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Friday, July 18, 2008

A Note from Ron Sims

posted by on July 18 at 13:06 PM

I’ve got an article in this week’s paper on how the county needle-exchange program could be threatened by massive cuts to the health-department budget. It quotes county council budget chair Larry Phillips, who appears to be mounting a campaign against Ron Sims for the county executive seat, as supporting the program. But in an apparent who-can-out-progressive-whom response, Sims sent me this note:

Bud Nicola, a former Director Public Health, recommended to the County Board of Health (BOH) the use of needle exchanges to lower the transmission of HIV/AIDS. County Councilwoman Cynthia Sullivan, Executive Tim Hill, and I were the BOH members who voted to establish the County’s needle exchange program. It was a very controversial vote. We were widely criticized for enabling drug use. We defended our decision by referring people to the successes found in Denmark. I am attempting to save this program and other essential public health programs in my discussions with the legislature and the the Governor’s office.

May the best man win. Considering we’ve seen some very, very backward drug enforcement ‘round these parts this week, it’s good to see electeds vow to fight for common-sense drug programs. Who knows? Maybe county officials will soon show the same compassion for sick and dying pot smokers that we show for injections drug users…

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1

I'd be grateful if either could discuss tax reform in the County, perhaps connected to a statewide agenda, which would better stabilize the County's ability to administer environmental, transportation, and human service programs without having a budget "crisis" every few years.

If they could link such reform to a decriminalization agenda or at least shift in law enforcement priorities to harm reduction, I'd be especially grateful. Roger Goodman, let these people know what's up!

Posted by Trevor | July 18, 2008 2:46 PM
2

Are you kidding me? Ron Sims is just trying to protect what little image he has left. Yeah so he is trying to look for money to save his needle exchange -- what about living within your means like the rest of us, and keeping your priorities? The biggest disservice he has done to King County is to not leave it in a better state than when he took the reins. He has been asleep at the wheel for far too long (one girls perspective). I am tired of elected officials who say they have no control when they hold MORE power.. they just do not want to exert it-- why? they just do not want to make a big public mistake --so they can hold out for that next better job. Cynthia Sullivan was a tough, in your face councilmember who took the hard choices -- and told us the consequences. Hopefully, more people like her will run state-wide because we need some leadership. desperately!

Posted by Kelly | July 22, 2008 8:20 AM

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