Shout Out to Little Swamp Creek Blog

Discovered another beautiful local blog called "Little Swamp Creek" in Kenmore.

LITTLE SWAMP CREEK

THE RECORD OF A SUBURBAN STREAM

http://littleswampcreek.blogspot.com/

Beautiful images of wildlife and streamside scenes. 

Check them out!

Nice job L'il Swamp!

Kenmore Controversy

The Kenmore City Council has been a hotbed of 
intense debate and argument over the last several years.

TOM CORRIGAN, Bothell-Kenmore Reporter

City Manager Strouder recently offered to have his contract cancelled.
Here seen making a statement at the Council meeting.
ph credit -

But now it is reaching the level of nearly operatic drama.

"I just think, to me, it's intimidation and political thuggery. It's an attempt to avoid talking about the facts." said Councilmember John Hendrickson. (Bothell/Kenmore Reporter)

Even though Kenmore has built a new City Hall in the last couple years, it was also not without controversy. Councilmember John Hendrickson has been relected twice, while continuing to raise many questions about the budget, and how the City conducts it's fiscal policies.  Clmbr Hendrickson is an accountant by trade and has challenged the Council, Mayor and City Manager about the way the Capitol Budget is used for road maintenance and other concerns. 


The Council has made many threats, and has censured Clmbr Hendrickson, tried to sue him, and also threatened to try to expell him from office, though it is doubtful that would hold up in court.


Last month, the City Manager made a statement at a council meeting asking to be released from his contract. But the Council denied him, saying the had confidence in him to carry our his job.

"In over 40 years of serving the public, I have never encountered a more disruptive, manipulative, destructive and dangerous elected official or citizen than councilmember John Hendrickson," Stouder asserted.

Thus far, John Hendrickson still has many supporters in the public. The fight does not relate specifically to any partisan-party politics, but more to factions in the City. Hendrickson has also championed environmental protections for local streams.


Mayor Dave Baker has made an issue of his arguments with Hendrickson. Also, last year Mayor Baker ran for State Senate against Maralyn Chase. Chase won the election overwhelmingly.


Article from Bothell/Kenmore Reporter below:

Kenmore City Council feud boils over, city manager asks to be released from contract

By TOM CORRIGAN

Bothell Reporter Staff writer

Jan 25 2011 

With some harsh words directed at City Councilman John Hendrickson, Kenmore City Manager Fred Stouder asked Jan. 24 that local legislators consider terminating his contract as soon as possible.

Reading from a prepared statement during council's regular meeting, Stouder said he made the request as a direct result of the alleged "continued disruptive behavior" of Hendrickson.

"In over 40 years of serving the public, I have never encountered a more disruptive, manipulative, destructive and dangerous elected official or citizen than councilmember John Hendrickson," Stouder asserted.

Stouder added a couple of times that city managers should have thick skins and called his request unusual.

"However, I strongly believe that my being clear about John Hendrickson's actions and their effects and my making this statement may be the most important contributions I can make to this community and future city governments," he said.

Hendrickson has become a controversial figure, drawing the ire of not just Stouder, but also the rest of Kenmore City Council, which has voted to censure Hendrickson twice. Hendrickson is outspoken in his criticism of how the city is run, particularly regarding financial matters. He has repeatedly insisted that Kenmore is running up a deficit, something Stouder and Mayor David Baker have just as repeatedly denied.

Added Hendrickson following the meeting: "I just think, to me, it's intimidation and political thuggery. It's an attempt to avoid talking about the facts."