One of Lovel Pratt's campaign themes is a strong economy based on family-wage jobs. Here is what Pratt says on her website:
The Council also needs to find ways to encourage and support new forms of economic development, particularly year-round, family-wage jobs that are a good fit for the islands. If elected to the new County Council I will support a strong local economy and economic development that fosters our island way of life.Barely 6 months ago, this supporter of family-wage jobs seemed gleeful upon discovering that the County isn't required to pay prevailing wages for some of the grant funds it receives (see email at end of this blog entry).
That’s great if L&I have confirmed that we don’t need to require prevailing wages for the septic loan program funds. Please confirm with me so that I can pass on this news on to WSAC.Not having to pay prevailing wages sure makes those beloved grant funds go further. Nevertheless, there is evidence that Pratt really does have a demonstrated commitment to family-wage jobs ... as long as her family is involved. As part of the court proceedings in one of the recent County lawsuits, Pratt made the following statements in a declaration (excerpts below).
I, Lovel Pratt, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the following is true and correct:
Since my last paycheck from San Juan County, I have received no employment income. In addition, starting January 1, 2013, I now have an additional monthly expense of $1,174.00 for health insurance for me and my husband and our children. (Health insurance for me and my family was previously paid for through my employment with San Juan County.) If the charter amendments are invalidated at this late stage in the election process and the general election is not permitted to go forward, my family's financial contribution to the campaign and our family's financial sacrifice will be for not [sic], to our substantial detriment.There are plenty more woeful laments of the hardships that have befallen Pratt in her political career in her full declaration, which is included as an image at the end of this post (sans attachments for the sake of brevity). It is interesting reading, especially considering that Pratt's hardships are likely assuaged significantly by having married into a branch of the Cook family of Castle & Cook fame.
Lastly, in her latest letter to the editor, Pratt criticizes her opponent for being fiscally irresponsible because Jarman voted to approve $45,000 towards CAO implementation, and then later he voted to delay CAO implementation. The Trojan Heron feels this is a ludicrous and grasping criticism which is just a desperate effort to distract voters from the millions in debt and $50 million budget that Pratt left in her wake as Council woman.
As has been noted elsewhere, the recent meetings that planning staff held to explain the CAOs to realtors, builders, and architects demonstrated that there are myriad unanswered questions about how the new CAOs could be applied. That being the case, setting a hearing is the only responsible course of action in order to determine whether implementation should be delayed until someone figures out what the CAOs actually mean. Islanders should be grateful to Bob Jarman and others for working to ensure that islanders are not required to comply with rules that no one can decipher.
__________________________________________________________________
From: Scott Merriman [mailto:SMerriman@wacounties.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 9:52 AM
To: Lovel Pratt
Subject: Re: PIC Grant
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 9:52 AM
To: Lovel Pratt
Subject: Re: PIC Grant
Thanks for the update. I brought the issue up with the Partnership. I did not contact L and I.
Scott Merriman
Washington State Association of Counties
3609519256
____________________________________________________________________Hi Scott,It looks like the L&I prevailing wages requirement for our septic loan program has been resolved.Mark Tompkins (see contact info below) could provide more details if needed.Thank you for your work on this!LovelLovel PrattSan Juan County Council, District 1Office: 55 Second St. N., 1st floorPhone: 360-370-7473Mail: 350 Court Street, No. 1, Friday Harbor, WA 98250Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is subject to the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56 et al.From: Mark Tompkins
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:30 PM
To: Lovel Pratt
Cc: Bob Jean; John Manning; Ed Hale
Subject: RE: PIC GrantLovel,That is correct.MarkFrom: Lovel Pratt
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 1:33 PM
To: Mark Tompkins
Cc: Bob Jean; John Manning; Ed Hale
Subject: RE: PIC GrantHi Mark,That’s great if L&I have confirmed that we don’t need to require prevailing wages for the septic loan program funds. Please confirm with me so that I can pass on this news on to WSAC.Thank you,LovelLovel PrattSan Juan County Council, District 1Office: 55 Second St. N., 1st floorPhone: 360-370-7473Mail: 350 Court Street, No. 1, Friday Harbor, WA 98250Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is subject to the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56 et al.From: Mark Tompkins
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 9:12 AM
To: Lovel Pratt
Cc: Bob Jean; John Manning; Ed Hale
Subject: RE: PIC GrantLovel,Yes – our low interest loan project is listed as one of the forms of financial assistance under task 5. The projects are separate but we can utilize/report repairs completed with loan funds as a deliverable under the PIC grant provided the repair is addressing an identified pollution source.In regards to the septic loan program – L&I has indicated that our low interest loan program, providing bona fide loans, does not fall under the prevailing wage requirements.The additional funds included in the PIC grant are to enhance the current loan programs and to provide low interest loans to assist property owners remediate conditions that are causing contamination. The program details have not been developed but my initial thoughts are if we are providing bona fide loans then the prevailing wage rules would not apply. However, we will need to check with our grant officer to confirm. Ed, do you know or do we need to ask Blake?MarkFrom: Lovel Pratt
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 3:31 PM
To: Mark Tompkins
Cc: Bob Jean; John Manning
Subject: FW: PIC GrantHi mark,Is there any relationship between the PIC Grant and the septic system repair funding/grant that requires prevailing wages?FYI - WSAC is working with L&I on that prevailing wage issue.Thank you for getting back to me about this.LovelLovel PrattSan Juan County Council, District 1Office: 55 Second St. N., 1st floorPhone: 360-370-7473Mail: 350 Court Street, No. 1, Friday Harbor, WA 98250Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is subject to the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56 et al.From: Bob Jean
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 2:56 PM
To: DL - Council; DL - Department Heads
Subject: FW: PIC GrantFyi…not sure if this answers all the questions involved, but it’s a start…From: Mark Tompkins
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 2:54 PM
To: Bob Jean
Cc: John Manning
Subject: PIC GrantBob,John indicated that council member Miller had a few questions regarding the PIC grant. Attached is a copy of the semi-annual report that both Ed Hale and I completed and sent to the State Department of Health today. The grant is just beginning and the QAPP has been completed which will allow the sampling to begin just in time for the rainy season. Ed & I will continue to work together to implement this grant.Please call or email if you have any questions regarding this grant.Mark Tompkins
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HOLD ON A SECOND:
ReplyDeleteIn Lovel's filing with the court in Paragraph 6 she states:
This lawsuit has also caused me to fundraise for campaign funds specifically designated for fees for legal council necessary to understand my role and options in this litigation -- funds I would otherwise be able to raise for campaign advertising or other campaign related outreach materials.
But her expenditures statement on at the PDC does not document any expenditure relating to the litigation. Have a look for yourselves. . .
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcQuerySystem/CandidateData/expenditures?param=UFJBVEwgIDI1MA%3D%3D%3D%3D&year=2013&type=local
That is strange.
Would legal fees to defend against bank fraud be considered a campaign expense?
ReplyDeleteOnly in cloud cuckoo Lovel-Land.
What on earth is Lisa Byers thinking, letting her reputation get stapled to this whining, feckless petty thief?
The 9th Circle is a hell of long way to fall.
And Rick Hughes is not posting a single expenditure toward months of his Sound Publishing ads.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcQuerySystem/CandidateData/expenditures?param=SFVHSEMgIDI0NQ%3D%3D%3D%3D&year=2013&type=local
Also strange...
Even Brian McClerren, who has no money, is reporting his ad buys...
BTW -- love the word "feckless" above
@9:20 am I follow Lovel's antics pretty closely (it's like watching a car wreck--can't stop myself) but where does bank fraud come into this? Lovel is talking about obtaining legal "council" (sic--did any of these people get a basic education?) to explain why Randy forced the court to name the candidates as required parties in the charter lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBank fraud, as in "for example ..." Point being legal fees not associated to an election campaign (i.e. personal) should not be reported as campaign expenses. Anyway, thought Randy Gaylord was serving as counsel to the counsel critters, current and past.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, interesting about that 9th circle of hell. Cold down there ...
"Traitors are distinguished from the "merely" fraudulent in that their acts involve betraying a special relationship of some kind. These rounds correspond, in order of seriousness, to betrayal of family ties, betrayal of community ties, betrayal of guests ..."
Betrayal of community ties. Yes, I am afraid so. Not a sin Quakers are known for ...
Let's keep reminding people that Lovel tried to use CD&P to shut down a hard working family business when it was ILLEGAL for her to interfere directly with staff, what do you think will happen when she gets her grubby little fists on the new charter? I'm sure Rhea Miller will give her some pointers on how to abuse the Council seat Lovel, San Juan Islanders REJECTED you, TWICE, respect our decision please and quit, them do us all a favor and move back east where you obviously belong - take Byers with you.
ReplyDeleteAh, the Pratts. Poor dirt farmers. So sad.
ReplyDeleteBut she wants to solve the economy problem with agriculture (which shows a NEGATIVE on the gross County product numbers from the state) and tourism, which, as we all know, provides a lot of poor-paying jobs for 4-5 months out of the year. That should help replace those construction jobs that made the economy boom. Under the new CAO, we'll have to stop building those high-rise apartments and mega-shopping malls that proliferate here. But then, there are the GRANTS to subsidize hobby farmers and and agro-tourism marketing and agro-community-open space-education-and-value-addded-kitchen+yoga+poetry+crafts hotspots like the Brickworks. That project alone has sucked down more than $500,000 of tax money. Why not more? Wonder what the real farmers around here think about those subsidies?
Lovel Pratt tried to use the County government ruin a man's business that feeds his family.
ReplyDeleteLovel Pratt was willing to use government to ruin a man's business.
ReplyDeleteLovel tried to destroy someone's dream using government.
ReplyDeleteLOVEL TRIED TO USE HER POSITION ON THE COUNCIL TO RUIN A MAN'S HARD WORK AND LIFE'S ENDEAVOR - LOVEL, YOU ARE SICKENING.
ReplyDeleteLet's not go off half cocked and throw around bank fraud suggestions with no evidence.
ReplyDeleteFocus on Lovels failed leadership, bloated budgets, and actions that directly contradict her own campaign rah rah.
One doesnt need to look far.
I wonder if Bill Weisinger has a weekly reminder that pops up on his calendar and says "call Lovel and remind her to stop behaving unethically"
As to @9:20 if there really is no hard evidence that Lovel is actually from cloud cuckoo land let's not be so casual about geographic references shall we?
ReplyDeleteSomething has been missing from the TH. I've been scratching my head trying to figure it out.... Then, today, it came to me...
ReplyDeleteYO' MAMMA Jokes....
Hey Lovel(l).....
YO' MAMMA's so politically influential over the Keene State Registrar that it makes Jamie Stephens look like an independent minded thinker who isn't a puppet for Rhea and Sandy.....
I want to hear more about the Hawaiian sugar cane plantations. Helps me better understand how the school board operates, like overseers in a company town. Sheriffs pulling over soccer moms. When the Brickpile finally opens its doors, it ain't gonna be no union hall that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to understand why the Chinese government gets a little freaked by Google and Facebook and why Stephanie Buffer hates social media.
L ongterm
ReplyDeleteO ngoing
V iolation of
E thics
L aws
Good letter in the Island Guardian today called "Pratt Attack On Councilmember Jarman"
ReplyDeletePratt Attack. I like it. Has a certain ring to it.
Pratt Attack. Ack. Ack. Ack-ACK!!
Don't Run. We are your Friends. ACK-ACK!!
Lovel expresses such a clear double standard here and such blatant hypocrisy. She's happy to "save money" underpaying the workers on projects but horrified to lose all the perks she's been enjoying. Just horrible to know!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a perfect example of one thing that is terribly wrong w/the government she idealizes and I believe you could say the same for Lisa Byers. And the terribly wrong thing is....the people making the decisions.
The questions coming for both Lisa and Jamie is how could they have ever agreed to associate themselves with this grub, this weasel, this shoddy fraudulent fruitcake, this unpleasant, waddling overstuffed whining princess on a pea.
ReplyDeleteOh I could go all Shakespearean on her ass no problem. The shame of it all, this is beyond reprehensible into the realm of the repulsive.
I am like, eewwehhh! Gross! Gag me with a spoon. Barf out! Totally ...
Lovel believes that it would be unethical to provide for her own family while campaigning by seeking "other employment".
ReplyDeleteI wonder how this sits with McClerren? Could she really mean that the only way to run for office is to quit your job and expect to win? Sounds like fiscal recklessness to me, especially if her family's well-being is on the line, as she claims.
Or fleckless ricklessness?
ReplyDeleteThat is such a good point. Nearly everything Lovel personifies is a smack in the face to a real dude like McClerren.
While I see little evidence of marketable skills it is time she wrote up her resume (yooo hooo oh Mr. Registrar....) and go look for mean honest employment to support her family.
That's what Brian is doing. So beneath someone who wishes to be kept in the manner she has grown accustomed, as an elected county official.
The hypocrisy of not paying prevailing wage while promoting family wage jobs is just staggering, breathtaking.
Betrayal of community. Go freeze in the depths of Hell, Pratt.
Inspite of all of this, she will still get atleast 48% of the vote.
ReplyDeleteHer own district rejected her. I hope the county can reject her again, for everyone's sake.
We have to get the vote out.
L ets
ReplyDeleteO bfuscate
V oters (in order to)
E lect
L ovel(L)
And I dearly hope all this incredible talent through a window here on the TH has plywood being cut and painted, has the stencils ready, has the ironing boards at hand for the stand at the corner store, and the flyers at the printer, has the CHECK IN THE MAIL!!!; because if not all this wonderful humor/sharp pointed investigation/great looks into history/super quotes from the bard and Dante; well...yes, you and me and all of us are toast.
ReplyDeleteOnly work shall make you free. Please, some of us are down on our knees here, pleeese send money, please make signs, please talk the talk, please do whatever you can.
Shouldn't lovel be getting free healthcare under our new nationalized healthcare system??
ReplyDeleteThis "poor me" "pity me" crap is absurd. She is somehow pinning all of her hopes on this election??
Wow. You ever heard of a guy taking his paycheck and going to the casino with the rent money??
Not the best analogy, but the first one that comes to mind.
This is hard for me to say, but, I am developing more respect for Howie. He got it. He understood. The voters didn't want him to serve anymore. Lovel, get a clue. Take that individualized studies depth of knowledge, and realize that people don't want you to continue to fail as a leader and legislator.
Her "children" that are going to "suffer" if she doesn't win, by the way, are all adult aged.
You would think in a family of 5 working age adults, one of them could find a job. I know unemployment is around 8%, but it's not 100%.
Me, I have had a job since I was 14years old. When I had jobs that didn't provide health insurance, I went out and, get this.... actually bought health insurance for myself. And if I couldn't afford it, well, then I best stay healthy.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Lisa, Lovel, Jamie. They all have a primary agenda, being on the county council is only a means to a end. We need some of that moral rearmament.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we all just exchange pleasant thoughts?..and ignore reality? Comment at Orcas Issues.
ReplyDeleteDoes Lovel REALLY say that she has now incurred an ADDITIONAL EXPENSE of $1,174 for health insurance for her family? Who paid her family's health insurance BEFORE the taxpayers? That's $14,000 a year! More than many island families make in INCOME in a year. I am feeling so, so sorry for her now. She NEEDS the job for the money.
ReplyDeleteI think for the emotional pain and suffering not to mention financial loss, should Lovel lose, don't be surprised if she sues us all for irreparable harm ...
ReplyDelete@9:01
ReplyDeleteBecause the thought of Lovel getting elected is not a pleasant thought for many of us, it is sickening.
We are the street noise and we will be heard!!!!
@9:01
ReplyDeleteOr better question, why can't Orcas Issues actually cover the truth about Lovel and her ethical lapses, her gross fiscal irresponsibilty during her tenure on the council, and the fact that the CAO's that she rammed down our throats are a disaster!!!
Come back then. Thank you.
Civily,
Anonymous
The Christopher Hodgkin letter to the guardian was well written and spot on. Try to get that one in circulation.
ReplyDeleteNo company would ever hire Lovel. She is a professional moocher. Name one thing she has done that didn't involve suckling the government teat.
ReplyDeletePlease reject career politicians. Let us have sane representation from those who know what hard work and struggle is all about.
When times are tough, who do you want representing you? The person who knows that they may have to put in extra hours or possibly get a second job to keep the ball rolling????
Or........
The person whose solution in those tough times is to raise taxes on others to pay for their own reckless spending and seek additional grants from nearly bankrupt state and federal coffers.
The house of cards will collapse. Wouldn't it be nice to have our island community able to weather that one with a local government that provides the minimum in a fiscally responsible manner???
How do I find the letter from Christopher Hodjkins in the Guardian?
ReplyDeleteGo to www.islandguardian.com then click on "Letters On Council Election" at the top, then search for "Hodgkin"-- about 3/4 of the way down.
ReplyDeleteThe letter is titled "I Know Lovel Pratt -Vote For Bob Jarman", dated Jan 18.
It echoes my sentiments exactly.
If you ever saw the awesome Civil War documentary by the world famous film maker Ken Burns, you will see Lovel Pratt listed in the credits, quite predominately, as Burn's Research Assistant.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best documentaries ever made, probably seen by more people than just about any thing ever filmed. The New York Times posts a small credit citation for Lovel, around 1991, or about the time she apparently moved to San Juan Island.
What's fascinating to me is that she never mentions this. I think this is because, at the bottom of it all, Lovel Pratt is, like Kevin Ranker, really quite humble. It is hard to say, but this might be where a degree in Individualized Studies at Keene State might take you, especially since Ken Burn's studios are in New Hampshire. A few friendly calls and, hey, you're in. It ain't what you know, its who you know
Lovel gives a pass on a promising career in documentary film-making to help us become proactively sustainable and resilient communities, going forward.
Kinda chokes me up in a way.
The Hodgkin letter is recent. Go to the front page and scroll down to the 3rd article. Guest Column. I'll cut and paste it here later.
ReplyDeleteCan we steal a line from Ralph Nader??
ReplyDeleteLovel Pratt -- unsafe at any speed.
@11:05 is Refering to an older Hosgkin posting. I was trying to draw attention to his most recent guest column. Front page from a day ago.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one whose smartphone autocorrect feature changes "Ranker" to "Wanker" when you type it in??
ReplyDeleteI almost spit out my coffee. (organic fair traded non GMO coffee mind you)
**REPRINTED FROM THE ISLAND GUARDIAN***
ReplyDeleteBy Christopher Hodgkin
When We the People of San Juan County adopted a Home Rule charter, we made a clear statement that we wanted our elected officials to be nonpartisan. Period. No ifs, no ands, no buts.
Given the extreme hostility and gridlock which partisan politics has imposed on both the state and the national legislatures, our decision seems particularly wise and even prescient. We the people did a good thing there.
But not every candidate for Commissioner this year agrees with the decision of the people. Several have not only accepted, but promote, partisan endorsement by a political party.
Some of their supporters argue that this is meaningless and unimportant. I’m not so sure.
First, it expresses not only a disdain but an actual contempt for the clearly stated will of the voters. One has to wonder, if they are so dismissive of the clearly expressed will of the people in this matter, in what other matters will they also place the interests of party above those of the people?
Second, once a candidate has openly and publicly allied themselves with only one political party platform, how can they legitimately claim, and expect the public to believe, that they are truly interested in representing all the voters equally and fairly?
Third, do we really want even to start back down the partisan path which has proved so divisive in both Olympia and Washington, D.C.? Why would we choose candidates who prefer this pattern of “governing” and don’t even want to try to represent the people in the nonpartisan fashion which our Charter requires of them?
We have a choice in this election. We can reject the politics of Olympia and Congress and insist that our government remain truly nonpartisan, rejecting candidates who openly advocate a return to partisan politics locally. Or we can go ahead and say that yes, we want to bring here to San Juan County the partisanship which we see playing out on the state and national levels and go ahead and elect candidates who openly commit themselves not to the interests of the people as a whole but rather to those of one partisan political interest.
Think carefully. This year you may not think it is that important. But once partisan politics returns to this County in full force, you may find you have opened a Pandora’s Box that we had tried to close, and once opened it is likely to be impossible to reclose.
(Christopher Hodgkin is a retired attorney who resides on San Juan Island -Ed)