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SHELTON-MASON COUNTY
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Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. The Voice .of Mason County Since 1886 — Vol.
138, No.7 $2
School levies
passing, bond
still just short
By Gordon Weeks
gordon@masoncounty. com
Replacement levies in the Mary M. Knight
and Grapeview school districts were passing on
the first special election ballot count Tuesday
evening, and the Hood Canal School District’s
proposed $83.5—million building bond was falling
shortof the 60‘}? super majority.
The proposition for Mason County to increase
sales and use tax of two-tenths of 1% to provide
ongoing money to buy, design, equip, repair, op-
erate and improve the 911 emergency communi—
cation services was passing with 67.1 92. Initial
voter turnout was 31.55%.
The results of the second count were sched-
uled to be released at 4 pm. Wednesday, after
the Journal went to press. The Journal will have
the updated numbers on its website. The election
is scheduled to be certified Feb. 23.
The Hood Canal School District’s $33.5-million
building bond garnered 56.84% in the first count,
short of the 60% required. The same bond propos-
al fell 45 votes short of passing in the November
Early morning blaze
Central Mason Fire & EMS Deputy Chief Greg Yates yells instructions to
firefighers at a fire that
broke out at am. Sunday on San Joaquin Avenue in Shelton. A news release
from CMFE said initial
reports were that the structure was occupied. Crews entered the stucture,
but were forced out due
to high heat and flames. After the fire was controlled, crews re-entered
the structure to confirm no
one was inside. The cause of the fire was under investigation as of the
Journal’s Wednesday press
time. Journal photo by Shawna Whelan
see ELECTION, page 12
By Goméfi’kas“ ’”
gordon@masoncounty com
A Shelton city hearing examiner ap-
proved Community Lifeline’s request
to expand the capacity of its downtown
Shelton homeless shelter from 35 beds
to 54.
In a decision released Monday, city
Hearing Examiner Charlotte Archer
approved the nonprofit’s request for an
amendment to an existing condition—
al-use permit to expand its number of
beds at 218 N. Third St.
The City of Shelton recommended
approving the amendment, with eight
conditions including having at least
one trained staff member on site for
every 15 patrons staying at the facility
and coordinating with the city to main-
tain an ongoing count of available beds.
a A similar request was rejected in
June 2022 by Hearing Examiner Ter—
rence McCarthy, who said expanding
from 35 to 50 beds would “add gasoline
to a fire” following complaints by neigh-
bors about vandalism, Open drug use,
intimidation and trash.
But Archer’s decision noted that
the nonprofit has “made operational
improvements.”
The decision states “the presence of
a shelter in this location since 1994,
coupled with the recent effort by Com-
munity Lifeline to reduce impacts on
the community -— including but not
limited to its active participation in the
encampment sweep of Brewer Park,
We ........................................................
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Sheltergets approval
County Republicans
hold convention
ongoing outreach to neighbors and in—
creased security measures support
a finding that this proposed intensified
use should be authorized. As one com—
munity member testified, recent im—
provements have resulted in a notice-
able reduction in issues involving the
clientele of Community Lifeline.”
The ruling also states that “addi—
tionally, approval of this conditional-
use permit, on balance, is in the public
interest: As evidence establishes, the
presence of the shelter in this location
—- and the provision of sleeping accom-
modation for the unhoused community
at this location —— address the impacts
of homelessness on this community.
Limiting beds at the site below the
site’s occupancy potential may act to
keep more people on the street, sleep-
ing in doorways, in alleys, in bushes,
etc. and perpetuates the impacts on our
residents and business community that
are not patrons of the facility.”
The decision "noted that Commu-
nity Lifeline board of directors say the
building is capable of accommodating
the increased capacity with a “few mi—
nor accommodations,” without further-
ing expanding the building’s footprint.
A public hearing on the request was
hosted Dec. 11 at the Shelton Civic
Center. Andrew Reeves was the exam—
iner at the hearing but is no longer em—
ployed by the city. Archer assumed his
responsibilities, the decision noted.
see SHELTER, page 12
l By Gordon Weeks
gordon@masoncounty. com
Two races for the Shelton County
Commission are taking shape.
Commissioner Kevin Shutty an-
nounced. he will not seek another
term in the’fall representing District
herlin told the Journal on Tuesday
he’s still considering whether to run
for another term representing Dis-
trict 3. ‘
Richard Beckman, owner of Rich-
town Shelton, announced last week
he is running to replace Shutty. Wil—
liam Harris, a Republican who lives
at LakeLand Village, said he is run-
ning for Neatherlin’s seat.
In an interview with the Journal,
Shutty said his announcement “gives
a three-month, runway” for others to
file to represent District 2. He said he
and his wife Catherine, a nurse prac-
titioner at Mason Health, will contin—
ue to live in Union and he will con-
tinue to teach courses in American
government on the Olympic College
campuses in Shelton and Poulsb0.~
“We’re staying put in Mason Coun-
ty,” Shutty said. He added, “We have
a vested interest in the community.”
Asked whether he has advice for
his successor, Shutty said, “It’s a
2, and Commissioner Randy Neatv
ard Beckman Realty Group in down~ '
County commissioner
races begin to take shape
After two terms spanning eight
years on the Board of Mason
County Commissioners, Kevin
Shutty has opted not to run for re—
‘election. Journal photo by Gordon
Weeks
partisan position but check the letter
after your name at the door Recog-
nize there’s power in partnership
Be curious, be open.”
see COMMISSIONER, page 12
Author visits Belfair to
Winter Real Estate and
share takes onfire lookouts Home Improvement Guide
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