150 Dozen Doughnuts To Go!

June 15, 2009 by 2 Comments

Yesterday, my wife and I made the trek to Spokane, Washington to pick up 150 dozen doughnuts from the Krispy Kreme.  It was all part of a fundraiser for my wife’s school class.  They raised about $600 towards the cost of a field trip.

Krispy Kreme in Spokane, WA

Krispy Kreme in Spokane, WA

 According to the Krispy Kreme website, they helped schools raise over $3 million last year.  Not bad.  The only downside for us, was making the trip out of town to pick them up.  Then again, that also helped when selling them!  It’s nice to offer folks something they don’t normally get.

We chose to pick up from the store in Spokane so we could also have a meal at the local Chili’s.  Some time ago, a family member sent us a gift card, but not having a local Chili’s, we have been holding on to it for several months.  We were able to get some baby back ribs before picking up the doughnuts.  A fast trip, and all food related!

As Krispy Kreme continues to grow, more schools will be in a position to take advantage of fund-raising opportunities with them.  This is a great program, and the staff at the store were wonderful to deal with through the entire process.  When we arrived at our pre-arranged pick up time, they brought two racks of 75 dozen doughnuts outside, and even helped to load the van!  Our family van is a non-descript mini-van, not nearly as cool as the van parked in front of the Krispy Kreme, with their designer paint scheme on it.  However, it got the job done.

Thanks to everyone at Krispy Kreme for helping schools provide the “extras” for the kids!

Two Racks of 75 Dozen Doughnuts Were Sold

Two Racks of 75 Dozen Doughnuts Were Sold

The back half of the van was full and smelling sweet!

The back half of the van was full and smelling sweet!

A Cool Krispy Kreme Paint Scheme!

A Cool Krispy Kreme Paint Scheme!

Filed under Traditional Values, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , ,

David Letterman Is A Sick, Perverted Old Man

June 13, 2009 by 2 Comments

Earlier this week, David Letterman (age 62), was poking fun at Sarah Palin on his TV show.  (He is still on TV?)  Any famous figure in politics is sure to be the butt of jokes from comedians, but this latest round of so-called comedy has me really worked up.  He didn’t just stick with jokes about Sarah Palin, but made some sick, twisted, perverted, sexual joke about her 14-year-old daughter.

Mr. Letterman, that might seem funny in New York City, but in the rest of the country it is crossing a line of decency.  I caught a portion of the “Today” show by accident this week, where they were interviewing the governor of Alaska about it.  She was wound up, and as a parent myself, I would confess that I would be too.

If someone made inappropriate sexual jokes about my daughter, you can bet I would have something to say about it!!  Most parents would.  The leftist media seemed to be saying to Sarah Palin that she should just get over it.  However, some on the left do seem to understand the important ramifications for our society in not addressing things of this nature.

I am old enough to remember when Bill Clinton was in the White House.  A certain media figure made fun of his daughter Chelsea, calling her ugly.  An angry Bill Clinton came on TV and publicly said he would like to punch that guy in the nose!  Most Americans could understand the sentiment.

This is not a left-right issue.  Do not allow the leftist media to try and paint it as such.  It does not matter if it is a left wing or right wing politician, making fun of their children is crossing a line.  These comedians have not made jokes about Barack Obama’s children, and they should not.  These types of jokes should not be made at all.

David Letterman’s only response so far has been to apologize that the joke was made about Palin’s 14 year-old daughter, when he actually meant the 18 year-old daughter.  That’s showing some real class there Mr. Letterman.

The left-leaning feminist group NOW (National Organization for Women) has come off the fence and added the David Letterman show to it’s Media Hall of Shame, which you can see here.

CBS should take action to make sure David Letterman does not make these kind of on-air jokes again.  (Does anyone remember Imus being forced to quit his radio job for making fun of college-age female basketball players?)

I am not saying the guy should be fired, necessarily.  However, a sincere apology is not too much to ask for.  Also, the show’s network, and producers should not allow this kind of content to be aired.  What kind of example is this setting for our nation’s young people?  You know, the impressionable 14-18 year-olds in high school?  This is an issue that society at large should be concerned about, not just now, but for the future of our country.

Filed under Republican Party, Traditional Values, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Dumb Crook News: Seattle, Washington

June 12, 2009 by

A dumb crook in Seattle, Washington left a duffel bag of marijuana in a public park.  As luck would have it, a dog “found” the bag, and then things got weird.  Police say that the bag had  five and a half pounds of the drug, with a value of $22,000.  I doubt the dog was aware of that when it nosed through the bag and ate some of the marijuana!

The dog’s owner states that three hours later, the dog was acting high, weaving its head around, and had glassy eyes.

What kind of moron leaves a bag of drugs lying around for dogs, children, or others to get into while at a public park?  While the dumb crook did not get caught, they are missing $22,000 of their product.

See the original story:

KWTX.com: Dog ‘Stoned’ After Eating Marijuana In Seattle

Filed under dumb crook news Tagged with , , ,

HR 1207 “Audit the Fed” Bill Now Co-Sponsored By Majority of House Members

June 11, 2009 by

Ron Paul’s HR 1207, the “Audit the Fed” bill is now being co-sponsored by the majority of members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  It is gathering bi-partisan support as Americans demand transparency in government.  Our local Congressman, Doc Hastings, is also a co-sponsor of the bill.

Here is a copy of the press release from Congressman Paul’s office:

For Immediate Release
June 11, 2009 Audit the Fed Bill Reaches Crucial Benchmark Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ron Paul’s Federal Reserve Transparency Act, HR 1207, has reached and surpassed the level of 218 cosponsors in the House of Representatives, which means it is now cosponsored by a majority of the members.

The 218th cosponsor was Dennis Kucinich (OH-10), and the bill has since received its 222nd cosponsor.
“The tremendous grass-roots and bipartisan support in Congress for HR 1207 is an indicator of how mainstream America is fed up with Fed secrecy,” said Congressman Paul. “I look forward to this issue receiving greater public exposure.”
Hearings on Federal Reserve transparency are expected within the next month, as part of the Financial Services Committee’s series of hearings on regulatory reform.

Filed under Economy, Federal Reserve, Ron Paul, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , ,

Former City Manager Eric Swansen’s Evaluation

June 11, 2009 by

The local newspapers have reported on the generally low marks given to former Sunnyside City Manager Eric Swansen in his performance evaluation.  BLOGSUNNYSIDE received a copy of the evaluation after submitting its own public records request.  The ratings ranged from 1 being poor, to 5 being excellent.  Mr. Swansen may still request a hearing after his termination.  As of yet he has not done so, but he has a 30 day window from his firing date in which to make his request if he chooses to do so.  There have been questions raised about the fairness of the ratings he received, as well as the decision to fire him.

Mr. Swansen is capable of speaking for himself, as the City Council can also defend their actions.  Mr. Swansen was the hand picked City Manager, hired by the current Council, so it is a bit surprising that they did not give him a chance to improve after only his first evaluation.  With elections coming up in a few short months, and potentially four of the seven Council Members being replaced as voters give their evaluation of the City Council at the ballot box, the Council may want to call a time-out on its search process for a new City Manager.  Perhaps the City would be better served by having the Interim City Manager stay at the helm until the next City Council is sworn in.  If nothing else, the public can catch its breath after the loss of so many key leaders in such a short period of time. (The City Attorney, Finance Director, and one Council Member resigned in protest over Mr. Swansen’s firing.)

The following information is taken from the summary of Mr. Swansen’s evaluation.  It is provided for informational purposes only.   I am not guaranteeing the accuracy of the information below, if you choose to use it, it is at your own risk.  I am not taking a position stance on any of the ratings listed.  A complete copy of the evaluation can be requested at City Hall by any citizen wishing to review it.

Period of Evaluation: June 30, 2008 through April 30, 2009

1. Personal

Invests sufficient effort toward being diligent and thorough in the discharge of duties.

Council 3.0/Staff 2.8

Composure, appearance, and attitude fitting for an individual in his executive position.

Council 3.0/Staff 2.7

2.  Professional Skills and Status

Possesses knowledge of current developments affecting the management field and continues to learn new developments.

Council 3.3/Staff 3.1

Commands respect in management profession.

Council 2.7/Staff 2.5

Demonstrates a capacity for innovations.

Council 2.9/Staff 2.8

Anticipates problems and develops effective approaches for solving them.

Council 2.3/Staff 2.3

Demonstrates receptivity to new ideas proposed by others.

Council 2.6/Staff 2.4

3.  Relations With City Council

Carries out directives of the Council as a whole rather than those of any one Council member.

Council 2.4/Staff 2.2

Assists the council on resolving problems at the administrative level to avoid Council involvement on administrative issues.

Council 2.4/Staff 2.0

Assists the Council in establishing policy, while acknowledging the ultimate authority of the Council.

Council 2.3/Staff 2.4

Responds with appropriate information to requests for information or assistance by the Council.

Council 2.1/Staff 1.9

Demonstrates receptivity to new ideas proposed by Council members.

Council 2.4/Staff 2.1

4. Policy Execution

Implements Council action in accordance with the intent of the Council.

Council 2.4/Staff 2.6

Supports the actions of the Council after a decision has been reached.

Council 2.6/Staff 2.6

Enforces City policies

Council 2.9/Staff 2.5

Understands City’s laws.

Council 3.3/Staff 2.8

Reviews enforcement procedures periodically to improve effectiveness.

Council 2.8/Staff 1.9

Offers workable alternatives to the council for changes in ordinances or policies when impractical in actual administration.

Council 2.4/Staff2.4

5. Reporting

Provides the Council with reports concerning matters of importance to the City.

Council 2.1/Staff 2.6

Prepares accurate and comprehensive reports.

Council 2.0/Staff 2.7

Produces reports generally through own initiative rather than when requested by the Council.

Council 2.0/Staff 2.1

Prepares a sound agenda, which deals with matters in an effective manner and focuses Council attention on policy issues.

Council 2.3/Staff 2.5

6.  Citizen Relations

Responds to complaints from citizens.

Council 2.7/Staff 2.5

Demonstrates dedication to the community and its citizens.

Council 3.0/Staff 2.9

Displays skill with the news media, avoiding political positions and partisanship.

Council 2.9/Staff 3.0

Displays capacity to listen to others and to recognize their interests – works well with others.

Council 2.6/Staff 2.6

Demonstrates willingness to meet with members of the community to discuss their real concerns.

Council 3.3/Staff 3.0

Works effectively with other public officials.

Council 2.7/Staff 2.7

Works effectively with other entities within the City.

Council 2.6/Staff 2.5

7.  Staffing

Recruits and retains competent personnel for City positions.

Council 2.5/Staff 2.2

Demonstrates awareness of weak or indifferent administrative personnel and works to improve their performance.

Council 2.2/Staff 1.9

Displays concern about employee relations and works to improve communication at all levels of the organization.

Council 2.0/Staff 2.1

8.  Supervision

Encourages department managers to make decisions within their own jurisdictions without City Manager approval, yet maintains general control of administrative operations.

Council 2.5/Staff 2.3

Instills confidence and initiative in subordinates and emphasizes support rather than restrictive controls for their programs.

Council 2.2/Staff 2.3

Develops a friendly and informal relationship with the work force as a whole, yet maintains the prestige and dignity of the City Manager’s office.

Council 2.3/Staff 2.4

Evaluates personnel periodically, and points out management weaknesses and strengths.

Council 1.4/Staff 1.9

9.  Fiscal Management

Prepares a balanced budget to provide services at a level directed by Council.

Council 2.7/Staff 2.8

Makes the best possible use of available funds, conscious of the need to operate the City efficiently and effectively.

Council 2.7/Staff 2.8

Prepares the budget in an intelligent format.

Council 2.7/Staff 3.1

Possess awareness of the importance of financial planning and control.

Council 3.1/Staff 2.8

10.  Project Management

Develops procedures that assure systematic progress, timely closure, and effective tracking or projects.

Council 2.3/Staff 2.3

Filed under Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , ,

Sunnyside City Council Discusses Interim Legal and Personnel Services

June 9, 2009 by 4 Comments

The Sunnyside City Council held a Special Meeting Tuesday night.  The meeting came 24 hours after the last meeting of the Council.  The agenda for last night’s meeting was to consider options for interim legal and personnel services.

The City Council heard from Scott Beyer, a representative of the Yakima based law firm of Menke Jackson.  The firm represents management, providing special counsel to cities, counties, irrigation districts, school boards, and full city counsel to some small towns.  They also provide labor counsel, assist in negotiations and arbitration, and can provide help in land use and employee relations issues.  They have five partners, one associate, and are pending the addition of another associate at their firm.

Council Member Theresa Hancock made a motion to approve a resolution to contract for interim legal services with the firm.  Carol Stone seconded the motion.  Council Members Hancock, Stone, Gehlen, Hernandez, and Mayor Garcia all voted in favor of the resolution.  Mayor Pro Tem Jim Restucci was absent due to a family emergency.

Although that was the only item Council took action on at the meeting, a good deal of time was taken hearing a presentation from Mr. Greg Prothman, regarding personnel services his firm provides.  The City of Sunnyside has an immediate need for a Finance Director following the resignation of Jordan Arreola last week.

Prothman specializes in assisting cities in transitions and recruiting.  Before starting his own company, he was both an Assistant City Manager, and City Manager in Des Moines.  He has seven years experience in law enforcement as well.  His company was formed in 2001, provides municipal consulting services, and can conduct searches for any senior executive position in the City.

To fill the Finance Department needs, he would look to a pool of retired personnel to help Sunnyside on an interim basis.  Arreola’s salary would be divided into an hourly rate which the interim employee would be paid.  Prothman’s firm would be paid a fee of 40% of the salary for the interim employee.  The City would not provide benefits to the interim employee, with the employee being on Prothman’s payroll, and Prothman sending the City a bill for services.

If no interim employee can be hired within the local driving area, the City may also need to pay an additional housing stipend of about $1,000 per month.

The City Council had a consensus to allow the Interim City Manager, Jim Bridges, to proceed to meet with Mr. Prothman, and proceed with further discussions.

Mr. Prothman also described how his firm could potentially conduct a search for the position of City Manager.  His firm would advertise the position, screen applicants, narrow the field down for interviews that Prothman would conduct himself, with a final pool of candidates being considered by the City Council.  Prothman would conduct criminal background checks, verify academic credentials, and check references of peers, subordinates, and superiors for the last three jobs of the finalists.

Prothman said his City Manager placements generally stay five to seven years after being placed.  If they fail to stay with the City, his firm would conduct another search for the cost of search expenses only, waiving the professional search fee.  For City Managers, Prothman asks for a search fee equivalent to 20% of the first year’s salary.  Search expenses for his firm generally run $4,000 to $5,000.

Prothman also mentioned that economies of scale can reduce search expenses when a search for more than one position is done at the same time.

For more information about the Prothman personnel firm, visit their website: http://www.prothman.com/

Filed under Sunnyside Budget Issues, Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

City Staff In Confusion After Loss of Leadership

June 9, 2009 by 6 Comments

Update: City Staff called back within an hour of my phone inquiry to confirm that the City Council will meet at 6:30 P.M. tonight.  The city’s website should be updated with this information very soon.

The City of Sunnyside is a “ship springing more holes”, as the Yakima Herald-Republic headline writers put it.  The Sunnyside Daily Sun News referred to events last week as an “implosion” at City Hall.  It appears that the Council vote to terminate City Manager Eric Swansen has “cut the head off the snake” as Retired General Colin Powell might say.

The termination was immediately followed with the resignations of the City Attorney/Assistant City Manager, and the Finance Director.  Last night, Council Member Bill Gant resigned in protest as well.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reported in this morning’s paper that the Sunnyside City Council is scheduling a Special Meeting at 6:30 PM tonight.  I called City Hall at noon today to confirm whether the meeting will take place or not.

The staff were unable to confirm whether the City Council will be having a meeting.  The City’s website does not have it posted.  It is unclear whether an announcement was printed in the Daily Sun News, which is the City’s legal newspaper.  The staff were very courteous to me, and apologized for not knowing the answer when I called.  In the absence of leadership present in their offices, they could not ask anyone else for clarification.  They did promise to call back when they had an answer.

It is not fair to the City Staff to be put under this kind of stress and confusion.  Interim City Manager Jim Bridges is surely busy trying to keep and restore order in the daily functioning of our City government operations.  Hopefully our Council can provide some clarity in when they will be holding meetings.

Filed under Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , ,

Sunnyside Inn Bed and Breakfast Marks 20 Years

June 8, 2009 by

Sunnyside Inn Bed & Breakfast Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Sunnyside Inn Bed and Breakfast Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary

This past Sunday, the Sunnyside Inn Bed and Breakfast celebrated its 20th Anniversary, with an Open House.  Don and Karen Vlieger, the long-time owners and residents of Sunnyside, opened the doors of the Inn to the public to mark the event.  A bluegrass band, Bloomin’ Later, was on hand to provide live entertainment.  Visitors could tour the refurbished landmark, marvelling at the renovations done to the historical home and former doctor’s office, to turn it into the thriving bed and breakfast it has become.  The Sunnyside Inn has the look and feel of a nearly century old homestead, but with the modern comforts and amenities that today’s guests expect from first-class accomodations. Each guest room is equipped with a flat-panel high definition TV, with the larger rooms sporting an eye-popping 42″ set on an adjustable wall-mount for viewing pleasure.  Movies on DVDs are provided to guests from the Inn’s own library for even more entertainment options. In addition, the Inn offers guests computer access, and WiFi Internet service.  Don Vlieger noted that 20 years ago guests wanted phones in every room, and used them often.  Now, the phones go mostly unused, as guests typically use cell phones.  However, they do desire Internet access.  He said that adding bathrooms to the old building was the biggest challenge, but updates to the interior are always being made.  Many of the rooms now have spa tubs to relax in.

Each room has its own unique attributes at the Sunnyside Inn Bed & Breakfast

Each room has its own unique attributes at the Sunnyside Inn Bed & Breakfast

The overall decor has been changed from an old country, floral type design, to one using more blues and a more, ”masculine”, contemporary look.
Over the years, the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce has recognized the Inn for its storefront.  In addition, they have received an award for historical preservation work done on the building.  Publications such as “Sunset” and “Country Magazine” have done reviews on the bed and breakfast.
Don and Karen said that the typical guest will spend two nights staying with them.  Guests include business people from all over the country, as well as International business travellers.  Most notably, a good number of Europeans and Chinese come to visit.
Besides a comfortable bed, guests receive a full breakfast.  The Sunnyside Inn Bed and Breakfast has added a Coke fountain, offers bottled water, while providing breakfasts of omelets, pancakes, oatmeal, juice, fruit, pastries, and meats.
Don Vlieger said “If guests walk away hungry, it’s their fault.”
Punch, Cookies, and Cake Were Among Some of the Refreshments Provided For Visitors

Punch, Popcorn, Cookies, and Cake Were Among Some of the Refreshments Provided For Visitors

Dr. W. E. Fordyce, and his wife Ruth Waite Fordyce built the original home in 1919 and used it as a doctor’s office for many years according the Inn’s website: http://www.sunnysideinn.com/
Don mentioned that it was in use as either a doctor’s office, or dental office, up until the 1980s.  It reportedly had the first X-ray machine east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington.  The house was leased out for business offices for a few years before the Vlieger’s purchased it.
A guest bed at the Sunnyside Inn Bed & Breakfast

A guest bed at the Sunnyside Inn Bed & Breakfast

Business rates at the Inn start at $59 and up for a single person during the week.  Weekend rates are $99 and up per night.
The courtyard in the back can be reserved for parties and special events by calling the Inn and making special arrangements.  The local number is 509-839-5557.  To make reservations toll-free call: 1-800-221-4195.

Filed under Economy, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , ,

Nick Paulakis Running Unopposed For Sunnyside City Council

June 8, 2009 by

Nick Paulakis is the only candidate to file for Sunnyside City Council in District 4.  This makes him unique among City Council candidates in Sunnyside.  All of the other districts are contested.  With three candidates filing for District 2,  a District Primary will be held for the “Hill” district.  The primary is scheduled for August 18, with the general election on November 3, 2009.

The candidates for City Council are:

District 1:

  • Jason R. Raines (your blog editor)
  • Theresa Hancock (incumbent)

District 2:

  • Mike Farmer (a Sunnyside business owner, and former Council Member)
  • Thomas Warren
  • Jesse Hernandez, Jr. (incumbent)

District 3:

  • Donovan (Don) Vlieger (a Sunnyside business owner, and former Council Member)
  • Carol Stone (incumbent)

District 4:

  • Nick Paulakis (High School Teacher, Pastor, Defacto Winner!)

Filed under 2009 Election, Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , ,

Dumb Crook News: Pinole, California

June 5, 2009 by

A suspect in three killings is in police custody after he left his cell phone at the scene of a house burglary.

Have you ever misplaced your cell phone, and dialed your own number to find out where it is?  I have done that at home with my personal cell phone before.  What makes this story so outrageous is that the dumb crook called his own phone, that he had left at the scene of the crime.

Police answered the phone, and made arrangements for the dumb crook to meet them so they could “return” it to him!  He was promptly arrested when he showed up to get his phone.

Source: Fox News San Francisco Police Nab Suspect In Three Killings After He Forgets Phone, Calls Himself

Filed under dumb crook news Tagged with , , , , , ,

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