December 2008

by WIP

The legal battle will begin if and when the City adopts an amendment to its Comprehensive Plan and Shoreline Master Program (SMP) raising the height limits on the isthmus. The SMP amendment would be sent by the City to the Department of Ecology for its review. In the meantime, the Comp Plan amendment could be appealed to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGMHB). If and when Ecology approved the SMP amendment, that approval could be appealed to the WWGMHB, which would probably consolidate the two cases into one for purposes of briefing and hearing. The WWGMHB would . . .

September 2008

by TJ Johnson

On Aug. 26, the Olympia City Council General Government Committee (Jeff Kingsbury, Rhenda Strub, Craig Ottavelli) voted unanimously to repeal the city’s Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance. The recommendation to repeal will come before the Olympia City Council at 7pm September 9.

The vote came after city staff told the committee that out of all of the correspondence the city has received on the issue since January 1, 2004 through today, 216 people favored the ordinance, 38 opposed it, and 28 had no opinion. Despite the fact that 76% of the people who weighed in on the issue favored the . . .

June 2008

by TJ Johnson

Kudos to the staff at Works in Progress for the excellent articles in the May issue about the growing influence of development and real estate interests on the Olympia City Council.

During the course of my time on the City Council (2000-2001; 2004-2007) I witnessed a dramatic shift in how city staff and my Council colleagues approached development issues. While City leaders boast about their commitment to sustainability and the idea that growth should pay for growth, behind the scenes they are making every effort to fast track environmentally questionable projects, and using public . . .

January 2008

by Mark Foutch

[Editor’s note: Works in Progress strives to present progressive voices and perspectives that are otherwise underrepresented and marginalized. We have, however, occasionally granted space to mainstream or already prominent voices in order to spark discussion. In this case, Olympia Mayor Mark Foutch offers criticism to the local activist community on the eve of his departure from office.

Look to the next issue of Works in Progress for responses to Mayor Foutch’s comments.]

December 2007

by Rob Richards

If you have been paying attention to the recent local elections, you are most likely sore from banging your head against the wall. Our city council swung dramatically to the right (though I am sure they would call it the center), and we have a steep uphill battle ahead of us to protect our collective values.

Our choices this election were slim pickings to begin with, with Matthew Green and Meta Hogan being the only truly progressive choices on the ballot in the races for Olympia City Council.

June 2007

by Gail Johnson

The Olympia City Council's General Government Committee voted 2 -- 1 not to endorse the resolution calling on Congress to begin an impeachment investigation of Bush and Cheney. Jeff Kingsbury and Joe Hyer voted against the resolution; T.J. Johnson voted in support.

Prior to that meeting, Hyer sent an email dated April 24 to all the members of the City Council. "I have researched and thought on this issue for several months, in addition to speaking with community members and local elected officials," he wrote. "In addition, I met specifically with Congressman Baird in Washington . . .

April 2007

Dear City Councilmen and Women,

It has come to my attention that the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project is attempting to effect an official sister-city relationship with the cities of Olympia, Washington and Rafah, Gaza. By now you are no doubt aware of the many reasons they wish to pursue this, including to pay tribute to Rachel Corrie whose untimely death in Gaza on March 16th, 2003 should have been met with outrage across the United States. Instead it was met with silence or, in some cases, the vicious attempt to distort what happened to her and why. Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by a D9 . . .

April 2007

KUOW 99.4FM -- Ross Reynolds Interview with TJ Johnson

It will take a diversity of tactics and a broad cross-section of the community to end the US occupation of Iraq

I'm Ross Reynolds in for Monday, March 12, 2007. It's The Conversation.

We begin at the Port of Tacoma, where dozens of anti-war activists have been trying to block the shipment of military vehicles to Iraq. It got a little wild late Friday night.

(Sounds of protesters singing "Give Peace a Chance," screams, gas and projectiles being fired.)

March 2007

[On February 6, the Olympia City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the President and members of Congress to end the Occupation of Iraq and bring our troops swiftly and safely home. Following the unanimous ratification of the resolution, Councilmember TJ Johnson offered these comments:]

I am disappointed that this resolution is necessary.

January 2007

by Peter Bohmer

The anti-homeless sidewalk ordinances passed [on] Nov. 28 are one more pinprick in the war against the poor, against homeless and street people. It is part of the ongoing attempt to criminalize the poor rather than to determine causes and solutions to poverty, racism, homophobia, the lack of affordable housing and the lack of meaningful work at livable wages.

December 2006

I intend to oppose this ordinance for two reasons. First, because I believe it is based on a faulty assumption -- that our downtown is unsafe and that passing this ordinance will make it safer. Second, because passing this ordinance tonight is a divisive action when what this community clearly needs from its City Council is strong leadership that brings people together to create the kind of inclusive downtown that is welcoming to all and consistent with the vision of our comprehensive plan.

December 2006

by Drew Hendricks

The Olympia City Council passed the amendments to the Sidewalk Ordinance Tuesday, Nov. 28, with Councilmember TJ Johnson voting against, and Councilmember Doug Mah absent.

Councilmember Laura Ware tacked on three amendments, setting an expiration for the ordinance on Dec. 15, 2007, pending renewal; allowing an exception for sitting or lying down in doorways between 10 pm and 7 am; and allowing "busking" (street performance) within designated areas, with a permit. Ware also secured a guarantee from the City Council to spend $200,000 to "fill gaps in services" to the homeless and . . .

November 2005

From the WIP Editorial Committee

One of the most compelling incentives for Olympia residents to head to the polls on November 8 is the opportunity to unseat incumbent Doug Mah and replace him with long-time, hard-working citizen activist, Phyllis Booth.

A self-described "citizen watchdog" working on behalf of local grassroots interests, Booth has attended and testified at hundreds of city council meetings and other public hearings and forums - this, in addition to doorbelling, canvassing and otherwise applying herself on behalf of a variety of community issues and campaigns. Over the years, as . . .

November 2005

In the October WIP I tried, as completely and diplomatically as I could, to give my impression of what happened in City Council process on the Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance leading up to the Council meeting where the ordinance was heard at second reading. Carrie Lybecker had some additional questions, and some I thought I'd answered already. Let me try again.

October 2005

by Carrie Lybecker

September 25, 2005

The mayor has not answered my questions:

Why did the city council meet in executive session? Why did the council accept behind closed doors the legal analysis it had previously requested publicly and knew it needed for 2 ½ months? Why wasn't that analysis discussed publicly? Why would it have been acceptable to receive the attorney's analysis publicly at any of the previous city council meetings, but not this one? Who threatened the city with, presumably, litigation, and what was the basis of that threat? How is it possible that the text of an . . .

September 2005

by Carrie Lybecker

On August 23rd, the Olympia City Council passed "An ordinance declaring the City of Olympia, Washington a nuclear free zone." This was the culmination of intensive efforts by local citizens, councilmembers and city staff over many months. Immediately prior to the final vote, the ordinance was significantly amended behind closed doors, based on information withheld from the public. While the final ordinance provides mechanisms through which the city may limit its contribution to nuclear proliferation via contracts and investments, it does not create a nuclear free zone in . . .

September 2005

It was standing room only with overflow into the foyer. About 40 citizens actually spoke, and the end tally was 100% FOR TJ's proposed ordinance. Following the public comments, TJ delivered the remarks below. Up until then the proceedings had been very decorous and muted, but when TJ finished, the crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation, the likes of which I've never seen at a city council meeting. (Of course, this was not reported in The Olympian). -- Carrie Lybecker

TJ's statement:

August 2005

Project of the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace

The U.S. victory in the cold war never ended the threat of nuclear holocaust. Our nuclear arsenal still includes 2,000 warheads on hair-trigger alert - ready to launch on 15 minutes notice -- each warhead has the power of 20 Hiroshimas. Russia has a similar number of trip-wire warheads aimed at us -- only their early warning system is deteriorating. Both nations register alarms daily, triggered by wildfires, satellite launchings and solar reflections off clouds or oceans.

August 2005

by Jody Suhrbier

A small group of thoughtful citizens have come together and decided that Olympia, Washington and the greater South Sound community should have an opportunity to reflect on nuclear weapons and the post-nuclear age. This summer marks the sixtieth anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, and will be a time of acknowledgment, reflection, and action as the Beyond Hiroshima Coalition presents a series of events for the community to take part in.

July 2005

by Beth Ward

When people talk about the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA) it seems like they either love it or hate it. Some describe it as a welcoming, inclusive group while others view the ODA as an exclusivist association dominated by downtown retail interests. So what is the ODA?

Founded in the late 1980's, the ODA is recognized by the city as a neighborhood association, which is a conglomerate of people who join together to improve the quality of their neighborhood and can choose to complete the proper paperwork and be recognized by the city as an official association. The ODA's boundaries . . .

June 2005

by Trudy Springer

So you think Olympia has a moratorium against large retail stores? Think again. Oh, they passed a moratorium alright, stating that no retail space could exceed 125,000 square feet, but on Wednesday, May 18th the Olympia City Council granted an exemption from the moratorium to Westfield in a 5 to 1 vote.

This exemption states that Westfield cannot exceed 125,000 square feet per floor. The council has, by this ridiculous caving into the demands of Westfield, effectively voided the moratorium.

June 2005

From the Olympia Community Association

I am writing to the council on behalf of the Olympia Community Association, a group of progressively minded citizens who have been meeting on a regular basis to better coordinate our work to make Olympia a livable city that supports and nurtures economic, social and environmental justice for all its citizens.

June 2005

by Drew Hendricks

The Olympia City Council's General Government Committee met on Monday, May 16th to review the city's police accountability system and consider changes to its structure and goals. No decisions were taken at the meeting, which began at 11:30 AM on a Monday. The next scheduled General Government Committee meeting is set for June 6th, 2005 at 11:30 AM, again on a Monday. The agenda for that meeting had not yet been posted to the City's web site as of press time.

That web site address is: http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/council/minutes/default.asp

September 2003

by Peter Francis Tassoni

The City Council has been asked by the South Sound Clean Clothes Coalition to consider a policy that would require City Departments to purchase Clean Clothes whenever possible. Clean clothes are articles of clothing that are produced free of "sweatshop labor," or what would be considered as a substandard way to make a living or quality of life. Articles may be produced in an unhealthy environment with little or no concern for the employee producing the work. The current purchasing practices indicate City Departments are approximately 50% compliant.

July 2003

by Stanley Stahl

Friends:

If y'all know that the $10 million of Olympia PFD money combined with $5 million of Olympia funds earmarked for building a Conference Center could be spent on a swimming pool, a library, or West Bay land acquisition for Parks, then staying inactive about getting this on the ballot is apathetic, ignorant and downright foolish.

July 2003

by Jeffrey Denison

I presented the following information to the Olympia City Council on June 12. It was written in response to a telephone communication from Conference Center project manager and City of Olympia Senior Planner Steve Friddle who stated, "An EIS has not been done for the Conference Center," and that all pertinent information was on the project's website. On the website at this writing there is no reference to any environmental review for this project.

Arts & Conference Center Project website:

http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/generalgov/accenter