This is my first time on this blog, but I think you guys would like thedailyskinny.com blog too. It has similar topics and offers
Lisa Siegel | 02.03.08 - 10:39 pm

Lisa,
YOU are a spammer! The cited URL has nothing to do with this article and its set of comments.

anonymous | 02.04.08 - 8:33 pm | #
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Captain Wierd, Why don't you tell us who you lobby for. maybe then the whiners, Sam Hunt, the bought out City Council and the Olympian will all get a better picture of who the good guys are in this equation.

Maybe then Olympia will comprehend who Captain Wierd really represents.
Not Wierd | 02.04.08 - 12:10 pm | #
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Not Wierd- I doubt you think- or comprehend what you read. I quite defintely live in the neighborhood- year round- and see much more in the way of destructive practices and lifestyles from the non-lobbyists.

And I am not proposing more meetings- I am proposing that the whiners get lives, stop harassing people, and recognize that very few people in the neighborhood have a problem with the lobbyists, state employees, and others who exist here. Not very many people care what these whiners imagine, and the Olympian wastes way too much ink on it.

As for your attitude toward lobbyists- you obviously do not know any, and do not appreciate the work they do. Among the lobbyists living in the South Capitol neighborhood are those representing unions, parks and recreation, the environment, and many issues other than big business.

But you don't know, because you've never bothered to get informed, have you? Your not a very nice neighbor, if you actually live anywhere near here.
Captain Wierd | 02.03.08 - 10:54 pm | #
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This is my first time on this blog, but I think you guys would like thedailyskinny.com blog too. It has similar topics and offers
Lisa Siegel | 02.03.08 - 10:39 pm | #
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Okay, I don't expect perfect grammar from readers who post on this site, but I do expect a little better from the editor of the capital city paper. The photo caption states that lobbyists "only live there during sessions." Actually, they not only live there, they also lobby there, party hearty there, and apparently sometimes pee in the bushes there. Live to party, party to lobby, lobby to live. But in Olympia, only during the session.
Acadian | 02.03.08 - 8:18 pm | #
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What about the big picture? Most of the houses near the dome are now used as lobbyist offices and party houses. Sam Hunt has said in public he hopes any new restrictions won't stop him from dropping by these houses for a drink with the lobbyists after work. Our lawmaker in action!

This means that a beautiful neighborhood is being converted to commercial use, while the people who are supposed to be representing us drink with the high rollers who use money and parties to buy influence. How is any of this good for our community?

The Olympia City Council has proven they want to act like nothing is happening while anyone can see the destruction. One lobbyist put a neon beer sign near the parking lot that used to be his back yard.


What are our elected representatives motivated by? Has anyone looked at campaign contributions to the council, mayor, and Hunt, Williams and Fraser? Who is shaping our local policy? It sure looks like the lobbyists are.

I guess we just have to build more historic neighborhoods somewhere else, and call this one the South Capitol Tavern District.
Real Info | 02.03.08 - 7:59 pm | #
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Captain Weird, whoever you are, I don't think you live in the South Capitol Neighborhood, or even in Olympia.

You are clever, but you come from some nuther world, where you actually think you are a nice neighbor.

The for profit lobbyist mentality is "by any means necessary"- fundamentally self centered and greedy. We don't grow people like that in Olympia neighborhoods. We are nice, community minded people and we show genuine concern for our neighbors and our city.

This issue has been talked to death. What are you proposing--more meetings so you can call people whiners and belittle their desire to preserve a unique neighborhood?
Not Wierd | 02.03.08 - 7:35 pm | #
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From one anon to the early morning anon -do you want your whole neighborhood filled with nothing but backyards with cars parked in them?

This creates an environmental hazard that affects all of us.

If it’s not against the law it should be.


Also, consider the idea that all of the cars filling all of those backyards don't even belong to anyone who lives in this area!
Anon | 02.03.08 - 6:47 pm | #
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I got no problem with the tuba player, but if it is in the middle of the night then we have a problem.
Plus it's not some drunk playing the tuba, it's the cassette of the guy playing the tuba that I get called to on an almost nightly basis.
Hey don't forget, if you hate America, vote dumbocrap.
The Sarge | 02.03.08 - 3:25 pm | #
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Dismayed! I believe every word you wrote!

What an accurate depiction of Hunt and amzingly like several encounters I've had with him.

He needs to go! Why do you people keep re-electing him? He is such a jerk!
SP Fan | 02.03.08 - 2:50 pm | #
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Mrs. Cool and I recently moved out of S. Capitol after 3 years. Never noticed any loud lobbyist parties, but threw a couple of loud parties myself. One year I blew out my stereo speakers!

The only disturbances I felt really mattered in that 'hood were the ones created by meth-heads, yelling and arguing all night.

And as for public urination...I'm sure we're all guilty. At least I am.

I remember my time in S. Capitol fondly. Love the Frog Pond and Steven's Field. Mrs. Cool and I used to take long walks at night, checking out the giant houses.

You know your neighborhood is OK if Lobbyists are a bigger nuisance than the meth-heads.

Take it from Mr. Cool...stay off meth and stay in school!
Mr. Cool | 02.03.08 - 2:35 pm | #
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The reality, "Actual Resident" is that many of us lobbyists live here year-round- and the disturbances in the neighborhood come from the non-lobbyists with their dogs barking all the time, their kids having under-age drinking parties while the folks are gone, and the folks having drinking parties while the kids are away. The hypocrites per acre in the South Capitol neighborhood is higher than most places.

Don't like the parking requirements- thank the South Capitol Neighbotrhood Association. Or why don't you just admit you think the people ought to just stay away from their state government so that you can have parking for your maid, your mother-in-law, and all the other excesses the "year-round" residents use to engage in.

Don't like being near the Capitol? Move!
Captain Wierd | 02.03.08 - 2:33 pm | #
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@Sarge-

> Just wait till the rest of the illegals move in and you have polka and tuba music going all night every night.

Wa'cha min, dissin' tuba playas, man?
Emily | 02.03.08 - 2:27 pm | #
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Dismayed, if you'd like to chat over e-mail about your encounter with Sam Hunt I'd like to write a story about it. Very interesting. Looking to find the Budd Bay Cafe hostess as well.

zbeers (at) hotmail (dot) com

Thanks,
Zach
Zach | 02.03.08 - 1:44 pm | #
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Dismayed, that's quite a story. What an ass!
Zach | 02.03.08 - 1:40 pm | #
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I have mixed feelings about this issue. On the one hand, residents who live in this area have to expect a certain amount of disruption due to their proximity to the Capital. Much like the idiot who bought a house on a golf course and then sued to have the tee moved because golf balls were landing in his yard! (True case; and he won, can you believe it?)
On the other hand, I agree with the person who said lobbyist are ruining this country. They are part of the revolving door of government "of the government, by the government and for the government." They each have their own myopic agenda to the exclusion of any well-rounded sense of morality or decency. (Like the California environmental lobbyist who retired and built a log cabin in the Sierra's. Log cabins take 4 times as many trees to build. His answer? "I earned it.")
Unfortunately, this seems to be one of James Thurber's "man, woman and flower" issues. Too many of us on this planet, too close together equals a "rat syndrome" response, as we see here.
I believe that we have reached a tipping point in human existence. We have reversed the old maxim to "There are no solutions, only problems." Until we reduce the population by about 6 billion, things will only continue to get worse. So I guess my answer to the residents, and the lobbyists as well is: get used to it. It's a nasty world we've created and it's only going to get worse.
K | 02.03.08 - 12:55 pm | #
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To all the people living in the tent cities and on the streets of Olympia: There are house near the capitol that are empty!!!! Possession is 9/10s of the law!!!
What a Concept | 02.03.08 - 12:13 pm | #
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Lets face it, the lobbyists are what is destroying this country, not just the neighborhood. Thay take our votes and turn them into mush. Until we all stand up and stare down this big money machine, we will concede to their wishes.
banem | 02.03.08 - 11:51 am | #
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I must say that it's rather difficult to meet with our "neighbors," the lobbyists, when they're never "home." Oh wait, yes they are, but only Monday through Friday afternoon while the Legislature is in session.

As for property values, they've skyrocketed within the neighborhood thanks to lobbyists paying tens-of-thousands over the asking price. High property values are only important to those planning to sell. On the other hand, high property values can be detrimental to long-time homeowners due to the property taxes.

Another issue that arises in the neighborhood is parking. In order to park on the street outside of our homes, we have to pay the city a fee per car, so we don't get ticketed. In order to get our parking permits we must prove our residency in the neighborhood with driver's license, vehicle registration and a utility bill. I'm very curious to know how the lobbyists who are only here during session prove their residency. Do they change the address on their license and vehicle registration from their true primary residence to their houses in our neighborhood every year? If they are, that would be fraudulent.

Lastly, the parties...I must say I've never witnessed anyone but a lobbyist relieving himself in a bush in full view of the road and my kitchen at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. This was during a barbeque put on by the lobbyists down the street who were also blocking the road with their party tent.

Lobbyists like to call themselves "good neighbors." But, a neighbor is someone who lives next door or in close proximity. How can someone who leaves a house empty approximately 300 or more days a year (depending on session length) call themselves my neighbor?
Actual Resident | 02.03.08 - 11:42 am | #
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What is wrong with a paved backyard?
If it's in the back then who sees it?
As for loud parties, just call the cops the OPD should beable to quiet these things.
What a shock, an al quedacrat that no one atleast on the message board likes, but because he is a dumbocrap stupid people will vote for him.
Plus if the houses are empty most of the year then a couple months of activity should not be that bad.
Just wait till the rest of the illegals move in and you have polka and tuba music going all night every night.
Keep voting for the al quedacrats and it will be sooner than later.
The Sarge | 02.03.08 - 11:25 am | #
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I used to live in the south capitol neighborhood. I had neighbors who were lobbyists, as well as long-time residents. Guess which neighbors I never heard? The lobbyists. Other neighbors hosted frequent social gatherings, including their teenaged children. Some of their parties were very noisy and late into the early morning hours, and some were quiet family affairs, and some may have constitued meetings of coworkers or community activists. These are the people who want others to be told what they can do inside property they own legally? These are the same people who talk out of both sides of their mouths complaining about the same people from whom they gladly take money for parking space rentals during session?

In any neighborhood, you have good neighbors and you have bad neighbors. Some keep their lawns nice, others don't. Some have barking dogs, some don't. Some beautifully maintain their homes and property, some don't. Just like you can't legislate morality, you can't legislate use of private property, within reason. If a neighbor, any neighbor is committing a crime, call the police. Otherwise, there's not much you can, or should, do. Get over it. If you don't like living there, get out.

It's a bucolic neighborhood, like many others, part of the time. The rest of the time, it's noisy, people take your parking places, there's lots of traffic. It has it's ups and downs like any other neighborhood.

When you live a block or two from a state capitol and a campus intended to be used by lots of people for lots of different types of uses, you have to expect some inconveniences to go along with the perks.

Stop whining.
Former neighbor | 02.03.08 - 9:23 am | #
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How totaly disrespectful to the homeowners in that area. Hey Sam Hunt why are you so upset ? Why dont you tell your A-hole lobbyists and friends to be more respectful to our community and quit having loud drunk parties like a bunch a stupid 20 year olds. Time to vote out Sam Hunt!
t | 02.03.08 - 9:22 am | #
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Well if Sam Hunt is such a bully and puke, why do you libs keep voting him back in office. He just sounds like a typical libby democrat to me. And, if Hunt was a Republican he would be run out Oly-ville in the blink of an eye as an evil person.
johnboy | 02.03.08 - 9:00 am | #
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Anon,

You are correct about Sam Hunt! Not only is he a bully but he's intimidating and egotistical as well.

A while back, my 75 yr. old handicapped mother and I went to Budd Bay Cafe to eat lunch.

Good ole' Sam Hunt and his buddies came barreling up in their big state car and cut us off to whip into the last parking space near the front door. We were appalled.

He stepped out of the car and stood there staring at us as if to say 'bring it on'.

I put my window down and asked him if stealing a parking spot from a handicapped senior was worth it and he said, 'lady, do you know who you're talking to?'

I told him I certainly did! A very small man who never learned how to be a good driver or a gentleman, put my window up and parked down near the fish market.

As we entered the restaurant, Hunt and his buddies were all still waiting for a table. We told them we were a party of 2 and they were ready to promptly seat us.

As my mother strolled by Hunt with her walker, he piped up to the hostess that he was Sam Hunt and his party was there before ours and then preceeded to look at my mom and tell her she needed to wheel herself back over to the door and wait her turn. I don't know who looked more shocked, my mother or the hostess.

We left and I've never been able to see or hear that man's name without my stomach turning. He's the rudest, most dismissive, egotistical man I think I've ever met in my life.
Dismayed | 02.03.08 - 8:50 am | #
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Sam Hunt is an incredible bully. Jeff Kingsbury will blow with the political power. This neighborhood is not going to be represented well in this fight. More and more of the homes are being owned by lobbyist. The paving issue was so that yards wouldn't be turned into parking lots for business/lobbyists.
Anon | 02.03.08 - 8:32 am | #
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Could you imagine the broo-ha-ha on these message boards if the Rs were in the majority? All we'd hear about is how corrupt the legislatures are and how evil the lobbyists are and how they're ruining the historic neighborhood around the capitol.
Randy | 02.03.08 - 8:31 am | #
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I think they need a lobbyist.
A Bob | 02.03.08 - 7:16 am | #
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A small number of malcontents in the whine capital of Washington are upset because the City Council won't jump their way- did they miss out that their former neighborhood association president was rejected by the voters of the city? It is time for the whiners to get a clue and realize that they are not going to get their way.

The whiners are the bad neighbors- constantly stirring the pot, but refusing to meet with their neighbors, and always trying to wait until after the Legislature leaves town to try and get increased restrictions in the neighborhood.

They've damaged the ability of the average citizen to come speak to legislative committees and participate in the legislative process with their absurd one hour parking limit, all the while enjoying the increased property values that come from their proximity to the Capitol.

The Olympian should really poll the neighborhood, and find out how few of us the whiners really represent.

Perhaps the City Council should consider a one whine per year limit on the neighborhood..
Captain Wierd | 02.03.08 - 6:28 am | #
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No "paved backyards"? What's up with that? I can understand a prohibition against it in a covenanted subdivision, but this is an old Olympia neighborhood. I live in another old Olympia neighborhood, and as far as I know there are no ordinances here that say we can't pave our backyards (not that I would pave ours because that's not environmentally sound)! It seems to me that the neighbors in the South Capitol neighborhood are overstepping their bounds.

anonymous | 02.03.08 - 1:25 am | #
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