I am somewhat suspicious after years of censorship/ violations of others Rights that it has dawned on those with little to do but wish for more glory to start allowing these attacks? I don't have any problem with someone voicing their opinion. You folks all know I am a passionate believer in the First Amendment and even though I do not have my own printing press, as the late Jim Smith advised me; I do have Freedom of Speech which he also kindly advised I did not have.
The Gentlemen from Vienna going after the usual suspects are of course welcome to their opinions and I certainly agree with Mr. Wilson ( Truth in Advertising), NO relationship between us other than a remarkable and honorable last name in his grumbling about price gouging at the pump. There is no agency in this State that is going to do anything about it anymore than the pumps that start out at a $.02 or $.03 when one squeezes on the handle. Sure who cares about an extra $.20 or $.30 every time they fill up for 10 gallons? Fill up once a week and that station has just made $10.40 to $15.60 off of you and every other customer in a years time. Pretty good profit for doing nothing but having a pump out of calibration.
Years and years ago, there was a gas station in Washington State that I went to all the time. And in those days with both my wife and myself driving at least back and forth to work each day; it was a fill up for her every other week and me every week. I actually did the fill ups for her; she hates the smell of gas. In any case, I began to notice the pump jumped $.05 each time I squeezed the handle to start. In a matter of time I asked the manager about why this was happening and how to get it fixed. Being a very astute businessman, he said life was tough. Well, when I was a puppy, I was told there are people you screw with and people you should probably leave alone. Took me years to fully understand how that worked; but today I have a pretty good idea and did somewhat than also.
Sat down and typed; yes TYPED a letter to the Washington State Attorney General by name. I told her what was going on and how long I had been experiencing it. What can be done to stop this "legal"
theft from consumers? In Washington State the AG has clout and a willingness to use it. Within a week or so, I got a nice letter back that the AG has sent the Weight and Measures folks to the station. That is right, the State had a Weight and Measures Unit whose job was checking that scales, pumps and so forth were calibrated at least yearly AND if a complaint came in- special attention to that place. In any case, the next time in, the pump started at all things $0.00 when I squeezed the handle. I have asked here about the $.02 or $.03 and been told they can't calibrate any closer. Mr. Wilson (no relative) is right. We are getting gouged ALL the time, not just before and during Holidays or when a Refinery that provides no product here goes down there; where ever there is?
I encourage everyone to NOT be afraid to write or call when something goes against your grain. The Letter will probably not get printed or the call will go unanswered no matter how sweet talking the person is on the other end, but at least you have tried and protected your Right to Free Speech. And there is always the option to stand up for yourself. I have done it for myself and others for decades.
Right now, I will tell you one and all, at the very first City Council Meeting in January 2017 over which I preside as YOUR Mayor; the Public Forum will again be in place. YOU the Citizen will be cordially invited to speak on what ever you feel is or is not right in Vienna. YOU will not have to come hat in hand requesting the chance to do what is your U.S. Constitutional Right under the First Amendment.
Every time I hear Mr. Rapp say that so and so has "asked" to speak, I feel that he has forgotten he never wore a crown of thorns and the twelve apostles who sit with him in the Council Meetings are not so much better than those who for lack of Trust in their City Council will even go to a meeting unless it is to get permission to speak on a subject at that one meeting? His arrogance has in most cases led to his abuses of position, power and authority and will so as long as he is in office as a Politician. His arrogance as a Resident only is his personal business and I will not go there.
I take full blame for the Public Forum being stopped early last year. Mr. Rapp, the City Attorney who I had to ask how he got elected to be the sixth Council Member with out an Election and some of the other Holier than Thou's got offended when I questioned what was the then and is still going on actions with our monies and our Freedoms?
The night I challenged Mr. Rapp and the City Attorney on the "conditions" imposed on a speaker as being unconstitutional and in direct violation of the determinations and decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court on Free Speech; oh my Lord. The Attorney grabbed his Tablet and stormed out of the meeting for some minutes. He said on a couple of times that I was uncivil, disruptive and insulting. I agree that to a person who was in whatever position as a City Staff member, be it Mr. Rapp, the City Attorney or one of the Apostles who attacked me; I could be a bit short later since I could not defend myself when attacked with the distortions that were presented against me at that current meeting. I would often come back the next time with the documents to prove what I was saying earlier that caused so much dissension or suggest where one should look to find out who approved something that happened.
A good example is when the City Attorney spoke in his alleged position as that eighth Council Member after I noted that Vienna was NOT Mayberresque. For those of you who did not know, Mayberry NEVER existed. It was a very funny and enjoyable comedy for some years on TV. The good Attorney said NO ONE on the Council had ever said that. Two weeks later after being shut down again at the original meeting, I suggested to the good Attorney that he investigate on who approved the Mayberry Theme Song on the City Web Site for months and it was noted that Vienna was like Mayberry?
See where DuPont has settled the second case on C8. I think this settlement will limit or stop many of the pending ones from proceeding? DuPont may be now trying to settle for minimal amounts so as to stop the financial bleeding? And of course is continuing to fight to get the first $1.6 million one reduced as "excessive". 'nuff said.
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).