This is a thoughtful and well-written piece. it seems to me that LaFave would be just fine with her spin being the proverbial 'gospel' and persecuting those the dare ask questions or demand more transparency ... how about sharing all e-mails re hiring Duscha --who is learning on the job and getting paid pretty well too--or firing of staff/those asked to leave 'voluntarily'. Being a public servant is not a license to do as one wishes or bestows the right to silence. It appears wants all rights and no burdens or discussion. Ms. LaFave is IMO not fit to serve.
The suggestion that employees talking about city issues to the media or anyone are " leaking" information is ludicrous in itself. The only confidential city information , as you pointed out, occurs in executive session. And that is limited and only temporary in most cases.
Well said. When I saw "leaking" I was aghast. She actually thinks the public should not have access to any info unless through her two approved sources. I don't think she should have ran to conduct the public's business if she can't handle the public knowing what's happening with their business.
Apparently Ms LaFave forgot the Freedom of Speech part of our US Constitution .
To Ms LaFave I would say : “It’s a hot seat you chose little girl. In fact you didn’t have the experience that could have kept you out of trouble in the first weeks of duty to the citizens. Politics is like an oncoming train: Stop. Look. Listen and get out of the way because that train isn’t stopping for newbies. BTW take your buddies with you .
This email from LaFave has made me 100% sure I will not apply for any of the city openings despite looking for work. Chairman Mao LaFave isn't anyone I'd want to work with in any capacity. I wish there was some sort of repeal process for these council members who felt the need to come aboard and torpedo their own boat. Aren't even the furthest right citizens disgusted by this?
Totally! You've got city employees making $16.35 an hour meanwhile this lot pisses away tens of thousands in severances without cause, $188,000 for someone learning the job on the job, and god knows how much for lawsuits. If I were a low paid city worker I'd be looking elsewhere too. The level of disrespect they're enduring makes me infuriated for them.
Somehow, the voting % has to go up. People need to understand that they have a voice and matter. There needs to be an ongoing effort to engage and a willingness to recognize that not voting—-despite flaws— enables people like the current majority council to go about their agenda. Sad!
The new council members supposedly ran to bring about 'Change' and 'Transparency '. Unfortunately all change has been in the wrong direction and transparency has been opaque. The letter written by Ms. LaFave could not have been reviewed by Mr. Duscha or any of the other new council members because it is obviously ignorant of basic government.
Wow! You are referred to in the email by first name only...like Cher, or Prince. How does that make you feel, Mr. Stepankowsky? Thanks for bringing us information that is unavailable elsewhere.
People here have always referred to me by my first name only. I like it because it reflects the size of our community and the fact that I’ve been here so long and covered so Ms y major stories .. and because people are intimidated by my surname , which is quite easy to pronounce, really.
First- thanks to the City employees who are serving customers and keeping the city afloat. I just heard a story yesterday about great service from a receptionist trying to help someone whose project was delayed due to departures.
Second- to add insult to injury read LaFave’s Longview City Council Facebook post of 5/8. It is fraught with misinformation about the results of the May 8 court hearing. This statement is the most egregious (please correct me if she’s right- I’m wrong).
LaFave’s statement:
“We were also found innocent of any OPMA violations as well as found that “NO” quorum took action under the PRA.”
As I understand it, the judge did not dismiss the case and there were no such findings of innocence.
You’re right. The judge specifically said he was not dismissing anything. However, the plaintiffs did withdrawn one of their motions because the delays in hearing Case made the issue moot. However, they are expecting to re-file the case with new allegations sometime in the future. The OPMA issues are still very much alive and in play.
City council members answer to and talk with the public. Company employees answer to their management. Perhaps some need to be made aware that the city council is not a business?
“Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.” Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny
Keep bringing the truth, André. Cutting off access to truth is one of the early hallmarks of tyranny.
This is a thoughtful and well-written piece. it seems to me that LaFave would be just fine with her spin being the proverbial 'gospel' and persecuting those the dare ask questions or demand more transparency ... how about sharing all e-mails re hiring Duscha --who is learning on the job and getting paid pretty well too--or firing of staff/those asked to leave 'voluntarily'. Being a public servant is not a license to do as one wishes or bestows the right to silence. It appears wants all rights and no burdens or discussion. Ms. LaFave is IMO not fit to serve.
The suggestion that employees talking about city issues to the media or anyone are " leaking" information is ludicrous in itself. The only confidential city information , as you pointed out, occurs in executive session. And that is limited and only temporary in most cases.
Keep up the good work Andy...er, I mean Andre
George R
Well said. When I saw "leaking" I was aghast. She actually thinks the public should not have access to any info unless through her two approved sources. I don't think she should have ran to conduct the public's business if she can't handle the public knowing what's happening with their business.
Preach!
Thanks André for your continued excellent reporting - well done!!
Apparently Ms LaFave forgot the Freedom of Speech part of our US Constitution .
To Ms LaFave I would say : “It’s a hot seat you chose little girl. In fact you didn’t have the experience that could have kept you out of trouble in the first weeks of duty to the citizens. Politics is like an oncoming train: Stop. Look. Listen and get out of the way because that train isn’t stopping for newbies. BTW take your buddies with you .
This email from LaFave has made me 100% sure I will not apply for any of the city openings despite looking for work. Chairman Mao LaFave isn't anyone I'd want to work with in any capacity. I wish there was some sort of repeal process for these council members who felt the need to come aboard and torpedo their own boat. Aren't even the furthest right citizens disgusted by this?
Many city employees are ready to jump ship. Oh wait, did I say something I wasn’t supposed to, Kalei?
Totally! You've got city employees making $16.35 an hour meanwhile this lot pisses away tens of thousands in severances without cause, $188,000 for someone learning the job on the job, and god knows how much for lawsuits. If I were a low paid city worker I'd be looking elsewhere too. The level of disrespect they're enduring makes me infuriated for them.
Most are overwhelmed by their other duties and reading and getting up to speed for many is too much.
Somehow, the voting % has to go up. People need to understand that they have a voice and matter. There needs to be an ongoing effort to engage and a willingness to recognize that not voting—-despite flaws— enables people like the current majority council to go about their agenda. Sad!
That should be priority #1 in August and November. Voting in WA state is so easy. I don’t get why people don’t vote.
LaFave has issued a challenge! If she thinks it’s a disinformation campaign, let’s give her one!
Didn’t she run her campaign on the “Team Longview” theme? This is so rich with irony and kind of precious … just like LaFave.
The new council members supposedly ran to bring about 'Change' and 'Transparency '. Unfortunately all change has been in the wrong direction and transparency has been opaque. The letter written by Ms. LaFave could not have been reviewed by Mr. Duscha or any of the other new council members because it is obviously ignorant of basic government.
Wow! You are referred to in the email by first name only...like Cher, or Prince. How does that make you feel, Mr. Stepankowsky? Thanks for bringing us information that is unavailable elsewhere.
People here have always referred to me by my first name only. I like it because it reflects the size of our community and the fact that I’ve been here so long and covered so Ms y major stories .. and because people are intimidated by my surname , which is quite easy to pronounce, really.
First- thanks to the City employees who are serving customers and keeping the city afloat. I just heard a story yesterday about great service from a receptionist trying to help someone whose project was delayed due to departures.
Second- to add insult to injury read LaFave’s Longview City Council Facebook post of 5/8. It is fraught with misinformation about the results of the May 8 court hearing. This statement is the most egregious (please correct me if she’s right- I’m wrong).
LaFave’s statement:
“We were also found innocent of any OPMA violations as well as found that “NO” quorum took action under the PRA.”
As I understand it, the judge did not dismiss the case and there were no such findings of innocence.
You’re right. The judge specifically said he was not dismissing anything. However, the plaintiffs did withdrawn one of their motions because the delays in hearing Case made the issue moot. However, they are expecting to re-file the case with new allegations sometime in the future. The OPMA issues are still very much alive and in play.
The lawsuit she’s involved in is about too much secrecy and now she wants more? Perhaps she should work for Putin instead.
City council members answer to and talk with the public. Company employees answer to their management. Perhaps some need to be made aware that the city council is not a business?
“Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.” Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny
Keep bringing the truth, André. Cutting off access to truth is one of the early hallmarks of tyranny.
So grateful for you Andre
I’m not sure who the mayor is anymore. Boudreau seems to have lost control.
Yes! Thank you, Andre!