Nathan is young enough to be considered young, especially by Clallam County standards. Nathan has what could be called an actual education. He has lived not only outside of Clallam County, but outside the country. His wife is Canadian. In other words, Nathan has many of the markers of someone who is somewhat worldly and informed, and who would make better, more informed and intelligent decisions than he does.So I have to wonder: Is Nathan not as smart as he might appear to be? Or is he simply too cowardly to stand up for what is right? Or is he simply a soulless bureaucrat, eagerly doing whatever it takes to get ahead?
In other words, how do we explain Nathan West?
To say that Nathan West has been disappointing is a massive understatement. I thought he might step up and do right more once Cutler left, but nothing has changed. He still doesn't listen, still supports bad projects, still enables his underwhelming staff.
ReplyDeleteI tried, I really tried, to like Nathan. But at the end of the day I just don't trust him. Not one bit.
I vote for soulless.
ReplyDeleteSoulless self-aggrandizing sycophant has been my observation. A disappointment, indeed.
ReplyDeleteOn a somewhat related note --- didn't that story about the O'Halloren meet & greet yesterday do quite the glossy spin job on realtty? The "public" had overwhelmingly nice things to say about the Port Commissioners' secret choice for ED. It appears that there were few true members of the public (simple taxpaying non-members of the insiders' club) in attendance, and two of them were underwhelmed by the choice.
Yes, I wanted to like Nathan, too, but saw him get sucked into the "group-think" of the Cutler/Roberds regime. How long do you think he would have lasted, if he didn't "go along to get along" with that crew.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't like much has changed with Cutler gone, because his side kick Puntenney, also a Navy man, remains to keep the same old, same old.
Soulless also works. I'd like to think people would have some concern when they see such blatant mismanagement of the public trust. But, I guess a lot of people just want the paycheck.
Nathan has to go to work every day, and work with those types. I guess people CAN give up their credibility for a buck.
Given that bad decision making has turned Port Angeles into a near ghost town, with a crumbling infrastructure, dead economy, total lack of culture, and terrible schools, you might think that Nathan would want to step up and try and make things better for the sake of his kids - who are going to school here.
ReplyDeleteOr not.
I guess your children's future really is less important than a paycheck in the hear and now. And how many other parents are there in Port Angeles just like that? Seeing their kids education and future going down the drain, but too afraid to speak up. No wonder the town is so far gone.
The fact that Nathan put up with Sue Roberds for all these years says all you need to know about his "professionalism." She has a high school education and a bad attitude, and openly gives grief to those outside her circle of ideological friends.
ReplyDeleteEven if Cutler was protecting her, well, he's long gone, and Roberds is till there, under Nathan's watch, but not his watchful eye. She's an embarrassment and a liability,and so is Nathan.
Don't forget: Nathan desperately wanted/wants to be city manager. (Why I do not know...) He will do whatever he thinks it takes to get there - no matter how stupid or devious.
ReplyDeleteTwo events stick out in my mind when I think of Nathan West.
ReplyDeleteOne: Nippon started construction on their biomass addition without having the proper permits. NO PROBLEM, says Nathan West, who essentially backdates some permits for them. Needless to say, less powerfully connected people would have had a LOT more trouble out of that sort of thing.
Two: The sprint boat race track. The city got complaints that Dan Morrison was filling in wetlands while constructing his stupid sprint boat track. Nathan sent Scott Johns out to check what was going on. Scott comes back and says "No wetlands problem there." Nathan agrees. Almost immediately afterwards, the Army Corps of Engineers comes in and finds OVER AN ACRE of wetlands had been filled in/destroyed - which violated Morrison's permit, and was illegal. (And was totally sleazy as well.) NO PROBLEM, says Nathan West, and sits back and does nothing.
Is it any wonder people in Port Angeles have zero respect for authority, the law, and/or public process?
Good points. I really think that Nathan did some serious and lasting damage with the Nippon no permit pass. I know people here who have literally had construction of fences in their own yards halted by Nathan's department in the City for being half an inch off the line. But Nippon starts work on a $70+ million dollar - and controversial - project without permits and nothing happens.
DeleteThings like that breed discontent, distrust and cynicism. Not hate, just well-deserved suspicion of the City's priorities, and the way they operate.
Christ, I certainly hope that Nathen West doesn't "grow into" the city manager's job! He does enough harm right where he is, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteEverybody is welcome to comment here. However, homophobic comments aren't useful, and aren't welcome.
ReplyDeleteI'd give a little bit of credit to Nathan for his part in helping the idiotic CSO tank get approved. He and Cutler should be forced to go swim a couple laps in the harbor when these sewage overflows happen.
ReplyDeleteI actually like Nathan. I think he really wants to do the right thing, but how can he with all the legacy stupid flying around city hall?
ReplyDeleteHaving seen Nathan in (in)action for years, I have to disagree. There have been numerous opportunities for him to speak up, step up, and at least try to do the right thing - and he's passed them all by. Yes, indeed, he is surrounded by stupid. Which is all the more reason that a voice of reason would be louder than most there.
DeleteCutler's gone, Roberds is still there, Nathan is...at best, deeply disappointing.
What a bunch of horrible people. I feel bad for Nathan having to work for a town full of people with such shitty attitudes. Nathan is a hard working, ethical public servant. It is NOT an easy job.
ReplyDeleteYou all are terrible. Nathan is solid. It's not an easy job.
ReplyDelete