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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 15, 2024     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 15, 2024
 
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‘iO SHELTON-MASON COUNTY i i .{Ammo...imt...sl1.,tu.m,,i;.mminnow. xxxixmxufmmmWCAR£T LOTfi'xC SMALL TOWN PAPER: 92? W RMLRQAD PM... - seams, WA 98%? T44 B 81 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 ........................................................ v—~-~*{:NSIP_ETI:IIS WEEK 8|5 3263 00111 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 a «‘2’ ‘i flit/ti