Candidate for Yakima City Council and right wing talk show host, Dave Ettl has bragged that he would run his campaign as an “uncandidate”. Then he changed his mind and started to campaign and advertise. He even wrote to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to ask for approval to change his reporting status from “mini” to “full reporting”. The PDC approved on Sept 24th and Ettl has ignored campaign finance law by not even filing a single report since then! You can view his reporting here.
Here’s what is printed on the bottom of the PDC stationary:
“The public’s right to know of the financing of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs any right that these matters remain secret and private”. RCW42.17.010(10)
How honest and open would this man be as a member of the city council? Violating laws while judgmentally criticizing others on his radio show. He’d fit in good with a few of the hippocrits that are currently on there. (I think you know who they are!) (Ensey, Lover, Cawley)
Now we find out (from the Checks & Balances blog on the YHR) that he has not voted in 10 of the past 26 elections from 2001. A paltry 62% voting record. It’s paltry for him because he has been a high profile public figure through his talk show hosting. I guess his conservative values include a lackluster voting record. Even Sonia Rodriguez has a poor voting record. But she has owned up to it while the Dave is unavailable for comment. Honesty and transparency. Two values lacking in this conservative talking head.
There is a reason for the secrecy..
Dave has promised easy access to his house to all of his largest contributors…Much the same as Obama has for Goldman Sachs.
Dave has gone to the dark side.
And to think I saw Dave driving the KIT van in downtown Yakima, and it didn’t cost me a dime.
reply to bonelander —”Candidate for Yakima City Council and right wing talk show host, Dave Ettl has bragged that he would run his campaign as an “uncandidate”.—
***ron knows all too well that if you can control the language you can control the debate…he does it all the time…he’ll say “right wing talk” when he knows it’s just local newstalk and public service, but that doesn’t sound sinister enough. He’ll say “bragged” because that sounds phony and arrogant. I have never bragged about my uncandidate approach to this election. …though I have tried to explain it a number of times. I tried to take a nontraditional approach for a couple of reasons. One was to prove to myself that a candidate who was mindful and respectful of the voters cynicism and annoyance at all the costs and collateral of the typical campaign could win with a different approach. And two-to determine ifmy quarter century media career had value beyond the radio and TV dial, to see if my reputation and position on the stories, issues and problems of this community could be used to launch a period of opportunity for greater service to the residents of Yakima. Admittedly both are a little high minded…no wonder ron and the YHR don’t get it.
—”Then he changed his mind and started to campaign and advertise. He even wrote to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to ask for approval to change his reporting status from “mini” to “full reporting”. —-***There is a difference between campaigning and advertising. I didn’t simply “change my mind”…I have always been campaigning, speaking before groups and forums, meeting the public, etc. I wasn’t going to do any fundraising or traditional advertising but that changed and Mr. bonelander knows full well why. I suffered a severe compound fracture of my ankle and a broken wrist in late July which crushed my plans to doorbell the city. I couldn’t bring my message to the voters in person, so I had to adjust and get my message out through the media.
Mr. Bonelander routinely talks of the hypocrisy of others…it’s a subject with which he is well versed given the nature of this post… mr bonelander and his wife actually sent me a get well card…he knows of my injury and he knows of my need to change my campaign approach and yet none of that knowledge is reflected here…is this what he means by Honest and Open?
—The PDC approved on Sept 24th and Ettl has ignored campaign finance law by not even filing a single report since then!— ***I have no political team or advisers. Still my inexperience with the system is no excuse..my report- though now up to date -was filed behind schedule…that makes me late, not an intentional law breaker or public deceiver as bonelander implies. Mr bonelander gives everything the worst case scenario spin…is that the chicago style politics with which I so often hear his name associated?
—”How honest and open would this man be as a member of the city council? Violating laws while judgmentally criticizing others on his radio show.”— ***We have known each other for more than a decade, we used to be friendly acquaintances. You and your wonderful wife used to be a generous part of a number of charity events in which I participated. What changed you into someone who would question my honesty in such a shameful manner? People have said you haven’t been the same since the loss to Ensey and sadly I guess that’s true. How sad for you and for those who care about you.
And why would the democrat party put their integrity and reputation in your hands here?
—”He’d fit in good with a few of the hypocrites that are currently on there. (I think you know who they are!) (Ensey, Lover, Cawley)”— ***it never gets old, does it ron.
—Now we find out (from the Checks & Balances blog on the YHR) that he has not voted in 10 of the past 26 elections from 2001. A paltry 62% voting record. It’s paltry for him because he has been a high profile public figure through his talk show hosting. I guess his conservative values include a lackluster voting record.—***My voting record is my business and it’s not up for discussion. I’m not providing a note from my doctor for the elections in which I didn’t vote nor will I give you a review of the special elections that didn’t concern me. Nobody has to justify their voting record to you. Your implication is that someone who votes with greater frequency is somehow a better candidate? That’s ridiculous. Given the voting records of some of the other challengers, a “perfect attendence” track record of previous votes means absolutely nothing of consequence to their make up as candidates. There is no correlation but that doesn’t stop you from trying to manufacture one and then use it to try to diminish me.
—Even Sonia Rodriguez has a poor voting record. But she has owned up to it while the Dave is unavailable for comment.— ****for the record, reporter chris bristol sent me an email, I didn’t see it until the evening…. earlier in the day reporter pat muir called about a campaign finance story, I called him back, we spoke and I expect the story will run Sunday. That hardly makes me unavailable for comment… just another bonelander jump to disparaging negative conclusion and the truth be damned.
—”Honesty and transparency. Two values lacking in this conservative talking head.”—***bonelander talking about honesty and values? There was a time a few years back when that would have been a conversation worth having…not anymore… bonelander is bitter and mean and has become a cartoon of the angry defeated politician who can’t leave the stage but won’t mount a real effort at a comeback… instead he worries the bone of elections lost and in the process
of each attempt to belittle and bark at others, he only embarrasses and demeans his party and family name.
I’m not mad about this post, I have been waiting for it to come, however I feel bad for you that this is the post you feel you need to make. But know for the future, if this is who you are, then don’t bother to pretend to be cordial or friendly in person the next time we meet…it’s time for the real hypocrisy to end here.
Dave Ettl
Wow! Where do I start?? The thin skinned candidate Dave Ettl tries to drown out any criticism with a long winded exasperated diatribe on hypocrisy without realizing that it is he who carries the hypocrisy badge.
The Dave says I’m bitter about losing an election? Disappointed, yes, bitter, no. But losing to an ethically challenged candidate like Ensey has motivated me to bring truth to the forefront. In your case; failing to file PDC reports (especially the ones the PDC go out of their way to emphasize as very important to NOT be late) is a violation with penalties. Ask Norm Johnson. He paid a $400 (plus $200 suspended) fine and was placed on PDC probation for a year for so called “late” reporting. He was held accountable, he apologized and moved on.
Your campaign style was different and in some ways refreshing. However, avoiding letting the public know that the HomeBuilders, Realtors and Mike Olson Dodge are financing 90% of your campaign is inexcusable. There are reasons for the PDC rules and it reflects the public’s desire for open and honest government. That includes candidates and their campaigns. You should know better.
As for your personal remarks toward me and deliberate misspelling of my name, I take that with a grain of salt. I would be cordial and friendly toward you the next time we meet, how far that goes depends on you.
Love, Ron
Dave, congratulations on a long-awaited and well-enameled response. Your mind is sharp–I have always appreciated your radio comments–even if you do work for the de-vilification of the “FIX” network–and for the record, I know you work for CCC. I am not sure the airplane was a good idea, especially when you and Micah tied your names together in the air–it rather seems that you two “radio dudes” might be trying to say that non-air candidates have less moxie than “us air guys.” Sorry, to me it just seemed a bit flighty. Of course, who am I to know, being just one voice in the tornado of clutter and obfuscation erupting from the political scene. I don’t know quite what to say about your “line in the sand,” as regards Bonlender’s cordiality. From my view (and granted it may seem hypocritical) I try to be cordial to all persons, politically bent or no. It just seems good human nature–while to me I don’t get all the goofishness of bashing in public media and then cordiality in private. But, then, I’m not a candidate, and likely never will be–although it does seem attractive to wield power and change things for the better–But, I’d have to do all that reading and attend all those meetings, and that would just inure me to that dropping of my own ideals of government and polish me as a bureaucrat, caring less, because there is too much to care for, too many back slaps and too many martini lunches…but you have the temerity to withstand all that I find smallbore and mostly failing to achieve desired results. Buena suerta.
Ron
you are trying to purposefully misrepresent the facts, to make Dave look like a villain, criticize his intentions, portray him as someone who is not honest and someone who has no credibility, yet you say you will be cordial to him in person…you are hostile toward him when you write your posts, this makes no sense to me, why you would be nice to him in person but hostile while he is not next to you… I have to assume that you are a phony, dishonest, and have no credibility.
Jason
I’m not sure I know you. But I have to assume that you are a phony, & dishonest person with no credibility.
Ron
I do not know you personally, I have been posting comments on this web site for about six months or so, and I have seen what you post on here as well. What I DO know from what you write is that you constantly attack Ensey, Lover, and Cawley, you sound bitter, and angry, by your own admission you say one thing about a person while acting another way in front of that same person. Based on what I DO know from this blog, I came to the conclusion that you cannot be the same person online as you are in person…that is a phony, if you are phony, that means you have to be dishonest, and if those two are true, you have no credibility.
When you question Dave’s honesty and credibility then turn around and say that you say one thing and do another….be prepared to be called on it.
“My voting record is my business and it’s not up for discussion” Is this the kind of response from a council candidate. an angry one at that.
So…you want everyone to justify their voting record to you?
The last time I checked, our votes were private and we did not have to justify to anyone who or what or even IF we voted…as a council man I would expect his votes on city issues to be public, but as a private citizen he does not need to justify anything to YOU.
Obama voted “present” instead of taking sides on issues…where was your outrage then?
No, it must not be important, tell neal please.
OK, now I’m freaked out…
Streeter thinks of me just before bedtime…
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
reply to bonlender —Wow! Where do I start?? ***how about starting with a reality check and a committment to the whole truth?
—The thin skinned candidate Dave Ettl tries to drown out any criticism ***Legitimate criticism is one thing, half truths and distortions are something else. Everyone is welcome to be a critic, but not everyone has earned the right to be taken seriously as one. The public deserves the facts, context and the whole truth…standing up for that isn’t being thin-skinned…its refusing to be bullied or misrepresented. Calling out bullies is something I have done all my life…being called thin skinned by one is just a bully’s cowardly way of looking for cover when confronted.
—with a long winded exasperated diatribe on hypocrisy without realizing that it is he who carries the hypocrisy badge.***Last time I looked there wasn’t a ticking clock or internet time limit on response …what you call “long winded” I call thorough, detailed and complete. You should try it sometime. It might improve your image as a hit and run cheapshot artist. I spent about 70 words on examples of you acting in a manner that was not consistent with your knowledge of the truth..that equals hypocrisy….I’m not exasperated and it wasn’t a diatribe…(control that language, right?)… just you being busted, caught in the act of knowingly misrepresenting me and me not willing to stand by let you get away with it . The public is sick and tired of the attacks, lies and distortions, you need to get that through your “thick skin”.
—The Dave says I’m bitter about losing an election? Disappointed, yes, bitter, no. But losing to an ethically challenged candidate like Ensey has motivated me to bring truth to the forefront. ***I will concede that only you can truly say if you are bitter but it has been said about you dozens and dozens of times by people who read what you write. So if bitterness isn’t the reason, if bitterness is not the motivation or excuse for what you say and how you say it, then perhaps there is less to your character than many of us first observed.
Bringing truth to the forefront is a worthy goal but who’s truth? Real truth can generally be proven, demonstrated and backed up with facts….its not something that just exists in the confines of your mind and your opinion.
—In your case; failing to file PDC reports (especially the ones the PDC go out of their way to emphasize as very important to NOT be late) is a violation with penalties. Ask Norm Johnson. He paid a $400 (plus $200 suspended) fine and was placed on PDC probation for a year for so called “late” reporting. He was held accountable, he apologized and moved on.****I don’t deny I was late getting my report in the mail. It was filed last week and I am in contact with the PDC about it….BUT it wasn’t a calculated move meant to mislead or decieve as you imply….and you know it and that represents more dishonesty and hypocrisy. That’s where the truth factor comes in. You can say I was late but you can’t speak to the cause and yet that is what you routinely do in most of your “criticism” of others. You state the current circumstance and then you fill in what you believe the motivation or cause to be. Or worse, you know the cause and choose to ignore it and manufacture a more biased and negative rationale. That’s not criticism or analysis or an attempt to bring forth the truth…it’s merely you stating the obvious and then giving your biased opinion as to why. There is nothing noble or enlightened about that.
—Your campaign style was different and in some ways refreshing. However, avoiding letting the public know that the HomeBuilders, Realtors and Mike Olson Dodge are financing 90% of your campaign is inexcusable. ***inexcusable? What do you call the stories in Sunday’s y.h.r.? Full disclosure to reporter Pat Muir and full disclosure to the PDC two days late in the mail? That rates a bonlender pronouncement of “Inexcusable?”
Check the PDC today…the information that in your words I’m “hiding” is there for everyone to see.
Reading your posts its safe to say you would know more about inexcusable behavior than I would. But again, I’m not trying to hide anything from anyone and it is certainly not cause enough for you to question my honesty and openness. Just more hypocrisy.
—There are reasons for the PDC rules and it reflects the public’s desire for open and honest government. That includes candidates and their campaigns. You should know better.*** So noted…it is a lesson learned. I don’t claim to be perfect…honest mistakes happen…afterall …I am not a seasoned veteran of all those losing yet apparently educational campaigns like you are….True I could very well lose this election and gain a similar measure of wisdom through failure but if I do, it won’t be because I came up short on votes for not getting a stamp on my pdc form in time. Despite your best efforts to push that scenario.
—As for your personal remarks toward me and deliberate misspelling of my name, I take that with a grain of salt.***I guess thats what being “thick skinned” is all about? What remarks by the way? That I knew you as a better guy at a different time? It’s true I did. That once fun and friendly, you now seem mean and bitter? It’s true you do and I am only one of a legion who have come to that conclusion. I mean you no personal attack, just a sad comparison -from my personal experience- from they way you were to the way you are….and no, I can’t say with certainty that the election loss was the reason for the change but the behavior is evident. And I apologize for misspelling your name, it wasn’t intentional.
—I would be cordial and friendly toward you the next time we meet, how far that goes depends on you.***that seems a little schizophrenic to me…I believe most people feel that someone who is pleasant to your face and lies and misleads behind your back cannot be trusted in either circumstance…because how are we to know which one is the real you? So I recommend you save the fake friendliness for when you meet the others you bully and who won’t call you on it.
I noticed you “failed to respond” to a lot in my reply…when you are willing to face those truths and provide honest answers, then we can pretend to be friendly. Until then your version of “love” remains decidedly different from mine. TRUTH, Dave
Love, Ron
reply to Sundancekid
—Dave, congratulations on a long-awaited and well-enameled response. Your mind is sharp–I have always appreciated your radio comments–even if you do work for the de-vilification of the “FIX” network–and for the record, I know you work for CCC.***thanks, but the “fix” network? Sounds like something that might catch on and eclipse the programming of all those other cable news shows combined…I’ll have to check that out!
If by CCC you mean clear channel communication, you missed us by a couple years…we are owned by Gapwest Broadcasting now…the evil empire no more.
—I am not sure the airplane was a good idea, especially when you and Micah tied your names together in the air–it rather seems that you two “radio dudes” might be trying to say that non-air candidates have less moxie than “us air guys.” Sorry, to me it just seemed a bit flighty. ***”flighty”=airplane-that’s funny! We aren’t saying anything to anyone other than to say..”vote for us”. What more you read into it is up to you…we were offered a nontraditional way to advertise and we said sure, why not. Like signs, street corner waivers, etc. some will like it and some won’t.
—Of course, who am I to know, being just one voice in the tornado of clutter and obfuscation erupting from the political scene. I don’t know quite what to say about your “line in the sand,” as regards Bonlender’s cordiality. *** There’s nothing to be said…life’s too short to pretend to be nice to people who seek to do you harm behind your back.
—From my view (and granted it may seem hypocritical) I try to be cordial to all persons, politically bent or no. It just seems good human nature–***I agree..the Golden Rule, treat others how you want to be treated…do you see that concept applied by ron? Ever?
—while to me I don’t get all the goofishness of bashing in public media and then cordiality in private. ***doesn’t make sense to me either
—But, then, I’m not a candidate, and likely never will be–although it does seem attractive to wield power and change things for the better–***that kind of “kind to your face-cutting behind your back” duplicity isn’t a requirement for candidacy…and trying to work to change for things for the better is the goal…though it does make it hard to believe that the political journey to make things better starts by being bashed in public media and the treated cordially in private!
—But, I’d have to do all that reading and attend all those meetings, and that would just inure me to that dropping of my own ideals of government and polish me as a bureaucrat, caring less, because there is too much to care for, too many back slaps and too many martini lunches…but you have the temerity to withstand all that I find smallbore and mostly failing to achieve desired results. ***I have no idea if I’ll win or how it will all go if I do, but I care enough about wanting to serve to give it a “shot” (small bore or not) and endure the “criticism” of ron in order to see what happens…besides, I’ve never had a martini lunch! Gracias!
Buena suerta.
Quick response for Neal…the Lincoln Bedroom has got nothing on my magic room in the basement…though after the Clinton’s I can’t be sure which room has seen the most “tricks”.
Quick response for Corie…That will be fifty cents please…in small unmarked coins. My people will be by to collect…don’t make plans to leave town.
Quick response for Jason…I appreciate the fact that you get it and you articulate it well…thanks for stating so clearly that what so many others see but don’t say. I appreciate it.
Dave, Dave, Dave
Take a breath! Here are some actual facts:
You asked and received approval to change to full reporting from mini reporting on Sept 24th.
On Sept 28th a C-3 would be due IF you received contributions. (You had some small unrecorded contributions that could have been entered at this time). You filed NO report
On Oct 5th your next C-3 would be due. You had contributions from the Landlords of $250, Realtors $2500 & Homebuilders $2500 for a total of $5250 that should have been reported on the October 5th C-3.You filed NO report
On Oct 12th another C-3 would be due and you received $2002 from Mike Olson Dodge. You filed NO report
On Oct 13th a critical C-4 was due to show your deposits plus Expenses. All of your expenses were paid BEFORE this date and again you filed NO report.
On Oct 27th another critical C-4 was due and you finally filed!! The PDC shows you filed Oct 29th. And you are right about 2 days late being no big deal. But you MISREPRESENT the facts. Your C-3′s are 22 days late and 15 days late. Your C-4 is two weeks late. When this blog was first written there was ZERO information that you even filed any report. It is in the public’s interest for all candidates to file on time. You have a responsibility to follow the rules just like all the other candidates. That is why the PDC hands out penalties. Failure to disclose donations and expenses in a timely manner denies the voters the full information they need to make their decisions. It appears that all the other candidates have followed the rules.
The format for filing is online and easier to do than ever. Dave shouldn’t try to game the PDC.
Reply to ron —Take a breath! ***ok, I can see where deep breaths are a necessary part of the equation in trying to converse with you.
—Here are some actual facts:***this ought to be instructive, since to this point you have demonstrated very little facility with anything resembling “actual facts”…I’ll bet this is pretty exciting for you.
—You asked and received approval to change to full reporting from mini reporting on Sept 24th.
On Sept 28th a C-3 would be due IF you received contributions. (You had some small unrecorded contributions that could have been entered at this time). You filed NO report
On Oct 5th your next C-3 would be due. You had contributions from the Landlords of $250, Realtors $2500 & Homebuilders $2500 for a total of $5250 that should have been reported on the October 5th C-3.You filed NO report
On Oct 12th another C-3 would be due and you received $2002 from Mike Olson Dodge. You filed NO report.
On Oct 13th a critical C-4 was due to show your deposits plus Expenses. All of your expenses were paid BEFORE this date and again you filed NO report.
On Oct 27th another critical C-4 was due and you finally filed!! The PDC shows you filed Oct 29th. ***wow, that’s amazing! Have you been spying on me? I had no idea it was so complicated…next time maybe I can hire you to be my treasurer to make sure all is completed to your satisfaction…or perhaps I will just work through the problems and/or mistakes with the PDC like all first time candidates do and let the PDC impartially decide .
I think this narrow focus , though factually valid, is a smoke screen and an avoidance of all the other issues in the previous posts…but that’s just me…sheesh, I almost feel as though I am about to channel Rick Ensey! I can appreciate your love of the law and procedures and details, they are reliable and won’t reject you at the polls, but here’s what I don’t get…how come when a judge throws out the Ensey violation of the open meetings case, that to you doesn’t represent the beauty of law doing its job? But I digress…
—And you are right about 2 days late being no big deal. But you MISREPRESENT the facts. Your C-3’s are 22 days late and 15 days late. Your C-4 is two weeks late. When this blog was first written there was ZERO information that you even filed any report. ***but I HAD filed and without checking on that, you made your case that I was being intentionally deceptive…”What do I have to hide…I’m intentionally out of touch? ” That’s not you being a watchdog in the public interest…that’s you being an attack dog in your personal interest and it’s a lot more transparent than you seem to think.
Now to the facts…Do I know the system as well as you? Nope. Have I made mistakes? Yup. Have I learned from this? Yup. Do I still understand it all completely? Nope. Am I the only new candidate without any help or advisers to make mistakes? Nope. Does that render me unfit for public service? Nope. Have I spoken to the PDC about all of this? Yup. Am I in trouble with them? Nope. Do I care what you think? Nope. Do I think your seizing on this with such detail finally gives you a little piece of reality of some kind on which to chew rather than side stepping the distortions and misrepresentations you generally are called upon to defend? Yup. Do I think you will ignore all the other issues in past posts because “this is real baby!” Yup.
Does anyone really think you operate in the public’s interest? I’m sure the usual suspects here do…but that’s a pretty small and inconsequential pack.
—It is in the public’s interest for all candidates to file on time. ***I understand that…I also understand that if you were really concerned about the “public’s interest”, you would have slid out of sight a couple years ago saving the public money and hassle at city hall. So let’s not start up the hypocrisy train again .
—You have a responsibility to follow the rules just like all the other candidates.***I made a mistake as to when I thought I had to present my final information. I apologize to you and all the voters of the city of Yakima and to the nice folks here who hang on your every word and champion the bonlender style of justice. Whew…Is it just me or does it seem strange to be having a conversation with you about responsibility and with you having the high ground…wow, that’s one for the books, huh?
—That is why the PDC hands out penalties. Failure to disclose donations and expenses in a timely manner denies the voters the full information they need to make their decisions. It appears that all the other candidates have followed the rules…***and I seek to join them in my new found righteousness, spurred on my your gentle admonishments, I too will seek to do a better job of following the rules. Ok?
Now, back to the lies, distortions and misrepresentations about my motivation, character and intent from previous posts, can we get back to you finally addressing them now? Technical mistakes can happen due to inexperience…but what you do is with full knowledge and malice. So Ron, Ron Ron..let’s talk about that.
Man, I have to get out of here, I’m getting too sarcastic…I feel myself being sucked down to your level by the vacuum where reason and respect are supposed to be..so unless you come back with something completely outrageous that compels a response–that could happen, right?—I will sign off. If I win the election I will be too busy trying my best to serve all of Yakima, so my Other Side On Line posting days will be over…if I lose…well, how can I look you in the face knowing I didn’t file a c-4 on the 13th …I couldn’t bare it and I probably won’t be posting then either. But win or lose, it’s good to know that when next we meet I have your assurance of cordiality, friendliness and gosh, I guess even Love! I can’t wait.
I wish every voter could have read Mr. Ettl’s postings prior to voting. I believe they show how his mind works and that frankly is very scary to me. He puts great emphasis on accuracy, yet misspells Bonlender’s name and uses lower case? He downplays his PDC violations yet wants the voters of Yakima to put him in a position of following the rules of good governance? He cites “truth” but only wants to cite his own truth even when given sources of other information? He criticizes others for characterizing motivations yet does the same himself? If he is elected there will be lots of good film of him in session and committee meetings as fodder for the blog!