Sometimes things just happen to make you wonder. Take, for instance, the upcoming county budget process for 2002. Ron Sims has clearly stated that the county must tighten its belt. Here goes the “hmmm” part: My question is, how many times did the county have to buy bigger belts?

I mean with incorporations and annexations, did the county’s budget go down? Nope, it never has dropped. But, hey, there are numerous new programs to fund and new taxes to be happy about, such as surface water management.

But in fairness to the county, it does get many, many unfunded state mandates that add to the burden. I challenge Ron Sims and the council to “just say no.” The next time a state mandate forces the creation of a new program or impacts the budget, just say no. There is no shame in saying, “We just can’t afford to do that.”

As the budget process unfolds, citizens should scrutinize every page. Do we want to continue to pay increased taxes and fund fringe programs at a time when many are having to tighten their own belts?

Watch the county’s Web site at www.metrokc.gov for information on the budget as it goes through the process.

But there are other things that make me go “hmmm.” A bombshell was dropped last week when it was discovered that the Tollgate levy had been pulled off the ballot on Oct. 5 by the mayor of North Bend, Joan Simpson. The King County Records and Election Division confirmed that she made the request to remove it from the ballot, with City Attorney Mike Kenyon stating it was for practical reasons: The ballots were being written and the decision was needed before they were finished.

Let’s hope the reasons for removal are enticing to the residents of North Bend. Was a deal struck between the city, the Trust for Public Lands and the owners of Tollgate? Is it a “good deal” for the city, and what is the city going to do to foster manageable growth?

I am sure the mayor, whom I deeply respect for her commitment to the city, and the council, which works diligently to represent its constituents, have the best of intentions in mind. And if the Trust for Public Lands is willing to buy the property with no government funds, great. It would be a great compromise to remove a potential tax burden to North Bend residents.

But let’s keep things out in the open. When we asked some of the council members what was going on, it was like a big secret had popped up, or we received “the cat’s out of the bag” kind of reaction.

I am supportive of a TPL/Penn-Miller family agreement that purchases the property for open space, but I was concerned about the potential tax burden placed on residents if the bond had passed. And, more importantly, I did not want to see the Tollgate bond on the same ballot as a much more crucial Snoqualmie Valley School District maintenance and operations levy in February.

I do have to say, the process of removing the Tollgate levy from the ballot, prior to a vote by the council, does make me go hmmm. Maybe I am just sensitive about being out of the secret loop.