The allegations that I, and the No Kirkland Annexation Committee (NOKA) members have stolen or destroyed any signs is completely false. We are not thieves. Please do not refer to us as such. Every campaign has suffered destruction of signs, including ours.
I have contacted KOMO 4’s management about the “editing mistake” that led to the elimination of the quote I gave stating that we respect freedom of speech, have not damaged or stolen any signs, and in no way support destruction of any signs whatsoever. I have received a written and verbal apology from the reporter who made the mistake. The lead in KOMO’s story stated that “only one side was targeted.” This statement is false as many “NO” signs have been destroyed. There are fewer and fewer “NO” signs daily and I have found many that were defaced and destroyed in broad daylight.
Unfortunately KOMO news has not responded to my request for a modification of that report and many people in the community have been left with the impression that the No Kirkland Annexation Committee is responsible for the thefts. These thefts are the work of misguided individuals, on both sides of the issue, who have strong feelings but no respect for the law. Luckily, I was given a chance to respond in the Seattle Times, and the Kirkland Reporter and set the record straight. Sadly, it appears that KOMO news has no interest in accurate reporting, and I would suggest that anyone who wants news, and not stunt journalism, get their news elsewhere.
The purpose of the media blitz on sign theft appears to have been to personally discredit the members of the No Kirkland Annexation Committee. This was evidenced by the nature and wording of the press releases used to generate the stories. Statements like “stolen by the opposition” rather than, say “stolen by vandals” or “defaced by criminals,” etc. send a clear and injurious message. Fortunately, the goal was not accomplished. Instead this libelous effort has pulled attention to the issues, not the attempted smear. Many voters who still had not heard of, or knew very little about annexation, now have an opportunity to learn more and vote as they see fit.
Personally, I take great offense at being referred to as a thief. I have not stolen or defaced anything, and have contacted both the Kirkland Police and King County Sheriff of my own accord to clear my name of these insinuations. I am a veteran. I served and sacrificed for everyone’s rights and freedoms; including the right to open, public, free speech. I hold our individual freedoms in the highest regard, and perhaps most especially those of individuals who I don’t agree with (in so far as those viewpoints are expressed in a civilized manner). This is after all America, and as an American I have no need or desire to crush the viewpoints of others (when they are expressed in a civilized manner).
The creation of this “sign gate” affair by some proponents is only further proof to me that their “prey upon thy neighbor” mindset is indicative of the City of Kirkland’s mindset. And is not in any way representative of the majority of the people in the Proposed Annexation Area. I sincerely hope that not all proponents of annexation are in lock-step with these disgusting tactics. And that any proponents who claim that Kirkland best represents them understand that this example of divisive and diminutive behavior is precisely why many people do not identify with the City of Kirkland in any positive way.
In the end, a majority of voters will decide this issue. Not signs. If you are learning about this issue for the first time please read as much as you can before you choose. There are Web sites for and against annexation, as well as a lot of information on the City of Kirkland’s Web site. There are also resources dedicated to news in Kirkland; Kirkland Views and the Kirkland Reporter, which are both excellent sources of detailed and accurate local news that people interested in becoming part of the City of Kirkland should read before voting.
Decide what is best for you and make your choice.
Scott Brady, Finn Hill
