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VJournal
Strike a balance
You don't have to look any farther than Mason County to see
that a state senator's effort to soften Washington's harsh
"Three Strikes, You're Out" law deserves the support of this
year's legislature. Perhaps kinder hearts will prevail than in
2001, when another attempt to change the voter-approved, get-
tough initiative failed in Olympia.
The 1993 initiative grew out of citizens' frustration
with repeat, violent criminals. The point was literally to
lock them up and throw away the key. For life. However,
as with many things done in anger, the shortsighted,
one-sentence-fits-all law left no room for moderation in
sentencing, rational judgment or forgiveness, nor for
prisoner reform, maturation or education.
The law snared young punks like Leonard Norling, Mason
County's first "three strikes" victim. A kid with a troubled
childhood and a terrible anger problem, Norling racked up his
first strike at 19, his second at 21 and his third at 23, when he
was sent to prison for life. Sentencing judge James Sawyer,
whose hands were tied by the law in the local superior court
proceedings, called the situation "an unbelievable waste."
Interviewing Norling in prison in 1999 made us heart-
sick. He belonged in prison. People who solve their
problems with violence shouldn't be on the streets. But
this was a 23-year-old who could straighten out his life
by cooling off behind bars for a number of years.
Ironically, society had previously given this criminal
such short sentences for what it considered dangerous
crimes that he had been given life before being given a
five-year sentence that could have rehabilitated him.
In the prison interview he spoke of getting an education,
marrying and settling down, but all hope had been ripped from
him. Instead of humanely imprisoning him for a significant
period of his life so that he would wake up, society had merci-
lessly tossed him on a scrap heap and agreed to pay a million
dollars to confine him forever.
He was a fascinating 23-year-old, obviously tough but
evidently intelligent. That's what made his forever sen-
tence so hard to fathom. Just a few years earlier he had
been out on the Shelton High School wrestling mat and
had been featured as a "poster child" in a-Journal story
on the foster program. He barely remembered his father.
He had been removed from his mother's home in the
fifth grade and had kicked around foster homes until he
was 18. He often ran away from his foster homes be-
cause of the trauma of being placed with strangers. The
"bad crowd" accepted him, and he began to get into
trouble constantly. Somewhere in that childhood he was
paying attention to something he was taught in school,
because his correspondence with us was better written
than many of the letters we receive. We saw potential in
a hood society had discarded. We couldn't imagine him
offending in middle and old age.
Reading the papers every day only makes us wonder more
about the "three strikes" hammering Norling received. A thief
who dragged a man to death while stealing his car in Renton
received 13 years in prmon. A Tacoma man who beat his wife to
death with a hammer was given 18 years in prison. The man
who murdered A]lyn resident Peggi Mitchell with "blunt force"
received 19 years. Drunk drivers who kill people do a few
years. Those who beat their own children to death or sell drugs
that kill others don't get life, but Leonard Norling did.
Comes now State Senator Adam Kline from Seattle,
who wants to redefine what crimes constitute "strikes."
Not just the most serious four or five crimes but dozens
of crimes count as "strikes," including second-degree
assault and second-degree robbery. Senate Bill 5964
would exclude those latter two from the "strikes" list
and make the changes retroactive, which would mean
about 25 lifers like Norling would be eligible for shorter
sentences. The "three strikes" law has put about 285
criminals behind bars for life since 1994.
During the 2001 attempt to narrow the list of "strikes"
crimes, the press provided examples of people given life for
stealing beer with a threat or taking $300 from an espresso
stand• A witness at a legislative hearing last week said
fistfights or barroom brawls can be "strike" assaults, while a
public defender explained that a shoplifter pushing a security
guard out of the way constitutes second-degree robbery.
The brawlers and thieves don't have to be treated so
nicely that they get "hand slaps," but to put them away
for 50 years at taxpayers' expense is ridiculous. If Wash-
inbton isn't going to treat substance abuse, educate
inmates and make every effort to rehabilitate them, it is
just going to keep building $250-million prisons and pay-
ing $27,000 annually for each prisoner's room and board.
Society can be tough without being cruel. It can protect itself
without going overboard. There is a better way to spend tax-
payers' money and a better way to treat lawbreakers.
-CG
uuuuuuuu
'%°nn" LisPs 492-800
ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing 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
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31.0D per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Sasn Hanlon, managing editor, Port of Shelton;
Steve Patch, sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts. Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Plerik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy tester, circulation; Donna KJnnaird, bookkeeper; Cdcket Carter, mailroom
supervisor. Compmdng room: Diane Rlordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Monica CarvajaI-Beben, pagination, darkroom; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
Colleen Scott, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader. Pressroom: Kelly
Riordan, pressman; Nick Carr, pressman's assistant.
uuunuluuululluululluuu
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, March 1,2007
Son Bindi
I00ea ders " -00Journ al:
Reasons for Pioneer's bond
Editor, The Journal:
As president of the Pioneer
School Board, I feel compelled to
respond to Mr. John Diehrs letter
to the editor printed last week
("Question Pioneer bond issue").
In regards to tearing down
buildings, there comes a time
when every school has outlived its
ability to provide the space neces-
sary to effectively educate our
students. We have reached that
point with some of our district's
buildings. Add the fact that the
roof on the original school, built
in 1952, has an inverted roof that
makes a great rain catcher during
most months of the year, which
makes it very susceptible to leaks.
Using funds to constantly repair
a roof that will continue to have
problems is wasting money that
could be better spent on improv-
ing the education of our students.
As for "the dubious purpose of
moving the fourth- and filch-grad-
ers to the primary school," it is
quite simple. Not only is a K-5
elementary configuration stan-
dard, but adding these classrooms
to the existing primary school is
more cost-effective than building
new construction anywhere else
on campus. The primary school
was designed and built with the
plan of easily adding on class-
rooms at a later date. (Good plan-
ning by Pioneer 15 years ago.)
As far as "transform the mid-
dle school into a single building,
supposedly to improve security,"
there is no "supposedly'" about it.
Right now when students or staff
need to go to another classroom,
go to the office or even use the
restroom, they must leave their
building and travel outside to
another building. Not only is this
inconvenient in inclement weath-
er, but it makes it hard to keep
track of students wandering
around the campus unsupervised.
Students aside, a visitor com-
ing onto campus is also very hard
to monitor and is a security issue.
To take a school with at least 29
outside doors leading into classes
and in and out of the main build-
ing and create an enclosed cam-
pus with one main entrance for
students as well as visitors to en-
ter, that improves security, period!
As for the declining enro½1-
ment, while it is true our enroll-
ment has declined over the past
several years and the state Office
of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction projects that we will
not see any increases in the near
future, their projection was done
in 2005 prior to the increase in
development throughout the
county. A study done this past
September by a consultant work-
ing with all of the Mason County
school districts to prepare capital
facilities plans shows that
neer, as well as the other
in the county, will see
comparable to the amount
velopment we are
periencing. One only has to
around the district to obserVe
many new homes under
tion. These new homes may
more students and will
broader tax base tbr us all.
In response to the
that the board was failing
"distinguish between true
and nice-to-haves," I would
make this comment. Three
ago, Pioneer submitted a
its voters for $12.8 million.
bond didn't pass, and while
struction costs since then
calated, we are now
bond for $9.8 million.
We take our role as gut
of the district's children
.very seriously. Our school
comprises parents,
hess owner, a waterfront
people on fixed incomes -
all very aware of the fact
es will be going up if we are
nate and this bond is
We feel it is a modest
that will benefit our
well as our entire district.
schools are necessary to
healthy and safe
Brandee
Would Americans ration gas
Editor, The Journal:
I can't find anyone who dis-
agrees with the notion that just
about everything we pay for in
terms of food, energy, clothing,
gasoline and other essentials is
moved up or down the scale ac-
cording to the price ofoil.
If this includes the power that
moves and motivates politicians
then I think we can safely say the
"company store" to whom we owe
our souls as in the Tennessee Er-
nie Ford song is, in fact, the inter-
national oil cartel. It shouldn't
surprise us their lobbyists in D.C.
are calling the shots on behalf of
their well-heeled masters. They
control the votes of our represen-
tatives and hence our daily lives.
I can recall during World War II
when we had a clear idea of who
and what was the face of our ene-
my we dug in our heels and in ad-
dition to Victory Gardens, etc., we
also accepted gasoline rationing.
I'm just wondering how fed up
we really are with "business as
usual" in D.C. Would we return to
gas rationing if it was made cer-
tain that by rationing our thirst
at the pump and cutting off our
overseas suppliers like the Saudis
and Hugo Chavez we would cut
the cost of a gallon of gas by half
and never ever go back to warring
in the Mideast for any reason and
at any price no matter how cheap?
Needless to say such an idea
would really strike terror in the
hearts of OPEC and their Ameri-
can business partners. The ques-
tion is: Would most Americans be
satisfied with 10 to 15 gallons a
week for their family car?
Well, why not find out? I
reckon Mason County is about as
mainstream America as you can
find, east or west. If your readers
will answer this simple poll and
return same to me at P.O. Box 56,
Union, 98592 I'll forward the re-
sults to The Journal.
If it could be shown that a ra-
tioning of gasoline for private
noncommercial vehicles (only)
and administered by ali
and independent non
thority would result in
becoming self-reliant on
fuel reserves/alternative:
consequences of barring
imports of oil and a
least 50 percent in the
gasoline at the pump,
(circle one):
Support such an endeavor?
Not support such an
My gut guess is most
cans have little stomach foJ
rice, even if it means
liberty and well-being. I
wrong. If so, I. will
sults of this poll to every
big-city newspaper
questing they reprint it.
worst hunch is right, I'll
minority voters to a
response with
that usually accompany
and the death of
Start with vision for streets
Editor, The Journal."
Reading your editorial last
week, I was personally deeply im-
pressed with your "2020 vision"
for Shelton! Given the location of
the city, the magnificent Olymp-
ics on three sides and Oakland
Bay on the other, the changes you
suggest could make Shelton one
of the most attractive cities on
Puget Sound.
Anything worthwhile begins
with a vision. You have, there-
fore, rendered a tremendous ser-
vice to us all, including the city
commission. But it's also a service
which requires an encouraging
response from us all, especially
from the city commission and the
county.
I hope the city commission
gives this vision some serious con-
sideration. In my opinion, the
place for city and county officials
to begin is with the streets. It's
tough, if not impossible, to travel
around in Shelton and not en-
counter potholes and other forms
of rugged going. Improved street
conditions and curbs, together
with sidewalks, would motivate
homeowners to greatly improve
the appearances of their yards.
I realize making improvements
to the city, including the streets,
is' a potentially costly venture.
Why not plan as a homeowner
does when numerous changes are
needed, but, completing all
time is impossible? Such a
owner prioritizes that
needs to be done.
If repairing the streetS.i
sidered a top priority,
the streets by name,
bids, give some idea
home or citizen. Put the
thing up for bid and
happens. Have some
meetings and a chance to
vote for or against.
would, hopefully,
the hearts of us all as
tial steps taken to cause
vision to become a reality- ,ors °.
eb w
Howard F ..,;
Christrass VlJ'
VJournal
Strike a balance
You don't have to look any farther than Mason County to see
that a state senator's effort to soften Washington's harsh
"Three Strikes, You're Out" law deserves the support of this
year's legislature. Perhaps kinder hearts will prevail than in
2001, when another attempt to change the voter-approved, get-
tough initiative failed in Olympia.
The 1993 initiative grew out of citizens' frustration
with repeat, violent criminals. The point was literally to
lock them up and throw away the key. For life. However,
as with many things done in anger, the shortsighted,
one-sentence-fits-all law left no room for moderation in
sentencing, rational judgment or forgiveness, nor for
prisoner reform, maturation or education.
The law snared young punks like Leonard Norling, Mason
County's first "three strikes" victim. A kid with a troubled
childhood and a terrible anger problem, Norling racked up his
first strike at 19, his second at 21 and his third at 23, when he
was sent to prison for life. Sentencing judge James Sawyer,
whose hands were tied by the law in the local superior court
proceedings, called the situation "an unbelievable waste."
Interviewing Norling in prison in 1999 made us heart-
sick. He belonged in prison. People who solve their
problems with violence shouldn't be on the streets. But
this was a 23-year-old who could straighten out his life
by cooling off behind bars for a number of years.
Ironically, society had previously given this criminal
such short sentences for what it considered dangerous
crimes that he had been given life before being given a
five-year sentence that could have rehabilitated him.
In the prison interview he spoke of getting an education,
marrying and settling down, but all hope had been ripped from
him. Instead of humanely imprisoning him for a significant
period of his life so that he would wake up, society had merci-
lessly tossed him on a scrap heap and agreed to pay a million
dollars to confine him forever.
He was a fascinating 23-year-old, obviously tough but
evidently intelligent. That's what made his forever sen-
tence so hard to fathom. Just a few years earlier he had
been out on the Shelton High School wrestling mat and
had been featured as a "poster child" in a-Journal story
on the foster program. He barely remembered his father.
He had been removed from his mother's home in the
fifth grade and had kicked around foster homes until he
was 18. He often ran away from his foster homes be-
cause of the trauma of being placed with strangers. The
"bad crowd" accepted him, and he began to get into
trouble constantly. Somewhere in that childhood he was
paying attention to something he was taught in school,
because his correspondence with us was better written
than many of the letters we receive. We saw potential in
a hood society had discarded. We couldn't imagine him
offending in middle and old age.
Reading the papers every day only makes us wonder more
about the "three strikes" hammering Norling received. A thief
who dragged a man to death while stealing his car in Renton
received 13 years in prmon. A Tacoma man who beat his wife to
death with a hammer was given 18 years in prison. The man
who murdered A]lyn resident Peggi Mitchell with "blunt force"
received 19 years. Drunk drivers who kill people do a few
years. Those who beat their own children to death or sell drugs
that kill others don't get life, but Leonard Norling did.
Comes now State Senator Adam Kline from Seattle,
who wants to redefine what crimes constitute "strikes."
Not just the most serious four or five crimes but dozens
of crimes count as "strikes," including second-degree
assault and second-degree robbery. Senate Bill 5964
would exclude those latter two from the "strikes" list
and make the changes retroactive, which would mean
about 25 lifers like Norling would be eligible for shorter
sentences. The "three strikes" law has put about 285
criminals behind bars for life since 1994.
During the 2001 attempt to narrow the list of "strikes"
crimes, the press provided examples of people given life for
stealing beer with a threat or taking $300 from an espresso
stand• A witness at a legislative hearing last week said
fistfights or barroom brawls can be "strike" assaults, while a
public defender explained that a shoplifter pushing a security
guard out of the way constitutes second-degree robbery.
The brawlers and thieves don't have to be treated so
nicely that they get "hand slaps," but to put them away
for 50 years at taxpayers' expense is ridiculous. If Wash-
inbton isn't going to treat substance abuse, educate
inmates and make every effort to rehabilitate them, it is
just going to keep building $250-million prisons and pay-
ing $27,000 annually for each prisoner's room and board.
Society can be tough without being cruel. It can protect itself
without going overboard. There is a better way to spend tax-
payers' money and a better way to treat lawbreakers.
-CG
uuuuuuuu
'%°nn" LisPs 492-800
ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing 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
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31.0D per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Sasn Hanlon, managing editor, Port of Shelton;
Steve Patch, sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts. Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Plerik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy tester, circulation; Donna KJnnaird, bookkeeper; Cdcket Carter, mailroom
supervisor. Compmdng room: Diane Rlordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Monica CarvajaI-Beben, pagination, darkroom; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
Colleen Scott, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader. Pressroom: Kelly
Riordan, pressman; Nick Carr, pressman's assistant.
uuunuHluuululluululluuu
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, March 1,2007
Son Bindi
I00ea ders " -00Journ al:
Reasons for Pioneer's bond
Editor, The Journal:
As president of the Pioneer
School Board, I feel compelled to
respond to Mr. John Diehrs letter
to the editor printed last week
("Question Pioneer bond issue").
In regards to tearing down
buildings, there comes a time
when every school has outlived its
ability to provide the space neces-
sary to effectively educate our
students. We have reached that
point with some of our district's
buildings. Add the fact that the
roof on the original school, built
in 1952, has an inverted roof that
makes a great rain catcher during
most months of the year, which
makes it very susceptible to leaks.
Using funds to constantly repair
a roof that will continue to have
problems is wasting money that
could be better spent on improv-
ing the education of our students.
As for "the dubious purpose of
moving the fourth- and filch-grad-
ers to the primary school," it is
quite simple. Not only is a K-5
elementary configuration stan-
dard, but adding these classrooms
to the existing primary school is
more cost-effective than building
new construction anywhere else
on campus. The primary school
was designed and built with the
plan of easily adding on class-
rooms at a later date. (Good plan-
ning by Pioneer 15 years ago.)
As far as "transform the mid-
dle school into a single building,
supposedly to improve security,"
there is no "supposedly'" about it.
Right now when students or staff
need to go to another classroom,
go to the office or even use the
restroom, they must leave their
building and travel outside to
another building. Not only is this
inconvenient in inclement weath-
er, but it makes it hard to keep
track of students wandering
around the campus unsupervised.
Students aside, a visitor com-
ing onto campus is also very hard
to monitor and is a security issue.
To take a school with at least 29
outside doors leading into classes
and in and out of the main build-
ing and create an enclosed cam-
pus with one main entrance for
students as well as visitors to en-
ter, that improves security, period!
As for the declining enro½1-
ment, while it is true our enroll-
ment has declined over the past
several years and the state Office
of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction projects that we will
not see any increases in the near
future, their projection was done
in 2005 prior to the increase in
development throughout the
county. A study done this past
September by a consultant work-
ing with all of the Mason County
school districts to prepare capital
facilities plans shows that
neer, as well as the other
in the county, will see
comparable to the amount
velopment we are
periencing. One only has to
around the district to obserVe
many new homes under
tion. These new homes may
more students and will
broader tax base tbr us all.
In response to the
that the board was failing
"distinguish between true
and nice-to-haves," I would
make this comment. Three
ago, Pioneer submitted a
its voters for $12.8 million.
bond didn't pass, and while
struction costs since then
calated, we are now
bond for $9.8 million.
We take our role as gut
of the district's children
.very seriously. Our school
comprises parents,
hess owner, a waterfront
people on fixed incomes -
all very aware of the fact
es will be going up if we are
nate and this bond is
We feel it is a modest
that will benefit our
well as our entire district.
schools are necessary to
healthy and safe
Brandee
Would Americans ration gas
Editor, The Journal:
I can't find anyone who dis-
agrees with the notion that just
about everything we pay for in
terms of food, energy, clothing,
gasoline and other essentials is
moved up or down the scale ac-
cording to the price ofoil.
If this includes the power that
moves and motivates politicians
then I think we can safely say the
"company store" to whom we owe
our souls as in the Tennessee Er-
nie Ford song is, in fact, the inter-
national oil cartel. It shouldn't
surprise us their lobbyists in D.C.
are calling the shots on behalf of
their well-heeled masters. They
control the votes of our represen-
tatives and hence our daily lives.
I can recall during World War II
when we had a clear idea of who
and what was the face of our ene-
my we dug in our heels and in ad-
dition to Victory Gardens, etc., we
also accepted gasoline rationing.
I'm just wondering how fed up
we really are with "business as
usual" in D.C. Would we return to
gas rationing if it was made cer-
tain that by rationing our thirst
at the pump and cutting off our
overseas suppliers like the Saudis
and Hugo Chavez we would cut
the cost of a gallon of gas by half
and never ever go back to warring
in the Mideast for any reason and
at any price no matter how cheap?
Needless to say such an idea
would really strike terror in the
hearts of OPEC and their Ameri-
can business partners. The ques-
tion is: Would most Americans be
satisfied with 10 to 15 gallons a
week for their family car?
Well, why not find out? I
reckon Mason County is about as
mainstream America as you can
find, east or west. If your readers
will answer this simple poll and
return same to me at P.O. Box 56,
Union, 98592 I'll forward the re-
sults to The Journal.
If it could be shown that a ra-
tioning of gasoline for private
noncommercial vehicles (only)
and administered by ali
and independent non
thority would result in
becoming self-reliant on
fuel reserves/alternative:
consequences of barring
imports of oil and a
least 50 percent in the
gasoline at the pump,
(circle one):
Support such an endeavor?
Not support such an
My gut guess is most
cans have little stomach foJ
rice, even if it means
liberty and well-being. I
wrong. If so, I. will
sults of this poll to every
big-city newspaper
questing they reprint it.
worst hunch is right, I'll
minority voters to a
response with
that usually accompany
and the death of
Start with vision for streets
Editor, The Journal."
Reading your editorial last
week, I was personally deeply im-
pressed with your "2020 vision"
for Shelton! Given the location of
the city, the magnificent Olymp-
ics on three sides and Oakland
Bay on the other, the changes you
suggest could make Shelton one
of the most attractive cities on
Puget Sound.
Anything worthwhile begins
with a vision. You have, there-
fore, rendered a tremendous ser-
vice to us all, including the city
commission. But it's also a service
which requires an encouraging
response from us all, especially
from the city commission and the
county.
I hope the city commission
gives this vision some serious con-
sideration. In my opinion, the
place for city and county officials
to begin is with the streets. It's
tough, if not impossible, to travel
around in Shelton and not en-
counter potholes and other forms
of rugged going. Improved street
conditions and curbs, together
with sidewalks, would motivate
homeowners to greatly improve
the appearances of their yards.
I realize making improvements
to the city, including the streets,
is' a potentially costly venture.
Why not plan as a homeowner
does when numerous changes are
needed, but, completing all
time is impossible? Such a
owner prioritizes that
needs to be done.
If repairing the streetS.i
sidered a top priority,
the streets by name,
bids, give some idea
home or citizen. Put the
thing up for bid and
happens. Have some
meetings and a chance to
vote for or against.
would, hopefully,
the hearts of us all as
tial steps taken to cause
vision to become a reality- ,ors °.
eb w
Howard F ..,;
Christrass VlJ'