Comments on: John Lynn, Monday night

By: marymary

marymary — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I am totally with those of you who are not impressed with money-draining “retreats.” And Tom, I am totally with you about having plenty of residents with the experience and knowledge to facilitate/mediate. This town is lousy with ex-Boeing managers, though I’m not sure if that is really a very good reference. What is needed is proven leadership and a good attitude. So, yeah, I volunteer. You’ve got my email, if you can sell that idea.

By: chey

chey — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Editor,
We need recognition of true beach wit. Another vote> Maybe Valentine’s Day.

By: TouriststarvedOS

TouriststarvedOS — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

We could invite a RAW Referee and make it an event at the Convention Center. Maybe hire some gladiators to make it interesting. Then we could afford to pay the referee.

By: Tom Scanlon

Tom Scanlon — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Maybe so, Rafael, but there are plenty of experienced, knowledgeable folks in this town who (I’m betting) would be happy to “facilitate,” “mediate” or what-have-you on a volunteer basis.

By: Rafael

Rafael — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Here is a quote from the 2-12-09 retreat minutes.

Others present: Jeff Myers mediator Chief of Police Hoquiam.

In other words he acted as an intermediary. A true facilitator is typically a professional, well paid for his/her services. Let’s keep the apples and oranges separate.

By: Tom Scanlon

Tom Scanlon — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I believe that the last “retreat” facilitator was a volunteer (the Hoquiam police chief), but will check on that.
In any case, there is nothing stopping Lynn’s proposed process from having an unpaid facilitator.
Any volunteers?

By: Frances

Frances — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

My thoughts exactly…he sounded good until he got to the part about retreats and another high priced facilitator!

By: Rafael

Rafael — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The mayor and council received many suggestions from citizens during the budget hearings and they ignored 95% of them. Now they want to hire more expert facilitators and have more expensive meetings to once again re-hash it? Give me a break!

By: Hearing all bull

Hearing all bull — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

That’s what we need- more expenses for retreats, facilitators, and lots of coffee and doughnuts and free meals for the mayor and council to search for the solution. The solution to the problem is easy–stop spending money you don’t have. Bring in more revenue from sources like those that were talked about in the EMS election–getting the EMS bills paid and getting our just compensation from the north fire districts. Get our just compensation from the State for patrolling their beaches. Has anyone thought of simple money saving solutions like lowering the heat and turning off the lights in the convention center and fire station and all city buildings for that matter, in all that unused time? Cut all travel expenses, period!

Retreats just add to the expense problem. If John Lynn wants to meet with his brethren, there is a a totally unused council room at city hall that can easily seat 20, (both council and interested citizens alike) and the price is right. We’ll even let him bring his own doughnuts.

By: TouriststarvedOS

TouriststarvedOS — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Finally someone has seen the light and the realities on the ground here in Ocean Shores. I only hope these meetings of 3 be public. A long hard look at budgets is needed. Not just the annual review with general definitions of costs. We need to look all the way down to the actual costs and fees. If the fee does not cover the cost, we need to raise it. If we can find any revenue sources, we must avail ourselves of it. Services need to be paid for. Programs that involve citizens assisting the city need to be expanded. Teaming between the citizens and staff needs to become second nature. Oversight is a must on all departments and projects. Business, resident and city personnel must all work together to get the right answers for Ocean Shores. We need to start running the city by true commissions, boards and committees that set the policy and direction for staff. Staff are there to assist and support the committee. It should not be these entities rubber stamping staff or department heads. Only then will trust and efficiency be re-established in Ocean Shores.