Washblog

My friend then went on to say that it looked like we may be getting our own Michael Brown in Snohomish County. She sent along some information that she had pieced together in a very quick Internet search. Among the things she turned up were interesting items like the fact Pennington holds "a degree in business administration via mail and e-mail correspondence from California Coastal University, an unaccredited institution that was later called a "diploma mill" by federal authorities". Also, as a four term republican legislator, (where he served with Democrat Reardon) apparently his only experience in handling major disasters was "as the <2000> co-chairman of the Bush campaign in Cowlitz County, where Bush lost to Al Gore 49 percent to 46 percent". At the request of Jennifer Dunn, former republican representative from the 8th CD, Pennington was appointed FEMA Region  X Director by George W. Bush.

Well, at first I was going to just let this go. I mean, I don't have any type of degree (I may look into California Coastal now though) and even a republican can occasionally do a good job. But then I stumbled on an entry from fellow blogger, David Goldstein aka "Goldy" at HorsesAss.org: GOP insider trashes NW region FEMA chief

It seems that in September of 2005, Goldy came upon a blog entry from Kelly Hinton, a former executive director of the Washington State Republican Party (blogging at Clark County Politics), essentially ripping Pennington's appointment to his FEMA position. Part of Hinton's entry at the time read: " The fact is that at the time of his appointment, John Pennington knew no more about emergency management then he did brain surgery. He got the job because Jennifer Dunn like[d] him. Period." and then Hinton levels the most disturbing allegation: " Then, of course, many of us became privy to a fax sent out by Pennington's wife, making numerous allegations against him concerning domestic violence and abuse. The fax, from "Valerie Ann Pennington," dated 11 June and addressed to, among others, the Governor and the State AG, and CC'd to both Senators Murray and Cantwell was faxed to a variety of officials in both parties. The fax says, in part, "I am the spouse of Region 10 FEMA Director, Department of Homeland Security, John Edward Pennington... on January 13, 2005, I... filed for restraining orders against my husband of fourteen years. Since that date I have filed for divorce and provided evidence to the court of a neck injury sustained during an assault from my husband on September 7, 2004. I have also provided evidence of repeated violations of existing restraining orders by Mr. Pennington, and statements from witnesses of his verbal abuse and violent temper."

Now I agree with Goldy that divorce is a personal thing and should not be played out in some blog. However, the character of those who are paid with our tax dollars is very much in play when it involves allegations of abuse and domestic violence. While allegations are not enough to deny someone a job, they are certainly worth investigating before rather than after a final decision is made. I would hope that the County Council, as well as our local media, will do a thorough job of vetting this appointment.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue