Right Wing Continues Take-over at Conservation District

One would think that even ideological predisposed professionals would have the sense to hire someone with the proper skill set to be the executive director of the King County Conservation District. But in an age where conservatives reward affinity over qualifications, that would just be asking too much.

Last month, I posted details about the ultra-right "property rights" stealth candidate activists that had taken over the majority of the board of the King County Conservation District, which resulted in quite a bit of flack and vitriol from that crowd, who usually do not join us for conversation around this campfire. I'm expected to believe that it was a honest effort by folks who, you know, are just merely against "excessive regulation" and are believers in "family freedom". Because, you know, the far-right has never used nebulous rhetoric and populist jargon to mask anything outright barbarous.

As it turns out, the KCD did hire an E.D., a certain Jeffrey Possinger, attorney, former Duval mayor and city council member, and candidate for the 45th District. Oh, and of the GOP, endorsed by the "Citizen Taxpayers Association" the group behind I-933, and who truly represents a voice for conservation, as per the Seattle Times:

Possinger supports opening more road-maintenance contracts to competition from private enterprise to reduce costs, and he wants to reduce the number of transportation agencies and environmental regulations. He prefers bus improvements to light rail on the Eastside.

Springer said he would pressure King County to increase capacity on Novelty Hill Road, seek to improve safety on Highway 203 and push to replace the Highway 520 floating bridge with a new six-lane bridge.

No light rail, more roads, more private enterprise and less regulation. We have a regular Edward Abbey on our hands here, with such a fresh insight; though it must be noted that environmental stewardship and natural resource management experience doesn't seem to appear on the resume.

But what is really intriguing is why such a focus on such a small elected agency which only controls $10 of property tax revenue per parcel in King County? Does the right-wing agency plan to issue rebate checks of $5 for every property owner for the money not spent? Or, it it a means to springboard conservatives into their faux "green" credentials ala John McCain's johnny-come-lately environmentalism, while gaining some limited access to the tax machinery to stonewall conservation work, while perhaps, signing sweetheart deals with their consultant buddies? Maybe Sen. Pam Roach has some insight, since she was on yesterday's agenda.

Once again. I don't doubt there are issues with the relations between King County government and folks in rural areas. It is too bad that such extremists are maligning the cause for a check on out of control government. Such a political, and dare say--unqualified choice for executive director is the icing on the cake.

[Hat tip to our anonymous tipster.]