(Olympia, WA) – City Manager Steve Hall’s $5000 Jackpot Pay Raise in March (Approved by Doug Mah), comes on the heels of one of the most controversial years in Olympia’s long storied history.

As of March 2009, Olympia City Manager Steve Hall makes $149,000 a year (Alot of money for a Public Servant during a supposed Budget Crunch). But extra pay bonuses too can be rewarded to Hall by the Olympia City Council if certain “performance goals” are met (like cutting Social Services and School Programs, laying off Olympia City Workers, and engaging in Real Estate Speculation)

3 Questions Linger:

• How much of Steve Hall’s personal pay raise came about as a result of Commercial Real Estate Developers unyielding influence over members of the Olympia City Council?

• What is Steve Hall’s Hidden Corporate Agenda?

• Do we get snow cleared off our neighborhood sidewalks and streets this winter?

(Olympia, WA) – The community’s patience is wearing thin.

Olympia Residents say “No” to axing City Services to pay Outside Corporate Interests.

(Olympia, WA) – Big Real Estate Developer Money and Craig Ottavelli.

Is Craig Ottavelli now the most corrupt member of the Olympia City Council?

(Olympia, WA) – Washington Governor Christine Gregoire announces new funding for Puget Sound Ecological Recovery.

What Ecological Benefits do Olympia’s cherished Marine Estuaries provide for recovery?

• Habitat

Estuaries create a rich nursery environment for salmon and other species. Tens of thousands of birds, mammals, fish, and other wildlife rely on estuarine habitats to live, feed, and reproduce.

• Productive

Acre for acre, estuaries are among the most biologically productive ecosystems on earth.

• Erosion & Flood Control

Estuaries serve as buffers, protecting shorelines from erosion and flooding.

• Pollutant Filter

Estuaries filter pollutants, improving water quality.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/beaches/estuary.html

(Olympia, WA) – Olympia Voters Reject Larida Passage Real Estate Development.

According to McClatchy Newspapers, the overpriced Larida Passage luxury development project was too divisive for Olympia Voters.

(Olympia, WA) -  Failure and Greed by Private Sector employers, like McClatchy, hurt the “Olympia Housing Market”.

Olympia Residents resist Gentrification.

Why did “Market-Rate Housing” fail in Olympia?

• Low Wages
• Government Layoffs
• anti-union behavior by private employers
• Greed & Arrogance
• A lack of “Living Wage” Full-Time Work

(Olympia, WA) – Olympia Job Losses and its negative impact on the Olympia Housing Market.

Convicted Investor/Swindler Bernard Madoff explains how his “reputation”, status, and influence over government officials allowed him to pull off the “crime of the century”.

http://www.sec.gov/news/studies/2009/oig-509/exhibit-0104.pdf

(Olympia, WA) – A Culture of Corruption and Greed in Downtown Olympia (No Jobs and Excess Pollution)

(Olympia, WA) – “Weak Demand”. Horrifying Housing Market news from Olympia. Big declines in home values.

Like a stumbling zombie: The Fall of the Olympia Housing Market Bubble

13% DROP IN HOME PRICES OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS!