Posted on 09/09/2006 3:26:45 PM PDT by bigfootbob
On Bainbridge, Reciting Pledge Makes Some Edgy
City council finds itself divided and digging in on both sides of the dispute.
By Rachel Pritchett, rpritchett@kitsapsun.com September 9, 2006
Bainbridge Island
More people on the island are entering the debate about whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited at City Council meetings -- something that hasn't been done until recently.
The local chamber of commerce, fearing widespread media attention, has sent out an e-mail urging city and chamber leaders to back Old Glory. And Council member Jim Llewellyn, who personally opposes the practice introduced by Councilman Bill Knobloch, doesn't appear to be backing down.
Last week, Llewellyn polled his colleagues by e-mail about whether the Pledge has a place at City Council meetings. He and at least two others -- Nezam Tooloee and Kjell Stoknes -- said no. A stiff statement supporting the Pledge and condemning the councilmen's stances was issued soon after from the local American Legion adjunct.
An article appeared in the Kitsap Sun.
On Wednesday, Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Dwyer sent an e-mail to city leaders and chamber members urging them to stand up for the flag, for the community's sake.
"We would like to discourage you from taking a negative stand against the Pledge of Allegiance. Although you personally may have a strong opinion against the current national administration ... we think the publicity surrounding such a stand would do more harm than good for you and the community at large," Dwyer wrote.
"Negative press reports that more than likely will come out as (a) result of a stand against the pledge could have unintended consequences for the business community and the community as a whole -- suggesting that Bainbridge Islanders are ultra-liberal and against the war, the Bush Administration, etc.," he stated.
But an e-mail also sent Wednesday from Llewellyn to City Council members and others suggested he is not backing down from efforts to seek wider control over whether it's said, and when.
The Pledge of Allegiance is not on the upcoming meeting's agenda. The e-mail was obtained by the Kitsap Sun through a request to the city.
"I will expect NOTHING between "Call to Order" and "Additions/deletions" except "Roll Call" unless agreed to by consent of Council chair and mayor -- prior to the meeting. This has been accepted protocol for the last 15 years, except for the recent couple months. Anything not on the agenda should be added (by consensus) at the "Additions/deletions" part of the agenda," Llewellyn wrote.
It is not known whether more than three of the seven-member Council support or don't support recitation of the pledge, or whether a consensus could be reached.
Repeated efforts to reach Llewellyn on Friday were not successful. But Knobloch, contacted on Friday, seemed to prefer a more permanent place for the pledge at Council meetings.
"I would hope that as a council, together, we make this a permanent part of the agenda," he said.
The next Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.
Amazing.
The leftist techies who live on Bainbridge now, should be kissing the flag because our country and our freedoms have allowed them to suceed.
Agreed.
Silverdale's the shopping mecca of the county now. Rumor has it there's going to even be a Trader Joes soon!
Are they ultra-liberal?
But an e-mail also sent Wednesday from Llewellyn to City Council members and others suggested he is not backing down...
They never do... a fool is wise in his own eyes.
"I will expect NOTHING between "Call to Order" and "Additions/deletions" except "Roll Call" unless agreed to by consent of Council chair and mayor -- prior to the meeting. This has been accepted protocol for the last 15 years, except for the recent couple months. Anything not on the agenda should be added (by consensus) at the "Additions/deletions" part of the agenda," Llewellyn wrote.
Okay. What was the practice for the 15 years prior to that, and the 15 years prior to that? Which is really the "new" protocol? Inquiring minds want to know...
You forgot to add the vindictiveness of a low level bureaucrat that tried to put the grading dock in Tacoma out of business with the failed plan in Port Angeles.
The Tacoma plant had built the pontoons and spans for nearly all bridges and road projects in the Northwest for years. However, this bureaucrat didn't like the bid so they tried to bankrupt the plant by building the Port Angeles grading dock out of spite.
It failed and the Tacoma plant is building the spans and the bureaucrat and the head cheese Doug MacDonald (a former Boston Big Dig executive) is still collecting a fat salary.
Times change so I wonder, do they still serve beer on the ferries?
Yes, go figure. Can't smoke if you partake, but drink all you want.
Gold Mountain, Olympic Course, one of the best golf courses in hte nation. It hosted the US Amateur Public Links Championship this summer.
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