Is MR-69 Code for CAO?

The specter of "personal attacks" has been raised by one planning official on at least two separate occasions. Last year, Tim Blanchard of the Common Sense Alliance was accused by Shireene Hale of a personal attack when he simply suggested, during public access time, that Shireene had been insubordinate for not following previous Council direction. Recently, at an April 5th Planning Commission meeting, Shireene again claimed she was being personally attacked when some members of the Planning Commission simply disagreed with her over some aspects of the wetlands CAO. The Chair of the Planning Commission had to point out to Shireene that no one was attacking her, just disagreeing with her.

Neither involved any denigration of Shireene. Neither was a personal attack in reality. While these examples may be two of the more memorable instances of "personal attack" accusations, they are not the only ones levied against citizens challenging the Word. Some have suggested to me that the "personal attack" language is trotted out whenever a red herring is needed to distract opponents from further legitimate criticism of the CAOs, the science supporting the CAOs, or CDPD behavior.

Regardless of the reason for the accusations, I feel it is important to remind readers of a genuine instance of a personal attack levied at all of us by our local County government. Back around 2008, the County was considering a new location for an upgraded transfer station to be located in Beaverton Valley on San Juan Island. When many people soured on the idea, some Public Works employees decided to put up the following sign at the proposed transfer station site, an area that was often used by neighboring residents for dog walking or related activities.

Before County personnel register any further indignation over the way they are treated by the public, I hope they look at this sign and remind themselves they are part of an organization that erected it (be sure to read the last line of the sign).

I wonder what would have happened to Charles if he had put up a sign like this?

(And no, this is not photoshopped.  This is an un-retouched photo of a real sign erected on Public Works' Beaverton Valley property by Public Works employees.  The photo was taken by a resident living adjacent to the property.  This photo is in the public record and has previously been included in presentations made to the Council by private citizens.)