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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
March 15, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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March 15, 2012
 
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dOURNALEDITORIAL We encourage readers to weigh in on what mat- ters most to them in Mason County. A group of community lead- ers are working on a Commu- nity Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and they need your help. A series of quizzes and a survey are available on the county'sfree and reduced lunch figures tion, completing the quizzes and doing well. website at www.co.mason.wa.us, at local schools, poverty levels checking out the "crib sheets" af- That way, a solid plan can be The quizzes will both test and much more. Answers, with terward, will help when it comes put together to address the most your knowledge of local Condi- the best available figures, are time to take the survey, pressing issues in a way that tions in a wide range of areas provided at the conclusion ofFolks can, of course, skip the makes sense and will be effec- and help inform you about what each quiz. quizzes and head straight totive. the current numbers are locally We think that the quizzes will the survey. Either way, it's im- So, don't delay. Anyone and for things like childhood obesity, likely be an eye-opening experi- portant to know what ails us in everyone can chip in on this im- drug and alcohol dependence, ence for many residents. In addi- Mason County and what we're portant CHIP project. LETTE RSTOTH E E DITO R The majority have the power Editor, the Journal Amendment of the Con- stitution Article I: Con- gress shall make no law re- specting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there, of; or abridging the freedom of speech... By the way the Ro- man Catholic Church is not the only religion that believes the killing of an infant (sorry, embryo), goes against their faith. There are many Chris- tian faiths as well the Jew- ish faith that place value on life. To ask any of these religious hospitals, schools, or childrens' services to go against their belief is pro- hibiting their free exercise to practice their faith. More and more I'm see- ing that the majority rule is no more. We vote and those in power overrule our votes. Wake up before it's too late. If the party you vote for is no longer listening to the majority vote, vote them out. It won't take long for them to change. We the majority have the power. Our forefathers designed it that way. P.J. Benedict Belfair Uniforms, dress code, coming our way? Editor, the Journal In the past several years the discussion whether schools should require stu- dents to wear a school uni- form has been talked about and eventually forgotten until now. Uniforms and dress codes are becoming more popular in public schools across the country, accord- ing to the education com- mission of the states. Is it time for Shelton School District to discuss this topic? Some educators and parents say to help curtail bullying, instill profession- alism among students and help with eliminating peer pressure, having a dress code might be the answer to some of these things. Students would only be able to wear school colors, polo shirts and khaki pants or jeans without the holes or tears often considered fashionable these days. Also, students would be allowed to wear crew neck sweaters and jackets as well. A dress code would also allow staff to identify kids who don't belong on school grounds. Having a dress code would help students resist peer pressure so they can focus on their schoolwork rather than what they are wearing. Some parents have told me that they would like to see a dress code in our schools because their chil- dren wouldn't be bullied for not wearing popular brands. I believe that more than 50 percent of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch prices. This means that if there were a dress code it would be less expen- sive for parents to clothe their children because you don't have to go out and buy a $40 shirt and a $100 pair of jeans. The hope is that having a dress code in our schools will give students a sense of unity and self-respect and bring a sense of com- munity pride. The bottom line is to start thinking about the possibility of having a dress code in our schools would have to start with our administration, teach- ers and with overwhelming parental support. Dann Gagnon Olympic Middle School Flexible voting Editor, the Journal Being a self-appointed Republican, I am amused by the letter from Tom Davis, a self-declared In- dependent, ranting over the political actions of Sen. Tim Sheldon, the self-iden- tified Democrat. Davis, who really sounds more like a covert Democrat than a devout Independent, is displeased because Sheldon at times makes voting choices re- flecting his own considered opinions. With the often hide bound position taken by incumbents, they could profit by an experienced member who can, when required, see both sides of an issue. Especially, when he is a part of their team. Robert Holt Union Correction please Editor, the Journal A few weeks ago I sent a letter to the Journal. I was pleased that it was published but disappointed with the title placed on it - certainly not one of my choosing. I did not in any way indicate that I thought Shelton was a place where immorality was running rampant. Neither did I pinpoint our county but distinctly referred to our country in general. I mere- ly wanted to share my feel- ings with others who might feel as I do. I do not appreciate debates, mudslinging or name-calling and I want to make it known that I respect our city and county officials; pray for them and the difficult tasks they are called upon to perform. Doris Myers Shelton Women's civil liberties are at risk Editor, the Journal Old men are still trying to make up rules to control women's bodies. Especially old Republican men and old men of the Catholic they tolerated the pedo- clergy, phite priests? Whose lib- What's up with that? erty were the~ protecting? Efforts are underway in Just where were the bish- it so difficult to understand the USA to turn back time, ops' and cardinals' and the that people who can't drive back to a time when wom- pope's concerns about liber- or afford transportation, en were not able to make ty then? Crazy old celibate need to get to work, to the choices or even participate (or so they say) men don't grocery store, to the doctor in a process concerning our have any business enter-and have access to activi- well-being. I have observed ing into a discussion about ties or services that will many discussions, recently, women's civil liberties,better their lives? Maybe concerning American worn- the advantage of transpor- en's access to health care Victoria Pavel tation is taken for granted and whether or not each Shelton by the vast majority of us and every single woman who have never lived with- is entitled to make her out a car. We can get to ownlife choices. Without Social wherewe need or want to getting into a lot of sleazy go, when we need or want details, I'll just say that m obility to go there. It is difficult to what I have observed is . imagine life without trans- just crazy talk. I thought __ portation if we have never we settled these matters in ..~il~ a goo~ experienced it. State and the USA back in the 1970s. federal allocations have One right-wing talk show th ing come to Mason County to freak wants women to pay support MTA endeavors for their birth control med- for three very good rea- ication by posting videos of Editor, the Journal sons. themselves having sex on The March 1 letter to 1. Although we are still the Internet. Creepy and the editor questioning trying to figure out how to weird is all I can say about the prudent use of public make it work effectively, that proposition. Get some funds on the part of Mason we live in a county with therapeutic help, crazy old Transit Authority deserves one of the world's best sys- misogynist fat man. Same consideration. We would terns for creating equal op- advice to his advertising all be better off if our tax portunity for all. sponsors. Women are un- dollars had more scrutiny 2. As Mason County's derrepresented in the pc- by a thoughtful citizenry, prosperity has diminished litical process, here in the At first glance a free taxi with the logging industry, USA and around the world, service paid for by you, the high rates of unemploy- Get informed. Horrible taxed, could seem foolish ment, poverty, homeless- tragedies occur each and to some. With a closer look ness, chemical dependence, every day to women and at the impact social mobil- school dropouts, teen their children throughout ity has on the future of the pregnancy and community the world. The best hope whole community, MTA's health and safety concerns we have for a better life is plan looks brilliant to oth- have reached a threshold to educate and empower ers. Imagine our surprise that makes federal and women on our planet, to find some of the beststate resources available. The Catholic Church social work in the country Theses funds are most of- talks about religious lib- happening here in Mason ten provided to community- erty when it obstructs its County, facilitated by the based collaborations with female employees' access to public transit system. Go a vision and demonstrated reproductive health care. figure, ability to save money Where were the bishops' The wisdom of public through effective preven- concerns for decades, when support for school trans- tion. B O ST PUIIN ViCT portation is seldom ques,3. MTA has stepped up tioned. Our children need. and sought resources to to get t° School So why ~s facilifate:~ocial mobility for everybody. Their board of directors and advisory board have listened to the community and developed a broad base of partner- ships to enhance social wellness by providing transportation where and when needed. Dial-a-Ride has been just a prelude to MTA helping to transport Mason County into the future. Stay tuned for the trans- formation of the downtown armory into a transit com- munity center that will serve as a gateway to trav- el, personal growth and community innovation. Dan Ryder Family Resource Coordinator Mason County Readiness to Learn Program Against same sex marriage Editor, the Journal Bravo to Katie Groves and Doris (Hickson) My- ers for your comments on same-sex marriage and on problems of immorality. It is refreshing to know that I do not stand alone in a world I do not anymore un- derstand. To Thomas McKee and See Letter on page A-5 Shelton-Mason County .... ............. Shelton-Mason County Journal is a, member of Kari Sleight, publisher , Advertising: USPS 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. Jesse Mullen, general mgr. Dave Pierik St. Acct. Executive Harvey Morris ad representative POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES" Newsroom: Sharee Miller, ad representat ve County Journal RO Box 430 Shelton WA 98584 ...... $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Kevan Moore, managing editor Published weekly byShelton,Mason County Journal, Inc. $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Aria Shephard, North Mason, Front office: . Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper at 227 West Cota Street, Sheton, Wash ngton Mason County $61 per year out off state, environment, reporter " Margot Brand, circulation Mailing address P.O Box430 Shelton, WA98584 ....... . , Natalie Johnson, reporter Telephone (360) 426-4412,www:masoncounty.com Owned and pubiished by Emily Hanson, sports reporter Cricket Carter, mailroom Adam Rudnick, copy editorsupervisor Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc Composing room: William Adams, graphics Koleen Wood, classifieds/legals Becky Corr, typing Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller press operator Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, March 15, 2012