As I reported here, city planner and affordable housing specialist Brent Butler was trimmed from the city’s roster during the last round of layoffs. Wouldn’t you know it, but Butler was also a member of the Port Townsend City Council. As one of those rare city councilors who requires a day job to pay the rent, Butler went looking for a new gig. Elmore County, Idaho came calling and gave Butler his new job: director of growth and development.
“I won’t be able to do both at the same time,” Butler told the Peninsula Daily News this week, shortly after resigning from the Port Townsend council. “I’m going to have to leave the community to take the job.”
The council is now looking for Butler’s replacement.
Butler was a staunch advocate for affordable housing in Port Townsend. He voted against the city’s budget because it lacked funding for affordable housing.
Port Townsend has shifted from a working class community of boat builders and paper mill workers to one increasingly populated by retirees.
“I hope I am replaced with someone who is also in support of the housing issue,” Butler told the Peninsula Daily. “It’s the most concerning issue the city is facing, and I hope to see the city support it in the future.”
On Bainbridge’s two rounds of layoffs, Butler had this to say:
“[The city of] Bainbridge Island laid off most of the people they hired in the last two years,” he said. “I’ve heard they will now be looking at laying off people who have been with the city as far back as 10 years.”
Fare thee well, sir, and good riddance. Affordable housing is the housing one can afford. Apparently, Mr. Butler can’t afford to live in Port Townsend and work in Elmore County, Idaho. Perhaps he can work to tax the people of both counties so subsidize a private plane… he clearly had no issue burning the gas for his commute to BI from Pt. T. Oh, the carbon footprint… oh, the humanity!
John, I had to pop your sarcastic balloon, but Mr. Butler took the Jefferson County bus to Poulsbo and then commuted by bike to BI. On evenings with late meetings or weather too harsh to bike, he stayed on a boat moored at Eagle Harbor.
Good luck finding your next unsubstantiated attack. For folks with your mindset, it won’t take long.
Oh, the humanity indeed.
Remember the rush to buy the Quay Apartments as COBI “affordable housing.” What a fiasco. I can remember seeing Mr. Butler trying to pull together a very ill-fated and disastrous project. Fortunately the plan collapsed just as COBI finances did.
When government — and particularly COBI — touts their ability to bring the taxpayer anything “affordable,” grab you wallet and head to the hills.
James, your spin is not accurate, but I’m not going to waste my time and energy correcting it.
I will just say that many, many people and were involved in trying to save these apartments as it is one of the last remaining affordable places to live in our community.(There was a group of “angels” – private citizens – who were willing to put up $1m to help fund the project if it went through.) The city was offering a bridge loan that would have been paid back. All involved felt a moral obligation to try to find a solution if one existed.
As it turned out the owners shot themselves in the foot by asking for too much money. The sale fell through and now they’re stuck with it.
Kate Smith — spin you say: “I will just say that many, many people and were involved in trying to save these apartments as it is one of the last remaining affordable places to live in our community.(There was a group of “angels” – private citizens – who were willing to put up $1m to help fund the project if it went through.) The city was offering a bridge loan that would have been paid back. All involved felt a moral obligation to try to find a solution if one existed.”
The whole plan was ridiculous and the so-called “angels” could have done the deal on their own. COBI was in no position to be able to finance this deal. Kate, have you been asleep the past 8 months with the COBI financial meltdown? Apparently so.
If you and others have a “moral obligation to try to find a solution . . . ,” then open you wallets/purses/piggy banks and do something. With a city failing to provide core services, we taxpayers want our contracted core services provided and not new excusrsions into big government waste.
“The whole plan was ridiculous and the so-called “angels” could have done the deal on their own.” – this is so incorrect, James.
Kate — why do you expect the taxpayers who are paying taxes, taxes and taxes should support your “pet” project? If you want to support the Quay, then go for it. If the angels want to support this, put money where the words are.
COBI must focus on basic core mission. We are bankrupt from big-spending liberal waste here on BI. That is a simple fact.
Kate — I stand by my statement that affordable housing is the housing one can afford. If Mr. Butler was willing to commute 2+ hours each day each way, then bully for him. People who work on BI but can’t afford housing here can do the same. There is plenty of lower priced housing within commuting distance, but I’m not rich enough to found housing options for people who want to live here and work in Seattle or retire here for the lifestyle. If you are, pony up. Write a BIG check and make it happen. You can do that voluntarily.
It is my understanding that there is a $5.00 bounty paid for each roadside billboard picked up during litter patrols. This won’t go a long way towards providing affordable housing, but if everyone gets involved and donates the proceeds to the proper organization,it can only help, not only with roadside beautification but also help the less fortunate. A real win win.
Hey Haskell — when are you going to get a haircut.
$5.oo bounty on litter. At least on Bainbridge you will find 10,000 sigs for your collection. Hope you move to Cuba with you take of the collection.
BTW: keep your greasy hands off poliical signs or you and yours will do hard time.