Today's Seattle Times characterizes Ron Sims' conduct in the ongoing election scandal as "Voting woes from 2004 put speed bump in campaign trail for Sims". Reading between the lines, and in the context of the Times chronic reluctance to adequately report on the magnitude of the scandal or to embarrass Sims in any other way, the fact that the article so prominently mentions the election scandal may be seen as bold criticism of Sims. Nevertheless, the coverage is inappropriately soft on Sims. Most notable is this:
Sims believes he's gotten a bad rap. He says he and Assistant Executive Sheryl Whitney worked quietly with Logan to develop safeguards to prevent a repeat of problems that occurred in the 2004 election.The Times didn't see fit to challenge Sims' assertions, but I will --"I don't have to nuke an issue in order to get change. That's old-fashioned management," Sims said. "Some people think we acted too slow. I think we acted with a sane, pragmatic approach."
Sims said his one regret on elections is that he didn't recognize sooner the "cultural problems" that prevented employees from reporting that absentee-ballot supervisor Nicole Way had allegedly disregarded orders on how to handle ballots, like Phillips', which were only counted in a second recount.
Among the things that Sheryl Whitney did quietly was to try to cover-up the 90+ uncounted absentee ballots that were discovered in March.
The "culture" problems that Sims alludes to originate with himself and senior management of the elections office. Go back and re-read the survey of elections staff performed by Sims' own task force:
The task force at least identified this situation as a "climate of fear". Who could be responsible for instilling such a climate of fear in an entire agency, but for its senior management, starting with Ron Sims himself.
88% agree that their coworkers are "really committed to complying with Elections sections standards, policies and laws"But only 36% agree that senior managers "clearly communicate a commitment to high standards and compliance with laws", while 45% disagree.
69% of staff say they are expected to do what they are told, no matter what
61% feel they cannot talk with their supervisors about their concerns without their comments being held against them.
It would also have been helpful if the Times mentioned, in the context of Sim's "sane, pragmatic approach" to managing the elections crisis, that Ron Sims prefers to let the county be sued under Public Disclosure Act and be at risk for tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines, instead of obeying the law and releasing documents that would explose more of the misconduct under his watch.
The Times would be a better newspaper if its coverage of local government wasn't so credulous and forgiving.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 27, 2005 11:52 AM | Email ThisWhen major sections of the county don't want to be in King County...that's not exactly reflecting quality leadership.
Posted by: Andy on October 27, 2005 12:13 PMWhen major sections of the county don't want to be in King County...that's not exactly reflecting quality leadership.
Posted by: Andy on October 27, 2005 12:14 PMPosted by: Claire on October 27, 2005 12:18 PM
Let's look for the truth and the spin.
The citizens election oversight committee in the spring of 2004 told Sims and the County Council that they were very concerned over the likely huge numbers of provisional ballots that most likely would be cast in the November 2004 election. They gave some specific recommendations on things to do to ease the problem they thought was going to happen. Then they demanded certain actions out of the County to estimate the magnatude of the problems and prepare a contingency plan on how to deal with the problem.
Therefore, I don't believe that Sims got a bad rap. Sims & crew have repeatedly neglected to do what was needed. They have repeatedly ignored "fixing" past problems when they were pointed out.
Why in the world would anybody believe them now when they say they have fixed the problems and we find out there are still lots of double registrations and felon voters on the roles.
Sharkansky has be great at pointing out how King County Elections is committed to not fixing past problems that are counter to Washington state laws.
How can anyone believe anything that Sims says when it is so clear that he is a hypocrit.
Deep cleansing breath, deep cleansing breath. I do not live or vote in King County. I do not live or vote in King County. I do not live or vote in King County. OK, my blood pressure is down to the normal range.
Posted by: Bob on October 27, 2005 12:21 PMUnfortunately, King County succeeded at dragging this out through delay, stonewalling, incomplete productions, misrepesentations and promising to deliver documents and missing their own deadlines. The contempt for the spirit and letter of the Public Disclosure Act is self-evident. Unfortunately, they have full-time staff and lawyers working on the public payroll to frustrate the thing. The delay is entirely their fault. One would have to be a Ron Sims campaign operative, as I believe "Claire" is, to defend this kind of abuse.
Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on October 27, 2005 12:26 PMSims, Logan, Huennekens et al created their own problems, no one else did. And how come they apparently haven't followed too much of the advice given by the Sims-appointed investigative panel?? Where's the turn-around/SWAT team?? How come the same crowd that couldn't/wouldn't get things done correctly is still there?
Posted by: Misty on October 27, 2005 12:28 PMGovernment entities are required by law to comply with PDC request, unless the information is confidence, classified or under current litigation.
Sims and company failed to comply with a lawful request to disclose PUBLIC documents. They just lost the Yousoufian PDC suit to the tune of $300,000. That make Sims speed bump dumb, doing the same thing they just got spanked for.
Just as with all the illegal registration, ballot handling, counted ballots at KCE what part of
ILLEGAL
Do you not understand.
Oh! I forgot, in not illegal when a liberal democrat does it or benefits from it.
Posted by: JCM on October 27, 2005 12:29 PMGet a whiff of reality and wipe that cool aid off the corner of your mouth.
If you read the summons and charges presented yesterday you will see it breaks down a timeline wherein Stefan tried from the start to get the information in a timely manner. Once again you see Logan and company using delay tactics to allow the status quo. KCE caused the timing of this suit. Had they released a hand full of ballot envelopes 5 months ago, they could have actually claimed to be open, honest and forthcoming. The way they acted in this prove they have no desire to have open and honest elections.
It’s all political, liberal democrats, such as Claire and Apache Fog (who has a blog himself, although it is devoid of much discussion—presumably because it is content poor to begin with) want to hold on to power, conservatives, and those who know the difference between right and wrong want Sims and his ilk to retire permanently.
I had nothing against Sims two years ago. I wasn’t a fan because I didn’t agree with his political agenda, but now, he took my land, and is covering up the fraud he and/or his subordinates committed that put Gregoire in office. That is wrong, and denying it or justifying it to advance your political agenda is no different than what Stefan is doing to expose the Sims regime.
I mean geeze Claire, the name of the site is “Sound Politics” it’s kind of funny you’re shocked those involved in creating its content have a political motivation. Of course, using the courts to advance a political agenda is only a good thing when liberals do it right? No to school choice, yes to reproductive choice—Sound Familiar?
Finally, coward, if you believe what you write here, have the guts to stand behind it with a valid website or email. Or are you actually responsible for the content at MSN?
I wonder if Claire feels the same about the old, crazed Battle-Ax Mrs. Irons and her 11 year-old "allegations" against David Irons???? The Battle-Ax never filed charges or a lawsuit....yet the LEFTIST PINHEADS are having a field day with it.
Something tells me Claire will say it's different. Speak up Claire........
Actually, just a cursory glance indicates that Stefan has the law and the facts on his side; it's not complicated.
Why don't you share the knowledge you have that shows this lawsuit is politically motivated?
Posted by: South County on October 27, 2005 01:39 PMI would, though, like to hear something from Claire why lawsuits filed against DeLay, Rove, Libby, etc. are front page newsworthy, and your Mrs. Irons example not even reaching lawsuit status is newsworthy, but this isn't.
Posted by: fred on October 27, 2005 01:50 PMHowever, months upon months of refusing to handover the most basic of information is quite a different thing and refusing to do so time after time strongly points to guilt (as Sims track record clearly indicates). Saddam was willing to go to war over "accusations" rather than cooperate with inspectors. To a lesser degree Sims is going to see the same end to his own empire via an army of voters.
Posted by: Andy on October 27, 2005 01:56 PMOnce is ignorance, twice is stupidity.
"...Shark's lawsuit is a politically motivated abuse of the court system..."
"If Shark's lawsuit survives and if there's any credible evidence supporting the claims..."
Even the most adamant kool-aid drinking liberals I know can at least keep from contradicting themselves within one paragraph! It must be very difficult for you to keep track of what you wrote three sentences ago.
You know the best thing about telling the truth? You never have to remember what you said. You might want to write that one down, Claire.
Posted by: Larry on October 27, 2005 02:10 PMBeyond that, the problems related to King County's culture of fear instituted by Ron Sims are not limited to the elections department. Has anyone fully documented just how widespread the problems are in King County's government?
Posted by: Ironman on October 27, 2005 02:10 PMI have a question for the legal minds here....is it possible to bring legal action against Sims and Logan personally for deliberately wasting taxpayers money by not complying with the PDC request. They know, since they just got busted for it, that their actions are wrong and are going incur both hard and soft costs that we JQ taxpayer has to support? I would like to get that money back from them.....
Posted by: Dengle on October 27, 2005 02:10 PMWhy not sue them personally anyway? Wouldn't the very fact that it would be the first time a lawsuit like this was brought to court put a spotlight on Mr. Sharkansky's lawsuit? That would be worth the price of the filing fee, wouldn't it?
Posted by: HappyGoLucky on October 27, 2005 02:19 PMWhat recourse do the citizens have when their elected (?) officials don't do their jobs?
Posted by: HappyGoLucky on October 27, 2005 02:22 PMYeah, if you call this a "speed bump."
Posted by: Jeff B. on October 27, 2005 02:27 PMDid the Seattle Times report this article as a contribution to the Sims campaign?
Posted by: BananaLand (aka Iguana) on October 27, 2005 03:01 PMThe fact that someone files a lawsuit doesn't mean there is any evidence to support any of the allegations made in the lawsuit (see the Republicans' disaster of a lawsuit to reverse the results of the last election) If Shark's lawsuit survives and if there's any credible evidence supporting the claims - then maybe that will be newsworthy. "
"Until that happens, Shark's onesided allegations are untested and meaningless."
If they are so one-sided, Claire, why don't you come up with the *real* explanation for those ballots? We'll wait while you go to the same archives, look through the ballots, see what he saw, and then draw conclusions from the same evidence.
But it won't happen--you know it, and I know it. Thus, what you say about the same topic is untested and meaningless also. Perhaps you could get the trained chimp to post in your place...
I am *still* laughing. The light of logic was shone upon yet another moonbat and ... poof ...
One down and ... (sadly) millions more to go.
P.S. off topic and just my opinion but ... read I-330 and I-336. Both are *scary* and not in our interests. Vote them both down.
Posted by: lee egg on October 27, 2005 03:38 PMHe doesn't have that today. Democrats should be concerned that votes are bad and there is no "open" process to resolve the issue to the best interest of both side. His process was a closed political one with Sheryl Whitney that we don't have access to. Both he and Dean Logan are saying trust me? It's pretty much like playing a bluff hand in p-oh-ker. Open the books, and have an audit that satisfies everyone according the the election laws.
The MSM still can't bear to do their job and ask the tough questions. If they can't they should be supplying Stephan with $$$ and lawyers so he can do their job for them.
Posted by: holt on October 27, 2005 05:29 PMTo add to a few of your assertions....
Who are the richest people in Congress? Democrats.
Who are the richest people in the U.S.? Well, from what I've seen, Bill Gates and Paul Allen are Democrats.
The very most wealthy people are Democrats, yet they try to be the party of the people. It's complete hypocrisy, which is why they've failed.
The Democrats are very rich people who want to keep the rest of us poor. The Republicans have no problem letting EVERYONE be rich - white, black, hispanic, asian, whatever.
This limp-wristed/see-no-evil coverage of Ron Sims election fraud and corruption makes me think that the Times is moving toward a Sim's endorsement for KCE......sigh....Ron must have come up with the big bucks for the payoff just in time....(Probably used our tax dollars - slated for something else..)
Has anyone seen the Ron Sims campaign commercial? The one where he is walking across a wooden bridge with his wife? He looks like a man who is walking death row! Check out his eyes! He looks completely defeated...
Ron Sims KNOWS he has lost King County...What the visiting trolls at SP say about it - is irrelevant.
Posted by: Deborah on October 27, 2005 08:18 PMRepublicans:
I got mine, you can to, here's how.
Democrats:
People are too stupid to know what's good for them.
Republican:
We trust the people.
Democrats:
If you disagree with me your evil.
Republicans:
If you disagree with me, here are the facts, and the logic I use to come to my conclusion.
Democrats:
Judicial fiat.
Republicans:
Legislative process.
Democrats:
We'll make the law to do it my way.
Republicans:
But the Constitution says...
Posted by: yo on October 27, 2005 08:47 PM
Well said, I couldn't agree more.
Posted by: SP Fan on October 27, 2005 09:05 PMVague, long term, hard to define, hard to prove threats like Global Warming, etc. are dream causes for liberals to get behind because it gives them pleny of camera time, a place to sink a lot of tax money, which usually goes to line their cronies pockets, and that oh so self righteous feeling of doing good for "the environment" etc.
I think one of the SP bloggers should jump on this sham event and expose Sims. It will help make sure he does not get elected.
My prediction is a not a happy one - in that Irons will be ahead at the end of the first count, but close enough to warrant a recount. The recount will be administered by the KCRE "cabal" headed by Dean Logan will pull out enough votes to give the once-again controversial decision to wrongfully hand it to King Sims. Deja vu again (sic).
There are a few caveats - such as overrunning election headquarters with folks adamantly opposed to his CAO land grab and disrupting the scamming by the election crew that could occur. The Repubs. had better gear up for hazard duty - the only way they'll be able to claim an honest victory.
I hope that I am wrong here and Sims gets booted from the bowels of King County, where there will be promise for a brighter and cleaner tomorrow with Irons in the Exec. chair - a man of integrity (perhaps not a long fuse, but one who can be trusted), who will work for clean elections, better transportation, implement some similar programs to the incumbent and justly dismantle the CAO.
Posted by: KS on October 27, 2005 10:46 PMDems throw up so many roadblocks to people trying to 'make it'. republicans try to remove those roadblocks.
Medved also pointed out that in recent previous years, the national Dem party had 33 people who gave $1 million or more to the party. The Republicans had...3...who gave that much or more. It is an absolute fact that Republicans had many more 'little guy' donations than the dems.
Posted by: Misty on October 27, 2005 11:54 PMIt's an intersting metaphor, because speed bumps slow us, but don't stop us, so Ervin seems to be assuming that Sims will win, just not as easily as he would have otherwise. I don't think that is at all certain. This may be not a speed bump, but a road block -- as it should be.
This isn't the first time Ervin has done a pro-Sims piece in this campaign. Wonder if he is doing it on his own volition or at the direction of editors?
Posted by: Jim Miller on October 28, 2005 04:58 AMThere's another class of King County voter....indoctrinated....the one's who have a lot to lose if Sims goes down. And the one with perhaps the most to lose is Dean Logan, the crook running the election.
Posted by: Saltherring on October 28, 2005 05:59 AMI've been predicting Sims 80% to Irons 60%. It's a tight race, and the Sims camp and proxies are desperate when they start the "have stopped beating your Momma" campaign.
Irons has a shot, a slim one but a valid shot. What will spoil it is the Green party candidate, he should help by siphoning some Sims votes away, but enough moderate to right votes decide they don't like Irons and choose "none of the above" or the Green.
We need every vote for Irons.
Posted by: JCM on October 28, 2005 06:44 AM"carry Ronnies stuff to the curb."
You're far to kind, kind Ron to curb, then throw his cr*p out the window would be far to good.
Posted by: JCM on October 28, 2005 08:46 AMSometimes silence is not golden. Does King County have those Diebold voting machines yet? If they do , what the heck are you worrying about? If Irons is losing there will be a last minute "SURGE" for Irons. Funny how these"SURGES" only happen in districts where the Diebold machines are used. And don't forget, you did your absolute best in the courts to prove the gubernatorial election was flawed or crooked and you couldn't. When you go to court about something and the other side has as much money as you, you better have the truth on your side or you'll lose for sure.
Posted by: Apache Fog on October 28, 2005 09:02 AMThe Irons gossip is an old issue, best kept within their family unless legal charges are filed (we already heard all this during his KC Council campaign). Unfortunately, you can't choose your relatives or your neighbors. If choice was possible, David Irons wouldn't be plagued with whacko relatives and KC would only be inhabited by intelligent conservatives. But here we are...quickly becoming the socialist capital of the country.
Posted by: dl on October 28, 2005 09:32 AM