Maslen Meade was one of the more mysterious and strange Ungovernors, leaving us with just enough information about his life to make us want to know more-- including why he ran for Governor and what he stood for. At various times his occupation was listed as druggist, logger, civil engineer, real estate broker, and salesman. He has the distinction of being the only person in Washington State history to be listed as an "Independent" on the general ballot in the gubernatorial election.

Joseph Maslen Meade was born somewhere in the State of New York, probably Feb. 13, 1876. His father, also a native of New York, was Lockwood Meade. His mother, Nora (Maslen) Meade was a native of California. She was not quite 17 was Joseph was born and would list herself as a divorced dressmaker in the 1880 New Haven, Connecticut census. In the midst of this murky history, at some point, Joseph had a sibling that did not survive.

By 1900 Joseph was working as a druggist in Springfield, Massachusetts under the supervision of his stepfather, Eugene Webster. He married Elizabeth Banks Rice on Jan. 7, 1903. She might have been related to Dr. Rice, a physician who was a neighbor. But something unfortunate must have happened. In 1910 Joseph is living way the Hell out in Hood River, Oregon, working as a "Timberman," apparently in a camp. He listed himself as widowed. Funny thing is, Elizabeth lived on until Apr. 30, 1947. I've seen this before in documents of that era. People did that kind of thing in attempting to shape their personal histories.

What is the normal course of progress? What does progress mean to you?

Ever since Peter's testimony last week, I have been thinking about the normal course of progress, and what it means in the context of the proposed Isthmus Building Height Rezone.

I am sorry, and with all due respect, I do not consider spending $50,000 in public money, on a study for a private luxury condominium development project (a development that has very dubious public interest merit) to be in the normal course of progress.

Okay - so the City spends $50,000 on a project that will of be of potential direct benefit to those who need it least. Meanwhile; regular, ordinary, average, normal Americans are losing their jobs and their home mortgages.

I don't consider spending $50,000 of public money on a private luxury condominium development to be good public policy. I don't consider the rezone proposal, the proposed Larida Passage, or the City's facilitation of the rezone to be anything like what I would consider to be the normal course of progress.

Also check out a poem I just weblogged: Empty Store Fronts.

- Whitlock

p.s. So then what is the normal course of progress, what would it look like? I am going to be thinking about that, and I'll get back to it. In the meantime, please discuss.

When: Saturday, Sept. 27 1-4 pm
Where: Lincoln Elementary School

Come listen to urban sustainability advocate and former Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck who will speak about “The Building Blocks of Neighborhood Sustainability” at 1:30 p.m. Explore 30 local, community-sponsored information booths and activities promoting sustainability and preservation. Two walking tours in the South Capitol Neighborhood are also featured, one of historic homes and another of homes and community spaces that have incorporated sustainable practices such as solar panels and edible landscaping.

The free citywide fair is presented by the South Capitol Neighborhood Association with funding from the City of Olympia’s Neighborhood Sustainability Grant Program.

Olympia artists will facilitate art activities for children.

Bring the family! Bring a neighbor! Walk, bike, or take the bus!

Goodmorning OlyBloggers, Just thought I would pass along an interesting morning, which involved this fine fellow from the city on his basket lift about 2 feet from my apartment window. Santa?!

Not quite, actually, quite the opposite: Here is a picture of him on the other side of the street. I've been watching him all morning go up and down capitol way removing strands of christmas lights from the tops of all the trees. I really had no idea they were up in their, but as I watched they just seemed to appear out of nowhere in the trees.

Does anyone remember a time when Capitol Way was all lit up with lights? I don't.

Who knows how long those lights have been hanging out up in those trees. I feel bad for this guy though, those lights are so tangled. He is being so meticulous about moving his lift to every trouble spot and undoing it, rather than just yanking on them.

This job is going to take awhile. (Sorry for the crummy picture, it's from my phone)

Participating WA State Museums