The subject of shelter animal care is an emotional issue, and one that until just recently divided us in county government. Strong feelings expressed from people in our community and the great number of emails and calls demonstrate how much we all care about the animals in our shelters. It is emotional because those of us with pets often consider them part of the family. It is especially painful to know that we aren’t giving the best care possible to the living, vulnerable and innocent creatures that are in our shelters because they were lost, unwanted or have been abused.
Put aside for a moment the pros and cons of Dino Rossi’s just-released transportation plan and consider this: It outlines what direction we should go in, why, how to get there and how we’ll pay for it. Sound unusual? It should. No gubernatorial candidate or sitting governor has done that in nearly 30 years.
My grandfather just rolled over in his grave.
During the past several years, we have found that working as a team of state representatives from the 41st District is the most efficient and effective approach in Olympia. As always, we worked together on your priorities, focusing on education and transportation. And this year, we also worked to move plans to replace the SR 520 floating bridge to the top of everyone’s priority list.
He lied to us.
Those four little words are the papier maché shield being used by politicians from Seattle to Olympia to deflect the blame for the Seattle Sonics inevitable departure for Oklahoma City.
We’re number five! We’re number five! We’re number five! Yes, that chant was heard loud and clear across the region as word came from the American Wind Energy Association (that’s “Uh-We-Uh”, kids) that our fair state is now the big number five when it comes to turning wind into electricity.
A neighbor of mine, Tony, is trying his best to take this “going green” thing seriously. For example, he tells me that he’s recently begun recycling his newspaper each week.
Our nation’s housing markets have been hit hard, and consumers are trying to stay afloat during the fallout of the subprime mortgage crisis.
The 2008 legislative session ended on March 13. With the many challenges facing our state in transportation, education and health care, we were hopeful to make progress on these and other issues this year.
So here we are, turning the calendar to April, and we’re still shivering from a rare spring snow on some of the higher hills around the area. Trust me, I know what you’re thinking: Ha, so much for global warming!
