Subject: [OMJP] CC tonight on Oly NFZ
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 01:59:03 -0700
From: Carrie Lybecker
To: OMJP

I'm writing to convey a little of what was said and done at tonight's
city council meeting. You really should watch it on cable.

The council eventually voted 5:2 in favor (Foutch, Mah dissenting) of
moving the ordinance along for a second reading next week. I'm not sure
what that means, so maybe TJ or someone could explain.

The bombshell (in my opinion) was that Major Foutch said that Lakefair
has invited the USS Olympia to participate in next year's Capital
Lakefair festival. The context for this statement was that the mayor was
explaining his concerns about the ordinance. He questioned what would
happen if a business refused to certify that it is not involved in
nuclear weapons production, and then added that his specific concern was
that the Navy won't say whether or not they are carrying nuclear
weapons, and that Lakefair has invited the USS Olympia, and that "this
community can't afford another divisive debate over the USS Olympia." He
then went on to say that our state officials were embarrassed over the
previous debate and that it interfered with the city's relationships
with state leaders.

TJ then remarked that if the USS Olympia comes next year, it will indeed
be a divisive act on the part of Lakefair. Curt Pavola said he would
welcome another community discussion of the issue.

I just wrote to Lakefair to verify the invite.

After a lot of discussion, it seems there had been some misunderstanding
about the ordinance's various provisions regarding transport etc,
contracts, and investments. As I understand it, contracting agencies
will be asked to certify that they are not involved with nuclear weapons
production etc. The Navy wouldn't be a contractee so that provision
wouldn't apply. The transport provision would apply, but in any case, a)
federal law trumps local and b) this law contains an exemption for
national security matters, so while the city can state its position, it
apparently would have no basis for applying sanctions or penalties.

There were questions about civil penalties for contracting companies
found in violation. The penalties are fines of $25, $50, and $100 per
day. No, I did not burst out laughing. Everyone agreed and clarified
that they agreed that city staff do not have time to monitor and
investigate compliance. The consensus was that the city will rely on,
and TJ said he hoped there would be, individuals and groups within the
community that will take it upon themselves to research and report
credible evidence of contracting companies' involvement in nuclear
weapons production. It was emphasized many times that they will not
respond to half baked and unsubstantiated allegations. They'll want
"hard facts."

Catherine Tam of The Olympian asked three of us if we thought there are
people in the community who would take on such an effort. :)

Among the more startling statements tonight were these:

[Backing up, let me say that I think Mayor Foutch is an honorable who
has dedicated many years to public service. He is thoughtful, educated
and articulate, and I think he has been an outstanding mayor.}

Mayor Foutch, addressing city manager Steve Hall, said that Steve had
told him that issues like this distract us from the city's real work,
and that he doesn't know that the ordinance mirrors the broader public
values. Steve did not address these assertions. It was obvious that
Mayor Foutch is a skilled politician and was using this opportunity to
get certain views expressed by proxy.

Mayor Foutch said he disagrees with the "finding" that the nuclear arms
race is accelerating. He thinks it has decreased.

Mayor Foutch said that we had [last council meeting] "a group that was
very well organized" that spoke in favor of the ordinance, but that we
don't know if there is broad community support for it. He found it very
worrisome that not one person spoke publicly against it, and therefore
moved to table the ordinance until it could be put on the Nov ballot to
give the public an opportunity to weigh in.

Laura Ware replied that she was very offended that he characterized
public comments as the result of one organized group; that she saw many
individuals and a host of groups testify; and she cited months of
meetings, discussions, public announcements and newspaper articles, ie,
the public had extensive opportunity to express opinion. "This isn't
some group ramrodding their opinion down the community's throat."

Doug Mah said the ordinance confuses good intent with good policy, that
it is not city council material and is beyond the scope of local
government, and that these are issues city council members never thought
they'd be called upon to deal with. Further, it is divisive: people will
say to the military, "You don't belong here." It is mean spirited.

Mayor Foutch agreed that it is taking a step outside the scope of city
government to get involved in international affairs. There are other
ways for us to spend our resources.

TJ was, as usual, magnificent. He provided some stats. The council has
received 118 written public comments. Of those, 111 (95%) were in favor
of the ordinance, 7 objected, and half of those live outside Thurston
County. The pro figures do not include 40+ members of Oly Friends
Meeting (apparently a petition), 150 OMJP members (petition; good work
Marco!), 9 organizational endorsements (told ya!), and the endorsement
of one neighborhood association. TJ also described extensive
opportunities for public involvement in the process since May.

That's all for now.

Carrie