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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 21, 2013     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 21, 2013
 
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3 32 years By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@rnasoncounty.com In 32 years at Ma- son County PUD 3, Wyla Wood has seen ups and downs, from a recalled board of commissioners, to renewed focus on main- tenance, an energy crisis and construction of a new operations center. After nearly 10 years as PUD manager, Wood has decided to retire as of March 31. "Anybody can sell elec- tricity -- what we have to sell is service," she said. "I'm proud of the team that we have that advo- cates for our ratepayers." Wood was hired at the PUD 3 in 1981 as a part -time cashier at the Bel- fair office during a tumul- tuous time at the utility. After construction on the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant~ owned by the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS), nicknamed "Whoops" by ratepay- ers, halted in 1983 amid a huge budget shortfall, PUD 3 customers had already faced large rate increases to pay for the project, Wood said. "When I started, we were in the middle of the irate ratepayer rebellion over the nuclear plants," she said. "That whole thing was mishandled by a variety of people. The 7:30-4:3q i: SPECIAL! !2 OFF your first Two M nths 'I Out.of space? . Clean. Secure. Professional , Heated Units of All Sizes Golf . Easy Drive-Up Access 23270 NE State Rt. 3 • Belfair, WA 98528 www.BelfairSelfStorage.com I/ | ire of the community was definitely focused on the commission." The community re- called the PUD 3 commis- sion and voted in a new board, she said. "At that time, you didn't tell people where you worked because you would get an earful," Wood said. "It was really tough." Despite those trying times, Wood stuck with the PUD and saw several positive changes. "We ended up with a board of commissioners that was really good," she said. "We started taking steps to take better care of our electrical system." Starting in the mid- 1980s, the PUD began focusing on maintenance and ways to prevent out- ages, such as tree trim- ming and using tree wire, a durable electrical wire with a protective coating. "We made tree trim- ming a really high prior- ity," Wood said. "I am a huge proponent of mainte- nance. Just like your car, if you don't take care of it, it won't take care of you." The PUD has also worked in re- cent years to re- place much of its under- ground Wood c a b I e system, which was in- stalled in the 1970s a n d didn't live up to Creekpaum its ex- pected lifespan, Wood said. In 2001, the PUD felt the pinch from the energy crisis, when it sold elec- tricity to California, some of which was never com- pletely paid for, she said. "The energy crisis was a very interesting time," she said. "The whole thing was a huge scare." Wood became PUD 3 manager in 2003. In her final years managing the utility, the PUD sold a bond, began construction and moved into its new building on Johns Prairie. "It was a big deal ... but it wasn't just me," Wood said. "This was planned for a long time ago." The building, complet- ed last year, is expected to soon be certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold. "We should not feel bad about ourselves (in Mason County)," she said. "We're capable of doing a lot of good things." The PUD 3 commission has voted to accept Wood's retirement notice. The board is considering PUD 3 Finance Manager and Auditor Annette Creek- paum as a possible PUD manager. Creekpaum has worked at the PUD as finance manager since 1998. The PUD commission plans to review a resolu- tion on the change in man- agement Feb. 26. After her retirement, Wood plans to spend more time with her husband, care for her elderly father, and work in her garden. BIKINI Continued from page A-20 one particular business. But Commissioner Mike Olsen replied, Wee are tar- geting a business." Olsen said he doesn't favor the use of moratoriums. "This is not in the spir- it of full cooperation and working with a business," he said. Commissioner Dawn Pannell said the 2005 ordi- nance contains nothing that addresses bikini baristas. "I'm riot sure how long these businesses have been around," she said. Pannell said she agrees with Olsen that the ordi- nance seems to be targeting one specific business. O'Leary said the use of moratoriums are "not ideal," but added, "morato- riums are there to give you time." IL [ 3rd & Cotao 4264412 ] Hours: Mon, Tue Sam-6pm. Wed, ]bar, Fri 8am-Spin. Sat 8am-4pm Dr. Nancy Isbell • Dr. Amanda Silverberg • Dr. Shawn Thomas ACCREDITED The Standard of Veterinary Excellence 24161 NE State Hwy 3 360.277°3800 • www.belltownevetcenter.com "97 Dodge Neon .~-"88 Chevy SlO B '96 Mercury Mystique ....... 5 sPd~,;__ , ~ 2 dr., 4 WD. 4 cyl., A utoo~90k ~iJes, , ,'I [)e:~! Free 90 Day Service Warranty 32 pt safety Inspection Fimmcing available on all vehides on all vehicles on Approval of Credit Next to Shell e NE 23791 Hwy. 3 Beliair Vin #s posted at dealership See Bob, Mark or Jackie Page A-20 - Mason County Journal - Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013