Greetings friends and fellow citizens of Damascus,
There is a lot to report to you about what is going on inside city hall, with very few exceptions, most of the news is very positive.
Many of you have heard in the news recently of our city managers resignation. It is my intention to make you aware of important items not mentioned in the media. We as council are bound by contract to not disparage the out-going city manager, which is fine because I take no delight in doing that anyway.
In September 2012 a subcommittee of Mary Wescott, Marlo Dean and Randy Shannon were tasked with forming a contract extension for Mr. Baker. Council later voted on the contract extension which included a substantial payout under a very broad set of circumstances which was iron clad and provided almost no options for any future city council. I was the only dissenting vote. This decision was very perplexing to me as it violated my principles of an open, transparent and limited government, along with our fiduciary responsibilities as city councilors.
Now the good news,
The comprehensive plan is going in a generally good direction; most of the issues of concern have been solved. Quite frankly the passage of the measure requiring your vote before it is submitted to Metro and the state has forced all of us to understand and abide by the political realities here in Damascus. The openness of the code team, the planning commission, planning staff and even the city council is like a breath of fresh air.
City staff has made an open invitation to property owners who have concerns regarding their property designations. Planning staff have extended their hours on Tuesdays from 7am to 7pm to accommodate you. I do have some concerns with the language of the required 25% open space policy that I will layout on my website www.stevespinnett.com soon.
Starting on June 13th we will be starting the public hearing phase of the comprehensive plan – I strongly encourage you to attend and give your input.
Ironically certain members of committees and others are pushing to dis-incorporating the city. To me this makes no sense; after over 10 years, 8 years as a city, millions of your tax dollars spent, tens of thousands of volunteer hours and a nearly completed doable comprehensive plan that we just throw it all away. What I really think is their intent is to disincharter our city with all of it’s built in citizen protections that you voted in by wide margins as charter amendments.
All of these people are political opponents who write in the Sunrise Times including a Metro employee, something I and those who agree with my limited, honest and transparent government platform refuse to participate in. Later in June the Northwest Connection newspaper will be sent to you with more detailed and accurate information on issues I am not at liberty to share.
There has been much talk of protecting Damascus’s natural features. I think the most valuable feature is you, the people of Damascus. Your city charter does just that, it protects you!
Thank you for your patience, I do believe we are so close to the finish line of a marathon, lets not give up now – we are so close!
Some of you have asked how you can help; you can use your political tax credit which is $50 per person or $100 a couple and make a contribution to “Take Back Damascus” and you will receive the full amount back on your taxes. Of course you can make larger tax deductible donations as well.
You can also donate online on my website www.stevespinnett.com and click the “Donate” tab, be sure to include your occupation. You can also contact me by clicking on the “contact” or the “what’s your Spinn?” tab. I would very much appreciate your support in this way.
Sincerely,
Steve Spinnett
Mayor,
City of Damascus
Don’t forget to use your political tax credit to help with getting the message out, a $50 or $100 contribution to “Take Back Damascus.” Remember, you will get it all back on your taxes.
www.stevespinnett.com – www.facebook.com/DamascusReview – stevespinnett@gmail.com – 503.312.3450
