Editor’s note: Is this the beginning of Commissioner Edwards following in the footsteps of President Trump by making decisions that are political and populist, rather than moral and ethical? I am concerned we are about to see some very controversial actions by Commissioner Edwards before he turns the reigns over to someone else for the 2020 election! He well knew the other 2 commissioners’ decisions would override his erratic, last minute change in his intended vote, though may have done this anyway as a “political decision” for headlines and to appease “his base,” according to his colleague Commissioner Hutchings.

Edwards indicated during 2016 he would serve as Commissioner for 1 term, and said this to the Nisqually Valley News, “I’m not looking to make a long-term investment in a new career. I’m just looking to get some things accomplished.” He will be 74 at the time of the 2020 election for this position. Steve Klein, Blog Host.

“Thurston commissioners clash over split property tax vote”

“A public hearing Tuesday [Nov. 26] took an unexpected turn when Thurston County Commissioner Gary Edwards voted against a property tax increase slated to fund expenditures the board — and Edwards himself — already approved.

“The split vote kicked off a heated exchange when Commissioners John Hutchings and Tye Menser reacted with surprise to their seatmate’s apparent change of heart. Edwards justified his vote in part by tying it to an upcoming levy vote and said he’s listening to the public.

“With the 2-1 vote, the property tax increase of 1 percent still passed.”

“Other than the election costs, there doesn’t seem to be a direct connection between the courthouse and the tax increase Edwards voted against.”

“‘From my perspective, my seatmate made a political decision based on his people in the room, his base,’ [Commission Chair] Hutchings said in a phone interview with The Olympian. ‘He was making a populist decision rather than a moral, ethical one,'” by Sara Gentzler, The Olympian. Read more