Selah Mayor Bob Jones - Bye Bye!

I've watched the work of Selah's Mayor, Bob Jones since we moved to the Selah area in 2001.  My take has always been that he is a pompous @ss.  And from what I've heard, there is a true 'good ol' boys' network regarding the Selah City Council.

As a Mayor, he could have been worse.  Overall the City is in pretty good shape.  But there have been some questionable decisions made.  There have been many rumors of employees being forced out when they didn't see eye to eye with Jones.

While I don't know if that is true or not, what I do know is the City Council, led by Jones, approved the questionable purchase of a large chunk of property with the intent of building some city buildings on it.  The City waaaaaaay overpaid for the property.  And then they weren't able to use it as planned.  It took years before the property was developed.  (Some of it... there are still several parts undeveloped.)

A local fruit packing company, a fixture in Selah forever, wanted to purchase and develop a piece of property in the area I'm talking about above, and the City wouldn't give them the change in land-use designation to do it.  Never mind the community, not to mention neighboring businesses all supported it.  (They wanted to expand their packing house and move their office buildings; we aren't talking anything that should have caused a concern.)  So not only did the City risk losing a local business, (they said they may leave and find a friendlier environment), but they lost out on added tax dollars in the coffers at a time when this money is truly needed.

One that people seemed to have forgotten is the Regional Library issue.  Jones was fighting the Library and they nearly closed their Selah branch.  Jones said, "let 'em go; we'll open our own library".  This ended up on the ballot and the residents voted to keep the Regional Library.  This was a real "duh!" moment.

One time I agreed with Jones... but not really... was over the 'Welcome to Selah' sign.  A group wanted to erect a sign that said "Welcome to Selah, home of the Vikings."  My personal opinion is that Selah is much more than the local high school, and any welcome sign should encompass more city attributes.  Jones position was "I'm not a Viking!", (because he is originally from West Valley.)  The man has no tact.

So yesterday, after 16 years,  he was voted out of office.  People have finally... and I mean FINALLY, since it took them this many years... had enough.  Of course Jones isn't gracious in defeat.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  His quote in the paper reads:  "The voting public is not too smart."  "Am I supposed to be polite?  I'm not polite."

Don't let the door hit you in the @ss on your way out Mayor Jones!