Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
January 26, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
PAGE 4     (4 of 18 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
 
PAGE 4     (4 of 18 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
January 26, 2012
 
Newspaper Archive of Shelton Mason County Journal produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




JOURNALEDITORIAL d .( "ason County held up well ~n the aftermath of last .week's massive snow- storm. Some of our big-city neighbors in the Olympia area were still without power this week, three days after all of Mason County PUD 3's customers were warm and could turn on their lights. A few factors contributed to PUD 3's success in restoring power so quickly and efficiently. Following a major ice storm in the 90s, the utility initiated an ag- gressive tree-trimming program that put Mason County in a posi- tion to be ready for last week's storm. A lot of limbs came down, but thanks to all of the trim- ming that crews do throughout the year, there were less trees and branches coming down and knocking out power. PUD 3 also does a great job throughout the year when it comes to overall system mainte- nance. For example, the utility recently did an inventory of every pole in the system that led to re- pairs and upgrades and helped to ensure better reliability this past week. Another factor that allowed PUD 3 to be so successful this time around is the fact that crews know the system so well. When the power goes out, local crews can respond and know exactly where the lines go and where the switches are before they even get there. That institutional knowl- edge is invaluable when bad weather hits. Beyond all of that, though, the real reason that Mason County made it safely and comfortably through the storm is the fact that PUD 3 employees of all stripes stepped up to the plate. Folks from the accounting department helped prepare meals for workers in the field and meter-readers helped di- rect traffic as flaggers and to "bird dog" our highways and byways to let crews know where there was trouble spots. And, of course, the crews of linemen worked their col- lective tails off. Eight PUD 3 crews, a little over 40 people, worked around the clock from Wednesday morn- ing to Saturday night to restore power. In addition, Okanogan PUD sent five crewmen, Douglas County PUD sent four and Mason County PUD 1 made five people available to help with power restoration. On top of that, two four-member crews from PUD 3, along with a contract crew of four people from Asplundh, worked on tree trimming and removal. PUD 3 officials estimated that the snowstorm came with a $300,000 price tag. In our opinion, it was money well spent. Thanks to everyone at PUD 3 that helped make a bad situation a little bet- ter for all of us in Mason County. q LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR Hunters ies to have a virgin forest to hike or camp in some sum- mer but they aren't paying lose when county taxes or hunting or fishing licenses. old growth The resulting old growth forest would of course be beautiful, but they do not support much big game ani- mals. The logged areas will thrive support grazers and brows- ers for some years after logging. There is little or no Editor, the Journal food in an old growth forest. I haven't seen much of Might I suggest you con- late of the governmental tact your representatives acquisition of Olympia and get their opinions? This Peninsula property for the being an election year, we preservation of forest, wa- should get an answer. ter and creatures. Seems like we local residents and William Aker property owners should Lilliwaup take a deep look at their proposals and see how this will affect our homes and Liars still in lifestyles. This selling gives more governmental control office over hunters, hikers, fish- erman and campers. The money for these purchasesEditor, the Journal comes from our federal I must be one of those or state taxes and we are people who want Christmas nearly broke now. The af- to cheer up the whole win- fected counties suffer as ter. Here is a song for your they lose the taxes on these review sang to the tune of properties as they would "O little Town of Bethle- be taken off the tax rolls hem." Oh little county of and the property owners Mason, your commission- would now get higher taxes ers, they lie, deny remarks, to offset this loss. Jefferson but truth prevails and the County already has an 80 county pays the fine. How percent tax-free status and many police positions could I would guess the other one hundred fifteen thou- Olympic Peninsula counties sand buy? Even the sheriff would be comparable. We is disrespected, but we all certainly do not need more know he's a good guy. We're governmental property rejoicing for Ione Sregler, when you look at the cur- her victories bittersweet. rent State Park financial The liars are still in office, crisis with moneys com- shaking off responsibility. ing from entry fees, boat launching fees, discovery Karen Skinner passes at $30, donated fees Shelton with your licenses, trailer parking fees and campers. They are still losing money Citi g so the solution is to buy ze n s et more property? The proposal also is sup- togetherto posed to protect access to hunting and fishing areas, honor M LK possibly fishing but not hunting by closing the area to all vehicle and mountain in 5helton bikes. This restricts big game hunting to a narrow for 2013 border of these proper- ties. To hike in more than a mile, set up camp and Editor, the Journal backpack out a deer or elk While off work for the will eliminate most hunt- MLK holiday and off the ers. I'm well into my 90s icy streets as well, it oc- and my days of major back curred to me to follow up packing are over. I will what I've been thinking now be a road hunter or an for about four years. I am ex-hunter. The bulk of this inviting other Shelton and new property is now a game Mason County citizens to reserve. We hunters pay a think with me about insti- lot of good money for licens- tuting some kind of Martin es that help finance winter- Luther King celebration in feeding and care and pro- our own fair city in 2013. It tective game wardens. Who seems to me that we might will support these functions benefit by honoring in some when the hunters and fish- fashion his work, spirit erman are gone? This pro- and words. I have some posal may sound great to a ideas from such a celebra- condo dweller in the big cit- tion in which I participated for several years in rural Kansas. I would hope that eventually the schools, civic leaders, churches and service clubs would take interest. In the meantime any three interested citi- zens and myself would be a start. I hope other fair- minded conservative folks will not leave me lonely among my well-intentioned progressive friends in this endeavor. It's a shame we don't do the same for our first president, for whom our state is named ... but that's another subject. I'm in the phone book, but the Journal has agreed to hold responses. Dan Carl Shelton An ode to the crews of PUD 3 Editor, the Journal I salute the crew of PUD 3 who saved many cold sleepless nights for me. The work you had to do could not have been fun but you stayed the course and got it done. So three cheers to all in the crew, and many thanks for all you do. For when all is said and done, there is nothing more beau- tiful than when the lights come on. Donald Jones Shelton County commission makes unwise choices Editor, the Journal In attending many Ma- son County commissioners' meetings over the past few years, many of us have wit- nessed numerous irrespon- sible decisions and behav- iors made by the board. On Jan. 17, the Board of Mason County Commis- sioners took away $125,000 from the 2012 sheriffs budget. In doing this they may have jeopardized pub- lic safety in Mason County. This was totally an irre- sponsible decision because of the following. The commissioners signed a resolution on Dec. 5, 2011, passing the 2012 county budget, which in- cluded the above money insessions with the commis- the sheriffs budget. It was sioners, at a Dec. 6, 2011, evident that the commis- public meeting, Salisbury sioners didn't even know once again attempted to what they had passed, be- discuss what the impact to cause they tried to clarify public safety would be if or amend the budget on the these monies where taken following Tuesday without from the budget. He was an advertised hearing, abruptly cut off by the com- When the public ques- missioners and not allowed tioned them about an ad- to speak about it. vertised hearing, they set The chief financial of- one for Jan. 17, 2012, and ricer for the county under took the money away from the auditor's office pre- the sheriff, even though sented the commissioners they have a $6.9 million proposed 2012 budget with carry over from 2011 that the requests of department can be used for the 2012 heads on Sept. 6, 2011. budget. The commissioners had We, as citizens, need to three months to study the thank the other dedicated proposed budget before elected officials, depart- they passed it. If the com- ment heads and employees missioners did not want to for careful management of allocate the money to the our tax dollar and the $6.9 sheriff, they should have million surplus, looked at his request more We have heard the com- carefully before they passed missioners say that if the the 2012 budget. You would sheriff needs it, they will think that three months look into it at a later date. would be ample time to This statement was sup- know what was in the bud- posed to pacify the sheriff get, if they would have read and the public, but the com- it. missioners and the sheriff Also, one would think know that it is totally that Commissioner Lynda against the law to appro- Ring Erickson and Com- priate, more money for this missioner Sheldon who purpose at a later date in have served, as commis- 2012, because it will not be sioners for the past seven an unanticipated need. years would understand the We have also heard the budget process and the al- commissioners say that the location of funds. But this sheriff has not communi- is another case of not do- cated with them. To Sheriff ing the job that they were Salisbury's credit, he has elected for; Commissioner repeatedly brought forth Sheldon wants to hire an- the need of this money to other employee directly un- the board of commissioners, der him that will do his job Many of us have heard the for him. sheriff communicate nu- Another example of irre- merous times the status of sponsibility was illustrated this traffic policing budget, in a letter in last Thurs- the proof, the need, and the day's paper written by importance of these monies. Mary Jean Hrbacck. Good At one point the sheriff re- for you Mary Jean, please ported that Mason County keep informing our citizens. had the fourth highest DUI Commissioner irrespon- fatality rate in the state sibility was reported in with 15 in number. Since the Dec. 15, 2011, issue of the traffic policing has been the Shelton-Mason County in force, this has dropped Journal. Both Commis- to three. There were many sioner Ring Erickson and other points that Salisbury Sheldon decided that they made, such as additional were above fully attending traffic patrols, reduction of a meeting that was man- liability, reduction of speed dated pertaining to age dis- related collisions, etc. crimination. This required After explaining the meeting was due to an age need for these monies sev- discrimination lawsuit eral times during briefing against the commission- ers, which amounted to a $115,000 settlement. The settlement was a cost caused by the commission- ers and paid for by our taxpayers and the above couldn't find time to stay for the entire meeting. Also, Commissioner Sheldon has been known to say that it is counter- productive to discuss is- sues in front of the press and everybody. I person- ally am glad that the press prints what they do. Maybe they should even print it in more detail. Some people cannot at- tend commissioner meet- ings and the press is the only way they can find out what is going on. After all, commissioner business is a right of all citizens of Mason County. Annette S. McGree Shelton Thank you tO all during the snow storm Editor, the Journal I can't say thank you enough to the road crews of the city of Shelton and Mason County during this snow/ice storm. I give ku- dos to the crews of PUD also. I am a taxi driver and know people have to get to work and home. Dur- ing this trying time, the roads were kept passable and trees were cleared from power lines, so I was able to do my job of get- ting employees to their jobs at crucial businesses that care for the less for- tunate and needy in our community (convalescent centers, hospital, home care, etc.) Again I say thank you, thank you and thank you for a job well done. Doug Shepard Shelton lit Shelton-Mason County 1[~ r° She~ton-Mason County Journal is a member of usPs 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: County Journal, RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mailing address: RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Kari Sleight, publisher Advertising: Jesse Mullen, general mgr. Dave Pierik, Sr. Acct. Executive Harvey Morris, ad representative Newsroom: , $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Kevan Moore, managing editor Front office: $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Aria Shephard, North Mason, Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Mason County, $61 per year out of state, environment, reporterCricketMarg°t Carter,Brand' mailroomCirculati°n Natalie Johnson, reporter Emily Hanson sports reporter supervisor Owned and published by .... Adam Rudnick, copy editor She~ton-Mason County Journa/, Inc Composing room: William Adams, graphics Koleen Wood, classifieds/legals Becky Corr, typing Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller press operator Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, January 26, 2012 I ti m I t II I i !