Fishy Red Herrings
Hi, folks. I’m guest blogging while Lee is away. I meant to post something sooner but I’ve been tied up working on the Seattle Hempfest - coming up on the weekend of August 19 and 20 - trying to nail down the event's permit.
Last Monday Hempfest filed suit against the City and the Seattle Art Museum. Organizers claimed that City officials failed to issue a permit within the 60-day limit and that construction of SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park illegally restricted access to Myrtle Edwards Park, the event’s annual home.
The lawsuit did in four days what nine months of negotiations failed to do: Motivate officials to act. By the end of the week City Hall’s legal department sent a permit that allows access to the event site – basically proving the City didn’t have a legal leg to stand on. Event organizers will probably withdraw the lawsuit on Monday.
Although they didn’t come right out and said it, we all can guess the underlying factor for the slow permitting and reluctance to compromise. Reforming marijuana laws and holding a gigantic Hempfest on the touristy waterfront just don’t mesh with some people’s vision for Seattle.
But we heard another story, and the red herrings are starting to smell fishy.
In the late nineties, Washington Lt. Governor Brad Owen spent his office’s money to oppose a medical marijuana initiative, claiming it would harm our kids. In 2003, City Attorney Tom Carr used his title to challenge the marijuana enforcement de-prioritization Initiative 75, arguing it would suck up tax money. This year, Seattle event officials failed to act on Hempfest’s permit application, insisting it would take further negotiations.
Despite challengers, the medical marijuana initiative and I-75 passed, without any of the repercussions threatened by Owen or Carr. And Hempfest’s permit is now swiftly moving along, without delaying construction.
Some City officials may disagree with the Hempfest's goals, but they shouldn’t fabricate excuses or waste the taxpayers’ dime. It’s their job to serve the public, use our resources prudently and operate within the law.
To insiders, there is no surprise that Hempfest and the marijuana initiatives claimed victory. As part of a determined national movement with a history of clearing hurdles, they may walk softly but they carry a big stick.
Parks and SAM officials, now once bitten, should be twice shy when building unlawful roadblocks, especially for Constitutionally protected political events. After all, passionate advocates have a full-time job pursuing their agenda, and bureaucrats who stand in their way risk getting whacked.
Last Monday Hempfest filed suit against the City and the Seattle Art Museum. Organizers claimed that City officials failed to issue a permit within the 60-day limit and that construction of SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park illegally restricted access to Myrtle Edwards Park, the event’s annual home.
The lawsuit did in four days what nine months of negotiations failed to do: Motivate officials to act. By the end of the week City Hall’s legal department sent a permit that allows access to the event site – basically proving the City didn’t have a legal leg to stand on. Event organizers will probably withdraw the lawsuit on Monday.
Although they didn’t come right out and said it, we all can guess the underlying factor for the slow permitting and reluctance to compromise. Reforming marijuana laws and holding a gigantic Hempfest on the touristy waterfront just don’t mesh with some people’s vision for Seattle.
But we heard another story, and the red herrings are starting to smell fishy.
In the late nineties, Washington Lt. Governor Brad Owen spent his office’s money to oppose a medical marijuana initiative, claiming it would harm our kids. In 2003, City Attorney Tom Carr used his title to challenge the marijuana enforcement de-prioritization Initiative 75, arguing it would suck up tax money. This year, Seattle event officials failed to act on Hempfest’s permit application, insisting it would take further negotiations.
Despite challengers, the medical marijuana initiative and I-75 passed, without any of the repercussions threatened by Owen or Carr. And Hempfest’s permit is now swiftly moving along, without delaying construction.
Some City officials may disagree with the Hempfest's goals, but they shouldn’t fabricate excuses or waste the taxpayers’ dime. It’s their job to serve the public, use our resources prudently and operate within the law.
To insiders, there is no surprise that Hempfest and the marijuana initiatives claimed victory. As part of a determined national movement with a history of clearing hurdles, they may walk softly but they carry a big stick.
Parks and SAM officials, now once bitten, should be twice shy when building unlawful roadblocks, especially for Constitutionally protected political events. After all, passionate advocates have a full-time job pursuing their agenda, and bureaucrats who stand in their way risk getting whacked.
posted by Dominic Holden at 9:28 PM
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