Tuesday, June 30, 2009
News Today In Local Douchebags
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Lake City man sues to stop annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Gasworks Park... just days before the event.
The city should conduct a thorough environmental review before letting thousands of people watch fireworks from the partially remediated toxic-waste site that is Gas Works Park, an environmental activist says.A Lake City man has sued to stop Fourth of July events at the park at the north end of Lake Union until the state shows that gathering to watch fireworks there is safe for viewers, the park and surrounding wildlife. Benjamin Schroeter, who is not an attorney, filed the lawsuit in King County Superior Court, arguing that the city failed to conduct a review in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act before permitting the annual event.
This is the sort of crap that makes environmental activists look like assholes. Mr. Schroeter could've filed his lawsuit in January, or last August, and given the state some time to whip up the environmental review he's requesting. But he waited until days before the event because what he really wants is to see the event cancelled. Back to the Seattle Times:
Schroeter said he fears that all the people showing up at the park at once could kick loose the 18-inch cap of protective soil that helps keep contaminants locked in the dirt. He also wondered why shooting 5,000 explosive shells over Lake Union didn't require some kind of review to make sure it didn't hurt fish."I'm not trying to stop the fireworks," he said.
Sure you're not, asshole.
The city maintains that the annual fireworks display is exempted from environmental review by state law.
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1
That's the worst part -- all the rhetoric and then "I'm not trying to stop the fireworks." Strange, because it seems to be the whole thrust of his actions.
2
Taking toxic heavy metals, exploding them to an aerosol, and scattering them across the land is a wonderful American tradition.
4
In a city beholden to process and strict environmentalism (salt the roads? hold up runway 3 for years?), to have the fireworks stopped by this fellow would be rich irony, indeed.
5
It would take a backhoe to kick up 18" of anything at Gasworks in any given area of that park.
What an asshat.
What an asshat.
7
If you decide to sue this late in the game while saying "I'm not trying to stop the fireworks", it's pretty obvious that you want attention more than environmental protection.
8
I don't think he's trying to stop the fireworks, but I do think he's trying to get wider attention to his complaint by using people's fear that this might stop the fireworks. FWIW, I'd never thought about there being an 18-inch cap of soil between my lawn-sitting ass and contamination, nor to whether scattering fireworks detritus over our much-abused Lake Union might threaten the flora and fauna we taxpayers and volunteers are spending so much money and free time to try restoring.
And now I wonder, and the City's having to try to reassure us. Of course the fireworks will go on, but now more of us who'll enjoy them will at least have a thought for the contaminated park and the struggling lake.
Which may be all the success he was hoping for.
And now I wonder, and the City's having to try to reassure us. Of course the fireworks will go on, but now more of us who'll enjoy them will at least have a thought for the contaminated park and the struggling lake.
Which may be all the success he was hoping for.
9
Does this man live near gasworks park, by any chance. He's not trying to stop the fireworks; he's just trying to stop them from happening in his neighborhood.
Damn Wallingford douches killed Summer Concerts in the park, too.
Damn Wallingford douches killed Summer Concerts in the park, too.
11
I'll bet @9 has the right answer.
Intensive activities should be concentrated in urban areas. What does he want, fireworks in the woods?
Intensive activities should be concentrated in urban areas. What does he want, fireworks in the woods?
13
I don't think that a fireworks show every year is such a bad thing, at least not at Lake Union. I'd have my objections if they held the fireworks show at some pristine lake on the peninsula or something, but with a lake in the middle of the city, fireworks are just a drop in the bucket.
This specific event aside, I don't like the idea that any events can be exempt from environmental review. If it did turn out that this annual fireworks display has some huge negative environmental (or health) effect, that reality wouldn't change just because the event happens to be a big patriotic tradition. Still, if I wanted to sue for it, I'd start my lawsuit just after the event, for the following year.
This specific event aside, I don't like the idea that any events can be exempt from environmental review. If it did turn out that this annual fireworks display has some huge negative environmental (or health) effect, that reality wouldn't change just because the event happens to be a big patriotic tradition. Still, if I wanted to sue for it, I'd start my lawsuit just after the event, for the following year.
14
I actually kind of want to see the show called off just so someone can start a retribution blog tracking all the shit this guy gets as a result.
15
3: Good point. If he was a real environmentalist he'd be... skinny? Hairless? What?
I think they actually come in all shapes and sizes Doug, but by all means, please judge everything on first glance. Nice.
I think they actually come in all shapes and sizes Doug, but by all means, please judge everything on first glance. Nice.
17
Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this less a matter of environmentalist wankery than it is a matter of "maybe we shouldn't all huddle together on a toxic waste site whilst explosions occur"?
18
2 Time honored. It's the only way we have come to learn to celebrate our nation, by polluting it. But hey, lake Union is in the city, city is already polluted so lets keep polluting it. Makes sense.
19
Carollani @15: It's not based entirely on appearances. I happen to know who he is. Unfortunately.
And according to the P-I he lives in Lake City, not Wallingford.
And according to the P-I he lives in Lake City, not Wallingford.
20
@15 - An environmentalist, by some definitions, should be concerned with consumption of limited resources (food etc.) By the looks of him, he doesn't seem to care how much of our limited resources he consumes. #3's point is valid.
23
Can we focus on more important issues -- like how to use an environmental review to stop the annual Air Force Federally Funded Aerial Monster Truck Show (aka the Blue Angels)?
24
he fears that all the people showing up at the park at once could kick loose the 18-inch cap of protective soil
What?! As if half a decade of crowdy fireworks-watching, yearly Solstice events, and a multitude of other mass-public uses of Gasworks isn't proof enough that 18" of soil doesn't get "kicked loose" by the unwashed hordes?
So far so good, it would seem. Why would this year be any different than previous? Are we expecting a crowd to drive up in backhoes and mechanical arms? Is that what people do in Lake City? Or perhaps the Transformers are gonna cop a squat on Sundial Hill with everyone else...
Good lord.
25
I wish the city could send him an environmental review like this: "Fireworks are fuckin' AWESOME and will RAWK your World!!! You commie bastard"
26
Also, all that grass tends to anchor the soil down. I would have covered the waste with more than 18 inches, but I think a 4th of July crowd would have to be deliberately working pretty damn hard to kick up a foot and a half of grass-covered soil in one night.
18, as far as polluting urban lakes is concerned, fireworks aren't really a major contributor. The bigger concern would be the toxic waste that's buried underneath the soil in the first place. Or, more generally, things like urban runoff, sewage, leaky boats, antifouling paint on the boats, constant noise from traffic (including boats and planes), dumping, etc etc etc. I'm guessing that not much sewage gets pumped into Lake Union nowadays, but lots of these other things are pretty much unavoidable when you build a city around a lake. An afternoon of fireworks is not really a top concern in an urban lake; if someone wants to sue over Lake Union, then sue for restoration or some sort of mitigation for these more significant sources of pollution.
18, as far as polluting urban lakes is concerned, fireworks aren't really a major contributor. The bigger concern would be the toxic waste that's buried underneath the soil in the first place. Or, more generally, things like urban runoff, sewage, leaky boats, antifouling paint on the boats, constant noise from traffic (including boats and planes), dumping, etc etc etc. I'm guessing that not much sewage gets pumped into Lake Union nowadays, but lots of these other things are pretty much unavoidable when you build a city around a lake. An afternoon of fireworks is not really a top concern in an urban lake; if someone wants to sue over Lake Union, then sue for restoration or some sort of mitigation for these more significant sources of pollution.
28
@23 Your anger is misdirected.
Blue Angels are Navy. F-18 "Lawndarts"
The Air Force has the Thunderbirds or something like that. F-16's.
Not really an important difference, for your concerns, but still... just saying.
Blue Angels are Navy. F-18 "Lawndarts"
The Air Force has the Thunderbirds or something like that. F-16's.
Not really an important difference, for your concerns, but still... just saying.
29
Yes, he's a douchebag.
Just what kind of crowd is he expecting that he imagines will displace a foot-and-a-half of soil? Do people normally show up for these fireworks shows with shovels and an urge to dig?
Just what kind of crowd is he expecting that he imagines will displace a foot-and-a-half of soil? Do people normally show up for these fireworks shows with shovels and an urge to dig?
30
Digging up the soil sounds like a great idea. I'll see if I can rope some of my friends int it. We'll bring concealed mini army shovels, find a spot start digging. We'll hide more shovels in our cases of pop to pass out. Everyone, call, write, or text your friends, get them to participate in this plan. We'll call it "Diggin the 4th" or something cheesey like that.
31
The guy lives in Lake City. He used to live in Magnolia.
When he lived in Magnolia, he wrote bullshit letters to the editor about the Summer Concert series(!!), saying there needed to be a public process, blah blah blah.
In other words, the guy has a hard-on for Gas Works Park and is a total fucktard. I'd rank him about even with the Laurelhurst "Community" Club (LLC) that's fighting Children's Hospital.
When he lived in Magnolia, he wrote bullshit letters to the editor about the Summer Concert series(!!), saying there needed to be a public process, blah blah blah.
In other words, the guy has a hard-on for Gas Works Park and is a total fucktard. I'd rank him about even with the Laurelhurst "Community" Club (LLC) that's fighting Children's Hospital.
32
Mangnolia is asshat central.
They probably kicked him out cause he was too much of an asshat even for them.
Never forget, Skeletor used to live in Magnolia.
They probably kicked him out cause he was too much of an asshat even for them.
Never forget, Skeletor used to live in Magnolia.
33
"20. Petitioner Schroeter visited the “set-up” of the 2008 4th of July event on 07/03/08 and photographed large chunks of the sod and grass cap that had been ripped away by heavy machinery. Schroeter then fled the park as he did not want to be exposed to toxic chemicals that may have wafted out of the perforated cap."
34
If it's aggregate environmental damage you're concerned about, shut down fucking Safeco Field. The traffic jams, et al. cause more pollution and elevated blood pressures than many dozens of fireworks displays.
35
"are you Liberal Searttle Assholes concerned about the environment or not?"
You inbred hillbillies are always fairweather friends to america, civil rights, the constitution, the environment, and life itself. You don't give two shits about any of the preceding, so don't bother getting uppity.
You inbred hillbillies are always fairweather friends to america, civil rights, the constitution, the environment, and life itself. You don't give two shits about any of the preceding, so don't bother getting uppity.
37
35
So;
you dodged the question-
are you Liberal Seattle Assholes concerned about the environment or not?
So;
you dodged the question-
are you Liberal Seattle Assholes concerned about the environment or not?
38
If anyone is interested, the asshole published his # on his blogger account
206.228.2917
Give the fucking nimby douchebag pigfucking fartknocker hell.
206.228.2917
Give the fucking nimby douchebag pigfucking fartknocker hell.
40
I guess the $64,000 question is, "Why?" Sure, "Because he's a douchebag," is the easy, closed minded, non critical thinking answer. But he tactically waited until days before the event. he has to know this stoppage is only temporary and won't hold any long term implications. Is he going to try this every year days before the event, just because he wants to stop the fireworks?
And where was he last year? And the year before that? They've been launching fireworks at Gasworks for years, haven't they?
I find this ploy curious.
And where was he last year? And the year before that? They've been launching fireworks at Gasworks for years, haven't they?
I find this ploy curious.
41
This guy is known for suing telemarketers, yet has spammed his phone number all over the internet. He is just looking for a pay day me thinks.
Sorry about him suing telemarketers :
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/65795_col…
Sorry about him suing telemarketers :
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/65795_col…
42
I hope it's not too late for someone to read this. Benjamin Schroeter is not an environmental activist. He's not an activist of any kind. What he is, is a lazy, theiving troll that's robbing each and every one of you city taxpayers. Mr. Schroeter doesn't care about you, me, fish, the environment or anything. His mother was a former city employee. He learned at a very young age how he could benefit from filing frivolous lawsuits against the city and other agencies. The City chooses to pay him off each time, rather than pay the legal costs of fighting him through years of court battles.
Mr. Schroeter can't hold a job because his looks, demeanor and personality are worse than Jabba the Hut. He smells awful and doesn't shower. He sits around all day figuring out who to sue next. $20k here, $30k there and he makes a nifty annual salary by doing NOTHING. The good people of Seattle should fight this. Someone out there should use the public disclosure system to request all the records on Benjamin Schroeter to see the damage he has done to all of your wallets. Then, fix everything with a good old fashioned lynching. Take a shower, cut your hair and try to develop a skill Ben and get a job like the rest of us. Maybe you'd get laid and release some of your pent up aggression. He's more than an opportunist, he's an out and out criminal.
Mr. Schroeter can't hold a job because his looks, demeanor and personality are worse than Jabba the Hut. He smells awful and doesn't shower. He sits around all day figuring out who to sue next. $20k here, $30k there and he makes a nifty annual salary by doing NOTHING. The good people of Seattle should fight this. Someone out there should use the public disclosure system to request all the records on Benjamin Schroeter to see the damage he has done to all of your wallets. Then, fix everything with a good old fashioned lynching. Take a shower, cut your hair and try to develop a skill Ben and get a job like the rest of us. Maybe you'd get laid and release some of your pent up aggression. He's more than an opportunist, he's an out and out criminal.
43
well Thanks for all the personal slams. It really takes guts to do that anonymously.
And thanks for the vote of confidence for Greg Nickels (my opponent) - I didn't expect that from you. The only reason that the city refuses to obey the law is because Greg and his buddy Tom Carr are ninnys.
For starters, if you saw all the documents I looked at in the City Attorney's office that discuss city liability concerning the currently closed off area you might think I have a pretty good point.
So how many environmental catastrophes need to occur before the city decides to play by the rules and abide the law?
Remember the Occidental Park tree rift from a few years ago? The City ignored environmental law and proceeded with Hizzoner’s plan to cut the trees in the park. A citizen, (Bif Brigman) angered at the City’s refusal to listen to common sense or follow the law sued the city seeking an injunction. Brigman won the request for injunction but would have to post a $120,000 bond for the judge to sign the injunction. Brigman didn’t have the money and Hizzoner’s bulldozers took out the trees. After the merits were heard, Brigman won. But the trees were already gone, the damage had already been done, and Brigman was out tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees.
How about the Hamm Creek Firefighting facility that the city built on a protected wetland after they already knew it was a protected wetland??? This never would have come to light if it wasn’t for the hard work of Vietnam vet and neighborhood activist John Beal whose tenacity on calling the city out helped save a very important city creek. The city was fined and had to spend lots of money defending it's actions and rebuilding wetland habitat.
If only the city had followed SEPA and other environmental laws…these fiascos would never had happened. The Gas Works Park issues are no different: follow the law or endanger people and our natural environment.
I want people to realize that there currently is a closed and fenced off area that they once thought was okay, but now...it's not. (Repeat: "now it is not" Okay...so how are we so sure that this won't happen somewhere else in the park? We don't. and that's my point why it needs to be looked into.
It took me years just to get the documents - I'd been trying since that Sloan party that Savage crashed in 2007. I had to sue them to get any cooperation.
Toxics aren't funny. Municipalities that don't use common sense to protect it's citizens sadden me greatly and if I can do something about it - I will.
More...
And thanks for the vote of confidence for Greg Nickels (my opponent) - I didn't expect that from you. The only reason that the city refuses to obey the law is because Greg and his buddy Tom Carr are ninnys.
For starters, if you saw all the documents I looked at in the City Attorney's office that discuss city liability concerning the currently closed off area you might think I have a pretty good point.
So how many environmental catastrophes need to occur before the city decides to play by the rules and abide the law?
Remember the Occidental Park tree rift from a few years ago? The City ignored environmental law and proceeded with Hizzoner’s plan to cut the trees in the park. A citizen, (Bif Brigman) angered at the City’s refusal to listen to common sense or follow the law sued the city seeking an injunction. Brigman won the request for injunction but would have to post a $120,000 bond for the judge to sign the injunction. Brigman didn’t have the money and Hizzoner’s bulldozers took out the trees. After the merits were heard, Brigman won. But the trees were already gone, the damage had already been done, and Brigman was out tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees.
How about the Hamm Creek Firefighting facility that the city built on a protected wetland after they already knew it was a protected wetland??? This never would have come to light if it wasn’t for the hard work of Vietnam vet and neighborhood activist John Beal whose tenacity on calling the city out helped save a very important city creek. The city was fined and had to spend lots of money defending it's actions and rebuilding wetland habitat.
If only the city had followed SEPA and other environmental laws…these fiascos would never had happened. The Gas Works Park issues are no different: follow the law or endanger people and our natural environment.
I want people to realize that there currently is a closed and fenced off area that they once thought was okay, but now...it's not. (Repeat: "now it is not" Okay...so how are we so sure that this won't happen somewhere else in the park? We don't. and that's my point why it needs to be looked into.
It took me years just to get the documents - I'd been trying since that Sloan party that Savage crashed in 2007. I had to sue them to get any cooperation.
Toxics aren't funny. Municipalities that don't use common sense to protect it's citizens sadden me greatly and if I can do something about it - I will.
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