yellow background at the top of the discussion forum page, stated that we were distorting the truth, wasting taxpayer dollars and participating in harassment. But the recent and unprecedented 20-minute "presentation" by Kenton Coy and Ed (Chico) Boucher at the council meeting was both vicious and unwarranted. We have proof that a conscious, premeditated act to appropriate the name of our group was initiated shortly after Mr. Coy posted that libelous statement online (see our press release). We will be amending our lawsuit accordingly.
Mr. Coy has stuck his arm further in to the tar baby by compounding that attempted name appropriation by his posting online, exhorting citizens to contact the Attorney General’s office or local law enforcement agency to report any "solicitation" by G.R.I.T. (Please see our letter to the Attorney General’s office.)
We are quite saddened for the City by this turn of events. This is NOT the reason we started G.R.I.T. We have no wish to fractionate the city, although it’s beginning to look like that might happen, despite our desires.
However, since it was always our strongly-held belief that the resolutely pro-development forces have been leading this city toward a concrete-covered future, and contrary to our comprehensive plan, we are making an offer this week to city hall which we hope will determine – one way or the other – whether or not the people of Sultan are in accord with the future currently being planned for them by others. We ask that you look at the letter which has been sent to city hall. (See our letter to Mayor C. H. Rowe and City Councilmembers)
Relative to the charges leveled by Mr. Kenton Coy and Mr. Ed (Chico) Boucher, we will address each of those at the appropriate time in the appropriate forum.
(We would like to request that those of you who are receiving this letter via the internet make copies of it and share it – as well as the three linked webpages -- to some of your neighbors. Thank you.)
(To view the news release regarding our libel suit against Sky Valley Internet, please click here.) (For an explanation and response to Sky Valley re background on the Libel suit, please click here.)
Ray Kistenmacher and Loretta Storm, G.R.I.T. Co-founders