Governor Gregoire has announced her choice for the Washington state commemorative quarter. The design is know as Design Two, a leaping king salmon with Mount Rainier in the background along with the slogan "The Evergreen State". 

Details 

Ideally the bunny would bring us flowers and treats, but if it brings litter, we can dream up all sorts of innovative responses. If your neighborhood is littered, check in with your neighbors and make sure everyone is okay.

Some ideas:

•  recycle everything possible
• fold paper into paper airplanes and have a neighborhood paper airplane event
• craft origami animals such as peace doves
• collect up and send to their headquarters at National Socialist Movement, PO Box 580669 Minneapolis, MN 55458
• write their Commander Jeff Schoep at nsmcommander@hotmail.com
• write here on OlyBlog about it
• contact The Olympian, Works in Progress, KAOS radio, FRO, and other media
•  hold a safe public bonfire with neighbors
• set up a large trash can so as to properly circular file the litter material
• remember to thank the police or any other city and state workers that assist you
  

I'm writing this on the fly, so if I don't include everything I'll be sure to update.

A lot of people have put forth what they believe government should be funding (e.g. Procession, health care, education, etc.) but I haven't actually said what I think legitimate services are.

Feel free to disagree.

Law Enforcement

I think this is a legitimate state function. I'm not talking about the DEA or Homeland Security, though. I think local and state law enforcement agencies (Olympia Police Department, Lacey Police Department, Washington State Patrol, etc.) are a necessity and work with the idea that government should protect from force and coercion.

I try to separate the law enforcement agency (the officers themselves) from the lawmakers. Right now, and I'm sure Drew will disagree but, these are the only government employees I ever see in the news being held accountable for anything. Do we catch every rule or law an individual officer might break? No, we don't. But for a job where you must make your decision on the spot, I'd say they're held far more accountable than the state office worker who screws up an accounting sheet and ends up costing the taxpayers X-amount of dollars.

In fact in Washington state, errors that cost millions of dollars mean you too can become governor.

Fire Protection

I'm putting this here but it's an area where I'm pretty mixed. Both police and fire responsibilities could be carried out by a private agency but I don't think they should. Using a law enforcement example (but it could be applied to fire as well), I read an article about private companies paying for K-9's for local law enforcement. Now this is all fine and dandy, the police have a dog, the community is happy, etc., etc. The problem? As is obvious, conflict of interest.

Can I be guaranteed to get the same service?

Emergency Response

Basically, Medic One. If you're seriously injured and in need of immediate medical attention, the community should probably deal with it.

So, out of 21 people so far, 76% have voted for the City of Olympia to monetarily support The Procesison of the Species. That's great! I wish more people would vote, but this gives a clear pciture to the City Council of what the people want. But, are they watching??? Too bad there isn't a larger forum, like The Olympian, who would come forward and actually take a consensus. I am sure there are a lot of people who don't go to see it and many who haven't ever even heard of it, but for the thousands, children and adults who spend countless hours preparing beautiful works of art, it is a glorius event. It brings families together, processioners and specatators alike. It brings people from outside the community (20,000 to 30,000 all tolled each year). The Illuminated Procession the night before is spectacular. The batik bannners that appear downtown days before are beautiful. The Procession is giving this city something that is one of a kind. Something they can flaunt and be proud of. I suppose I'm opening myself up for attack but, too bad, because if it doesn't get any funding it surely won't be able to continue to happen.