There's a headline for which many a Snohomish County Republican would like to see an editorial cartoon drawn to match.
At issue is a spat between the Snohomish County Council and County Executive Aaron Reardon. Coverage from both the Herald and the Seattle Times explains the warring parties can't seem to agree about the Executive's possible intent to spend county funds on a Boeing-related bash.
It would seem from the news stories the Executive has told the Council there are no plans to make such an expenditure; Boeing seems to support that version of events. Clearly, the Council doesn't believe it and put out a united statement to that fact.
No doubt there is more to the story than what has appeared in print. That's always been my own experience with clashes between the Executive and members of the Council from both parties. Either way, action by the Council looks petty, almost juvenile.
County budgets are pretty clearly spelled out. If the Executive did attempt to spend $250,000 or so as conjectured on such an event it would be evident. If the expenditure occurred in a way not authorized by the Council they would - justifiably - have a political field day with the action.
I appreciate the Council's efforts to protect the taxpayers' money. Yet from the start of Reardon's administration, there has been friction with the Council. Personally, it seems rooted in the fact Reardon is young and ambitious, plus more talented politically than many Council members. Reardon's robust, perhaps over-abundant, self-confidence doesn't exactly temper such tension either. Oddly, Democrats on the Council have been much more prone to this pique than Republicans. Regardless, such restrictions hardly appear to be a model in mature behavior, no matter what the merit.
UPDATE: swatter at #3 asks if I have a beef with Republican Councilman Gary Nelson. No, nor with his Republican colleague John Koster either. They're both admirable public servants, whom I respect, and whose long, successful careers in politics speak for themselves.
I'm raising a question about an action by the Council as a whole, which currently has a Democratic majority. And candidly, I've always found the Democrats on the Council to be more vexed by Reardon than the Republicans. Honestly, that's pretty entertaining as far as politics goes.
Meanwhile, in this case I have little doubt Reardon's shop could have done a better job of communicating with the Council to avoid the showdown that has unfolded. It's those sort of missteps that feed the feeling some have that Reardon is too arrogant for his own good. It just seems like the Council is overreacting in my view.
UPDATE II: And as I finished typing the update above, I see former Councilman Jeff Sax is quite pleased with me at #4. I don't have the time to respond right now so I'll simply say thanks for reading, Jeff.
Posted by Eric Earling at April 19, 2007 09:23 PM | Email Thispolitics is rife with arrogant personalities. they need to be watched. but whimps dont last long. fine. just do what we tell you as voters. no more. no less. no shenannigans. (oops a non-diverse, anti-Gaelic bigoted term--i'll discipline my self asap)
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on April 20, 2007 06:41 AMAfter reading the press release from Koster, there was no doubt in my mind that Reardon was going to fork out a lot of money for the party.
When the State deal with Boeing was announced a few years ago, the governments threw a party that no one attended. Someone could ask what happened to all the leftover liquor?
But, government throwing bashes on the public dime is nothing new for the county seat. Without the resolution, Reardon won't be able to use his 'mad' money to throw the bash.
Is there bad blood between the Earlings and the Nelsons for you to make that comment? Nelson voted for the resolution and no one questions his experience and political acumen.
Posted by: swatter on April 20, 2007 06:51 AMYour love for Aaron (aka Boy Wonder) is in adoring splender in this post. Aaron has a history of spending money and making policy decisions for which the charter does not grant him authority.
Of all people you should remember how Boy Wonder signed a contract for the Priorities of Government program in excess of $200,000 without any apporoval or budget authority fro the Council.
Please get off the Aaron stump and convey the facts. Aaron has stated to my face that he wants more power than the Charter grants to him and he will push the limits where ever he can to facilitate his climb to higher office.
Snohomish County is a weak Exec strong Council form of Government. Just because the Council doesn't flaunt it's duly authorized power, the young Executive should remember who truely wields the power.
Best regards,
Jeff Sax
I'm not friend of Reardon either. Spending taxpayers more for a Boeing party is just plain stupid.
Come on now, Boeing is raking in the $$$$. If he wants a party, let them pay for it.
PS. How about the new pier in Mukilteo/Everett we taxpayers paid for. I hear Boeing is not going to use it? OUCH!
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 20, 2007 08:48 AMI would say the Snohomish County and muni elected official types are way out to lunch but then Stefan keeps bringing up King County, Seattle, Tacoma, ad nauseum. He also brings up the State people.
Where have all the good electeds gone? And they took all the common sense with them.
Posted by: swatter on April 20, 2007 09:47 AMI dive & jog that area all the time. What wasn't finished? Looks complete to me.
I hope they use it for the public instead..
Both areas Muk/Everett need more boat areas.
I need to take a hike over there this weekend.
Live right near it.
Let you know.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 20, 2007 01:47 PMThat is what the party is all about.
Posted by: swatter on April 20, 2007 02:59 PMTerm limits were a terrible idea, the county would be immensely better off if Bob Drewel were still running things.
Posted by: Jacko on April 20, 2007 04:02 PMWhether additional SnoCo tax dollars go out to supplement Boeing's celebration plans remains to be seen. I say "additional" because you can't get around the fact that cost of the staff and the cost of Mr. Reardon's considerable salary are paid by SnoCo tax dollars at a time when efforts of those folks are expended to "assist" Boeing.
If only the Council had the authority to go a little further...limiting the tenure of your boy Aaron Reardon would be justified.