From Stark
If you read the comments on this blog, you have “known” since this morning that County Executive Pete Kremen would challenge Whatcom County Council member Tony Larson for re-election.
Kremen earlier announced he is stepping down as Executive at the end of the year, mostly because he needed to reduce his stress levels because of hypertension.
When some of our beloved commenters informed us that Pete was already coming out of political retirement, Jared and I had a good laugh and forgot about it, until I made a late check of candidate filings. We will never doubt any of you again.
Pete says he doesn’t see a contradiction, since being a council member will be a lot less stressful and time-consuming than being County Executive.
He said he has no particular beef with Tony Larson. He just happens to live in the same district. I have a call in to Tony.
Details to follow.
Exciting news! Pete’s experience should be a boon to this council!
whoa.
Mr. Kremen announced last night at Kelli Linville’s filing week party downtown that he was seriously considering it. Afterward he said that he wants to stay involved but he doesn’t want the long six- and seven-day work weeks that he has been putting in as executive. Moving from county exec to county council will allow him continue to serve our county and not have the same amount of stress. I admire him for wanting to continue to serve.
Ok, this will cause some republican party heartburn. We have the republican Bill Elfo endorsing Pete Kremen for executive (prior to Pete’s withdraw). Now we have Kremen running for Council against Conservative Tony Larson whom allegedly (according to the Jean Melious camp) lied when he published, “When I met with Sheriff Bill Elfo last week, he informed me that my opponent (Jean Melious) has shown no interest in public safety and thanked me for my focus on safety and concern for the people of Whatcom County.”
Kremen is the emcee at Elfo’s upcoming kickoff party. Elfo is endorsed by a republican “who’s who” (McEachran, Goldfogel, Ayers, Oplinger, Dow, etc.), so one has to wonder if Billy boy now feels obligated to endorse Kremen or will he support the obvious republican party choice of Larson….
The Republican party choice is anything but obvious. Pete’s been a good Republican for years!
No no no no no no no no no no no. Tony is a good (enough) liberal council member.
Well, then Tony won’t have any trouble winning the election.
Kremen and Tony had a little head to head going a couple of council meetings back when Tony wanted a run down on ridiculous expenses, etc. for the reconveyance (the Kremen/Crawford Incredulous Park) that have occurred and many more are likely to be forthcoming. Kremen was very put out at being questioned, This is his very spendy baby and his convoluted way to attempt to assure its finality. I, for one, will support and work diligently to make sure Kremen doesn’t see his tail seated at the Council table.
This is about the reconveyance and nothing else. Pete sees his legacy as the expansion of the park system.
Ted and Dave…
Come on. Let’s not pretend that this is about swing sets and basketball courts. There will be none of that.
It’s about safe drinking water. The so-called “park” would be like a national or state nature type park reserve with minimal access roads and only the slightest amenities. The designation as park is just to ensure it has a lower amount of toxic contamination activity to the primary drinking water source for 90,000 people.
If you want to argue in favor of costly future water decontamination at tax payer expense, where we use chemicals and fancy facilities to undo the damage, then go ahead, but I would prefer water that never got so foul in the first place. The park would have the least amount of watershed harm compared with logging, condos, mansions, private lawns and gardens, roads and failing septic tanks.
Support your position with truer facts please.
“The park would have the least amount of watershed harm compared with logging, condos, mansions, private lawns and gardens, roads and failing septic tanks.”
Probably a true statement, Richard. But meaningless, as condos, mansions, private lawns and gardens, roads and failing septic tanks, are prohibited in the commercial forest zone.
But if we could just get rid of that CF zoning somehow …..
This is nothing but a side show!!!! Just as Kelli’s run for mayor. They both say “I am bored” Well folks it is about ego and pension period. They should take there carnival act on the road and spare us all this.
Floyd is right.
Those that have name-recognition, er,… fame,
need not sit idly by and watch it fleet for lack of a seat.
Opportunism and a healthy dose of hypocrisy seem to be ruling the day this cycle….they all should be dumped for new blood…
Shaun you are so right, Four years ago little Pete said this is it for me, Then he thought he could get a free ride once again then along came Jack Louws boom i am to sick now. Then his being bored and wanting to beef up his pension he takes on Tony Larson. I sure hope the people of this great county
send little Pete home if he is worried about money he can go back to his real job KGMI.
To Richard Mays: Fact– Take a look at the history of Lake Washington and you’ll find the answer to all your problems. Even as clean as Lake Wasington now is Seattle and surrounding cities don’t use it for a potable water source. Seattle developed Lake Young into a SECURE reservoir. It’s a guarantee that 30 to 50 years from now Lake Whatcom will not provide a suitable water source for 100 to 130 thousand hook-ups. The topography surrounding the lake creates a natural chute for what you suggest are “contaminants ???). There is a solution and yours is hardly IT !!
AND, don’t we have enough PERMANENT POLITICIANS namely Kremen, Brenner, Crawford and wannabe Mann. Two terms and your out should come up in the next Charter Review.
Had the opportunity to spend a little time with Pete Wednesday, from that I came away with the impression of someone looking forward to family and not politics.
But now it is obvious that Pete was not showing his whole hand for sure, being a little disingenuous, don’t ya know, by his actions it must be said he is at the pinnacle of his trade; “Politician”.
“If you ever injected truth into politics you’d have no politics.”
Will Rogers
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
The more i hear and read the real Pete has become very clear. Nothing but a snake politician trying to stay in the arena how sad it is for this once crowned great elected official. He has about 6 and a half hours to come to his senses and get out and go home. May the real Pete step up!!!
This election looks like good political fun.
Hey this is democracy in practice quit trying to scare Pete out of the race it won’t happen.It’s one man one vote not the big mouth bloggers win. I look forward to the races maybe people will show up and pay attention to the differences and by the way the council is non partisan.Love it our leave it.I’ll be voting for the candidates that fully support the land transfer to protect our watershed and against those that are short sided.
Thanks for making it interesting Pete.
I think it’s good that Pete wants to continue to serve but at a less intense level. There are issues he cares about this is a more doable way to work on those.
Like Agentswest I look forward to the races.
Any comment that has Larson getting a boob job AND includes the phrase “centerfold Kremen” tends to induce vigorous scrubbing of the minds eye.
By the way, to Floyd, Citizen, Shaun and anyone else who is mocking the local “big name” politicians seeking musical chairs for fun & profit…
I would like to formally and publicly commend Sam Crawford, for running for his OWN seat, rather than actually making the rumors true by running for auditor. Two very active candidates are in that race, and Sam resisted any urges he had to jump into that one.
Lisa don’t think Pete is noble he would throw anybody under the bus to stay in the arena anybody. He has done it before and will do it again.
Could Pete be the Brett Favre of Whatcom politics?
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
as long as he ain’t the Roberto Luongo.
I prefer to think of Bret Favre as the Pete Kremen of the NFL.
Glad to see Pete in it to win it!
Don’t worry,
it’s been censored by those that know better than you what you’re able to read or not.
Your sensibilities are intact.
Comparing politicians to sports figures is highly offensive since performance is no guarantee of continued employment for the civic leader.
John, you got a point there, Brett most likely could learn much from Mr. Pete!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
Ted was leaving Linville out of your list an oversight?
Lisa, why don’t you run for something?
I am, my mouth….just a voter with an attitude.. That’s not a crime you know….we have enough politicians, I like giving those with the commitment and time my feedback….