Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014 -Mason County Journal- Page A-5
Final hearing on $49.1M budget set for Dec. 1
By GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounty, com
Only one resident com-
mented on the city of Shelton's
proposed 2015 budget during
a public hearing Monday at
the Shelton City Commission's
regular meeting.
The proposed 2015 budget
calls for $49.1 million in rev-
enue and expenditures and
includes money for one new
full-time employee who would
work with three city programs:
the Storm Fund, equipment
maintenance and rental, and
sewer collection.
No employee cuts are in
the preliminary budget. The
budget of $49,129,281 is an in-
crease of $1,662,459 from the
2014 city budget. The increase
is primarily due to the expand-
ed Upper Mountain View Pres-
sure Zone construction project,
according to the city's prelimi-
nary budget report.
The final public hearing on
the budget is scheduled for
Dec. 1.
Shelton resident Marilyn Vo-
gler was the only resident to share
her thoughts on the preliminary
budget at Monday's meeting.
Vogler encouraged the city
to find money to fund annual
fall and spring cleanup days,
where the city would use
equipment and personnel to
help people in need haul away
things and spruce up their
yards. The cleanup days were
not offered this year.
Vogler also recommended
that the city look into requir-
ing businesses to recycle, just
as it requires its residents to.
Shelton City Commission-
er Mike Olsen said he was
disappointed more residents
haven't been involved in the
budget process. He stressed
there is still time for every-
one to examine the proposed
budget and ask questions of
city officials.
.lcense on
By NATALIE JOHNSON
natalie@masoncoun corn
A Shelton chiropractor whose li-
cense was suspended in August will
again be allowed to treat Washington
patients, according to the state Depart-
ment of Health (DOH).
Chiropractor Norman Collins, who
operated Collins Chiropractic in Shel-
ton, pleaded guilty Oct. 27 in Mason
County Superior Court to one count of
possession of a controlled substance.
His sentencing is scheduled for
9 a.m. Nov. 24 in Mason County Supe-
rior Court.
The DOH announced Friday that
Collins' license had been reinstated on
a probationary basis.
He was charged in August with theft
and possession of a controlled sub-
stance. The DOH suspended his license
on Aug. 11 on suspicion of diverting
medications for personal use.
He was accused of taking controlled
substances from a patient while treat-
ing the patient at his home,
According to charging documents,
the patient used an iPad to record Col-
lins' action.
Collins was also accused of taking
controlled substances from two other
people for personal use.
Collins has been a licensed chiro-
practor in Washington since 1989. He
has operated out of Collins Chiroprac-
tic at 130 S. Third St. in Shelton since
1995.
His office has been closed since the
DOH suspended his license. Collins
moved out of the building in August.
According to the DOH, Collins' li-
cense will be reinstated on a probation-
ary basis and his practice will be moni-
tored. He will be required to complete
continuing education and can only pro-
vide chiropractic treatment in a clinical
setting during his probationary period.
Collins must also be assessed by a
drug- and alcohol-monitoring program
and comply with any requirements, ac-
cording to the DOH.
State Department of Health to fine Mason County water system for neglect
STAFF REPORT
news@masoncoun com
The Washington State De-
partment of Health (DOH)
plans to issue a $17,640 fine
to the investor-owners of the
Ripplewood Tracts water sys-
tem in Mason County.
The owners of the system
violated a state order to bring
the water system into com-
pliance with drinking-water
regulations, according to the
DOH.
The DOH directed the own-
ers in March to hire a certified
operator to run and maintain
the system, to test the wa-
ter for nitrate contamination,
and to notify customers that
the water system had violated
state drinking-water regula-
tions.
The owners had not com-
plied with those orders as
of Oct. 30, according to the
DOH.
The owners filed an appeal
Oct. 16. The penalty will be
suspended until the appeal
is resolved, according to the
DOH.
The owners of the water
system include Heritor Inc., a
Washington corporation; and
Ripplewood Utilities, Bristol
Group, a Washington corpora-
tion.
The water system's regis-
tored office is located at 843 S.
-212th St., suite 105, Kent, ac-
cording to the DOH.
The DOH issued a $22,680
penalty in February to the
same investor group for violat-
ing state drinking-water regu-
lations at its Green Mountain
Acres Water system in Kitsap
County.
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