Anti RLC GROUP RESPONSE to ATS SUIT (and Bellingham's Mayor part) in DENYING DEMOCRACY!!!!!!!

http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/american-traffic-solutions-tries-to-keep-camera-initiative-off-ballot/

American Traffic Solutions tries to keep camera initiative off ballot
UPDATED AT 2:40 P.M. ON AUG. 1: Bellingham City Council is in a closed-to-the-public executive session to discuss the lawsuit filed by American Traffic Solutions. They’ll report out of the executive session during tonight’s meeting, when they could decide to take some action. In the meantime, here is a copy of an email Mayor Dan Pike previously sent to ATS - before they filed the lawsuit:

From: Dan Pike/mayor/cob
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cc: David R Webster/mayor/cob@cob, Joan E Hoisington/legal/cob@cob, Torhil S Ramsay/mayor/cob@cob, Todd G Ramsay/police/cob@cob, Florence J Simon/police/cob@cob
Date: 07/07/2011 04:28 PM
Subject: Bellingham Traffic Cam Initiative

——————————————————————————–

Dear Mr. Hoven,

I am following up last week’s phone call with an email to confirm my position of the Initiative seeking repeal of traffic camera usage in the City of Bellingham. As I indicated last week, I remain convinced this is a viable tool for our community, but also believe it is in everyone’s interest to allow a vote to proceed. In my many conversations with citizens–this is an election year, and I am speaking to dozens of citizens daily, if not more–most are supportive of the use of cameras, but many also appreciate holding a public vote on the issue.

Given that, I urge you and your company to follow the more prudent course, allowing the vote to occur. It is my belief, based on my many community conversations, that most voters will support the increased safety offered, and the principle that miscreants should underwrite more public safety costs they cause, rather than simply passing on an additional burden to the taxpaying public.

Thanks for your consideration. Should you or anyone else need clarification of my position, or have additional questions, please feel free to contact me either by phone or email.

Sincerely,

Dan Pike
Mayor

START OF ORIGINAL POST

American Traffic Solutions on Friday, July 29 filed a lawsuit http://media.bellinghamherald.com/static/images/downloads/JaredPaben/camerainitiativelawsuit.pdf seeking to prevent the Bellingham initiative restricting traffic enforcement cameras from reaching the ballot this November. Click here http://media.bellinghamherald.com/static/images/downloads/JaredPaben/Camerainitiativelawsuit2.pdf to see a much smaller file without all the exhibits.

The lawsuit argues that it shouldn’t reach the ballot for two reasons: The Legislature vested the authority for this type of decision in the City Council, not the voters through an initiative process, and the initiative would violate the state and federal Constitutions protections of contracts.

I just ran around like a madman between the courthouse building and city hall, trying to get a copy of the lawsuit. The Superior Court office clerk said she wasn’t able to get me a copy because she was the only person working and couldn’t leave the front desk to get it. It would take a least a week for the documents to be posted online, she said.

Big thank you to the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office’s Royce Buckingham, senior deputy attorney, and Kathy Walker, administrative manager, for working to get me the lawsuit and its exhibit with very, very little notice!

Mayor Dan Pike previously called American Traffic Solutions and urged them not to do this. He said that, if they did, and if it went to voters, he thought voters would almost certainly approve the initiative. He predicted that the council would want to cancel the contract as soon as possible if the camera company went this route.

I’ve got a message out to him to get his comments given this new information.

The group supporting the initiative, Transportation Safety Coalition, released the following statement:

Goldman Sachs-owned American Traffic Solutions loses their cool when the citizens of any community voluntarily exercise their right, as concerned citizens, to peacefully petition their government. Is this the kind of corporate bully we want running the government in Bellingham?

This is truly a David vs. Goliath story. The people of Bellingham are being sued by a multi-billion dollar Arizona corporation, American Traffic Solutions (ATS). Of course, as many of you know, Goldman Sachs bought into ATS right after they received tax funded bail-out dollars.

A sure sign you are succeeding is when you get attacked by high-dollar lawyers! We’re square in the sites of the Goldman Sachs-backed ATS corporate profit program. Please donate to defend the people against the corporate giant here: http://wacfl.com/automated-ticketing-machines-in-bellingham

One person in Bellingham had the ability to stop American Traffic Solutions from suing the people of Bellingham. Who? Your sitting Mayor Dan Pike. Why didn’t he? The details below reveal how Mayor Pike and his new-found bankster friends at American Traffic Solutions are planning to squash the people’s voice.

On April 13th, 2011, the North West Business Club hosted a debate on the Red Light Camera program, where Mayor Dan Pike promised the people of Bellingham he would not interfere with the initiative process. But he was already planning to collude with the Red Light Camera Company; Mayor Pike then rushed to sign the contract on May 6th with ATS to install the cameras before the voter signatures even had a chance to be counted.

This contract, which only Mayor Dan Pike had authority to sign, specifically includes a lawsuit clause enabling ATS to attack the people’s right to petition their government by bullying Bellingham citizens in court with ATS high dollar corporate lawyers. It can only be incompetence or disingenuousness on the part of Mayor Pike to sign an agreement that allows a private corporation to unleash their attorneys on the mayor’s own constituents!

Mayor Pike - and only Mayor Pike - had the authority to give ATS the contractual “right” to sue the people of Bellingham. He chose to give ATS the ability by explicitly including language in the contract he alone signed.

Mayor Pike’s next step was damage control. In an attempt to mislead the voters about his actions, Mayor Pike announced he called ATS and urged them not to sue the people of Bellingham…after he gave ATS the ability to sue the very people he is supposed to represent! These types of political games are an insult to the intellect of Bellingham citizens. It appears Mayor Pike’s damage control strategy was to “play” the defender of the people, yet his actions prove the contrary. Proof is in the contract.

ATS is now suing the people of Bellingham for their right to legally gather petitions, have them validated, and secure a public vote. Mayor Pike has successfully allowed ATS to do his dirty work for him, while pretending he is not interfering because he is not using city lawyers to join in on the lawsuit against the people of Bellingham. What are city lawyers for if not to defend the city and the people they represent?

Why would local politicians use a corporation such at ATS to do their dirty work? The Everett Herald’s new piece might shed some light on that subject. ATS has been caught multiple times manipulating web sites, sounding boards and impersonating local folks in many cities in Washington State they target for their profit driven camera program.

http://heraldnet.com/article/20110517/BLOG48/705179793/-1/news01

We deserve transparency and honesty, not sneaky political maneuvering from our leaders.

The city government refused to honor their promise for a public hearing on the red light camera issue; because they broke that promise, the city was forced to count signatures on petitions from people who understand their inalienable right to speak on this controversial program.

Now it comes to light that Mayor Pike intentionally allowed the Goldman backed bullies at ATS to drag the people of Bellingham into court for exercising their right as informed citizens!

The Transportation Safety Coalition (TSC) completed a highly successful petition drive (near 7,000 signatures!) as a local, unpaid volunteer effort. This program will affect all Whatcom County residents traveling in Bellingham, whether you’re visiting family or just out shopping, intrusive surveillance cameras from Arizona will have their eyes on you and your wallet.

Now more than ever we need all of Whatcom County to help defend the people against the greedy corporate elite! Click here: http://wacfl.com/automated-ticketing-machines-in-bellingham

Regards,

Johnny Weaver leads the Transportation Safety Coalition (TSC)

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