If you have yet to turn in your ballot remember that August 17th is the deadline. Every vote counts! Let yours count for liberty!

Kelly is a patriot! She wants you to enjoy the liberty and freedom that your hard-earned dollars help afford. In order to get that message out to the public Kelly is out and about, not just in Camano, but on Whidbey Island as well. Her signs continue to pop up and the support that she receives just keeps her motivated to continue her campaign; in the hope that she will get to serve the community that she cares about, as well as its citizens.

Recently she was able to reach the community with the parade on Camano Island where her support was evident, meeting the people and addressing their concerns is what makes Kelly an accessible candidate to her constituents. She’ll also be out at the Parade in Langley on August 20^th for the Island County Fair.

If you’re feeling a little left out do not dismay, because this weekend you can have your chance to meet Kelly, her husband and other Patriots with another community outreach, at the 2010 “Wild Whidbey” Poker Run.

Disclaimer: No actual running is involved.

The rules are simple, by going to each of the locations you collect a card and at the end of the run those with the highest hands win. (For more details see below)

All cars and bikes are welcome to participate and the prize is a $100 certificate for dinner at your choice of Arnie’s in Mukilteo or The Majestic in Anacortes.

Registration and route maps will be available at any stop along the way (standard entry fees apply). The winner will be announced at the BBQ on Cameraman’s new Patriot Hill, you need not be present to win. Cards will be dropped at the Clinton stop, so you can end your trip there if you want or you can make the jaunt back up to Camano for the BBQ. Each stop has a 3 hour window so you can take your time and check out other local activities going on simultaneously.  Like for instance the yacht and car show in La Conner, the Oak Harbor Rotary Car Show at Windjammer, and don’t forget about the tall ships in Coupeville at the annual Art’s and Crafts festival!

Some of the stops are also offering specials! Frank’s Place in Oak Harbor will have free hot dogs for poker run participants. To show her appreciation to Frank, Kelly has purchased lunch (food only) for a maximum of 5 drivers of International Scouts or Flathead Harley riders. La Casita in Clinton will offer 50 cent tacos.

Registration is at the Big Red Barn in Conway from 10 – 12.  Here’s the list of stops –

• Enjoy a late breakfast at The Farmhouse 13724 La Conner-Whitney Rd. (cards available between 10-1)

• Dock for lunch at The Rock Fish Grill 320 Commercial (in Anacortes) Cards available between 11:30-2:30

• Kick it for a bit at Frank’s Place 32945 Ste. Rte. 20 (Cards available between 12-3) Free Hot Dogs!  Plus Kelly is buying lunch for up to 5 International Scout drivers or Flathead Harley Riders!

• Get an afternoon perk-up Miriam’s Espresso 200 S.Main Street (Cards available between 1-4)

• Drop your cards and enjoy some salsa at La Casita 11042 SR 525 Clinton (cards available between 2-5) 50 cent tacos!

• Patriot Hill on Camano Island. Mouth-watering Burgers, Dogs, etc. and Super Suds to wash it down. Live Band (we hope)

Please RSVP to events@camanokelly.com so we have enough food. $15 suggested donation at the gate to help cover costs. This is a chance to ask Kelly about Island issues and what changes she can help to bring to Island County.

This is your invite so please join in the fun and feel free to bring your friends! The more the merrier!

Also, stop on by Kelly’s website to see what’s new!

Commissioners need to show some creativity

I was very pleased to have convinced the commissioners to allow me a part on the committee to write the statement against Proposition 1 on the August ballot.  The hard part was fitting all the reasons to be against it in only 200 words.  I think we did a fine job and I have included the statement below for those that haven’t had a chance to see it.

The truly disappointing thing in all this is the absolute lack of originality in their solutions.  Just as their in-compassionate minions at the state level have hiked taxes on everything from the toddler’s candy to the reward of a cold beer and 2011 will show U.S. the largest federal increases in history (click here for full story), locally they too can only answer with taxes.

When a family is struggling to make ends meet, the first thing it must do is evaluate and prioritize its spending.  Island County’s Commissioners have not done this.  They want to raise taxes on people during a recession, imposing greater financial hardship on families to make it easier for them to balance their budget.  If people don’t agree to pay higher taxes, County Commissioners threaten them with reductions to core services such as public safety and criminal justice.  What tax hike proponents haven’t mentioned, however, is that while County Commissioners threaten to cut services that serve the majority of county residents, they have been increasing funds for programs that benefit narrow groups of constituents.  This is the opposite of prioritizing spending. – Contributed by John Barnes

Below is the statement against Proposition 1, the property tax levy lid lift for the online voters’ guide produced by Kelly Emerson, Gary Wray and David Sherman

“We Island County voters have been seduced and/or threatened into approving 32% to 47% of our current property tax burden, (varies by locality).  It’s now time the government does its part of prioritizing its spending.  This permanent tax is not the correct solution to our temporary problem.

We have the third highest sales tax in the state, rank 12^th out of 39 counties for property tax collected and the per person figures indicate we are the eighth costliest overall.  For sources, research and comparisons, visit http://renewliberty.com/IslandCounty.html.

The failure to separate citizens needs from government wants is largely to blame for the current situation.  It is a commissioner’s duty to justify the need for funded/unfunded mandates before just passing the cost on to the taxpayer.

Moreover, this proposition specifies no departments or services to receive the revenue.  In essence, what we would be allowing is the creation of another “slush fund.”  As is the case with most of these increases, this one also allows for the diverting of current funds.  That means if we allow this new increase they can shift existing funds to any projects they choose.

Please don’t be fooled by this Trojan horse. Vote NO on proposition 1.”

Welcome to my blog!