HeraldNet: Stevens' campaign signs torched



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The Petri Dish

June 27, 2008

Courtesy of Sen. Val Stevens (click to enlarge)

These signs are in southern Skagit County.

Stevens' campaign signs torched

Posted at 11:03 am by Jerry Cornfield

Few candidates go an entire campaign without having their campaign signs knocked down or stolen.

State Sen. Val Stevens found a couple of her signs destroyed by arson. She sent out photos. I've included one with her torched signs and the undamaged signs of other candidates, including Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

In a press release, Stevens said her husband discovered the ruined signs in southern Skagit County and filed a malicious mischief complaint with the Sheriff’s Department.

“This appears to be specifically directed at me because signs of other candidates in the same vicinity are being left alone,” she said in a prepared statement.

More from the statement:

Stevens called destruction of these signs, “not only vandalism but an infringement on the right of political free speech as well…

“Campaign signs help voters become more aware of the political process so they can make more intelligent choices when marking their ballots.”

“By burning my signs, those responsible for this vandalism are not only hurting my campaign, they are attacking the integrity of the election process itself.”

Stevens, a Republican, is seeking a fourth term in the 39th Legislative District.

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Walser's past
I have the information and will type some of it in here.

It was a Notice of Disciplinary Charges and Request for Trial Board, Washington State Patrol, Olympia, WA. Case Number C-93-252.

He was charged with Unbecoming Conduct - violation of 7.00.030

Facts: These charges are based upon an incident that occurred during the period of May 18, 1993 through August 13, 1993. During that period you investigated an accident that involved Mr. Patrick Slack, Jr. That investigation was not requested by, nor in connection with your official duties with the Washington State Patrol. During your investigation of that accident you prepared a documetn that you titled "Collission re-construction and analysis." In that report, you concluded that the accident involving Mr. Slack, Jr. happened as stated in your document and that was the "only way the collision could have occurred." The conclusion expressed in your report was directly contradictory to the report filed by the investigation officer, Jeff Miner, Snohomish Police Department. Additionally, in your document you stated that you were a "trained accident reconstructionist with over 26 years experience with the State Patrol." You also listed several other qualifications, all of which were acquired through your employment with the department.

Detectives John Wright and Steve Davis from TID, Tacoma, reviewed the evidence involving the accident and concluded that the accident did not occur as you reported. Rather, the detectives concluded the accident occurred as Officer Miner's investigation had revealed. You were confronted with that information prior to the jury trial scheduled for August 13, 1993. Nevertheless, you elected to testify on behalf of the defense, Mr. Slack, Jr. While you did testify that your original conclusion was erroneous, you also testified as to a new theory concerning how the collision may have occurred. Detective Davis was subpoenaed to testify on behalf of the prosecution and ultimately testified that your original conclusion as well as the conclusion to which you did testify, were erroneous.

Your actions described above cost the department and the Snohomish Police Department several thousand dollars, lessened the public's confidence in the department's operation and training, and was motiviated by your friendship to Patrick Slack, Sr., the father of the suspect mentioned above. These facts demonstrate conduct which is unbecoming of a member of the Washington State Patrol. Based on this incident the Patrol is recommending a Five Day suspension without pay. Any further incidents of this nature will result in more serious displine up to termination. This was dated 11/23/1993.

If one were to get his personnel files, they will find that by 1994 Fred Walser was placed on probation with the Patrol. The monthly evaluations are quite revealing about his conduct, ethics and character.

There are 191 pages in his file and they are worth the read as upon reading it one will find that Walser's ethics have one changed one iota since he was suspended from the State Patrol. By way of background, Walser retired in the summer of 1995. It's all in his employee records and it is public information
Kristine Jones | Jul 3, 2008 6:43 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

Burning of Stevens' signs
Whoever has done this is doing something terrible and hope it's not Fred Walser or his campaign staff.

One would hope that after accepting a guilty plea, that Walser will at last learn that honesty and integrity serve one much more than deception.

He had a history while at the Washington State Patrol where his integrity, loyalty, and judgment were frequently in question.

The incident in 1993 where he falsified an accident report involving Pat Slack's son should not go unnoticed. Voters need to be aware that Walser has developed a well-established pattern of using deception to get his own way. He also has been in trouble in the past for using a Washington State Patrol vehicle while on annual leave to attend a Mariner's game. Voters need to be aware that Walser had at least four discipilnary actions by the State Patrol while in their employ.

His evaluations by the Washington State Patrol should lead anyone with common sense to question whether we wish to have this man in office. His lack of emotional restraint and inability to handle stressful situations are well documented and we all need to pay attention to this as voters.
Kristine Jones | Jul 2, 2008 9:14 pm | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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