Yelm Mayor Ron Harding
Photo from City of Yelm website
Yelm City Administrator Badger responded on September 11th to my request for information about the Yelm Economic Development Committee (EDC) as follows :
Yelm EDC Committee members:
Mayor Ron Harding
Councilmember Bob Isom
Shelly Badger, City Administrator
Grant Beck, Community Development Director
Steve Ruff, Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce President
Cecelia Jenkins, Yelm Chamber Executive Director
Michael Cade, Thurston County Economic Development Council Executive
Director
Glen Cunningham, Yelm Chamber representative
Margaret Clapp, Yelm Chamber representative
2007 meeting schedule: Bi-monthly April 13, June 8, August 10, October
12, December 14. Meetings from 8-10 in the Yelm City Hall conference
room.
Meetings are staff level meetings and are not open to the public.
Ed Note: I know Mayor Harding feels he has done his best in these appointments and I applaud the service to the city by these fine people, however where is infusion of fresh new concepts and skills by others willing to serve?
My observations & comments on September 8th still stand and even more so with Ms. Badger’s response, since Mr. Cunningham works for Ms. Clapp, as does Yelm Council member John Thompson.
City Staff, Yelm Chamber Board members & the Thurston County EDC Executive all “play in the same sand box” and there is no one to ask questions, challenge, initiate ideas and expand beyond this group’s cabal [click here for Webster’s definition of cabal.].
‘Where are citizen appointments and participation from a broad cross-section of this community?
PERHAPS, AS MENTIONED TO THIS WRITER BY MR. CUNNINGHAM, THESE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR TALENTS TO THE COMMUNITY IF ASKED BY MAYOR HARDING?
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE?
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8 comments
Steve, thank your for your revelations! I have long been aware of this situation and there really does need to be new people placed in significant positions in the Yelm government. It would appear that the ones who are really in charge of the Yelm government do not live within the city limits. I think Harding is doing the best he can at this time,however I would hope he would be infused with more backbone and really represent the people and not the ‘cabal.’
As you know, I have applied 3 or 4 times for an appointment to the
planning commission and have not been selected.
I certainly agree with you re the lack of influx of new ideas and
concepts, especially when committee members work as subordinates to
other committee members who hold the strings to their purse. How can
they not support what the boss wants?
Patricia Noffsinger Everheart
I appreciate the involvement and the updating on your site but do you actually agree with this Patricia Noffsinger Everheart that she has been shut out by the people that work for the man? You have been to enough meetings to know that the planning board does a great job with in the scope of our ability to act.
Do you really believe that I answer to anyone else!
I have been giving my time to this city since the 80s and not once have I made a decision that I believed contrary to Yelm’s best interest (without influence). I enjoy the different points of view and I do believe in out side the box.
You have some very good influence with people, couldn’t the same aim’s be done with a positive supporting attitude?
Thank You
John Graver
Hi John,
Thank you so much for writing your views.
I post all entries unabridged – whether I agree with them or not, unless they have some unpublishable content.
The whole purpose of the blog is to get conversation going on a whole host of local issues.
As I said, while I applaud the service to the community of fine individuals who serve, such as yourself, I know that speaking up and sharing views that may be divergent from the City Council, Planning Commission and Community Development Department is
part of the process in a Constitutional Republic & I have no issue speaking up.
I am thrilled to share all of the wonderful things that go on with a positive supporting attitude, however I do find some actions of the Council, Planning Commission & Community Development Dept. to be at odds with the community, although the community is to blame as much as the members of these committees, since the public does not show an interest here to get involved in city affairs.
I acknowledge your frustrations, John and ask if you would be willing to pen a Blog Guest Entry to share your views and years of experience with fellow Yelm Community Blog readers ?
As they say, if they’ve moved the goal posts, we’re left reading tea leaves with this crowd in charge.
The Yelm Community Blog extends an invitation for a Guest Entry to share with Blog readers the comments of Planning Commission Chair Glen Cunningham & Mayor Harding any time.
Steve — I am really glad to see your blog is being taken seriously by some members of our city government and administration. I hope to read much more dialog from them (instead of thinking they probably wish you would go away 😉
And I want to be as supportive as possible of this (truly), but I do have to say this about Mr. Graver’s comments.
While I understand Mr. Graver may take offense at Mrs. Everheart’s comments (I assume he is on the Planning Commission), the fact still remains that Patricia has applied several times and has not been selected — as well as what she addressed about the power structure of the Yelm EDC (or any committee for that matter).
I think Mr. Graver would do better by addressing these points rather than JUMPING to the offense and taking it as a personal attack (and as an opportunity to slam your blog).
Yours, and Mrs. Everheart’s comments about the power structure of committee members is absolutely valid, and ought to be addressed. Isn’t it considered one of the defining characteristics of a conflict of interest?
As well, I think Mr. Graver’s attitude reveals a very pervasive one in this town. How can he (or anyone) expect people to be supportive when the very real and valid issues they bring up are not addressed?
This shows a lack of respect for all viewpoints — an attitude which has been shown time and time again in this City’s government. And I think it is shameful.
To me, this is really the heart of the matter, and it should start to be addressed seriously.
Shelley Lucus
Yes, Mr. Graver is on the Yelm Planning Commission.
Quoting the city’s website:
“The Planning Commission consists of seven members, appointed by the Mayor of the City, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Planning Commission prepares the comprehensive plan for the advantageous development of the City, divides the City into zoning districts and regulates and restricts the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings, structures or land in those districts.
The Yelm Planning Commission meets the third Monday of each month, at 4:00 p.m., at Yelm City Hall.
Current Planning Commission members are:
Glen Cunningham, Chair
John Thomson, Vice Chair
John “JW” Foster
John Graver
Peggy Wolf Kennedy
Carlos Perez
Terry Kaminski”
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