“TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT”

This summary of Yelm’s water issues was published in FourWinds10.com, August 17, 2011, garnering international attention:

Public Notice to Residents, Taxpayers and City of Yelm Water System Customers

“Can the City of Yelm approve new development without proof of an adequate water supply? The Court says ‘No’!

“Citizens of the City of Yelm and other communities in this region should note and ask:

Why did the City of Yelm spend over $145,000 defending subdivision approvals that were clearly contrary to state law and Yelm Municipal Code requirements that demand proof of an adequate supply of water for new development?

Why would the City of Yelm attempt to prevent a court of law from reviewing accurate water rights information from the Department of Ecology?

Why has the City of Yelm been approving new development projects since 2001 without requiring any documentation of an adequate water supply?

Why has the City of Yelm been exceeding its lawful water rights since 2001?

Why has the City of Yelm not adopted a temporary moratorium on new development until it solves this water supply shortage?

When the draft environmental impact statement was issued for Thurston Highlands ( a proposed development of 5000 homes and 1.5 million square feet of commercial and office development ), why did the City of Yelm refuse to require any evaluation of the water supply that would be needed to serve this gigantic development?

Are City of Yelm staff and elected officials protecting the interests of local developers more than they are protecting the rights of its residents and taxpayers?”

Currently:
– Last week [August 23], the Yelm City Council approved adding new water customers to the water conservation program, giving those businesses a water budget during irrigation months. Yelm businesses have a mandatory 50% irrigation cutback for the 2nd summer in a row while the city planning department keeps approving new water hook-ups on the backs of this water conservation from businesses.
Will the 50% cutback on local businesses turn into an annual affair?

– The Washington State Supreme Court is now deliberating Yelm water issues in the case of JZ Knight vs. City of Yelm.

In closing:
Keven Graves is quoted from his November 25, 2005 editorial in the local newspaper:
“We (he & then Mayor-elect Harding) agree that a transparent government is better government.”

The water issues of the City of Yelm covered here for 5+ years have been conducted in an environment far from being “a transparent government”.

‘TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT’ IS A WEEKLY SERIES DISCUSSING LOCAL ISSUES EVERY MONDAY!

Quoting American Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
“To sin by silence, when we should protest,
Makes cowards out of men.”