So tell me what part of no don't you understand?

Lorrie Morgan

"What Part Of No"

A few days ago, I received a forwarded e-mail that promotes a Birthday Club at the Mark Restaurant and Bar in Olde Burien.

"Happy Birthday!" it read. "As part of our [emphasis added] e-mail club you are invited to enjoy a FREE Lunch or Dinner for your Birthday. Valid on any Tuesday in February 2007."

Dated Feb. 1, it was sent to the original recipient from Debra George at the Mark's e-mail address.

This should raise eyebrows because Ms. George, in addition to promoting the Mark, is executive director of Discover Burien.

Furthermore, John Roberts, president of this non-profit association that promotes and markets the Burien community, including local businesses, had signed on Jan. 26 its new contract with the city.

Unlike previous contracts, which lacked such wording, the new contract has a section defining and prohibiting conflicts of interest by both the association and its employees.

"No person having any interest, direct or indirect, in fact or in appearance, which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of the Contractor's services and obligations hereunder, shall be employed to perform or provide services under this Agreement," the contract states in part.

This couldn't be more straightforward. So what part of no doesn't Ms. George understand?

Now that Discover Burien has a new contract with the city, will its Steering Committee finally do the right thing and end a conflict of interest that is dividing the local business community?

Or will they try to find a way to defend their executive director, whose $50,000 salary is subsidized by the city-paid for by business taxes and fees-while she competes with other Burien restaurants?

As the conflict became increasingly apparent after the Mark opened its doors last year, some Steering Committee members (as well as Ms. George) hinted that her critics had a hidden agenda for objecting to this situation.

Those who continue to spread this rumor are perpetuating an outright falsehood and, in the process, damage the credibility of Discover Burien.

The fundamental reality is that no matter who the executive director of this association is, it is wrong for them to misuse taxpayer funds. That, and nothing else, is what this divisive conflict is all about.

Complicating matters even more is the fact that the principal of the Mark also serves on the Steering Committee.

It is possible to question certain aspects of the performance of both Discover Burien and Ms. George as its executive director, which some city council members did at their meeting last week.

But performance remains a separate issue.

Ending without delay the conflict of interest, to which the new contract says a resounding "no," is the essential first step toward re-establishing the association's credibility and healing the rift within Burien's business community.

City Manager Mike Martin has sent a letter to Discover Burien, asking the Steering Committee to conduct an internal investigation into the conflict of interest. They are to report back on Feb. 15.

It will be interesting to see if they finally understand "no" and lead the local business community in the right direction. Or if they persist in avoiding the problem by asking, so to speak, "what the meaning of is, is."

FEBRUARY is an impressive month for the birthdays of great presidents: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan.

Yet Presidents Day (Feb. 19) is largely overlooked in public schools and the mainstream media.

On Monday, then, take time to reacquaint yourself with these and other presidents whose foresight and courage have guided our great nation.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.