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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
January 28, 1999     Shelton Mason County Journal
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January 28, 1999
 
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Serving Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor ..TThursday, January 28, 1999 Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal / Mason Transit Authority requests rider input In a continuing effort to better erve the residents of Belfair and 0rth Mason, the Mason Transit Uthority (MTA) is requesting that readers of the Herald and us- s of the transit system fill out ae accompanying questionnaire. l.According to MTA's Daniel aSaman, survey results will P his organization decide the e of Route 4, which services the eater North Mason community. ute 4 service currently provides s service at 11 a m and 3 p.m., lIday through Friday. L Ridership on Route 4 decreased Y 147 riders in 1998, falling to ,524 from 3,671 in 1997. This oc- CUrred while route ridership in- creased on average 15 5 percent ia the rest of the county. On a 0nth by month basis in 1998, lUte 4 decreased seven months 0lt of 12 months when compared tq 1997. The remaining five 0nths either matched 1997 ri- . .rship figures or showed slight Creases. in ASKING FOR the publics' €1p,- said Frishman, "MTA is .Ping that the survey will pin- int opportunities to increase Route 4 ridership." If methods cannot be developed to increase ridership, then MTA will consider discontinuing the route. Dial-A-Ride service would then be available to those pas- sengers who formerly used Route 4 services. The survey, which is due at MTA no later than Thursday, February 11, can be mailed to the following address: MTA, P. O. Box 1880, Shelton, 98584. The fax number is (360) 426-0899. The MTA e-mail ad- dress is: mcta@westsound.com SURVEY QUESTIONS: 1. Do you use Route 4 (North Mason Belfair Loop service)? Yes ___No. Why? Please explain. 2. Which would you prefer (please check only one). mReplacing Route 4 with Dial-A-Ride service. Increased Route 4 ser- vice. 3. Route 4 service is now available twice a day: at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. What changes would increase your use of Route 4? Please be specific. 4. Do you use Dial-A-Ride service? Yes ___No. Why? Please explain. 5. Dial-A-Ride service is now available Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m, to 6:30 p.m. Do you have any comments about the service? Please be specific. 6. What else would you like to comment on? Optional: Name Address Phone number Port approves building new dock SYThReICK:ffDlMunanimously Knphatses that were approved by weAdSneSCh: hr::ryt lha:sS:t buildilgpr::CoTh:fkle;ninfl ! approved, on Wednesday, Janu- port commissioners Jim Lockhart, open forum to discuss the dock ing at 7 p.m. ary 20, a preliminary plan to build a new North Shore Dock on North Shore Road. The plan would involve three phases of construction and cost the Port an estimated $500,000, according to Port Manager Bon- nie Knight. The engineering plans devel- oped last summer by Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc., a Seattle engineering consulting firm, show a new marina de- signed with 26 boat slips. The ex- isting 50-year-old facility can ac- commodate only 10 boats. "RIGHT NOW, THE dock is in horrible condition," said Knight. Over the last several months, the port has made minor repairs to the facility. "But there are just too many things wrong that need fixing or repairs." A closer inspection reveals Knight's concerns. Pilings are wearing out, moss has gathered on most of the dock's surface, wooden planks are rotting, and all signage is in need of attention. Rather than continually repair the current dock, the port has opted to replace it with a larger and more functional facility. Knight noted that within the last few months new solar panel lights, which meet U.S. Coast Guard navigational standards, were added, as well as new cleats for the gangway. And though the new facility probably won't be in place before the year 2001, minor repairs will continue to garner the attention of port members. "THERE IS SO much that needs to be done just to keep it functional and safe," noted Claude Byerly, Keith Chamber- lain and Knight include mooring piles, head walk and main walk, and utilities. Cost for mooring piles totals $66,500. The head walk and main walk phases will cost $217,500 and utilities will add up to $132,900. The $416,900 total for those three phases are 1997 figures. Thus, Knight estimates a 10 per- cent increase for the total pack- age at approximately $500,000. REGARDING FUNDING for the project, Knight says that the port's current tax base is high enough that "we won't be asking for public money to fund this proj- ect." The port will fund about a third of the cost and then request the balance from the Interagency Committee (IAC) for Outdoor Rec- reation. One of the questions port com- missioners tackled during last week's meeting was whether to pursue funding immediately or defer that process to a later time. They drew on the expertise of Henry Minch, an ex-port commis- sioner with six years experience who was in the audience. "If you've already initiated the building process, you have a lot better chance of obtaining funding," said Minch. Port mem- bers concurred. NOW THAT THE Port of A1- lyn has initiated the process of re- placing the North Shore Dock, they must hold meetings with lo- cal tribes as well as seek public input. PORT OF ALLYN Manager Bonnie Knight stands on the worn-out 50-year-old North Shore Dock. Mason County Transit North Mason High School students ttsed natiortal model spearhead Hurricane Mitch blanket drive IIYLINDA THOMSON ,f, ason County Transit is being as a model nationally for tfree public transportation. , (lWrit Moore of Victor recently trned from Washington, DC, ' he delivered a paper at the ,'aUal metin of the Transpor- x0a Research Board, which is art of ,,: the National Research -acil. The meeting lasted three Ys and drew about 8,000 partic- ts. IaSon County Transit is one of four fare-free transit systems ,, "ashington State Moore did a °lld -°" • " • t. Y on the xmpact of charglng es and advised that it only ac- 'ts for about 20 percent of the e a system. for bus i Is study indicates that if the [ee from fares is 14 percent or s8, it is costing the system in 'ers and in expenses to charge, q the system will actually save 'qO - . de ey by running fare free. R1- ,hip actually increases as t are removed, and that adds e efficiency when considering Urnber of seats on the buses. ",eore shared his paper, 'rran- sit Ridership Efficiency as a Function of Fares," at the DC Hil- ton before a committee with about 100 present, on Monday, January Gerrit Moore 11, and spoke with a number of other people there on this topic. Moore's wife Jeanette attended as well. She is an urban planner who was there as an independent observer. Moore assisted others in un- derstanding how to figure the effi- ciency of a transit system, wheth- er or not to charge fares, and if so, how much. Mason Transit costs the resi- dents $14.23 per capita, whereas in King County the transit is $105 per capita. In 1996, Mason's rides averaged about $3 apiece in operating expenses, about half of what it had been in 1994. Mason Transit Authority's Di- rector, Dave O'Connell, serves on the board of the Community Transportation Association of America, which is a national lob- bying group that "promotes tran- sit in small and semi-rural com- munities," Moore shared. "Rural transit systems add about 11 percent to the economy of the service area," stated Mrs. Moore, according to a study of the National Transit Research Board. tiusinesses donate to food bank ?estbay Auto of Belfair con- !ed local establishments that business with them and re- Sted donations for the North .on Food Bank over the recent lay period. !el Patti, Assistant Manager gestbay, began making con- by telephone with reluc- e, he said, but, after a while as fun. People were really willing to help." On Monday, January 18, Patti delivered $1,055 in checks to the Food Bank. Kim Shafer, a volun- teer there exclaimed, "Wow! Thank you!" Her thanks was directed to: Westbay Auto, Belfair Hose, Bel- fair Power Equipment, Blue Knights Security, Earrs Marine, Family Auto Body, Hood Canal Auto, Herb's Services, Belfair Ma- rine, Crown Auto Sales, Jack Johnson Construction, Jesfield Construction, Kitsap Used Cars, Martin's Vintage Ford, North Shore Quality Automotive Repair, Steve Johnson Construction, Joe's Auto Body, Local Wrench, North Mason Automotive, Raines Auto Repair, Van Dijk Homes and Bob Harris Auto Sales. JOEL PRATT OF Westbay Auto delivering checks totalling $1,055 to the North Mason Food Bank. Food Bank Volunteer Kim Sharer re- ceives the donation, from several area businesses, with gratitude. By LINDA THOMSON Students from North Mason High School have coordinated a community-wide effort to gather blankets for victims of the recent Hurricane Mitch in Central America. The storm hit land on October 28, 1998, stalling there for three days with brutal, killing power. Philip Flatau and Bryan Le- grand have been the two students heading up this project through the 'Skills for the 21st Century' class, a required vocational course. Blankets have been com- ing in over a two-week period from students, staff, and commu- nity members. Only new blankets have been accepted, and that has stirred some controversy locally. Why are only new blankets being collected for people who have a real need? Wouldn't used blankets be just as warm? IN RESPONSE to these ques- tions, North Mason's Principal Mark Flatau, Philip's dad, said of the decision, it was based on "total hygiene. If it turned out even one of them was infested, it could contaminate all those items that are stored." Flatau said, "They began to see the devastation that took place...Philip saw it on TV," of the motivating factor behind the proj- ect. Philip said, "I had actually been given an assignment to do an oral report in 'Spanish' con- cerning Central America and Hurricane Mitch." He partnered up with Legrand for this project. They did research, and set out to "improve the attitudes and awareness in others," said the younger Flatau. With statistics and pictures, they created posters to tell the story, and displayed them where students would see them while waiting in the school lunch line. The boys initiated contact with World Vision because they had a nearby headquarters, and were willing to provide the shipping. World Vision also gave them a video of the hurricane's after- math, which the two students showed to the entire student body. BY THE END of the collection period, blankets were stacked up in the high school office, and some had been taken home for storage until the Flatau family could de- liver them to World Vision in Fed- eral Way for shipping to Hon- duras and Nicaragua hurricane survivors. By Friday, January 22, there were over 5{ blankets re- ceived, according to Flatau, who BRYAN LEGRAND and Philip Flatau with a small portion of the 50+ blankets collected for victims of Hurricane Mitch. expressed gratitude for the gener- osity of this community. According to information pro- vided by World Vision, in Hon- duras alone, Hurricane Mitch killed at least 5,273 people, leav- ing another 11,085 missing and 2,932,482 homeless. "Roads and bridges have been damaged or wiped out, stranding thousands. Crops have been ravaged. The fis- cal damage is estimated to be more than $2 billion." In all na- tions, there were at least 10,000 dead at the hand of Hurricane Mitch. Flatau stated of the project, "By doing this, I realize that I could make a difference and make others more aware of others' needs and heart cries around the world." Workshops announced Mason County's Master Gar- deners program, sponsored by Washington State University, has announced the following classes and workshops in the next week. Both classes will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wil- liam G. Reed Library meeting room in Shelton. To register, call extension 396 at either 275-4467 or 427-9670. On Thursday, January 26, will be a class on year-round garden- ing, taught by Adelheid Krohne. On Thursday, February 4, Steve Edmondson will teach on organizing, surviving and enjoy- ing your vegetable garden. Call one of the numbers above to receive a flier on classes throughout the first quarter of 1999. #1 Plunger PHIL HARRINGTON, PASTOR of North Mason United Methodist Church and recently named Citi. zen of the Year by the chamber of commerce, is also a Polar Plunger - even if he has to do it alone. This year's plunge, to benefit Boys and Girls Club of North Mason, was originally scheduled for Satur- day, January 16, but was rescheduled for this Satur- day, January 30, at 9 a.m. Since the date conflicted with his schedule, Harrington decided to plunge it alone recently on a cold, windy, and rainy morning. But he was not alone. The Herald's Linda Thomson, braved the elements in pursuing this photographic gem. "I'm not a martyr, I'm having funI" were the chilling words echoed from Harrington's mouth just as he dove into the chilly waters of North Bay. In his absence, he hopes all will participate in this year's official plunge, scheduled for this Saturday, Janu- ary 30, at the Allyn Waterfront Park. Serving Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor ..TThursday, January 28, 1999 Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal / Mason Transit Authority requests rider input In a continuing effort to better erve the residents of Belfair and 0rth Mason, the Mason Transit Uthority (MTA) is requesting that readers of the Herald and us- s of the transit system fill out ae accompanying questionnaire. l.According to MTA's Daniel aSaman, survey results will P his organization decide the e of Route 4, which services the eater North Mason community. ute 4 service currently provides s service at 11 a m and 3 p.m., lIday through Friday. L Ridership on Route 4 decreased Y 147 riders in 1998, falling to ,524 from 3,671 in 1997. This oc- CUrred while route ridership in- creased on average 15 5 percent ia the rest of the county. On a 0nth by month basis in 1998, lUte 4 decreased seven months 0lt of 12 months when compared tq 1997. The remaining five 0nths either matched 1997 ri- . .rship figures or showed slight Creases. in ASKING FOR the publics' €1p,- said Frishman, "MTA is .Ping that the survey will pin- int opportunities to increase Route 4 ridership." If methods cannot be developed to increase ridership, then MTA will consider discontinuing the route. Dial-A-Ride service would then be available to those pas- sengers who formerly used Route 4 services. The survey, which is due at MTA no later than Thursday, February 11, can be mailed to the following address: MTA, P. O. Box 1880, Shelton, 98584. The fax number is (360) 426-0899. The MTA e-mail ad- dress is: mcta@westsound.com SURVEY QUESTIONS: 1. Do you use Route 4 (North Mason Belfair Loop service)? Yes ___No. Why? Please explain. 2. Which would you prefer (please check only one). mReplacing Route 4 with Dial-A-Ride service. Increased Route 4 ser- vice. 3. Route 4 service is now available twice a day: at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. What changes would increase your use of Route 4? Please be specific. 4. Do you use Dial-A-Ride service? Yes ___No. Why? Please explain. 5. Dial-A-Ride service is now available Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m, to 6:30 p.m. Do you have any comments about the service? Please be specific. 6. What else would you like to comment on? Optional: Name Address Phone number Port approves building new dock SYThReICK:ffDlMunanimously Knphatses that were approved by weAdSneSCh: hr::ryt lha:sS:t buildilgpr::CoTh:fkle;ninfl ! approved, on Wednesday, Janu- port commissioners Jim Lockhart, open forum to discuss the dock ing at 7 p.m. ary 20, a preliminary plan to build a new North Shore Dock on North Shore Road. The plan would involve three phases of construction and cost the Port an estimated $500,000, according to Port Manager Bon- nie Knight. The engineering plans devel- oped last summer by Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc., a Seattle engineering consulting firm, show a new marina de- signed with 26 boat slips. The ex- isting 50-year-old facility can ac- commodate only 10 boats. "RIGHT NOW, THE dock is in horrible condition," said Knight. Over the last several months, the port has made minor repairs to the facility. "But there are just too many things wrong that need fixing or repairs." A closer inspection reveals Knight's concerns. Pilings are wearing out, moss has gathered on most of the dock's surface, wooden planks are rotting, and all signage is in need of attention. Rather than continually repair the current dock, the port has opted to replace it with a larger and more functional facility. Knight noted that within the last few months new solar panel lights, which meet U.S. Coast Guard navigational standards, were added, as well as new cleats for the gangway. And though the new facility probably won't be in place before the year 2001, minor repairs will continue to garner the attention of port members. "THERE IS SO much that needs to be done just to keep it functional and safe," noted Claude Byerly, Keith Chamber- lain and Knight include mooring piles, head walk and main walk, and utilities. Cost for mooring piles totals $66,500. The head walk and main walk phases will cost $217,500 and utilities will add up to $132,900. The $416,900 total for those three phases are 1997 figures. Thus, Knight estimates a 10 per- cent increase for the total pack- age at approximately $500,000. REGARDING FUNDING for the project, Knight says that the port's current tax base is high enough that "we won't be asking for public money to fund this proj- ect." The port will fund about a third of the cost and then request the balance from the Interagency Committee (IAC) for Outdoor Rec- reation. One of the questions port com- missioners tackled during last week's meeting was whether to pursue funding immediately or defer that process to a later time. They drew on the expertise of Henry Minch, an ex-port commis- sioner with six years experience who was in the audience. "If you've already initiated the building process, you have a lot better chance of obtaining funding," said Minch. Port mem- bers concurred. NOW THAT THE Port of A1- lyn has initiated the process of re- placing the North Shore Dock, they must hold meetings with lo- cal tribes as well as seek public input. PORT OF ALLYN Manager Bonnie Knight stands on the worn-out 50-year-old North Shore Dock. Mason County Transit North Mason High School students ttsed natiortal model spearhead Hurricane Mitch blanket drive IIYLINDA THOMSON ,f, ason County Transit is being as a model nationally for tfree public transportation. , (lWrit Moore of Victor recently trned from Washington, DC, ' he delivered a paper at the ,'aUal metin of the Transpor- x0a Research Board, which is art of ,,: the National Research -acil. The meeting lasted three Ys and drew about 8,000 partic- ts. IaSon County Transit is one of four fare-free transit systems ,, "ashington State Moore did a °lld -°" • " • t. Y on the xmpact of charglng es and advised that it only ac- 'ts for about 20 percent of the e a system. for bus i Is study indicates that if the [ee from fares is 14 percent or s8, it is costing the system in 'ers and in expenses to charge, q the system will actually save 'qO - . de ey by running fare free. R1- ,hip actually increases as t are removed, and that adds e efficiency when considering Urnber of seats on the buses. ",eore shared his paper, 'rran- sit Ridership Efficiency as a Function of Fares," at the DC Hil- ton before a committee with about 100 present, on Monday, January Gerrit Moore 11, and spoke with a number of other people there on this topic. Moore's wife Jeanette attended as well. She is an urban planner who was there as an independent observer. Moore assisted others in un- derstanding how to figure the effi- ciency of a transit system, wheth- er or not to charge fares, and if so, how much. Mason Transit costs the resi- dents $14.23 per capita, whereas in King County the transit is $105 per capita. In 1996, Mason's rides averaged about $3 apiece in operating expenses, about half of what it had been in 1994. Mason Transit Authority's Di- rector, Dave O'Connell, serves on the board of the Community Transportation Association of America, which is a national lob- bying group that "promotes tran- sit in small and semi-rural com- munities," Moore shared. "Rural transit systems add about 11 percent to the economy of the service area," stated Mrs. Moore, according to a study of the National Transit Research Board. tiusinesses donate to food bank ?estbay Auto of Belfair con- !ed local establishments that business with them and re- Sted donations for the North .on Food Bank over the recent lay period. !el Patti, Assistant Manager gestbay, began making con- by telephone with reluc- e, he said, but, after a while as fun. People were really willing to help." On Monday, January 18, Patti delivered $1,055 in checks to the Food Bank. Kim Shafer, a volun- teer there exclaimed, "Wow! Thank you!" Her thanks was directed to: Westbay Auto, Belfair Hose, Bel- fair Power Equipment, Blue Knights Security, Earrs Marine, Family Auto Body, Hood Canal Auto, Herb's Services, Belfair Ma- rine, Crown Auto Sales, Jack Johnson Construction, Jesfield Construction, Kitsap Used Cars, Martin's Vintage Ford, North Shore Quality Automotive Repair, Steve Johnson Construction, Joe's Auto Body, Local Wrench, North Mason Automotive, Raines Auto Repair, Van Dijk Homes and Bob Harris Auto Sales. JOEL PRATT OF Westbay Auto delivering checks totalling $1,055 to the North Mason Food Bank. Food Bank Volunteer Kim Sharer re- ceives the donation, from several area businesses, with gratitude. By LINDA THOMSON Students from North Mason High School have coordinated a community-wide effort to gather blankets for victims of the recent Hurricane Mitch in Central America. The storm hit land on October 28, 1998, stalling there for three days with brutal, killing power. Philip Flatau and Bryan Le- grand have been the two students heading up this project through the 'Skills for the 21st Century' class, a required vocational course. Blankets have been com- ing in over a two-week period from students, staff, and commu- nity members. Only new blankets have been accepted, and that has stirred some controversy locally. Why are only new blankets being collected for people who have a real need? Wouldn't used blankets be just as warm? IN RESPONSE to these ques- tions, North Mason's Principal Mark Flatau, Philip's dad, said of the decision, it was based on "total hygiene. If it turned out even one of them was infested, it could contaminate all those items that are stored." Flatau said, "They began to see the devastation that took place...Philip saw it on TV," of the motivating factor behind the proj- ect. Philip said, "I had actually been given an assignment to do an oral report in 'Spanish' con- cerning Central America and Hurricane Mitch." He partnered up with Legrand for this project. They did research, and set out to "improve the attitudes and awareness in others," said the younger Flatau. With statistics and pictures, they created posters to tell the story, and displayed them where students would see them while waiting in the school lunch line. The boys initiated contact with World Vision because they had a nearby headquarters, and were willing to provide the shipping. World Vision also gave them a video of the hurricane's after- math, which the two students showed to the entire student body. BY THE END of the collection period, blankets were stacked up in the high school office, and some had been taken home for storage until the Flatau family could de- liver them to World Vision in Fed- eral Way for shipping to Hon- duras and Nicaragua hurricane survivors. By Friday, January 22, there were over 5{ blankets re- ceived, according to Flatau, who BRYAN LEGRAND and Philip Flatau with a small portion of the 50+ blankets collected for victims of Hurricane Mitch. expressed gratitude for the gener- osity of this community. According to information pro- vided by World Vision, in Hon- duras alone, Hurricane Mitch killed at least 5,273 people, leav- ing another 11,085 missing and 2,932,482 homeless. "Roads and bridges have been damaged or wiped out, stranding thousands. Crops have been ravaged. The fis- cal damage is estimated to be more than $2 billion." In all na- tions, there were at least 10,000 dead at the hand of Hurricane Mitch. Flatau stated of the project, "By doing this, I realize that I could make a difference and make others more aware of others' needs and heart cries around the world." Workshops announced Mason County's Master Gar- deners program, sponsored by Washington State University, has announced the following classes and workshops in the next week. Both classes will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wil- liam G. Reed Library meeting room in Shelton. To register, call extension 396 at either 275-4467 or 427-9670. On Thursday, January 26, will be a class on year-round garden- ing, taught by Adelheid Krohne. On Thursday, February 4, Steve Edmondson will teach on organizing, surviving and enjoy- ing your vegetable garden. Call one of the numbers above to receive a flier on classes throughout the first quarter of 1999. #1 Plunger PHIL HARRINGTON, PASTOR of North Mason United Methodist Church and recently named Citi. zen of the Year by the chamber of commerce, is also a Polar Plunger - even if he has to do it alone. This year's plunge, to benefit Boys and Girls Club of North Mason, was originally scheduled for Satur- day, January 16, but was rescheduled for this Satur- day, January 30, at 9 a.m. Since the date conflicted with his schedule, Harrington decided to plunge it alone recently on a cold, windy, and rainy morning. But he was not alone. The Herald's Linda Thomson, braved the elements in pursuing this photographic gem. "I'm not a martyr, I'm having funI" were the chilling words echoed from Harrington's mouth just as he dove into the chilly waters of North Bay. In his absence, he hopes all will participate in this year's official plunge, scheduled for this Saturday, Janu- ary 30, at the Allyn Waterfront Park.