Council Meeting: Oct. 6, 2008

Very brief highlights for tonight in no particular order - I'll get the full report up during the day tomorrow...

• Council Member Stebner wants to serve as mayor. There has only been one other verbal application at town hall to date.
• Council Member Huson wants to stay on until the end of October as planned.
• Police pay increases did not bring any objections from the council. Vote will be taken at the next meeting.
• Lengthy discussion on Stack Hill (removal of view corridor requirement). Vote will be at the next meeting. Hedrick said he would be voting for it, Stebner against. The others did not indicate their vote specifically.
• The sparring between Albertson and Huson continued through the discussion of how much time Huson devotes to town business and the discussions Huson, Hunt and former mayor Everding had with Tacoma about providing services to Ruston in July.
• Council supports requiring anyone who speaks at public comment state their home address, but a couple people spoke against it during public comment.
• Council supports raising Ruston's B&O taxes.
• The off-leash dog park is getting very popular. Ruston has some liability when they allow people and dogs to co-mingle. The council will continue to review the issue.

I'll have all the details tomorrow! ~ Karen

Council Meeting: Sept. 15, 2008

Here is what I observed tonight ~ please attend yourself to see your leaders in action! ~ Karen

Mayor Pro-tem Bradley Huson started the meeting at 7 pm. The agenda was amended to delay the tree committee report until next meeting and to hold a 30-minute executive session to discuss real estate issues and potential litigation.

The first item was a public hearing on the codification of Ruston codes, which brings the codes up to date with any recent changes. They are now available on Ruston's web page. Several thank yous were extended to Sally Everding for her work, along with the rest of the web committee for putting this together. Huson will draft a thank you letter for the council to sign. Rather than pay Mrs. Everding (since her husband was mayor at the time), the town will contribute to the community Easter egg celebration.

Fire Chief Torbet noted that all the calls last month were medical aid, although several were for patient assists rather than medical emergencies. He will be updating his report to reflect these types of calls. Police Chief Reese went over several items; calls were routine this month, she is pursing a refund of the department radios that have not worked well, her proposed new salary grid (provides incentives to keep people on and get better applicants) costing $7,563 for the rest of 2008 and $37,717 for 2009. They have several good applicants for police reserve positions. She also discussed her resignation at the end of the year. The police chief and town attorney will look at the noise ordinance to make sure it is enforceable.

Town electrician Tim Burtron presented information on the deteriorating streetlights. After discussion, Burtron will work with the electrical engineer to get a bid on putting a scope of work for replacing the lights on Pearl, Winnifred and 51st Street - taking into consideration the style of new lights on Stack Hill and Point Ruston.

Huson clarified the letter from Betty Fellerman on the dog park. The cost is about $250 a year. Ms. Fellerman has donated $25 towards purchasing doggie bags.

Ordinance 1265 (accepting the codified municipal code) passed 5-0.

Council Member Stebner wants a new study on the condition of the town sewer system. After discussion, the mayor will have the town planner review the current information and come back with a proposal at the next meeting. Storm sewer was also discussed. Once Ruston reaches a population of 1,000 new regulations for storm water discharge is required. Coupled with changes needed for the storm line that runs through the Point Ruston site, this issue will need attention very soon as well. Stebner suggested using Harbor Improvement and sewer reserve funds if needed.

The town attorney presented an ordinance that would control renting or allowing meetings in town facilities. After some discussion, Huson will bring the ordinance back for a second reading at the next meeting with some issues clarified.

There was extended discussion on hiring a town administrator. Hunt has drafted a job description suggesting pay of $75,000 to $90,000 a year. Albertson asked if funding for the position would require 4 votes. The attorney felt it would only require super majority approval if additional funding would be required.

Albertson felt the town could not afford a paid administrator and would not last until Point Ruston was developed. He wants to look at the short-term issues like fixing the immediate needs and thought the council should be talking to Tacoma about what to do when we run out of money, including annexation. Stebner felt the council needed to look at all the options and put annexation up for a vote.

Huson noted that he and Hunt have already met with Tacoma's city manager about taking them over police, fire and other services. They are waiting to hear back on what Tacoma would proposal. He felt the handwriting was on the wall and Ruston could not afford to continue to provide the same level of service to new residents.

Huson felt the town had done well this year, considering all the resignations. They had gotten the legal and planning costs under control and moved important development projects forward. These saving might be enough to pay for an administrator through the end of 2008. He will talk with the town clerk to see if they could find a way to fund the town administrator position within the budget since they would not have the super-majority vote.

Albertson wanted to know if anyone had applied for the mayor's position. The clerk noted there had not been any notice given yet asking for applications. Albertson felt it had been a disastrous year for the town, especially with former mayor Everding’s resignation. Hunt felt an administrator would save the town money in the long run by securing grants.

The clerk supported hiring an administrator and felt there needed to be a central person who could prioritize and recommend how to move projects/issues forward. Stebner chastised the clerk for not getting the meeting minutes done yet. Huson noted that at least the town would not run out of money before Albertson would run out of office - he could be voted out of office before then. Stebner thought that comment was inexcusable.

Claims and payroll were approved 5-0.

Public Comment:
Jim Wingard gave his address as required, but was interrupted by Albertson who demanded to know what Wingard's address was at his residence (not the address of the property he owns in Ruston). Huson gaveled him down, noting that Wingard was still allowed to address the council. Wingard express frustration that Stebner and Albertson seem to be opposing hiring an administrator but supported changing the form of government that would have forced hiring a manager.

Connie Maglione expressed frustration that a part-time administrator was not being pursued. She chastised Albertson for attempting to interrupt her and then noted what she felt was money wasted on frivolous lawsuits and the grant the council walked away from last spring.

I voiced support for new pedestrian-friendly street lighting, asked when the exclusive lease on the Commencement sales center expired and felt it was inappropriate to be talking about annexation.

Terry Knapp wanted to know why Albertson and Stebner supported hiring an administrator before but not now. They responded that they had never supported the concept.

Sherrie Forch likened the town to a boat being skippered by well-intended amateurs. She felt we need a professional at the helm or we would run aground.

Jon Anderson wanted to know if the mayor's position had been advertised yet. Huson noted there had not been a town newsletter since the decision was made to ask for applications at the last meeting. The invitation would be included in the next newsletter.

Nan Leiter felt that a proven record in securing grants should be the top priority for an administrator. She was also concerned about the divisive nature of the meeting.

Mayor's Time:
Huson has met with Paul Wageman of the Commencement to talk about noise, maintenance, cost of utilities and the lease and the relocation of Bennett Street. He has also met with Point Ruston to discuss infrastructure, the LID and the shoreline permit. He and Hunt will be meeting with Point Ruston bi-weekly (Hunt is the council committee person for infrastructure).

Council Time:
Stebner wants to see the fence installed at the dog park as budgeted. He noted the auditor will be auditing the town and he wants to attend the pre-meeting. He and Hedrick will attend.

Hedrick congratulated the business district on a successful music fest. He is sorry to see Chief Reese leave and thanked her for her time a police chief. He will draft a letter of recommendation for the council to sign. He will also take on the process of getting a secretary for the civil service commission after he talks to the commission chair.

Albertson also thanked Chief Reese. He clarified he had not supported hiring an administrator when Transue was mayor. Regarding what he felt were frivolous lawsuits, he asked Jim Wingard how much he was suing Ruston for. Mr. Wingard responded only enough to start a recall. Albertson felt we had not gotten any applications for mayor because we had poisoned the well with too many personal attacks on local blogs. He felt the town government is dysfunctional and policy differences were being turned into personal attacks.

He felt it was wrong for council members to meet with developers in private and that the new hearing on Stack Hill was a back door way to accomplish what had been turned down through the front door. He said people would be shocked at what's gone on behind the scenes to change the outcome of that last vote.

Hunt responded to Albertson’s accusation of ex-parte communication on the last vote on Stack Hill, noting that the town attorney had advised the council that contact with the developer was allowed. She also encouraged the council to review a brochure from AWC on user fees and tax sources.

The meeting moved into executive session for about 25 minutes and adjourned at about 9:30 with no further action.

POINT RUSTON

FROM THE FRONT ROW: Ruston Town Council meeting 9-2-08 7 pm

Item 3 - Ordinance 1264 - Point Ruston MDP (second reading) passes 3-2 Albertson, Stebner voting no. Ruston is saved, on the map big time, despite the recalcitrants. More on the Dan and Wayne show later.

JOHN LARSON writing in the TACOMA WEEKLY here gave a synopsis of this historic Ruston council meeting that one would be hard pressed to improve upon. It is recommended reading. I will report on the Dan and Wayne show attempts to "slow down" the future of Ruston, our 102 year dream come true. I guess that surmises the difference between Wayne and Dan and the people of Ruston. We see and dream of the future they dream of the past


It was an historic evening, the air was light, the weather warm and not even a 55 minute wait for a Dan Albertson EXECUTIVE SESSION to conclude could bring down the sense of excitement. There was a sense of an epochal event of historical proportions about to take place. If you were there you will have a story to tell for the ages.

It was not all sweetness and honey. The disgruntled duo, Dan and Wayne, waged a blistering attack mostly based on baloney and buffoonery. Wayne whose wisdom never seems to advance from where it started in kindergarten started off on his favorite aphorism, building heights. Finally he was informed they were based on high water mark for the umpteenth time.. Then he expanded his knowledge base into utilities stating public was misinformed and Ruston would take "a big hit". Then, his favorite, the Marcotte Report stated there was no money available for fire or police. Wayne reimburse the town for the $70,000 you lost on the ballet lawsuit.

But the highlight, the nattering nabob of negativity, was the "hideous ghetto" comment of the apparently unbalanced Dan Albertson. He started slowly "My concern, rushing through, out of character, lack of openness, timing considerations, ex parte contacts, a litany of gobbledygook poured out of lawyer Dan. Branched off into STACK HILL was rushed with dire consequences had to be reprimanded by Hunt, Huson to stick to items on the agenda.

The duo's predisposition with building heights is unfathomable. The town sits 100 feet above the base elevation of POINT RUSTON, the low point on the Promontory is 90 feet. What is the point? Please somebody tell me what is the point. Dan says development is out of character with rest of the town. No kidding, it took a lawyer to figure that out? Lot 11A in Ruston is 94.75 feet above grade, lot 17 the Silver Cloud Hotel 91.56 feet. Some sites on the Tacoma side top 100 feet.

Then launched into personal attacks on council members with different views only to be shot down when they brought out the true facts. Although he was well advised to steer clear of Jim Hedrick. Finally winding up with a plea to SLOW DOWN. Yah, like almost three years to approve STACK HILL.

Amid the celebration a public comment called for the immediate resignation of Dan Albertson and Wayne Stebner who serve no useful purpose in Ruston except getting us into cabal lawsuits we cannot win. Please Dan and please Wayne sincerely weigh this advice coming from the wisdom of age.

Finally, congratulations to Bradley Huson who has become the elder statesman of Ruston donating his time to serve as Mayor at great cost to himself. Although Bradley went through a rough early period his devotion and willingness to serve the Town of Ruston never wavered. My hat is off to you and hopefully some of your critics on the council will benefit from your example. Kudos to Jane Hunt and Jim Hedrick for their study on the issues and their unbiased votes for progress.

Council Meeting: Sept. 2, 2008

The Ruston council approved the Point Ruston Master Plan tonight with a 3-2 vote (Albertson and Stebner voting no). It's been 23 years and 5 months since the last business shut its doors on this waterfront property. It's finally looking like new businesses will fill that vacant space at the bottom of the hill.

The other item of interest in tonight's meeting: Council Member Huson has agreed to carry on as Mayor Pro-tem until October 31, 2008. The council will be sending out a notice about the vacancy (presumably to take applications for the position).

WAYNE'S WORLD

Special Council meeting, Monday August 25th, 2008 7PM:

Meeting called to order Bradley Huson, Mayor pro tem. Quorum of three, Albertson, Hunt on vacation.

Item 1 - Discussion of Town Administrator

A general discussion ensued with public comments. Bradley explained need for Town Administrator, the most important thing we are doing. Part time three days a week or five days full time still to be determined. Bradley will put ad on AWC website with job title and description by the end of the week.

Jim Hedrick wanted to make sure town's interests and resources were protected. We need to stay ahead of the curve and assist the council in making better decisions with the expanded government. Jim wanted job management and construction experience. The urgency was added because the town was on its third Mayor in the last eight months.

Wayne was being Wayne and doing a Dan impersonation, informing Bradley, Mayor pro tem, this is your mess. Wayne this mess started two and one half years ago when you were elected to the council on a pro Ruston platform. We do not need a City Manager he continued as the voters have rejected a Town Administrator! Wayne the voted against a change of government away from Mayor Council form. Wayne declined to take over as Mayor pro tem.

Wayne plowed on we have no money (70,000 dollar ballet lawsuit vs. Commencement money wasted) and the Marcotte study said no new town employees according to Wayne. A public comment pointed out we could use part of the $400,000 saved on terminating the Huitt-Zollars contract. Several public comments echoed the "we are broke". The amazing turnabout, Wayne and his buddy tried to change the town charter to hire a PERMANENT Town Administrator at $100,000 a year as a cost saving measure!!! Go figure.

But other public comments pointed out we were at emergency levels because of no cohesion or planning in town policy. A part time Mayor at $500 a month is laughable in the face of major growth and expansion in the Town.

Chief Reese provided a sincere, telling comment that was moving and emphasized we are at emergency conditions. The town has a myriad of problems she continued, town staff needs direction and guidance. The Mayors, past, present and future, are overwhelmed as is the staff. Their is a need for feedback and personnel problems need to be looked at promptly. Not doing so will lead to excess costs which could be avoided

This was spoken with urgency and putting the council on notice that things are out of hand and will get worse if the council does not act soon. There is no time to waste. With a Town Administrator and full time Mayor all these problems could be alleviated and we could move forward.

Bradley closed with praise for Bob Everding for his organizing skills and list of projects he prioritized and left for the incoming mayor. Very helpful he explained with gratitude.

Adjourned 7:30 PM.

I will add my final comment those fighting the town and progress need to get on board or resign their council seats. The shameful backbiting on issues important to the town serves no useful purpose and is childish and irresponsible. It is over, we are moving forward, get over it.

RUSTON MOVES FORWARD

reconvened Council meeting August 12th continued from August 4, 2008:

Hooray for Hollywood,
And ballyhoo for Ruston too.
All's well that turns out good,
Even if the final vote was 3 to 2.

Jim Hedrick appointed May pro tem in Bob Everding's absence.
One moment of comedy after much finagling with the recorder Wayne Stebner went over and plugged it in. Please come back Karen, it took three people to turn the recorder on.

8:04 Item 1 - Resolution 430 Interlocal Agreement with Tacoma LID
No discussion, passed 3-2, Albertson, Stebner voting no.
This LID will allow all improvements to Point Ruston to start when financing is approved.

8:05 Item 2 - Resolution 429 Stack Hill final plat as amended
continued from previous regular council meeting by Bob Everding who refused to sign it in the absence of Special Legal Counsel David Britton after passing by a 3-2 council vote, Albertson, Stebner voting no. Reason given one council person had recused previously.

This changed from recusal to procedural problem per Dan Albertson. Stebner said it would lead to litigation. Albertson continued regardless of vote there was legal liability, subject to legal challenge. Who would file legal challenge was left out. Maybe Jobs for Justice? Anyway Dan wanted a reconsideration and full public hearing on 7.5 foot setbacks or 10 foot setbacks and a prolonged drawn out study session, another do over. Dan got no takers so Stebner called for Executive Session as it was disclosed applicant had filed suit vs. Town of Ruston. Fifteen minutes was agreed upon.

7:31 back in session, again Dan called for reconsideration, to fix procedural flaws, cure legal defect and undo divisiveness. Still no takers. Vote was taken to reapprove and results were the same, 3-2, Albertson, Stebner no votes.

7:33 Jim Hedrick pointed out that previous vote was approved automatically after five days signed or unsigned and resolution was already in effect as eight days had passed.

7:34 Adjourn.

Stack Hill will be built out 34 new homes to join the Ruston community. Why such an outstanding development took years to approve needs to be looked at! Thank you Lord applicant didn't sue for exhorbitant fees he had to pay along the way and the deliberate, inordinate delays.

WEIRD COUNCIL GETS WEIRDER

Cont., Russtia Cabal council meeting August 4, 7 pm:

Proving the old adage there is "no liar like a damn liar" goes on each week somewhere and oft times in Russtia home of the Tacoma cabal. Each meeting there is a total memory erase of the past and the only real truth is espoused by the caballer speaking at that moment. When they speak of the people of Ruston they are referring to themselves, the cabal.

Conveniently, they put Public Comments before Mayor/Council time so no contrary opinion can be recorded for the truth squad. When the Mayor was questioned on how to answer this one-sided cabal time his response was "you can address them personally!" When it was attempted to speak to Dan Albertson about his maudlin praise of the cabal council Special Legal Counsel Dan scurried off behind his cohorts without responding. So RustonTruth is our only outlet until the State Auditor/Attorney General shows up.

Item 1- with Wayne, the brain of the cabal, worrying about future costs to the town and continuing on Item 4 where Wayne insisted on $15 permits for the Music Festival to help out in costs to the Town. The Police Chief assured everyone that anyone without a permit would be shooed over to the Tacoma side of Pearl Street. Wayne was also worried about the cost to the town of purchasing doggie bags for the park. With Wayne it is the big things.

One small thing was the seventy thousand ($70,000) dollars the town lost on the "Ballet Lawsuit" vs. the Commencement championed by Wayne. Apparently the importance of costs is relative to the cabal plan for Russtia. The Mayor announced new maintenance charges will be billed to the Commencement! Gee, I hope you read the lease this time.

Nationally there is a nightly contest on cable for the "worst person in the world". The competition is fierce but usually centers on one person. Well if we had "worst person in Ruston" each month it could possibly be the same two people not necessarily in the same order. Each is deserving and at times more deserving than the other. Listen up now and you can nominate your own favorite, only one vote per person please.

Items 5 and 6- Resolution 429 - STACK HILL FINAL PLAT

Wow. Bells were ringing, whistles were blowing out of the ears of every cabal fanatic in the room. One even rushed the council area and had to be gaveled back to his seat, a soft gavel I might add. Mark your calendar as the day the cabal imploded!

Item 5- was added as an amendment to stack Hill preliminary plat regarding setbacks. At that moment the world stopped spinning the Russtia cabal persons were stunned but not for long.

The Mayor Everding immediately intoned this was sacrilegious without any public comment and violated all the tenets of the cabal. Indeed it was definitely anti-cabal. This is the same Mayor who as Council Person Everding from day one opened every Ruston council meeting with items to be added to the agenda with an "automatic second" from Wayne Stebner no public comment allowed. The same two who routinely refused to pay the Town's bills by abstaining and once nearly causing the town to shut down. High and mighty hypocrite?

De facto town attorney Dan Albertson was very upset at the disunity among the cabal and putting the interests of the Town of Ruston as paramount. This led to three startling revelations by Dan on how to save our town and not destroy it:

(1) Dan offered to meet with other council members on Ruston issues apparently to clarify and make clear the cabal position, absolutely clear so there would be no more divergence from cabal norm on agenda items. Dan what you are proposing is a violation of the Open Meetings Act and you are an officer of the court sworn to uphold the law. Am I right on this?

(2) A WHOPPER. Dan leaning back in his chair pointing to the Commencement under construction intoning this is why we should stay together. This is what happened under a previous Mayor/Council without public input. Whoa now! For those who were present at those meetings the Commencement was a necessity to save the town and without the $4.2 million the town received the cabal council could not finance all these frivolous lawsuits.

Dan, before Dan, before the cabal, people could speak at any length on any item on the agenda. Dan, people could speak as long as they wished during public comments. Before Dan and the cabal there was no need to silence the voices of the citizens of the Town of Ruston. Dan the meetings normally were over under one hour!

(3) Glorifying the efforts of the Special Legal Counsel and his wonderful brief in the Point Defiance Casino motion for a temporary restraining order. Dan, it was rescheduled to October 3rd on a technicality doubling the cost to the town and doubling the legal fees to David Britton, Special Legal Counsel to the cabal council. Dan, you were there conversing with your neighbor David Britton apparently advising him on how to proceed? Dan who is paying your legal fees to attend these court sessions? When we have to do everything twice we have to wonder about fee splitting? Legal fees for court time runs $500 per hour and up. Pocket change to the cabal.

Dan, the business was forced to close. Twenty to thirty people lost their jobs. The Town lost $8 to $10,000 in tax income. A lawsuit will be filed against the town and will very likely be successful. Where is the praise in this? Did anybody win? Call Dan and ask him as the Mayor suggested and if you find out the winner let me know.

At this point after Items 5 and 6 Stack Hill Final Plat passed 3-2, Albertson and Stebner voting no. Bob Everding became very agitated and announced he would refuse to sign Resolution 429 as amended because of legal concerns over the town's liability, boy that's a good one, and would await the return of the Special Legal Counsel and the meeting was held over to Tuesday August 12th.

The Special Legal Counsel was selected and appointed by the cabal council but is is more and more apparent Dan Albertson is the de facto "Town Attorney" so the continued meeting should be very interesting if the cabal Special Legal Counsel defies the will of the people of the town of Ruston and the duly seated Town council. That lawsuit will be titled "Town of Ruston vs. Town of Ruston". Very interesting, one for the books, to be read and reread by first year law students in case studies.

One final comment, is there a nastier, a more evil mean spirited person in the Town of Ruston than Bob Everding when crossed. Once when a public comment did not end in exactly two minutes slamming down the gavel so hard everyone in the front row flinched and some feared for their safety. We need to move Chief Reese to the other side of the room to protect the public. Implosions are not fun after two and one half years of rule and ruin.

FROM THE FRONT LINE, HELMET REQUIRED.

CABAL VS. CASINO

Scheduled 10:00 am Friday courtroom 2C Judge Hogan:
I arrived at 9:58 and sat in section reserved for public spectators.

At 9:59 Dan Albertson arrived and entered court area reserved for lawyers involved in cases before the court. After whispering to Special Legal Counsel David Britton for a minute or so he removed himself to the public area. Apparently his maneuver and presence were meant to influence and intimidate the judge. It worked.

The judge announced she was running late and two cases would be heard and then after a break Point Defiance Casino vs. Ruston would be heard. At this point, 10:10 am, David and Dan moved outside where they could be seen through the glass doors. Dan appeared very animated with a lot of finger pointing while David added a comment hear and there but appeared an attentive listener. After 25 minutes the judge reconvened the court and David and Dan reentered to their respective positions, David standing before the judge.

The hearing broke down over technical matters of evidence especially the 3-1 vote in the Council approving the tax increase. The judge appeared very one sided on the Ruston side on considering evidence and abrupt and curt to the Casino lawyer, Joan Mell. When David Britton would not stipulate to the 3-1 vote in the Ruston Council the hearing was extended to October 3rd same place same judge.

This decision only satisfied the Ruston CABAL! Remember David Britton is not the Ruston Town Attorney but the appointed Special Legal Counsel to the CABAL council. When are the people of the Town of Ruston going to figure this out?

What will follow are motions for reconsideration, emergency appeals, et al, none of it benefiting the Town of Ruston in any way but the town is forced to finance the CABAL lawsuits and needlessly running up the costs. When are the people of the Town of Ruston going to figure this out also?

I am not sure of the immediate effect on the Point Defiance Casino is? Dan Albertson immediately after the decision entered the court area reserved for litigant lawyers congratulating David Britton and they left together through the glass doors smiling.

I am not sure what Dan's hourly rate is but he spent one hour giving advice and supporting the CABAL attempt to close the Point Defiance Casino by targeting them and drastically raising their taxes. The sad point is they, the CABAL, are squandering the town's $4.2 million on their private lawsuits and no one, no one, is representing the TOWN OF RUSTON.

SHOW TRIALS IN RUSTON

The blind stares, the total lack of emotion, the angry tone, the vicious rebukes but especially the total lack of caring exhibited by the cabal council and the cabal mayor. The total failure to allow any sanity or objectivity to the proceedings. Straight line cabal voting without any input from the public or the victims. A black cloud hangs over Ruston while the Supreme tests our fortitude and our ability to absorb pain while our town is destroyed before our very own eyes. And we are gaveled into silence threatened with police enforcement and arrest and expulsion.

MINDZENTY?

My mind cannot remove the image of the Communist "show trials" of the fifties. Where the accused showed up with eyes blank after months of torture and indoctrination forced to walk for hours in shoes that did not fit. Well, we have had two and one half years of tortuous conduct and indoctrination by a self-appointed cabal that meets in private homes doing public business and then stages show meetings which are pretty much a motion, a second, a vote. Similarly, they operate in disregard of the law which requires open meetings and archiving of all public records.

Public comments by concerned citizens are subjected to ruthless cross-examination and merciless attacks on their citizenry and motives. Under cabal rule there can be no wrong! Attempts to correct or question during cabal council time are immediately gaveled down with threats of arrest or expulsion and banishment, out of order.

Council persons Albertson and Huson, the Dan and Brad sign removal specialists, both objected to a public comment that during their visit to the Point Defiance Casino complaining about their sign that they threatened to close the business down if the sign was not removed. As private citizens at the time they were guilty as charged, ipso facto, by the act itself. If not come clean, explain your action, purpose who sent you and why?

Scenarios:
1- They were both walking past the Casino and met at the sign and both decided spontaneously to go inside and meet with the owner demanding removal of the sign.
2- They were both driving past the casino almost had an accident while distracted by the totally disagreeable sign and upon agreeing they did not like the sign decided spontaneously to go inside and meet with the owner demanding removal of the sign.
3- After a secret cabal meeting they were selected by another unknown cabal person and given the assignment to visit the casino, meet with the owner and demand removal of the sign.
4- Dan and Brad could end all speculation and during the next regular council meeting tell us in open recorded session what was their mission and purpose.

Right now I have to go on the casino owner's word until Dan and Brad fess up with their version. All else failing this could end up in a court of law and hopefully the truth will come out under oath and sworn testimony.

Meanwhile Brad was bragging on his 3.5 million dollar business in Seattle where he lives five days a week.
Dan again indicated he was tired of the facts being twisted and it was not the tax increase forcing the casino to go out of business.
Jane again emphasized that "it is not our (town of Ruston) responsibility to support businesses in the town."
Dan, positive discussion of negative cabal council actions was hurting the town's image when reported in The (Tacoma) News Tribune, the Volcano and the Tacoma Weekly.

And yes, Dan again, after the Fire Chief and the Department were applauded for bringing an up to date fire engine to Ruston, new tires and new hoses, fire fighting shape ready to go at a bargain price, wanted to remind all that major credit was due annexation Wayne. Remember, Wayne, the same Wayne who was meeting with Tacoma officials to do away with the Ruston Volunteer Fire Department and woke up the town invoking their wrath on the cabal council leading to the infamous 45 minute cross-examination of the fire chief at a hastily scheduled Study Session which dissolved amidst great rancor?

And Brad previously changing public comments not to his liking. Is it any wonder that the the people of Ruston can attend the same meeting, hear the same comments and yet come away with diametrically opposite versions of what was said!

Cabal way or the highway to bankruptcy. I admire their tenacity, five of the most disliked people in Ruston, misguided or? How they can even show up at these staged meetings under such a cloud of distrust is scary, very scary.

DUMBFOUNDED IN TACTOWN

Special meeting 6-4-08 7pm Ruston school, 2nd floor:

Back to go and all residents of the town formerlly known as Ruston and now a suburb of Tacoma pay a stiff price. Wish them well and pray they know what they are doing. The absolute fatuousness of this spectacle obviously was pre-planned in open and notorious violation of the OPEN MEETINGS ACT. The smartest people in the room, just ask them?

Or in an extraordinary spectacular vision of return to glory Bob shows up at the first meeting attended since resigning his council seat. On and on, all's well that ends well; Somebody said that, I am just repeating it.

But looking into the real world and expecting the best we can have great expectations for Bob Everding and Jane Hunt I am surmising, they strike me as down to earth and business like with a propensity for getting things done without a lot of showmanship.

As for whiney Wayne his ambivalence and smirking and just plain dumbness makes him a prime candidate for the Ruston petting zoo, if we had one.

That leaves Brad and Dan, Seattle has grungers Ruston has to settle for grudgers. They appear to live in their own little worlds of animosity towards society in general or whoever is in their vision path or disagrees with them. They seen to spar with each other to go lower and lower on the gruesome twosome chart.

Much to Dans credit he chose not to malign a Mayor who served the town well for many years with little thanks. No one is perfect Dan except you and Brad of course.

Bradley smadly has no compunction when it comes to kicking dogs or town servants who are down and out. Brad you are the bravest little coward ever to reside in Ruston and each meeting we realize more and more why you are demanding of police protection. His evil diatribe had no place in such a ceremonial event. Hey Brad, sign in to www.rustontruth.blogspot.com and tell it like it is straight up. You won't need a police backup or is it backbone on the blog.

But in the spirit of forgiveness and getting on with Point Ruston let's us pray for a conversion by all to sustaining the town now and in the future.

Over and out.

FROM THE FRONT ROW

Ruston council meeting Monday, May 5, 2008:

First fifty minutes were spent on the ongoing harassment of the COMMENCEMENT GROUP. As magnificent as POINT RUSTON is there would be no TOWN OF RUSTON except for the COMMENCEMENT!!! Yet they remain under constant attack by the CABAL. Hearken back when the CABAL bid one million for the school and all the land, a sweetheart deal if there ever was one. The COMMENCEMENT bid 4.2 million for the lower parking lot, 1/3 of the land, the town keeps the school building and the rest of the land property. They then turned against the development, even though the CABAL development, would of been more obstructive, and used it to get elected (all newcomers to the town). This has been said many times but apparently will have to be retold until the COMMENCEMENT is built out and they, the CABAL council, are history or on the dump heap.

This is a vindictive, our way or the highway crowd, lurching each day in different directions depending on the CABAL complaint of the day. Thus 76 minutes of the last two meetings have been spent on making life as difficult as possible for the COMMENCEMENT, supposedly according to Jane and Wayne, because we have to respond to public complaints, we do have to ask questions. The tiffany approach to government. This bizarre behavior by this group of troublemakers goes on and on without letup and apparently will only stop when the town crashes under the weight of the CABAL lawsuits.

Further explanation the CABAL consists of probably ten to twelve hard core members and a throng of hangers on. When a CABAL council person or hanger on uses the term people they are only referring to about ten people, when a citizen of Ruston uses the term people they are referring to all 750 residents of Ruston.

So from now on they voted themselves, 4-1, guess the one, to approve all permits requiring digging in the street. So if your sewer goes out you could wait a minimum of three weeks, more or less, to even get a permit to begin repairs. So please, if your sewer is aging, tell it to hold out until the new hotel is finished in POINT RUSTON. Why? One reason and one REASON only to go into bizarre mode and harass and obstruct the COMMENCEMENT.

All this came about because the COMMENCEMENT was taking down telephone poles and burying wires underground and, yes believe it or not, obstructing the view of the complainer, never mind making noise. This still after the electrician Mo who had designed and approved the under grounding for the town, explained in great detail why they had to follow the law and the code. Logic and reason did not faze the all knowing CABAL COUNCIL who are lucky to find there seats with the correct nameplates. It took the former CABAL council two years to do bills and payroll, remember ABSTAIN and nearly shutting down the town when they refused to show up for a scheduled council meeting. So no more code no more law just CABAL RULERS and CABAL RULES common sense not withstanding. Call them up and ask what they understood about Mo's lengthy educational explanation and I will bet not one of the CABAL council understood a word or were they just playing dumb, or worse, they are numb on this harassment.

Is up down or down up with this crowd, you decide. The winner gets to be the first one whose side sewer goes out and has to move out of his house for an extended stay. Maybe we could put a jar on the counter in the town hall for donations to help with the hotel bill? This time I am saving this post and as I have to keep posting it over and over again, to no avail until we can say no mas, no CABAL, no more, not ever. Yearning for the good old days of the law and the code.

Then lawyer Dan proposed a "cease and desist" letter to the COMMENCEMENT, for what I am not sure, but was informed by the town legal counsel that it would be illegal or ill advised on just plain ill and mean spirited. Her last day is May 31 so that means no legal counsel, no town planner, no law, no code, just CABAL, whatever we decide, RULES. Item #1 COMMENCEMENT GROUP - UNDERGROUND UTILITY ended at 7:50 pm, an exercise in futility.

Bye Bye HUITT-ZOLLARS May 15th not even giving required 10 day notice. Too costly, time consuming. Ran up costs on STACK HILL from estimated $25,000 to $300,000 supposedly? That is for those with short memories. The cost skyrocketed because of the newly elected CABAL council who stacked the Planning Commission, first order of business, and then proceeded to play three way ping pong with the STACK HILL development. It went like this: council disapproves plan, sends to planning commission with changes and then back to Huitt-Zollars. This went on and on The News Tribune even referred to the council as WEIRD after twice conceding to block head changes, the view corridor and bicycle path, they still voted it down 3-2. Remember, SEPA, "we don't have anything to do with Tacoma!"? It's all on tape.

Item #10 Ordinance no. 1253 Amending Gambling Tax Rates (Stebner) was pulled from the agenda apparently the heat provided by The News Tribune got too hot for these cowardly and vindictive souls. To be reheard not May 12th but May 27th Study Session NO PUBLIC COMMENTS allowed. Remember when they got caught with their pants down while selling out the volunteer fire department in secret meetings with Tacoma? Same pattern moved it to a Study Session which was more like an inquisition then dropped it without admitting defeat. Expect the same. CABAL policy, anybody rules, doesn't always make a lot of sense except to the avengers.

Other news announced intention to replace free Mayor with $100,000 plus City Manager, just like Carnation. We can't control you so we will vote you out of existence. However, the Mayor can run for the Council and be appointed, yes, Mayor after all, if elected. Hopefully at the same time we will be saying goodbye to the CABAL council and closing the door behind them and locking it.

Notable public Comments: Sign up sheets SUCK. Thirteen items each requiring name, address and phone number. Line was down two sets of stairs out the door making most people late for the meeting. Way to plan CABALLEROS! NEXT, one senior citizen was admonished by the Mayor for going over two minute limit, replied couldn't hear timer, suggested the town invest in a COWBELL. Great idea, when not in use we could hang it around the neck of a CABAL council person of the week to give us fair warning of approaching annoyance. LAST wanted to return to NO PUBLIC COMMENTS to shorten meetings. We have had unlimited public comments for ninety eight years and meetings rarely lasted over an hour. Enter the CABAL and the great pontificators and 76 minutes of retribution against employees, businesses on their HIT LIST or their COMPLAINT LIST and voila three hour meetings.

Excellent idea to shorten meetings; show up and request resignations of all CABAL council persons or better yet RECALL them and return to civility and normalcy once again in home sweet home, RUSTON

TACOMA CABAL: RUSTON HYDRA

Ruston Town Council meeting 4-21-08.

The HYDRA: monster with nine heads; when struck off each head was replaced by two new ones.
The CABAL: monster with nine heads terrifying Ruston and dragging it down to oblivion.

It was said the Hydra could drag down a ship with its huge tentacles. Unfortunately, Ruston is enclosed in the tentacles of the Cabal through a series of lawsuits and misguided misadventures. Nine heads but each controls the other eight leading to many misadventures, many paths but all lead to bankruptcy, disaster for Ruston.

This blog will only concern itself with public comments, council time.

Item one: public comment 31 minutes long and put on the council agenda as item nine, but because of its support by the Cabal in its enduring guerilla campaign against the COMMENCEMENT was moved to number one. It is interesting public comment for the "caged animals" are limited to two minutes at end of meeting time allowing; public comment supporting Cabal vendettas are put on the agenda and given unlimited time. Are you listening ACLU?

Item two: during PUBLIC COMMENTS Dan Albertson erupted into a blistering attack on a public citizen whose position he disagreed with, this following another unprovoked attack on the same person, different subject, by another Cabal member at a public invited open house.

Albertson's comment was an attack on FREEDOM OF SPEECH; use council time Dan, you get unlimited time, we only get two minutes each person, twenty minutes total.. The first attack was a fit of paranoia over a matter that NEVER HAPPENED. Is the Cabal weirding out over there lack of control over ongoing events? Rule or ruin comes into play here.

Over there vaunted "caged animals, who have lost power" diatribe aimed at the Ruston public citizens, there appears to be a bit of myopia involved here. I will summarize: some CABAL POWER TRIPS that misfired:

COMMENCEMENT
SEPA
MERGING INTO TACOMA
CLOSING ALL BUSINESSES IN RUSTON
DISSOLVING FIRE DEPARTMENT
STATE PATROL INVESTIGATION
STACK HILL
UNICORN
BALLET LAWSUIT
FIRING POLICE CHIEF
POINT DEFIANCE CASINO

Although they have been stymied on these, PEOPLE POWER, all are ongoing except the State Patrol investigation; they don't forgive, they don't forget, ever.

Item three: and most ominous, failing in all efforts to get the Point Defiance Casino to take down their welcome sign they apparently will use the taxing power of the town of Ruston to TAX THEM OUT OF EXISTENCE. Income from the Casino to Ruston each year $70, 000.00 more or less. The courts have long held that the power to tax cannot be used to destroy, but as the Town lawyer pointed out she is not able to give advice when town business is conducted at so-called STUDY SESSIONS or in PRIVATE HOMES. Wonder why her last day is May 30th?

Let's go back before the last election Dan Albertson and Bradley Huson, as private citizens, show up at the Point Defiance Casino and threaten to close them down if they do not take down there sign. Wow, lot of bravado for two individuals acting individually on there own. Or were they? Was this a planned Cabal action, a conspiracy?

Next, YOU WIN, YOU LOSE! The Point Defiance Casino recently settled a lawsuit against a prominent member of the Cabal and the Cabal mouthpiece: The Ruston Connection, read it here first! Payback time baby, don't mess with Texas! This announcement by Bradley Huson barely a week after the lawsuit was settled that the town needing money would increase the tax rate on the Casino from four percent to twenty percent came as a blockbuster, after public comments. They will vote on it next council meeting May 5th no public comment allowed.

According to lion tamer Bradley the Town needs money to keep operating until Point Ruston kicks in. Whoa, didn't the previous Cabal council stonewall Point Ruston for two years forcing them to build in Tacoma? Each of the above CABAL POWER TRIPS has or is or will cost the town SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF CASH. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CASH looks very likely when and if all are resolved. I guess if you are a POWER TRIPPER, seventy thousand a year income from the POINT DEFIANCE CASINO looks like small change.

That is, compared to losses to date and settling existing lawsuits and lawsuits in the pipeline. RUSTON, the SHANGRI-LA for lawyers. Hope the risk insurance doesn't walk out the door too. We had better hope not, the Town of Ruston, couldn't begin to cover these losses. We should also be thankful for Mike Cohen's forbearance on the ping pong game they played with STACK HILL. The statute of limitations has not run out yet though.

For the next blog I will try to determine costs to date and future estimated costs for all the Cabal misadventures.

FROM THE FRONT ROW, allrighty then, git 'r done.

Where do we go from here?

After the circus last night, where do we go from here? Chief Torbet was put through the grill yet again on fire department issues. He answered the same questions that have been posed and answered repeatedly for years. The questions and concerns Albertson raised were thoroughly investigated and answered by the fire committee. When council members refuse to listen to the answers and repeat false information, it's called lying.

I think the council squandered an opportunity to move this community forward last night. Rather than ask for input from the fire committee and public, they continued to beat this dead horse. It's time for the council to answer some tough questions before they get to take any more swings.

The next step is for the council to let their constituents speak their minds and they need to listen.

What do you think the next step should be?

Can You Hear It?

That sigh of relief? It's echoing across town. The current crisis is over. I don't think the renegades will suddenly turn reasonable, but the threat that our Fire Department could be flushed down the toilet at any moment has passed (could make some fun analogies with that picture).

And I think the current council majority (Everding, Stebner, Alberston and maybe Huson ~ the RC crowd) are loosing more and more credibility. Their antics last year that Dan Vopel captured in his column, In Ruston, three council members refuse to play fair, along with this current embarrassment has soured more voters. Remember, no one won their seat last November by a wide margin. Albertson is only on the council because of his friends. If the election were held today, I'd bet we'd see an even smaller number of RC faithful.

Plus these guys have lost ground with Tacoma. I think it will be harder for them to garner even the base respect their elected office affords to advance their destructive agenda, at least for the time being.

One benefit from this crisis (besides the goofy guys showing their true character again, wish I had a picture of the Disney dog) ~ we got mobilized! We got details out to the public on the fire committee report and a factual comparison between Ruson and Tacoma's capabilities in Ruston. There is the potential for a new fire department web site to keep the community up to date on firefighters credentials, current issues, upcoming needs and more. We are better prepared for the next battle!

So many people stepped up to the plate, working on the front lines and behind the scenes. Especially Dr. Ferrer. He risked his considerable reputation to speak honestly and forcefully about these issues that he knows so well. And it came out of a sense of duty and love of community ~ not some personal agenda. Sounds like the motivation behind the daily sacrifice of our firefighters. We owe a tremendous debt to all of them. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed.

But we have to stay vigilant! We need to demand the council move ahead with the fire residency program in the Johnson house immediately. The fire committee recommended it, the council approved the budget for it in December. No more excuses!

And watch for more trickery. There are safeguards built into the system, but they all depend on the watchful eyes of the electorate. We are the key to a safe and healthy future for Ruston. Keep it up, you heroes you!

Karen

Ruston Employee Wages

RC is claiming today that our town employees get a nice pay raise. RC failed to note that the council took away any overtime for the employees they have targeted on their "black list", and that the hours authorized and pay increase given are well below what has been promised for years. Another twisted version of twisted action by this twisted council.

Anyone familiar with the budget care to comment?