[Capr-announce] CAPR News July 2009

Thu Jul 30 22:11:28 PDT 2009

CAPR NEWS

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM CITIZENS' ALLIANCE FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS

July, 2009

Steve Hammond Appointed as CAPR Executive Director

When CAPR was formed in 2003 at the urging of then King Co. Councilman Kent
Pullen, private property rights were already under serious assault.  Misuse
of the Washington Growth Management Act at the local and state levels by
elected officials and administrative staff friendly with extreme elements
was, and continues to be to blame.  The group was formed to oppose what was
mostly starting in King Co. but with the knowledge that the situation would
get worse and would require that the fight go statewide to be effective.
They knew that what happened in King Co. would affect other counties and
vice versa.  All politics may be local but you still have to keep an eye on
the whole.

In early July, the CAPR Board of Directors appointed Steve Hammond to be its
first Executive Director.  The move was made in response to CAPR's expansion
statewide and beyond.  More on that below.

The appointment is the natural next-step for the organization.  While CAPR
started out in King Co., it has always been anticipated that in order to be
effective, it would have to become a statewide force.  The bylaws of the
CAPR organizations were written with this in mind, providing the foundation
for expansion.  This will also help to put into place a statewide Governing
Board, which is another provision of the Bylaws.  And while King Co. will
still be a focal point, for obvious reasons, this move will help to
decentralize power in favor of the larger organization.

Steve will continue with many of the same activities as before but will now
place emphasis on chapter building, fund raising and management of the
larger organization.  To free himself up to do so, Steve has resigned as
CAPR President.  Vice-President Preston Drew is leading the Board pending
the appointment of a new President.

Steve and the CAPR Board feel that an exciting corner has been turned with
this action.  With it comes the need for advanced fund raising to support
the larger organization and all that it makes possible.

Chapter Building

One of our current initiatives, and maybe the most important, is the
formation of new chapters across Washington and as it turns out, beyond.
Steve Hammond has been on the road around the state responding to calls for
help this spring and summer.  His stops have included meetings with local
folks interested in starting chapters, speeches to large and small
gatherings, testifying at county government hearings and talking with
affiliated and independent property rights activists.  It is expensive and
time consuming work.  And it is paying off.

As of this writing, CAPR has chapters in six Washington counties including
Jefferson, King, Pierce, San Juan, Snohomish and Whatcom.  Interest and
requests for meeting has also come from Kittitas, Yakima, Spokane and other
counties.  Since the first of the year, it is as if the property owners from
across the state have come to the realization that their property rights are
disappearing and that the way to stem that tide is to organize.  And that we
shall do.

Perhaps the most interesting new chapter is Ventura County in California.
After hearing Steve talk at a major land-use conference in Seattle this
spring, author Debra Tash contacted him to ask if CAPR would consider a
chapter in her state.  After a little conversation (not much), the Board
said yes and the Ventura chapter has ramped up quickly.  Ventura has had
informational gatherings and has an aggressive goal of 1000 members in the
first year.  Recently their members count was already over 60 which is
phenomenal in a short space of time.  One might conclude from this that
property rights in California are suffering similarly to Washington.  It
would not surprise us if CAPR picks up a couple of more chapters in
California in the near future.

Lawsuit to Overturn SB 5808 Continues

During the last legislative session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Senate
Bill 5808 that included new sections which would allow some annexations of
property into cities to happen without a vote by the affected public.  A
group led by CAPR supporter Jerry Galland has filed suit to block these
sections of 5808.  To learn more, point your browser to www.referendum72.org
<http://www.referendum72.org/> . 

Meetings and Events

CAPR King Co. Monthly Meeting 

The next meeting of the King Co. Chapter of CAPR will be held at 7:00 PM,
Wednesday, August 5th.  The meeting site is Lombardi's Italian Restaurant
located at 695 NW Gilman Blvd. in Issaquah.  This month's guest will be
Steve Maggi, Vice-President of Communications for Evergreen Freedom
Foundation.  Steve's topic will be "Getting Media Attention for Your
Events".  Consider coming early for dinner and conversation.

CAPR Pierce County Monthly Meeting

The Pierce County Chapter holds its monthly meetings at 7:00 PM on the
second Thursday of every month.  The meeting location is the Paradise
Village Bowl Conference Room located at 12505 Pacific Ave. S. in Tacoma.
For more information you can send email to piercecapr at yahoo.com or call
President Wendy Birnbaum at 253-677-0612.

CAPR San Juan Monthly Meeting

The San Juan Chapter holds its monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of the
month at 6:00 PM.  The meeting is held at the San Juan Grange Hall.
Consider coming early for a potluck dinner and socializing.  The August
meeting will feature Sharon Hanek from the Pierce Co. Chapter.  She will
speak on effective ways to influence the outcome of public forums.  She gave
this presentation to the King Co. Chapter and it was excellent!  For more
info on CAPR San Juan, visit www.CAPR-SanJuan.org
<http://www.capr-sanjuan.org/> .

Pierce County "Freedom on Fire" Picnic

You are invited to a picnic at the home and property of Pierce Co. Chapter
President Wendy Birnbaum on August 8th starting at 2:00 PM.  Expect to spend
the day with guests from around Washington and the U.S. and to listen to
speakers talk on property rights and other freedom issues.  CAPR Executive
Director Steve Hammond will be one of them.  Please call Wendy at
253-677-0612 for more information and to RSVP (please!).  Directions: Follow
Highway 162 through Orting.  Turn right at Orville Rd. then left at Card Rd.
and then follow the signs.  This has turned into an annual event and should
be a good day.   

Donate to CAPR Online

You can now donate to CAPR online.  Go to www.capr.us <http://www.capr.us/>
(same as proprights.org) and click on the DONATE tab.  Even as a volunteer
organization, the level of funding available determines what we can
accomplish in the fight to preserve and protect property rights.  Help us
help you.  Donate!

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.

Jeff Wright

Secretary, CAPR

E-mail:        darcors at comcast.net 

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