[Capr-announce] CAPR News March 2008

[Jeff Wright]

CAPR NEWS

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM CITIZENS’ ALLIANCE FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS
April, 2008


DDES Audit Underway

Auditors are currently conducting an investigation (audit) of past
activities of the Code Enforcement Section of King Co. Dep’t. of Development
and Environmental Services (DDES).  Auditors Cindy Drake and Rob McGowan
will be collecting information and talking to various groups during April
and May and then will compile a report to the King Co. Council to be
presented in August or September.  They will simultaneously release the
report to the public.

The auditors are looking for input from people who have been involved in an
enforcement action.  If you, or someone you know, have had difficulty with
an enforcement action, they want to hear from you.  They need hard facts,
case numbers, how you felt you were handled inappropriately, etc.  These
folks are from the Auditors Office, not DDES, and they need solid
information to help us all.

If you’ve had a run-in with DDES, you are going to be skeptical about
trusting McGowan and Drake.  So, have your opening comments to them be the
questions “How do I know I can trust you?” and “How do I know that there won
’t be retribution”.  If you communicate no further, you will have sent a
strong message.

You can contact Cindy Drake at cindy.drake at kingcounty.gov
<mailto:cindy.drake at kingcounty.gov>  or by phone at 206-296-0379 and Rob
McGowan at rob.mcgowan at kingcounty.gov <mailto:rob.mcgowan at kingcounty.gov>
or by phone at 206-296-0368.



Or Tell Your Story to CAPR

CAPR would also like to hear your stories.  CAPR Director Darol Johnson is
in the process of cataloging instances of King Co. DDES abuses and he would
like to hear about your experience.  You can reach Darol at
darlujohn at yahoo.com <mailto:darlujohn at yahoo.com> .   Note that Darol is a
ships engineer and you may not get an immediate response when he is out to
sea.  He’ll get back to you when he’s back.


Puget Sound Partnership Posts Draft Papers for “Action Agenda”

Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), the new state super agency charged with
“cleaning up” Puget Sound, has put out its initial draft pages for what is
termed as its “action agenda”.  PSP will direct state agencies to work
towards cleaning up the waters of Puget Sound and its authority extends to
all lands that drain water to the Sound.  The possible implications of this
to land owners in western Washington is frightening, given the recent
direction of land-use regulation and the political forces currently in
power.

The five draft papers include “ Water Quality
<http://actionagenda.psp.wa.gov/topicforum/topic.aspx?ID=1> ”, “ Water
Quantity <http://actionagenda.psp.wa.gov/topicforum/topic.aspx?ID=2> ”, “
Habitat and Land Use
<http://actionagenda.psp.wa.gov/topicforum/topic.aspx?ID=3> ”, “ Species,
Biodiversity and Foodweb
<http://actionagenda.psp.wa.gov/topicforum/topic.aspx?ID=4> ”” and “ Human
Health <http://actionagenda.psp.wa.gov/topicforum/topic.aspx?ID=5> ”.  While
there is not much “meat” to these pages yet, there are some statements that
show the direction this is heading towards.  For instance, in “Water
 Quality” the paper states that it is a given that a prescriptive 65% forest
cover is required to ensure clean water.  Sound familiar?  Starting with
bogus premises like this will lead to additional grief for rural property
owners.  Pacific Legal Foundation, on behalf of CAPR, is currently
challenging King County’s 65% ‘no clearing” rule.  A positive outcome in the
CAPR suit may help to blunt the 65% rule, but likely won’t kill it
altogether.

These papers are quick reads at this point.  Have a look at them.  You may
also give your feedback on the PSP website.


CAPR Endorses McKenna for Attorney General

OK, so this one was a “no-brainer”.  The CAPR Board has endorsed Rob McKenna
for Washington Attorney General.  McKenna is a strong supporter of private
property rights, has a balanced view of the law and has made it a point that
the state Public Disclosure Law will be enforced.  Unlike the previous
Attorney General.


Bob Williams to Speak at King Co. CAPR Chapter Meeting

Evergreen Freedom Foundation Executive Director Bob Williams will be the
featured speaker at the next meeting of the King Co. Chapter of CAPR.  See
below for meeting information.  Williams will talk about the new EFF
Property Rights Center.  Additionally, CAPR will make a special presentation
to EFF in support of property rights.  It is great to see a power like EFF
specifically pick up the property rights banner and this should be a special
evening.  Please come out and show your support!


Grant Co. to Have CAPR Chapter

Grant Co., in eastern Washington, will be the site of the newest local
chapter of CAPR.  The effort is being spearheaded by Gail Adair, who owns
property in both King and Grant Counties.  Gail was not active with CAPR
previously, but when she encountered problems with the lawful use of her
property in Grant Co., she decided CAPR would be the logical choice to help
confront the issues.  Gail, CAPR President Steve Hammond and others held an
informational meeting on April 18th and found that the folks in Grant
definitely need to organize.  Their problem is a “good ol’ boy” network that
makes up the rules as it goes.  While on first glance this may seem
different than what is happening to property owners in western Washington,
it is actually the same.  It’s the group in power deciding what it wants
rather then abiding by the underlying law.



Odds and Ends

Banquet Videos on CAPR Website
You say you missed the CAPR Banquet?  There are two new banquet videos on
the CAPR website.  Go to www.CAPR.us <http://www.capr.us/>  and click on the
video tab on the menu.  You can watch the keynote speech given by Washington
Attorney General Rob McKenna or see interviews with CAPR brass and
supporters.  Give it a look.

Website News News
If you’ve prowled the CAPR website, you know that there is a news section
with links to news stories related to property rights issues, both local and
national.  A new feature on the homepage is a menu tab, which opens up to
individual sections for each CAPR chapter.  As CAPR expands towards being a
statewide organization, we want to post more stories of interest to local
chapters.  If you have a local property rights story, send the web link to
jeff at proprights.org <mailto:jeff at proprights.org>  for review and posting.
Even if you don’t have a local chapter yet, send it in.  The goal is to
cover the state and if it fits, we’ll post it!

Two Ways to the Website
You can now access the CAPR website via the established link at
www.proprights.org <http://www.proprights.org/>  or the new link at
www.CAPR.us <http://www.capr.us/> .  Same site with the same patriotic
jabber!


Matching Contributions
If you work for a company, which adds matching funds to charitable
contributions, remember the CAPR Legal Fund.  All donations to the Legal
Fund are tax deductible and the additional contribution by your employer
makes leverages your contribution towards protecting your property rights.


CAPR Meeting Schedule

The next meeting of the King Co. chapter of CAPR will be held at 7:00 PM,
Thursday, May 1st.  The meeting site is the IHOP restaurant located at 1433
NW Sammamish Rd. in Issaquah.  Consider coming early for dinner and
conversation.


Jeff Wright
Secretary, CAPR
E-mail:        jeff at proprights.org <mailto:jeff at proprights.org>


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