Brickies -- those that support and foster the OB Agenda. The OB plan does not work without an audience and usually requires accomplices to act in supporting roles. Brickies -- remember that name.
Backing up, lets look at how the OBs collided with the City of Woodway. KOB worked for the city as manager of the Carleen Bright Arboretum. An incident involving her and a missing tree (originally purchased with City funds) came to light. An investigation followed, but the results were kept confidential by the city due to employee/employer rules. After her incident, OB agenda letters started showing up with MOBs name on them. Later that year, the city council conducted their annual review of employee salaries and expenditures. We noted that combining the Arboretum Managers job with the WFC Director's position would result in a cost savings to taxpayers. To do so also meant that one director would be retained, one would no longer be needed. In the end, Janet Schaffer, WFC Director, emerged as the best candidate for the new position. She was offered the job and accepted. She has performed admirably, becoming a true asset to the city. The employees who work under her seem happier too. KOB was no longer needed by the city and she was let go. For the record two other cost cutting measures resulted from that council review: consolidation of the offices of Animal Control and Code Enforcement, and elimination of benefits for part-time employees (a widely accepted business practice).
KOB, no longer employed by the City, files a grievance at the state level citing age discrimination. The state reviews and refuses to hear her request. She then files at a national level. The Feds review and refuse to hear her request. Turned down twice, Karen finally files a civil suite against the city. All during this time more and more OB Agenda letters are mailed out, attacking Yost and the city council. Council members made the decision to "turn the other cheek" and not engage MOB in his anger and lies. We believed the good citizens of Woodway would see his over the top lies for what they were. We also believed we would be empowering him by responding to each lie and every letter. In retrospect, that is exactly what we should have done.
As previously noted, the 09 Council proved wonderful Stewards of the Citizen's/City's resources. What we didn't see is that by not responding to MOB's slander, the average citizen was beginning to wonder if there was truth in his message. Forget that prior to the letters, no group expressed unhappiness with city services. Forget the fact that during the last (3) years, no citizen showed up at a council meeting complaining about city improvements and buildings. That includes all (5) challengers to the council seats. Forget the fact that our high bond rating validates a city in great financial health. Forget that the new comprehensive Arboretum plan involved citizen, professional, local patron, and local hotel input and endorsement.
No, people just got scared. Scared not by the realities of Woodway but by the economy and national politics. Mike saw this and sought out help to help himself. Next Blog --Brickie Revenge.
