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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
March 3, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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March 3, 2011
 
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A penny for your thoughts City officials have started a dialogue about possibly raising the sales tax rate to better stabilize funding ibr local law enforcement. At first blush, it's seems a bit in- congruous to be talking about a tax increase -- a regressive sales tax that adversely impacts low-income earners and the poor -- in the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression. But, it may be a conversation worth having. City officials last year spent months warning us about impend- ing doom. Then, at the last minute, the police chief and commissioners came up with a plan, and a budget, to save cops on the streets. Months of discussions about worst-case scenarios brought about a backlash from the public and some creative thinking at city hall. Now, we're back to the gloom and doom. Back to discussions about lost • cops and increased crime. And now is the time to be talking about it. City officials are hoping to work collaboratively with their counter- parts at the county to come up with some solutions. Ultimately, the question will have to go before the voters. Officials have said that revenue from any increases would be dedi- cated to public safety alone and that seems like it would be a sticking point. Voters will almost certainly want a guarantee that sales taxes will actually save cops on the streets and not go into the general fund where it can be squandered on other things. Local voters did the right thing a couple of years ago and saved the local Timberland library and they stepped up to the plate again last year to create a Metropolitan Parks District. Voters said that books and ball- fields are priorities that they willing to pay a little extra for. The question to come is, should they have to chip in even more still to keep a cop on the beat? LETTERSTOTH EEDITOR Learn the truth about Adage Editor, the Journal I am writing to address some untrue statements I have heard recently about something very important to me and to all residents of mason County: 1. "Adage is a done deal." Not true, representatives are still involved in the permitting process. 2. "Only kooks and paid outsiders are against biomss burning for power." Not true, we are ordinary citizens who care deeply about the health of our neighbors, relatives, friends:, the children of the county, the elderly and the eiivironlnenL. 3. "The dangers to our health are greatly exaggerated." No. The sub- micron particles emitted out of the smokestack by the ton are, according to medical societies across the country, the American Lung Association, even the Cancer Society, able to penetrate the lining of the lung and enter the blood stream, causing all kinds of illnesses. The insidious thing is that it takes awhile for these illnesses to develop, so the danger is not immediately apparent, as is asthma. Our local doctors have written a letter against biomass burning for this reason. 4. "We will get an opportunity to vote on whether or not we favor the building of Adage." No. Our county and port commissioners refused even when presented with more than 3,000 signatures of registered voters. I believe the response was that we wouldn't vote on a new 7 - 11, so why on Adage? No comparison. 5. "Adage will bring prosperity to Mason County." No. There will be an influx of construction workers coming and going as their particular trade is needed, but they will not be permanent. Then what will happen? Adage promises 24 permanent jobs only. The truck drivers bringing in the thousands of tons of fuel needed daily will probably come from forest areas away from here, since the 600,000 tons of biomass needed every year will be depleted quickly in our area. 6. "Since the Chamber of Commerce and union leaders are in favor of Adage, shouldn't we follow their lead?" No. All of them have been convinced by Adage representatives that they will gain money and/or jobs. Let us take the longer view. What will be the long- lasting effects of this huge plant, 150 feet tall with a 170-foot smokestack? In five years, after 3,000,000 tons have been burned? Think about it. Research it. Then decide for yourselves. Carol Salzer Grapeview People trash the state Editor, the Journal Everyone seems to be worried about air quality but they haven't looked at the garbage along the highway. It is disgusting to think people can't learn to keep their trash in the car until they get to a garbage container. Canada has $1,000 fines. Washington too has fines but it doesn't seem to keep folks from tossing stuff along the highway. How can we educate the public to keep Washington green and neat and not be embarrassed by the litter along the roadways? Ann Peters Shelton Port celebrates its centennial Editor, the Journal As ports in Washington State celebrate their centennial year, the Port of Shelton is examining its history in details not yet documented. We are hopeful that local citizens will be willing to help in several research projects by contributing photos and first hand accounts of events from the past. One of the least documented aspects of the Port of Shelton history involves the 400-acre Industrial Park east of the MCRA ball fields and west of the railroad tracks. While we know the land's ownership trail from the title search, we do not have a good picture of what actually took place on that property from 1943 through 1960. We would like to build a picture of both military operations and private enterprise activity during that 17-year period. We would be grateful to anyone who would be willing to discuss that aspect of port history with us. We can be contacted at 426-1151 or by email at: info@portofshelton.com. We will be looking forward to hearing from anyone willing to help. Jay Hupp Port of Shelton Commissioner RT F S H E LTON J . ' ...... ============================================================================= _-::.:: ............................... Political cartoon by Gaylene Wiseman| / !i SheltoniMason County .... She/ton-Mason County Journal is a member of usPs 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. $37 per year for Mason County addresses, $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Owned and published by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, March 3, 201 1 Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, 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 Rick Kennedy, publisher Newsroom: Jesse Mullen, editor Kevan Moore, news editor Dean Siemon, sports Aria Shephard, North Mason, environment, reporter Natalie Johnson, reporter Advertising: Dave Pierik, advertising manager Harvey Morris, ad representatwe Mat Taylor, ad representative Front office: Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Margot Brand, circulation Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Composing room: William Adams, graphics Gaylene Wiseman, paginator Koleen Wood, classifieds/legals Becky Corr, typing Pressroom: Kraelly Riordan, productionmanager vis Miller press operator