Recently graffiti has been appearing all around Cooper Point Road and around Evergreen State College. Most recently, a neighbors new fence was tagged with some gibberish about not consuming. It's all some anarchy mumbo-jumbo. THIS IS NOT AN EXAMPLE OF FREE SPEECH!!!! THIS IS JUVENILE VANDALISM AND IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR! Adults can express their opinions without destroying other people's property, especially people that are perfectly innocent I'm sick and tired of seeing my neighborhood defaced by this idiot. The family who lives in this house is not wealthy. Its a very small house. They appear to be from India and working hard to make the American Dream happen. They moved in a few years ago soon after I did and have been fixing up their house and yard ever since. They seem to be very friendly - perfect neighbors. What did they do to deserve this vandalism?

We have to catch this guy. He's ruining the whole neighborhood. The neighborhood association is posting a description of a guy who could be responsible. He's white, young 20s, slight build, maybe 6' high, thin beard. He was riding a bicycle and had a red back-pack. He was seen acting very suspiciously at the scene. 15 minutes later, he was gone but the graffiti was there. Does this sound like anyone you know? Please turn him in before one of the neighbors stifles him. John

I haven't had much time to look through these council applications, but tell you what. There aren't any city council meetings between now and the end of the year, so I'll use the time I would have used to write about those and I'll write about these folks.

Here is a rundown of the process:

Monday, January 7, 2008 - Initial interviews in public meeting. Time and location to be announced.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Final interviews during the Olympia City Council's regular business meeting. Interviews are expected to start about 8:00 p.m. They will be televised live on Thurston Community Television (TCTV) Olympia Cable Channel 3, and on the City Council meeting video streaming. The Council may discuss applicant qualifications in closed session; then reconvene in open meeting for deliberation and preliminary selection of an appointee; or the Council may choose to conduct deliberations and make the selection on another date.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - Appointment of new Councilmember during the Olympia City Council's regular business meeting that starts at 7:00 p.m.

I've heard about half of the eight and have some opinions about them just off the bat.

Jim Boyde is the former manager at the Capital Mall, so if you like the touches they've added over there, you'll just love him on the council. Have to give him credit for padding his local involvement resume since 2001 when Matt Green walked all over him for a city council seat.

The Gleaners Coalition is continuing to organize clean-up crews for farms experiencing extensive flood damage in the Thurston and Lewis County areas. Come help our food bank donors and local growers get back on their feet!

Put on your muck boots and join a work party Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and/or Friday of next week, December 17-22, 2007. We will meet folks daily at 9:30AM at our downtown office (see address below) and at The Evergreen State College in parking lot C. We plan to finish each afternoon around 4:00PM.

Bring heavy rain/mud gear, water, food (for yourself is good, to share is even better!), and your most fabulous attitude. We will provide rides for those who need them, and we also very much welcome volunteers who are willing to drive.

For additional information, contact the Gleaners at 360-705-0193.