November 22, 2005
Just another friend of Ron on the public payroll
When King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds lost her re-election bid to fellow Democrat Bob Ferguson, those who said "good riddance!" to Edmonds may have spoken too soon. She will likely receive as a consolation prize a cushy job in Ron Sims' administration. Edmonds' cagey behavior is a reminder that the posting, which appears to have been invented for her, offers little value to the public and is merely a political reward charged to the taxpayers.
Edmonds angrily and categorically denied even having discussed any job with the county. But Kurt Triplett, County Executive Ron Sims' chief of staff, said last night that the executive's staff did discuss it with her, and "she's interested in it, but she's looking at other options as well."
The last friend of Ron Sims whom Bob Ferguson defeated, Cynthia Sullivan, was similarly rewarded with
a make-work job at taxpayer expense.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 22, 2005
10:01 AM | Email This
1. Do they THINK we don't realize how corrupt and obvious this all is????? They really do see taxpayers as doormats to walk all over and use as their sugar-daddies for political pay-offs for their friends. Shame on them! Serve the people--don't make fools out of them!
2. Of course, the story says losing GOP council member Steve Hammond is in line for a job, too. Why didn't you mention that?
3. Wow! Where do I sign up? Is this where our 9.5 cent tax hike is going?
Maybe instead of future tax hikes, we could audit the state and local governments and cut waste like this. Democrat or Republican, cut waste!
4. Central Committee Members are guaranteed employment and pensions.
5. I don't know, Ezra, probably Mr. Hammond is the one who's NOT the slam dunk for the office.
However, Mr. Sharkansky, Ezra is correct, your posting did not even mention Mr. Hammond. I believe in order to strengthen your own point, and weaken the opposition to your side, you should point out the weakenesses. This gives your opposition less fuel, and makes them look like fools if they parrot what you've already gone over.
Or, and this is very conceivable, have I missed something here? Is Mr. Hammond really a Democrat in disguise, or was the point something else entirely?
Still, where do I sign up for these cushy government jobs?
6. How do you think Norm Rice got job at Fed bank here in Seattle?
Part of me says let them get hired into these stupid gov't jobs; a Darwinian thing; keeps the low talent out of the private job market...
7. They have another make-work job for Carolyn Edmonds not mentioned in the PI that she can take if she so chooses.
Check out Page 23, Section 33, Line 501 of the adopted King County Budget.
http://www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/budget/pdfs/adoptedbudget.pdf
Remember the longer someone stays on the public payroll the larger their pension benefits from the taxpayers will be.
8. So, where is the outcry from the left?
You know the one I speak of.
The same mantra being chanted by the dem leadership. That being the environment of
"Cronyis and corruption.
Awfully quite on the left when it is their cronie's morals being questioned.
9. Actually I emailed Shark just before he posted this, saying that even as a Democrat I find this outrageous. My quick scan of the article led me to believe it was 2 Democrats getting jobs. How cynical of Shark to blatantly mention just the half of the article that supports his belief that all Republicans are Good and all Democrats are Evil.
10. la la la la la la la
there's nothing here folks, move along
/Democrat apparatchik/voter
11. Sure it's just as ridiculous to put Hammond on the public payroll. But let's not pretend that we don't notice that this is a democrat-created golden parachute, people!
12. Actuually, there _is_ a difference... The job that Hammond is "in line for" is a civil service job that he would need to apply for - and that others can apply for as well. (Albeit, he'll have the inside track) The job created for Edmonds is an exempt position that Simms would appoint her to. (e.g. Not only a created position, but she has the _only_ track...)
13. I thought we already had a rural ombudsman, the Sims sycophant Lady from Ravensdale. Maybe Ronnie can get the head of the "Rural Majority" group to come on board for $80,000 + Benifits. The group is already in his pocket and that way he can control the message. Anybody follow the King Conservation District Funding? Ronnie wants it split to favor Dow Constaintine (D) and Larry Phillips (D) Watershed's and Kathy Lamberts (R) district, the one with the most realistic Salmon Recovery potential, gets shafted again. Hmmm let's review, Carolyn Edmonds (D)Appointed to an exempt position like Cynthia Sullivan (D). Steve Hammond (R) can "apply" for a non-exempt position, goodie for him. The King county system is corrupt beyond repair. CEDAR County, coming to an initiative process near you.
14. All right Jim, here are some comments. I think it is absolute bullsh+t they created a job for her. I cannot stand that crap no matter who does it.
Although something sounds fishy with her claiming ignorance and outrage and the Sims guy basically stating "oh yeah, we created a job for her - no big deal." It read like they specifically hung her out to dry for the article.
Not mentioning Hammond in the post was disingenuous, nothing new there though. If he is the man of integrity everyone said he was when he stood up for the "little rural guy" he will decline such an offer, although I won't hold my breath.
15. It's the same as Brad Owens putting together that outrageous job for Brian Hatfield... who, outside his position of state representative (D-19), couldn't find a job doing anything else.
The result? A 38% INCREASE in the Lt. Gov's Office budget... in ONE YEAR! Of course, Queen Christine allowed him to increase his budget that much because SHE increased HERS a paltry 37%!
I just love government.
16. Has anyone else noticed that almost all of the jobs I see created by these people for their friends pay 100k per year plus 12k or so in medical benefits.
17. SOOOOO who's lying Triplett or Edmonds... Did they have the conversation or didn't they?
I like the part where Triplett says she's looking at other options as well! HILARIOUS.
What other options is Edmonds qualified for that will pay her over 100K, and she doesn't have to do any actual work? The answer: There are none.
She'll be accepting that position by years end!
18. GS.... We are in the wrong business friend. the Median income for an individual in King County is about $44,000. Double that plus benifits and you have a parks and recreation advocate? Really?
I thought the county spent the last couple of budget cycles eliminating those pesky parks and dumping them on the cities. When does I-900 go into effect? I need Brian Sonntag's number.
19. Nobody seems to have noticed that the article also informs us that King County is increasing the number of DNR government relations officers from one to four. Why does it take more government relations officers to coordinate with a council that has shrunk from 13 to 9? Are there any new cities in King County? Who's driving this boat?
20. Huckleberry... Who drives the boat? The loons in the city of Seattle drives the entire boat, and they are trying their best to capsize it!
You hit the nail on the head... The additional government relations officers are invented positions made up as an F' you to reasonable voters who voted to shrink the county council!
21. King County should be #2 on the hit list for performance audits, just behind DSHS. The bright side of this is that Steve Hammond is the Ombudsman (new position) for King County.
22. Speaking of the parks, I pay I don't know how many dollars a year in property taxes to support the parks. Each time I go to Marymoor I pay a dollar to park. That's probably 3 times a week. Then why the hell does my rig bottom out with all the fu*king potholes around the off-leash area at Marymoor? With all the money we're sinking into parks, where the hell is that money going?!? Can't they take the time to fix potholes instead of installing fancy new parking fee collection machines that don't work half the time?!?
23. Gee Iwish I that cushy a job!!
24. King County---SOOOO DYSFUNCTIONAL. They waste our precious tax dollars.
AND NOTICE THAT RON SIMS DIDN'T ANNOUNCE THESE GOLDEN PARACHUTES UNTIL AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION, EVEN THOUGH EDMONDS AND HAMMOND WERE ALREADY KNOWN TO BE OUT BEFORE THE GENERAL.
What--he didn't think this would be a selling point for his re-election?
25. This isn't the worst of it. Velma Veloria, former state legislator, found work in the Office of Economic Development, doing nothing really associated with economic development, best anyone can tell.
It's nice to be king...you can find all your friends jobs and ensure you get your votes because they're all working for you!
26. Wonnie wet woose wiff welfare for Carwoowand Wedmonds. Ha ha ha ha ha, That waskwillwee execwootive.
27. Career politicians would starve without friends in high places
28. "AND NOTICE THAT RON SIMS DIDN'T ANNOUNCE THESE GOLDEN PARACHUTES UNTIL AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION, EVEN THOUGH EDMONDS AND HAMMOND WERE ALREADY KNOWN TO BE OUT BEFORE THE GENERAL."
Misty, I don't think you read the article:
Triplett said the two jobs weren't in the proposed 2006 budget that Sims submitted to the council last month but were added by the council -- buried in a 69-page, $3.46 billion budget it adopted yesterday. Edmonds and Hammond voted for it.
Now, since Sims submitted his budget to the Council weeks after both Hammond and Edmunds lost, he had ample opportunity to add these two positions (and fulfill the SP conspiracy theory) to the budget.
Yet he didn't. The council added them. And even David Irons voted for it.
Just another "we're really angry" thread based on a fabrications.
Just another normal "creative reality" day in SP land.
29. How do Republicans explain the fact that this is a blue state? Is the majority in this state "STUCK ON STUPID" or are you. I think it is latter, but opinions are like noses, everyone has one. We vote Democratic-ly here. If you don't like it (it is not going to change anytime soon) then move to a RED state. Arkansas always has room for a few more mouth breathers who hate anything and everyone who opposes them. Good-bye, good riddance!
You know, Texas is a RED state too. Try there. Tom DeLay needs your support anyway.
Dug
30. So dug are you saying that you are from Arkansas then?, It's been a long time since we saw anyone so full of hate here and we get lots of trolls like you. And I take exception to the comment about mouth breathing, seriously there are people with deviated septums and severe asthma who have no choice, just another example of extreme left-wing "kindness" I guess, what a shock.
The fellow yesterday was correct, YOU are purely evil. You are invited to troll elsewhere.
31. KS you said "The bright side of this is that Steve Hammond is the Ombudsman (new position) for King County. "
Why is that the "bright side"?
That shows to me that Republicans can be just as corrupt as the Democrats.
If Steve Hammond was a man of integrity to begin with, politics sure changed him.
That is why I am not voting next year. Even when we win by getting people we think have integrity in office, they soon change and become just as corrupt as the people we kick out.
I don't know how this is going to change. I wish I had the answers but I know what we have been doing isn't working.
32. Maybe the most shameful part of this sordid story is the seeming collaboration of the republican councilmen and women to this.
It is my understanding that the King County Council voted unanimously to open up this new position.
The real scandal is the simple fact that we have no true republican politicians left in this state.
No wonder why David Irons lost.........
33. Mr. Nut
Not to worry, were not going anywhere.
Plus I'm bringing more of my REP friends up here so we too can change the color of this state.
34. King County Journal today, An article by Dean Radford on the County Council passing the budget
mentions ONLY Steve Hammonds potential position as a Rural Ombudsman. Nothing about Carolyn Edmonds, not a word.
35. so, the Democrats are the dictators of this state. Ron Sims is our local Stalin. Will 1953 come soon enough for us?
36. Doug, are you referring to Stalin's death in 1953? I don't think you need to go there, do you? Please be satisfied with Sims' removal from office, although the office does seem to be for life, doesn't it!? Happy Thanksgiving.
37. Stalin I believe died of natural causes.
Don't make statements to be what they aren't.
38. Luke, are you hoping for his death from natural causes? And you think that is a morally superior posture than hoping for his murder?
Please think about what you are saying. And then don't say that anymore.
Removal from office and a long jail term is sufficient punishment for we mere mortals to wish upon this poor soul.
39. Luke, even though this may belong in that other post, you made me further realize who I am, know, and associate with. For that I am thankful. Cheers.
40. Now I see why they fight tooth and nail for the elected positions. Post elected position security.
41. CandrewB, I know who I am and who I associate with as well. And I know that I am so so much better than you. You are evil. I for one can’t even imaging how one could ever live with destroying the life savings of a old person who worked all his life, saved and sacrifice, and invested what he saved in real estate that he could build on when he retired or pass on to his family. To you, that poor old man is EVIL and should be punished. And how dare people live in the suburbs in order to give their family some extra security and a better life. No, that is not right. They should live in the cities. We need to punish those folks. We need to have them placed in a situation where dangerous people who will rape their little daughters will be placed in their neighborhoods. Hell that situation exists in our cities. Suburbanites should have their children raped and killed so lets put a homeless camp in their neighborhoods and the more children killed as result of that the better. After all how dare they move away from the cities like they did beginning in the 1970s.
No, I will never understand your need to glorify and promote the interests of a ruthless dictator (Castro) or your constant attacks on those "evil Christians" by ridiculing people like Mother Theresa and doing all you can to stop churches being built on the eastside.
The people you associate with have a burning hatred of America. A ruthless determination to harm the innocent you who target out as enemies. The people I associate with on the other hand are hard working people. Good people, often too good for their own sake. They think others are as good as they are and don’t understand the ulterior motives of people like you. The evil in your heart. It is an honor to associate with the people I do even as I harshly criticize these people for being naïve, for being too good for their own good.
I go to bed each night marveling at how evil you are, and pray each night that more will come to understand you for what you really are the way I do.
And by the way, the only point I was making about Stalin dying of natural causes was that you should not accuse “doug” of making threats because he didn’t. I will leave the wishing people dead up to people like you who I have heard time and time again wishing that upon our current President. After all I have read in prominent newspapers columnists lamenting “ where is Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him”. More than one liberal has said to my face it is too bad the pretzel didn’t get him.
No, I am under no illusions about the evil in your heart and the passionate ruthlessness within you and the fact that you will do whatever it takes on behalf of your ideology no matter who you hurt in the process.