Sound Politics: "Interim elections chief elects to go on vacation for three weeks"

October 12, 2006

"Interim elections chief elects to go on vacation for three weeks"

King County Interim Elections Director Jim Buck ("Jimron") is on vacation just in time to prepare for the general election

Much like a traditional absentee voter, Jim Buck is out of town for a big chunk of this election season.

(I hear he's in Germany). Maybe that was the motivation for an earlier primary -- to give more election administrators enough time off to attend Oktoberfest.

Larry Phillips, the East German-style commissar of the King County Politburo, is untroubled by a rudderless elections department

[Phillips] had confidence in the elections office because it has successfully conducted several elections since the 2004 governor's election

In Phillips' world, apparently, a successful election is one where dozens or hundreds of ballots disappear.

Phillips is the Council's most intransigent opponent to the proposal for an elected elections director.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 12, 2006 10:11 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Isn't this good news? Isn't it more likely things will be run better with him sitting in a Brau House rather than 'at the job' where he would be messing things up.

This does give him cover for any problems though. What is better than "I wasn't even here!"

Posted by: Troll on October 12, 2006 10:26 AM

2. Of course he had to leave town that way he can claim that he did not see any wrong doing while handling mail ballots.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on October 12, 2006 10:46 AM

3. Interviewed by Seattle PI and Seattle Times reporters just before departing on his vacation, Buck was able to alleviate reporters concerns on elections problems. "It's not a problem" Buck said, "we've already got the numbers down straight for all the precincts and we've checked our addition several times. We even have all the reports filled out. That darn Sharkansky won't catch us out this time!". When asked who the winners will be Buck stated "Um, I really wasn't paying any attention to that when we did the numbers but I know Ron has the list, heck it was his office that gave us the numbers."

Have a great vacation Jimbo - everything's taken care of here.

Move along folks, no story here. Move along, move along ...

Posted by: Jay on October 12, 2006 11:00 AM

4. My Banker is green with envy...he can't get 3 weeks off right before the shareholders meeting.

When oh when will the error rate equal that of a banking institution. These government hacks want to co-op private sector terms all the time but not private sector results. I have gone from a voter that considers the yes and no to a voter that votes no against the government every time even if I need to press yes to get a no. Oh wait that is fill out the now easily tampered with mail ballot complete with full identification of who it was issued to and what precinct it is from so it can be conveniently uncounted or remarked or something like that.

Posted by: Col. Hogan on October 12, 2006 11:10 AM

5. "...and the chanting of the populace at the gates grew in volume: 'sixty-two!' 'sixty-two!' 'sixty-two!'..."

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 12, 2006 11:17 AM

6. maybe he had the trip pre-planned & part of his agreement--ok--

but--don't most people get excited and dive into their new/temp jobs/responsibilites to meet their staff & get up to speed? i know i would; and--if he's an election official, doesen't he know of his existing or his new position's "busy seasons?"

people should take their vacations, but i don't see a lot of job enthusiasm here; basically a "hello and goodbye and still on the payroll." am i overly intolerant? this at a time when they should be giving the appearance of being MORE vigilant due to past irregularities.

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 12, 2006 11:30 AM

7. Nothing new, the past elections chief was out on vacation for years.

Posted by: GS on October 12, 2006 11:34 AM

8. Or how's this. His vacation to Europe, which we all know is friendly to lefties, is in reality an excuse to get of the country prior to a huge fiasco in November.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on October 12, 2006 11:53 AM

9. Hello , it is cool amazing page!
l'anno scorso siamo buy xanax andati in finale a pineto,
siamo arrivati buy xanax secondi (bellaria igea marina) ci avete ladrato il tempo!quest'anno
ve la faremo buy valium pagare e stravinceremo!!!
Forza buy valium ROMAGNA EST DI BELLARIA IGEA MARINA!!!

Posted by: RosaLanna on October 23, 2006 10:10 AM