Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Rawley will bring new voice to PenMet board
Two people are running for PenMet Board Position No. 4: (1) Laurel Kingsbury, incumbent and (2) Jesse Rawley, challenger. At first glance, this may not appear to be a critical local election, but it’s more important than you might think.
Here’s why:
- The PenMet Board has embroiled PenMet in multiple lawsuits with maybe one more coming
- Every vote at the Board meetings I’ve witnessed has always been unanimous — that concerns me
- The Board fails to have any meaningful discussions or deliberations at its meetings I’ve attended — is this a violation of the Open Public Meeting Act?
- The Board feels it needs the maximum property tax rate allowable even when PenMet’s income from property taxes is dramatically increasing
- The Board believes it has the power of eminent domain to take private property for a golf course — does it?
- The Board has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in consultant fees
- The Board is spending tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees
- The Board is spending thousands of dollars on outside security required because the Board terminated the park host program (which cost about $12,000 annually)
- The Board, after terminating the Tyson’s lease, had the right to become Hackers’ direct landlord meaning Hackers’ rent would go straight to PenMet, but failed to write a one page letter to Hackers saying that PenMet was now Hackers’ landlord — this failure allowed Stutsman to continue receiving Hackers rent — money that could have eased the burden placed on taxpayers to support PenMet
- The Board just authorized an almost $500,000 golf equipment lease in anticipation of taking over Madrona management at time when they have no idea when they will be able to use that equipment
Eminent Domain: Laurel Kingsbury read a passionate statement into the minutes of the 11/5/24 meeting at which the resolution approving the use of eminent domain was approved. Commissioner Kingsbury based her “yes” vote primarily on her belief that the owners of the 14 acres (ZTM) were developers who wanted Madrona so they could subdivide it and make a fortune. ZTM had previously publicly stated they would keep Madrona as a golf course. Then, on 11/22/24, ZTM backed up those statements by offering to purchase PenMet’s acreage with a condition that they would agree to a 50 year deed restriction limiting the use of the Madrona property as a golf course. That offer clearly backs up ZTM’s prior statements. Did the Board revisit its decision? No …
Candidate Meetings: Both candidates were invited to a meeting at the Nichols Community Center on Fox Island at which both could state their positions and take questions. Mr. Rawley immediately accepted the invitation and provided several dates that worked for him. Commissioner Kingsbury never responded. Does she plan on being a Commissioner for everyone or just for some? All three candidates running when Commissioner Sehmel was elected visited Fox Island.
I also attended a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting where both candidates were invited to present their cases and answer questions. Commissioner Kingsbury, being a schoolteacher (thanks to her for her service to our schools and our children), could not attend so she had Commissioner Nixon read a statement to the attendees. Unfortunate that she had to miss another opportunity to address the voters.
2024 Levy Lid Lift: You may remember that PenMet requested a levy lid lift in 2024. Commissioner Kingsbury supported that ballot measure. PenMet indicated at the time that they needed additional property taxes to prevent the cutting back on events, services, programs, etc. You may also remember that that levy lid lift was soundly defeated. On April 30, 2025, Commissioner Kingsbury wrote a letter to the editor wherein she touted all the successes PenMet has had in the past couple of years such as the new CRC, the Arletta Schoolhouse, and Rosedale Hall. She also touted upgrades to the Fishing Pier and Peninsula Gardens. She then informs the readers about “… the phenomenal increase in recreation …” and “… exponentially expanded … program hours, and recreational opportunities.” I don’t bring her Letter up to argue her points. They may all be valid. However, if PenMet accomplished the “phenomenal increase” and the “exponentially expanded … programs …” without the additional taxes, then I have to ask: How necessary, as the Board stated, were the funds to be derived from the levy lid lift?
With Olympia’s massive increase in taxes and fees we are all now paying, I think we need a new Commissioner who has already said he believes in fiscal responsibility. Apparently, PenMet has operated perfectly well without the millions their 2024 levy lid lift would have brought them. It seems highly likely that the current Board, if it remains as is, will ask for yet another levy lid lift and will continue spending large amounts.
Vote for Rawley.
Craig McLaughlin
Fox Island