Outside the Lines: Ferry Tales XXXI

Time To Transfer Ted

Skagit County Commissioners Ted Anderson and Don Munks received a deserved come-uppance from the Port of Skagit County. The Port decided that they would no longer lease a ten acre site to Cimarron {Ray Sizemore is part owner of Cimarron and a long time friend of Ted Anderson} for a recycle center.

This decision was based, in part, on Cimarron’s contract stating they would be importing garbage from other counties. This, without any plan in effect to monitor toxic material from these other counties.

The Commissioners blatantly ignored the mayors of the cities. They established a Solid Waste Advisory Committee and then audaciously ignored them. Once they {Anderson and Munks } had a signed agreement from the county’s cities, giving the county a monopoly on their waste streams, they brazenly changed the rules.

Their modus operandi is consistent.

The parallels to the extended hours resolution of the Guemes Ferry are many and obvious: No plan for evaluation of the extended hours. Hiring consultants {Berk and Associates} and recognizing an advisory committee {GIFC} only to ignore their advice. Signing new resolutions without rescinding existing ones. Ignoring public input, {surveys, letters, emails} and increased costs. (The Cimarron contract would also have turned the revenue neutral transfer operation into one that loses considerable sums.)

County Transfer center, South Fidalgo, Guemes all seem to be up against the Skagit County Autocracy, with the brunt of the cost shouldered by the Skagit County taxpayer. We need to join together countywide, and fight the battle to win against this tyranny.

Anderson is running for re-election. He needs to hear the public outcry loud and clear. Skagit is our county. Let’s take it back from the current autocrats, before they do any more damage. Skagitonians - cast your vote in November for anyone but Ted Anderson.

Commentary by MJ Andrak

[7.3.6]

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