Yakima Councilman Jason White, Please Clarify Your Post

At the April 21st meeting, the Yakima City Council voted 5 to 2 to officially censure 2nd District Councilman Jason White for violations of the City/s Codes of Ethics and Conduct. Details can be found here. He is also facing the possibility of a recall vote. Details of that can be found here.

Councilman White appeared on the KIT Morning News on April 22nd to give reaction and his side of the story. His interview is here.

His stated position is basically defiant saying he still stands by what he said. He has generated some interest on social media from the "government is bad" crowd and he seems to enjoy the attention he's getting as the new patriot rebel and all that is just fine and his business What isn't his business alone is his impact on the operation of City Council. That affects the city's reputation and city policies that affect us all.

He continues to use his personal facebook page to get his message out and his most recent post raises a number of questions.

Here it is.

For those that are still unclear what I want out of all of this. It's honesty. Transparency. Good people making important decisions in good faith. What do we have now? We have people in positions of authority acting in their own self interests, lying to people and manipulating the situation for their own benefit. I will continue to call it like I see it. I will never be for sale or compromise my principles. I would suggest those not acting in good faith remove themselves from the picture now and move on with their lives they currently have before the truth is fully exposed

One of my biggest pet peeves is when anyone - usually the far left - uses the language of the founding fathers and patriots to justify actions that are nothing like what the founders would approve. Any version of the misapplication of language as weapon or disguise is frustrating to me because often the words carry a built in positive imagery and credibility that may not be deserved.

Who can argue against the need for truth, honest & transparency, right? Because those thing are expected and are so important, if you are going to suggest they are compromised, you better bring more than the hints and allegations. You better bring some proof.

That's my motivation for this response to Councilman's White's most recent facebook post.

For those that are still unclear what I want out of all of this. ***I guess I'm still one of those people Jason...First...what do you mean by what you want out of "all of this"? What specifically is "all of this." Are you taking about your opposition to the Health District's medical opinions - which carry the weight of law, or the Governor's Executive Orders on business closures and getting back to work or your disagreements with your fellow Yakima City Council members over the censure? If you can fill in some details about your concerns and allegations it would help me and a lot of others understand what you mean by this post .

The starting point for this inquiry of your post is your position on the Yakima City Council. You have been censured and a recall effort is underway. It's against that backdrop that you write and I ask.

It's honesty. Transparency. Good people making important decisions in good faith. ***That's what we all want from our elected representatives so your expression would seem reasonable on the surface-- but it requires more substance to illustrate the differences between what we all want and what you say we actually have.

What do we have now? ****That's the question ...what do you see that others don't? What do others see? What or who isn't honest? Give some examples. What or who isn't being transparent? Give some examples? Give some examples of bad faith decisions, who is making them, what they are and maybe share your thoughts on what you believe is driving bad faith decisions. Back up your concerns with examples so we can see what you claim to see

We have people in positions of authority acting in their own self interests.****Who, how, what actions? What self interests? What does it look like, how does it play out in the community?

lying to people ***Who is telling lies? What are those lies? For what purpose?

and manipulating the situation for their own benefit***Who is doing that? How? For what benefit?.

I will continue to call it like I see it. ****That's why you were elected so good for you..but right now you have charges and allegations without presenting any examples or evidence to back up your claims ...and some are potentially serious charges, that if true, may be worthy of recall as well? So can you clarify, explain so we might understand better?

I will never be for sale or compromise my principles****again, those are the words voters want to hear from all elected officials but in this context of this post they suggest that others may be for sale or are compromised/ If so, who and how and why?.

I would suggest those not acting in good faith remove themselves from the picture now and move on with their lives they currently have before the truth is fully exposed.****What does that mean? Threat? Warning? Justified? Are you saying some fellow council members should resign? If so, who? And why? What real behavior merits such a terminal action? What hidden offense rises to that level? Has the City been wronged or do you just feel you have been wronged? What "Truth" is hidden that matters to the residents of the city? People put their trust in you to best represent them and city...to not present our people and our town in a bad light while still seeking the truths that matters. Is all of this doing that?

In the end, your post is a collection of serious and even ominous words and perhaps a warning...based apparently on your perspective, knowledge or observations ... BUT.... without ANY backup and substantiation they are just words.

Give us more so we can understand and take what you are saying seriously. You were elected to represent, you have a responsibility, the dysfunction of the council affects everyone - not just those in District 2.

So what are you really saying? Stop hinting or suggesting. You say you are a man of the people like no other council person, so in the language of the street isn't it time to put up or shut up? Isn't it time to get back to the business of finding some way to work with the council to which you were elected, and get some things accomplished for the betterment of Yakima? Can we bury this hatchet and move on with some class and dignity. You have skills in restoring and repurposing, use them now. Lead by example, regain lost ground, help heal. Be the leader. Times are tough, people may have different opinions but Yakima needs everyone on their best behavior to move beyond where we find ourselves today. Thanks. Good Luck. And you are welcome back on KIT anytime.

Categories: Yakima News