Ken Russell
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
To undo it and actually won that vote. We were willing to actually force them to tear down those new buildings that they have finished constructing. You didn't have the votes for that. I did. I passed it.
To undo it and actually won that vote. We were willing to actually force them to tear down those new buildings that they have finished constructing. You didn't have the votes for that. I did. I passed it.
Yes. They undid it the next meeting. Right, so you didn't have the... No, it actually passed, and then whoever got to them and undid it. Are you saying it passed before it didn't pass?
Yes. They undid it the next meeting. Right, so you didn't have the... No, it actually passed, and then whoever got to them and undid it. Are you saying it passed before it didn't pass?
That will be what remains to be seen at the ballot box, because I don't believe that, and that's not what I'm hearing from constituents. And you pick these few things that make you a single-issue voter that you really care about that you disagree with me on.
That will be what remains to be seen at the ballot box, because I don't believe that, and that's not what I'm hearing from constituents. And you pick these few things that make you a single-issue voter that you really care about that you disagree with me on.
Absolutely not.
Absolutely not.
Because Vicki Bendis gave the city administration a separate set of lawyers to represent them and work against the commission. We got sandbagged. I actually got the commission together, and we voted unanimously to knock out that Watson Island developer because they were in violation.
Because Vicki Bendis gave the city administration a separate set of lawyers to represent them and work against the commission. We got sandbagged. I actually got the commission together, and we voted unanimously to knock out that Watson Island developer because they were in violation.
But then when all of the administration, who was worried about their own jobs, they would realize they'd have to admit that they were complicit in allowing these permits to go beyond. They all got their own lawyers. This was another Tricky Vicky.
But then when all of the administration, who was worried about their own jobs, they would realize they'd have to admit that they were complicit in allowing these permits to go beyond. They all got their own lawyers. This was another Tricky Vicky.
What you keep saying over and over again is, wow, you were right on that thing that you did. But then they undid it. Or then they violate it.
What you keep saying over and over again is, wow, you were right on that thing that you did. But then they undid it. Or then they violate it.
What would you rather have me do? Just not come in? Because what do you expect someone to do if you're working with an untrustworthy bunch of people? You try to be on the right side of your votes. You push to get the votes you need. And then you try to hold them accountable. But there's only so much you can do as a commissioner. I'm not the state attorney.
What would you rather have me do? Just not come in? Because what do you expect someone to do if you're working with an untrustworthy bunch of people? You try to be on the right side of your votes. You push to get the votes you need. And then you try to hold them accountable. But there's only so much you can do as a commissioner. I'm not the state attorney.
And if the state attorney is not willing to enforce the law, there's nothing I can do. But I did my job as a commissioner. I voted my conscience on everything. I created new laws that improved the city. But you're on these issues. I'm glad I brought that lawsuit against Watson Island because they should have been kicked out.
And if the state attorney is not willing to enforce the law, there's nothing I can do. But I did my job as a commissioner. I voted my conscience on everything. I created new laws that improved the city. But you're on these issues. I'm glad I brought that lawsuit against Watson Island because they should have been kicked out.
And we've got to be able to stand up to developers when they're breaking the law. If they're not following the words of the referendum, 15 years have gone and they hadn't put a shovel in the ground. They needed to lose that lease. And so, you know, there's only so much you can do.
And we've got to be able to stand up to developers when they're breaking the law. If they're not following the words of the referendum, 15 years have gone and they hadn't put a shovel in the ground. They needed to lose that lease. And so, you know, there's only so much you can do.