Remarks by James P. Marrow
12 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 1
It's very easy to become inured with the status quo that wants the adjustments of prices and all the rest, that it's a fixed matter. But in practical terms, the value of money and the purchasing power decreases. And if we don't have a perception of that, then we get an unrealistic expectation, which is just not sustainable. So I salute Mayor Wright and Finance Director Goldman and their team with regard to the budget proposal because they're trying to be working very closely to be realistic about the prospects for the future as well as the current status. We got to bear the cost. That's it.…
In the discussion that we've talked about with regard to the current budget proposal, which in general I think is an excellent effort, is the fact that we got $40 trillion in national debt, and it's increasing approximately another trillion every year or so. And so I envision that the finance department and the executive will be keeping in mind that this could have a flow down effect for us because the head of the Federal Reserve recently stated that, as far as he could see, that there was really no way to address this apart from, as the old expression goes, printing money, and that the…
I move to approve the agenda as presented.
I would like to thank you, too, because this has helped my insomnia.
I move to approve ordinance number 2048, amending. Oopsie. Amending.
Amending Oak Harbor Municipal Code Chapter 3.98 as required by Senate Bill 6113, updating the City of Oak Harbor local business and occupation tax.
Thank you, Mayor. I strongly support this with great enthusiasm because people need to take care of their business. I get very exasperated when we're trying to generate, well, we do need to generate revenue, but we're trying to do things and people are not maintaining their own stuff and the taxpayers bear the cost. And I know this is not a large dollar amount over time, but I am saying incrementally it starts to make a difference, not just with alarms, but other costs. So I'm delighted just to approve this. Thank you.
With regard to Island Transit, just a point of information about AI policy. We finally finalized the final draft for policy. And big emphasis was a human in the loop. And I made direct observation that putting a human in the loop does not guarantee it's going to work right because humans fail too. But it's a step in the right direction and the document itself is a work in progress. Or shall we say a dynamic process on a final document. Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I strongly favor doing this change. It does not materially affect the use of the money as far as the principle or the purpose. I do agree with Mayor Pro Tem that it cannot be a precedent setting, but I'm all about getting things done. And when there is a hindrance like this, I really want to set it aside and move on. So I strongly support this change. Thank you.
I'd be proud to make the motion if it's presented on the screen. And have your permission.
I move to approve an amendment to the Oak Harbor Main Street Association Professional Service Agreement for lodging tax slash tourism grant funds from the 2026 Oktoberfest event to the 2026 Home for the Holidays event. Actually, I strongly move. Thank you. Second.
When it comes to the sacrifices that have been made by emergency responders and all the different capacities, I definitely remember 9-11. It's been like yesterday and the thousands of first responders that lost their lives. So we need to be prepared. And for that reason, I'm going to read this proclamation. Whereas following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, by a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001, the Congress designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day. And by joint resolution approved April 21, 2009, the Congress requested the observance of September 11, as an…