It's late. I'm tired. But I have to defend myself against the untrue accusations Salem city councilor Brad Nanke, and other officials, made about me tonight.
Not long ago I got back from a fascinating Salem City Council meeting.
(Check out the KGW-TV story about this that was on the 5 pm news. I was interviewed, but, sob, I was identified as "Dan Atchison, City Attorney." As was the real Dan Atchison, who also was interviewed. My reputation is now ruined! I considered suing KGW, but I think that instead I'll ask them for an ounce of free weed. The news segment and associated AP story, by the way, support my view of the purpose of the city council meeting.
Update: a newer version of the KGW story omits my "Dan Aitchison" name. Damn, there goes my demand for an ounce of pot.)
It was great to see so many people come out and testify in favor of allowing early sales of recreational marijuana through medical marijuana dispensaries.
I'll write more about this tomorrow. For now, I just want to share the email that I've sent off to Nanke, his fellow city councilors, and other folks who get the city [email protected] messages.
It irritates me when City of Salem staff accuse me of firing people up with misinformation. Whenever this happens, I ask them "So, show me what I got wrong." So far they haven't been able to do this. I'm pretty damn confident they won't be able to do it this time.
Tonight, Councilor Brad Nanke went on a mini-rant about how I'd gotten things all wrong, because it was so obvious in the marijuana staff report that the City Council was planning to approve early sales. This isn't true.
Like I said in my first post on this subject, and said to the council in my testimony tonight, the City Attorney asked for guidance from the council on whether both "early" and "late" sales of recreational marijuana should be banned.
Nanke claimed that the staff report said otherwise. And that a story in today's Statesman Journal got it right, while I got it wrong.
Well, here's my email to him and other City officials, calling him out on that claim. I'll let you know how, or if, they respond.
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Councilor Nanke (and other city councilors who agree with him),
Q. Will Council be voting to ban the early sale of recreational marijuana?
A. No. However, Council will be asked whether they want to ban the early sale of recreational marijuana by medical marijuana dispensaries which could otherwise begin October 1, 2015. If so, action would be taken at the next Council meeting.
The Salem City Council has two decisions to make about marijuana sales in the city, and members will begin the process Monday, Aug. 31.
The most immediate is whether the city is going to allow or prohibit the “early sales” period beginning on Oct. 1, of recreational marijuana from medical marijuana facilities. A decision that’s made somewhat complicated to both local city code and state law.
...City staff is asking the council for clarity and a decision on whether the city will allow or prohibit the “early sales” in the city.If the council indicates a desire to not allow the “early sales” the staff will begin the process of drafting an ordinance for first reading at the council’s Sept. 14 meeting. Most ordinances take two city council meetings to resolve, and the next meeting after Sept. 14 is Sept. 28.
The next decision is although not as time sensitive is more far-reaching- whether the city council has a desire to prohibit the sales of recreational marijuana in Salem beginning on Jan. 4.
Haha good job Brian. Don't take any crap from the weasel career politicians who keep trying to redefine reality.
It reminds me of the book 1984.
From wikipedia-
At the start, Oceania and Eastasia are allies combatting Eurasia. That alliance ends and Oceania, now allied with Eurasia, fights Eastasia.
In mid-sentence an orator changes the name of the enemy from "Eurasia" to "Eastasia" without pause. When the public are enraged at noticing that the wrong flags and posters are displayed, they tear them down—thus the origin of the idiom "We've always been at war with Eastasia"
Luckily in this case no one is falling for Nanke's "We've always been at war with Eastasia."
Posted by: Salemander | September 01, 2015 at 07:29 AM
Well, it looks like I've already won. Nanke emailed me this morning and said he won't engage with me on this subject because a comment on my blog had a derogatory adjective describing the council. Here's my reply to him:
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Huh? What are you talking about?
Below are all the comments on my blog post. What comment are you talking about? Is it where I said that Sandra may have meant to type “shitty” rather than “shiny”? It isn’t possible to edit comments on my blog. I was trying to figure out whether Sandra wanted me to edit her comment, as commenters sometimes ask me to do when they find that they can’t edit them themselves.
Are you really so offended by me saying "Sandra, I sort of feel like maybe you meant to say "shitty Council." But I don't want to put words in your mouth.”?
If so, wow.
Anyway, your inability/unwillingness to respond to my challenge to show me how the staff report and/or Statesman Journal story could have led citizens to believe that the Council was going to allow early sales shows that I was right, and you were wrong.
Like I said, I accept your silent apology. Next time, don’t accuse me or anyone else of paranoia or spreading misinformation unless you can back up that claim. After the meeting several people came up and said things like, “I can’t believe how bad you were treated.”
I told them, “That’s the way it usually goes. Council members accuse me of saying untrue stuff, but they can never show how what I said was false.”
You won’t like my next blog post, either. But it will be true. Feel free to leave a comment if you disagree.
— Brian
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Thank you, so much for the heads up on this issue and all the work you put in on informing all of us on the shiny Council
Posted by: Sandra | August 28, 2015 at 02:55 PM
Sandra, I sort of feel like maybe you meant to say "shitty Council." But I don't want to put words in your mouth.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | August 28, 2015 at 03:05 PM
it's a shame that this is so normal for the mayor and city politics.
Posted by: thomas | August 28, 2015 at 03:16 PM
Thanks! I sent an email :) I hope this doesn't go through!!
Posted by: Anastasia Falling | August 28, 2015 at 03:41 PM
got this in an email back from them http://www.cityofsalem.net/Annoucements/FAQ%20Marijuana%20Agenda%20Item.pdf.pdf
Posted by: thomas | August 28, 2015 at 05:31 PM
Sounds like we need major reform in the leadership in Salem. We need to start at the top and remove the mayor from office! Shady BS like this should not be tolerated! It was voted in by the people, and the people should vote them out!
Posted by: Steve | August 28, 2015 at 06:46 PM
What a bunch of fucking weasels in this city government.
I don't see much "collaboration" going on here, except between like minded politicos behind closed doors to try and push their agenda against the stated public will.
Posted by: Salemander | August 28, 2015 at 07:26 PM
Also Brian it appears you forgot to include the link to the Statesman Journal article on this breaking story... OH WAIT
Posted by: Salemander | August 28, 2015 at 07:38 PM
Thomas, thanks for the FAQ info. I've updated this post to reflect the (nonsensical) FAQ document.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | August 28, 2015 at 08:33 PM
Well Brian, seems like the primary result of such a move by Salem's atrocious "leadership" would be to shift tax revenue away from Salem and into the coffers of Keizer, and of Marion County through those commercial areas just outside the city's borders, like much of Lancaster.
Talk about shooting themselves in the foot (feet?)
Posted by: Jack Holloway | August 29, 2015 at 06:10 AM
We need to depose the radical right wingers in the city counsil.
Posted by: Mark Burton | August 29, 2015 at 11:53 PM
This is underhanded and disgusting, yet not surprising!
Posted by: Josh Akers | August 30, 2015 at 09:28 AM
I thought they were so business friendly and opposed new taxes and regulations.
Posted by: Rob Gould | August 30, 2015 at 09:43 AM
Can't make the meeting but...
...email sent !
Posted by: Rick | August 31, 2015 at 01:16 PM
Posted by: Brian Hines | September 01, 2015 at 09:21 AM
Wow! I've lived in Salem my whole life and am just now realizing that I've had blinders on to the dirty underhanded dealings of our city government. I love this city and an greatly saddened by our government. I agree that it is time we did something about this. On another note at least the pulled their heads out of their collective asses and made the right decision about early marijuana sales.
Posted by: Ryan Fisher | September 01, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Ryan, I'm glad you're seeing thing as they are at City Hall. There are some deep systemic problems with the "groupthink" that pervades most top City officials and councilors. Not all. There are some good people with open minds there.
Today I plan to write a post about how last night's meeting really was important for a lot more than just the issue of early marijuana sales. It provided a window into the mindset of our Mayor and the right wing council majority.
Not a pretty picture. I'm hoping the soon to be hired new City Manager will help change the climate at City Hall. It sure needs improving. What's going on there is very unprofessional and detrimental to Salem.
Posted by: Brian Hines | September 01, 2015 at 10:53 AM
"Government is only accountable to people who only say nice things about me, if I even think you say something bad I can ignore you forever"- Brad "Big Crybaby" Nanke
Way to dodge the issue Brad. Since we all now know you read this blog, grow a pair and act like a decent human adult and apologize for your untrue accusation made against Brian. No more childish games.
Posted by: Salemander | September 01, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Salemander, good points. I feel that individuals have a right to ignore anyone they want. But a public official should stay engaged with citizens who have legitimate concerns/questions. This is why they're called a "public servant."
Of course, it seems obvious that Brad Nanke used the "shitty" reference as an excuse not to respond to me. My daughter used to do much the same thing when we'd play Monopoly when she was young.
Just as I was about to beat her, making her go bankrupt, she'd turn the board over, scattering the money and pieces everywhere, and yell "Tie! It's a tie! Game over!"
I'd say, "Yeah, right... but I still won." Which is what I also said to Nanke.
Posted by: Brian Hines | September 01, 2015 at 12:33 PM
OMG.... is this the kind of excitement I have to look forward to in retirement? Going to City Council meetings and starting a Bru ha ha over... when I can get my weed legally? Sheesh, who the hell really cares? If you are waiting for the blessing of the Council, and haven't scarfed up a pound or two already, they you aren't really that hard core to begin with. Let it go Brian. There are much more important things to fight about in Salem like... your tree and bridge battle. Or the unlicensed food court. Getting in a tissy fit about who called who what is so.... High Schoolish. Which is an insult to High School in this case... "When can we have our weed Man?" Fast Times in Salem.
Posted by: Dan Gellner | September 01, 2015 at 04:04 PM
The Council meeting can be seen online on the CCTV website.
It was theater. The impetus was the last second notification (last Friday) that the matter would be discussed on the following Monday. City Attorney Atchison apologized. As a result of his failure, there was confusion and, because many have lost faith in the integrity of Salem City Government, there was heightened suspicion.
Blogger Brian Hines was alarmed, based on the content of a staff report, about what actions the Council might take. Upon reading the report, one is left with the impression that the City may try to limit or prevent marijuana sales in Salem. Hines encouraged participation by the public and was accused by Councilor Lewis of paranoia.
Actually, the only issue that was fully addressed was whether early sales would be allowed (it will be).
As it turned out, the matter of whether those without medical cards can enter dispensaries to buy recreational marijuana (Salem code now prevents anyone without a card from even going into the lobby of a dispensary) needed to be remedied and it is clear that it will be.
One of the other issues that concerned anti-prohibitionists (that were discussed in the staff report) were the possibilities that the City could outlaw dispensaries (based on speculation about the outcome of current legal actions) or whether marijuana use could be made illegal in its entirety (based on the absurd notion that this could be done because marijuana is illegal based on federal law).
The disrespect for democracy in Salem is alarming. Any expression of ideas that conflict with the positions of certain "leaders" is met with insults. In addition to Lewis's mischaracterization of Mr. Hines (if anything, he is not paranoid enough), Councilor Benjamin actually had the audacity to insult those who attended to speak "glassy eyed". (I would describe his eyes but I want to keep this discussion civil).
Although many attended and wished to speak, very few were able to do so, Council rules only allow 30 minutes of public input unless Council votes to extend (they allowed one 30 minute extension but, because of questions and verbal attacks directed to speakers, less than ten (of about fifty) were able to speak. In Salem, speech is allowed only when welcomed. If the issue was one that the Council wants to hear about (for example, whether something should be built), then public discussion could last for hours). Democracy left Salem when Mike Swaim left - the current majority came about as a reaction to his policies.
The early sales issue seems to have been resolved but anti-prohibitionists should be concerned about the other issues that will be confronted in the near future. It is clear that the Mayor and Councilor Benjamin are strongly opposed to legal weed. Others on Council seem to be supportive of prohibition.
Salem City Government is essentially a real estate company. It was decided during former Mayor Taylor's administration that the main goal of the local government was to turn Salem into a Big City. (The current Mayor, Anna Peterson, her successor and close friend, is merely a more intelligent and ruthless version of the kind and well meaning Taylor).
Marijuana advocates should be vigilant but they probably have nothing to fear within Salem because the weed business will provide increased real estate activity (often allowing for sales and/or rentals of difficult to market properties) and tax revenues.
In the end, whatever sense of moral repugnance that the "leaders" may suffer from will be overcome by the prospect of financial rewards.
Posted by: Kurt | September 01, 2015 at 04:10 PM
Later on today, Dan, I'll explain why this issue is important. It has to do with being able to trust our local government officials, and being assured that our so-called "public servants" really are.
This obviously is a huge issue facing the United States at all levels of government, federal, state, local. Many people in Salem seem to believe that because this is a fairly small town, we have fairly small problems with special interest dealmaking and back room decisions.
But we do. The current Mayor and City Council majority are a disaster in this regard. Last night's council meeting showed this more clearly than any other meeting I've attended.
Posted by: Brian Hines | September 01, 2015 at 04:12 PM
Great comment, Kurt. Right on. I assume you mean Councilor Jim Lewis when you wrote "Levin." I'll take the liberty of editing your comment to correct this, since you're unable to do that yourself on this archaic TypePad commenting system. Let me know if somehow you did mean Levin.
Posted by: Brian Hines | September 01, 2015 at 04:16 PM