ANTIPATHY OF DEMOCRACY
May 19 letter to Blaine City Council: The Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is meant to examine the impacts of proposed developments prior to issuing development permits. The questions SEPA requires of developers must be answered and vetted by the public. When-- due to inherent conflicts of interest-- applicants or planning departments lie, it is the citizens who have a right to hold them accountable. The proposed response in the form of these SEPA amendments by Blaine Community Development Services is to eliminate public participation. While you are contemplating SEPA amendments to the Blaine Municipal Code that are designed to eliminate public participation, you might want to read my letter to the editor at Cascadia Daily News on the topic. The proposed SEPA Amendment Ordinance 26-3046 is unconstitutional, as it deprives low-income citizens of any voice in civic affairs. The proposed $5,000 fee barrier to those who wish to question city staff or challenge environmenta...