Op Ed - by Carin Chase

We are delighted to publish an Op-Ed from Carin Chase.

Carin serves as Chair of the 32nd District Democrats.  Her commentary is in reaction to Shoreline City Council majority action to reduce Public Comment time and eliminate "Political Speech" for an candidate who wants to address the Council at a meeting.

The Shoreline City Council didn’t like to hear from the voters so they voted to discontinue listening to us.

At their City Council meeting on Monday night 4/26 by a vote of 4  to  3,  Democracy was 

trampled in the City of Shoreline.

 When the colonists met to craft the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, they rejected the European model of rule by the few – the Aristocratic elite – in favor of self-government by the informed deliberations and actions of the people:  a democracy.

 Our Democracy is founded on government transparency which allows the people access to the information we need to deliberate – to reason together --- to participate in seeking solutions to challenging public policy issues.     Democratic dialogue between citizens and elected officials requires mechanisms for the people to communicate with their elected officials about issues the people think important – not the other way around.

 There is no other forum that gathers all the city council members together, sitting before the people, listening to the people talk – the modern version of the colonial town hall meeting.   Listening to the people speak is part of the democratic responsibility of elected officials.  

No one said elected officials have to agree with the content of the people’s voice, but in a democracy, they have to listen.  Otherwise, we have what:  an oligarchy?  A  plutocracy?  Fascism?  An aristocracy?   A quasi-judicial cabal?

What do we call this form and practice of government in the City of Shoreline?

Exclusionary elitism?

Carin Chase, Chair

32nd Legislative District Democrats

www.32democrats.org

Announcement from 32nd LD Democrats

We wish to thank Senator Darlene Fairley for her 16 years of service to the 32nd Legislative District and we wish her success in her future endeavors.  Please join us for our Global Climate Change program to be followed by the 32nd District Special Nominating Convention..  Global Climate Change: From Science to Action followed by the 32nd District Democrats Special Nominating Convention May 12, 2010 Wednesday 7 - 9pm American Legion Hall, 14521 17th Ave NE Shoreline, WA  6:30   Sign-in 7:00  Meeting called to order           Flag Salute            Approval of proposed agenda and previous meeting minutes            Introductions and Announcements 7:15                                              Global Climate Change: From Science to Action 8:00  Break 8:10   Nominating Convention             See Proposed Rules and Agenda below 8:30  Officer and Committee Reports           Resolutions              New Business          Unfinished Business 9:00  Good of the Order           Adjourn   PROPOSED AGENDA AND RULES 2010 32nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATS NOMINATING CONVENTION  The purpose of the Nominating meeting is to choose an official Democratic Party nominee for the 32nd Legislative District positions, all of which will be on the ballot in 2010. Note: Eligible voters include all duly elected or appointed 32nd Legislative District Precinct Committee Officers for their resident precinct. NOMINATING CONVENTION AGENDA 1. 8:10 PM Call to Order of Nominating Convention by Carin Chase Chair, 32nd District Democrats 2. Appointment of Temporary Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Parliamentarian 3. Report of Credentials Committee: Announcement of Delegates Seated,Credentials Challenges and Quorum 4. Report of Rules Committee: Adoption of Rules and Agenda 5. Election of Permanent Chair 6. Appointment of Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Parliamentarian 7. Nomination of candidates 9. Good of the Order 10. Adjournment PROPOSED RULES - 32nd LD NOMINATING CONVENTION 5/14/2010 1. The 32nd Legislative District Nominating Convention shall be held on May 14th, 2010 at the American Legion Hall, 14521 17th Ave NE Shoreline, WA 2. Delegates to the Nominating Convention shall include any duly elected or appointed 32ND Legislative District Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for Page 3 of 4 his/her resident precinct. Other members of the public are invited to attend and observe. 3. The 32nd District Chair shall serve as the temporary chair of the Caucus and shall appoint a temporary secretary, sergeant-at-arms and parliamentarian. 4. The report of the Credentials Committee shall include the total number of PCOs registered and seated, as well as the sum of the weighted votes carried by the PCOs when the report is given. The final credentials report shall be adopted prior to the conduct of any other official business. 5. Each elected or appointed PCO voting at the caucus or convention shall be apportioned the number of votes equal to the number of precinct level delegates his or her precinct was allotted during the 2008 National Delegate Selection process. In the case of newly formulated precincts the calculation would be based on the allocation formula used in the most recent delegate selection plan. 6. The credentials committee shall rule on challenges to seating a delegate. If a challenged delegate appeals the ruling of the credentials committee to the Caucus as a whole, the credentials committee recommendations will be presented. A challenged delegate may not vote on the question of his or her own challenge. The Credentials Committee will seat delegates arriving after the Credentials Committee report, but their presence will not affect a quorum call. 7. The chair of the rules committee shall present the report of the rules committee. 8. Any registered delegate may be nominated by a delegate to the Caucus or may nominate himself or herself for the position of permanent chair. Nominations, seconding speeches and speeches by the candidate on his or her own behalf shall not total more than two (2) minutes per nominee. A majority is required to elect. If no person has a majority, the candidate receiving the least votes is dropped and balloting shall be repeated using the remaining names. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority. If there is only one candidate, the election may be by acclamation. 9. The permanent chair shall appoint a permanent secretary, sergeant at- arms, and parliamentarian. Page 4 of 4 10. Rules relating to Nomination of Candidates or the weighted vote allocation to PCOs may not be suspended, amended or otherwise changed. 11. Nomination of 32nd Legislative District candidates will be considered. 12. Nominations will be taken from the floor to consider a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination. 13. Each candidate and/or candidate supporters shall be entitled to address the convention for a total of up to five minutes. Each delegate shall vote by signed ballot for no more than one candidate for each office for which nominations are sought. The results shall be tallied and reported to the Chair. The convention may dispense with balloting and nominate by acclamation for any office in which a single candidate is seeking nomination. 14. The nominee of the Democratic Party shall be the candidate who receives a majority vote of weighted ballots. If no candidate receives a majority of the first ballot, the candidate receiving the least number of votes shall be dropped from each successive ballot until a candidate receives a majority. In the event of a tie in determining which candidate shall be dropped, the candidate shall be chosen by lot. 15. The Chair shall appoint a representative tally committee. 16. Proxy voting shall not be allowed. 17. A quorum shall consist of 30% of the number eligible to vote as shown on the most recently amended credentials report. 18. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall prevail in other matters not specifically covered herein. Sincerely, Carin Chase, Chair 32nd District Democrats