Gov. Chris Gregoire sunk her feet in Waterfront Park’s gravel beach on Friday to give a campaign speech awash in the politics of Puget Sound.
“Four million folks live around Puget Sound,” she said, speaking to about 45 people sitting along the beach banks. “When people ask me who is responsible for Puget Sound, I tell them it’s four million folks. It’s every one of us.”
Running for re-election against Republican Dino Rossi, Gregoire’s noontime stop on Bainbridge was part of a boat tour of the Sound. Other stops on Friday included Bremerton and Twanoh State Park in Mason County.
She warned that an expected 1.4 million
people are expected to move to the regions surrounding Puget Sound,
increasing the human burdens it already bears.
“If we don’t do things right we’re going to see more degradation of the Sound,” she said. “So, if we grow, let’s grow smart.”
Gregoire, who was introduced by Bainbridge City Councilwoman Hillary Franz and state Rep. Christine Rolfes, said more work must be done to curb the impact of stormwater runoff, which amounts to as much as 50 percent of the Sound’s pollution. Despite the harm it causes, only 10 percent of government cleanup efforts target stormwater.
Gregoire touted the work of the Puget Sound Partnership, a new
state agency she helped create.
Through the partnership, $240 million has been added to the state’s
cleanup efforts, including the removal of creosote-treated wood
“(Removing) 600 tons of it has made a big, big dent,” she said.
Franz, an attorney specializing in environmental issues, praised Gregoire’s efforts.
“All of us recognize Puget Sound is hurting,” she said. “It’s time for us to step up or risk losing it. Governor Gregoire is taking leadership in this area.”
Gregoire said she’ll need votes this November to ensure her leadership continues.
“I can’t get (the Sound’s cleanup) done in one term,” she said. “I probably can’t get it done in two terms, but another term will make sure we don’t turn back.”
Did any of the reporters ask Gov. Christine Gregoire about the Seattle Times article last week that talked about Ms. Gregoire’s wasting the budget surplus we had and digging Washington State into a $6 billion dollar hole. Did any of the reporters ask her about all the goodies she gave to her supporters in the last election: WEA, State employees and unions?
There was a great political cartoon in the Seattle Times that had a very stylized C. Gregoire characterization with a big poltitcal button on her blouse that said “37% increase in spending.”
Dino Rossi is in an excellent position. Our current Governor has had more than ample room to blow it — and she did over the last four years.
I also notice many of the “usual suspects” down there to greet her. Besides Lester, was the full bench of the Council there? Mayor? Quitslund?
45 people! Wow! I had no idea she was so popular.
3/4 of them were either City Council, employees or the “usual suspects” supporting the local Politburo. If COBI has been in full political mode, the Senior Center aka Democrat clubhouse would have been abuzz with the activists.
Seems to be a certain yawn factor with Christine G.
Let’s see the coverage of Dino Rossi over in Silverdale Whaling Days today. Do you think he will see the same yawn factor? I don’t.