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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
March 29, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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March 29, 2012
 
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JOURNALEDITORIAL Mason County leaders must keep unemployment in mind ne year ago the Shelton- Mason County Journal penned an editorial taking the city to task in reaction to 12.4 percent unemployment figures in Mason County. Today we are still asking the city to take the same actions: create tax incentives and simplify permitting processes. While we are pleased to see Mason County's unemployment rate drop from 12.4 percent to 11.5 percent since last year, our elected i percent drop in unemployment mtmity can support, city and county government can officials must work together in can make an enormous difference Mason County lost a lot of busi- make it happen by creating the sending a strong message that in our community but lower un- ness since 2008, but we're encour- tax incentives and simplifying the Shelton, and Mason County, is employment does not necessarily aged by the new specialty busi- permitting processes that we've open for business, mean more people are working, nesses selling meat, produce and been asking them to do for a year. To be fair, the rezone near the There are about 160 fewer em- beer that have opened. We are also Mason County is populated with fairgrounds is a major step for- ployees in the county this year encouraged that fewer businesses hard-working people looking to ward and the city staff is to be compared to last year according closed their door over the winter provide a safe, comfortable life for applauded for the hard work and to the Washington State Employ- as compared to the previous one. our families. Our local government dedication they put in to make this ment Security Department, and Single digit unemployment leaders have a responsibility to happen. 11.5 percent unemployment is still and a more robust economy iscreate an environment conducive We acknowledge that a nearly much higher than any stable com- possible for Mason County. Our to economic growth so we can. Ifb TILL MOT IM :f:< LETTERSTOTHEEDiTOR A halfway house and a Level 3 sex job assomemightsuggest, brings to mind Charles offenders Campbell, a rapist, who had threatened his victim s h o u I d not with death if she testified against him, ran from his work release job, killing her be released by slitting her throat, her young daughter's throat and that of a visiting neigh- Editor, the Journal bor's. Yes, he was executed Why is it that Mason by the State of Washington, County seems to be a Mec- but here innocent lives ca tbr sex offenders? Why were taken as a result of is it that level 3 sex of- his release. fenders that are said to be What is it going to take highly likely to re-offend, to make changes in the law are turned loose and al- to safeguard our citizens, lowed to register as a tran- our children? A Tim Eyman sient? How often are they initiative? It seems to me, required to report in and this sort of crime carries what are they doing and a certain mental disorder where are they going in and the release of certain the meantime? Why should mental patients that are another child, or adult for deemed to be a threat to the that matter, need to feel community and they are afraid or suffer from the released with nothing done acts of these devious peo- to protect the citizens. ple? Why hasn't a law been So, when do lawmakers put into place to safeguard wake up, when it happens us? No housing, no job, no to their families? While we way of daily tracking. No can't stop all sex crimes, we release, should certainly be trying to prevent those that we cept!! Seek a partnership I began looking at the Bel- know will re-occur, with Kitsap County, take fair sewer issues, I really, Irene Goldsby the sewer straight up north honestly see glimmers of Sheltonfrom the treatment plant hope! Keep it up! and bring it toward the John Gunter Bremerton airport! Belfair Here's a And what does Mason County get for it? How do we count the Wild solution "ways? First of all, the poten- tial for many, many sewer Olympics Editor, the Journal customers; Second, the In the end, many mighthuge unmanned territory of ~ m look back and say, wow!Phase 3in the sewer project ,ampa,gn Why didn't we pursue this completed and ready for de- earlier? Truth be told, it velopment; Third, external was pursued earlier, but money coming into Mason in 5helton localized business forces ap- County to help pay for the peared to have shut it down. sewer; Fourth, a move ofEditor, the Journal But no more! I could see business development away I recently attended a pre- the spark of brightness in from polluting the Hood sentation by the Wild Olym- the eyes of each of the three Canal and preparation for pics Campaign here in Shel- commissioners last night the future Belfair Bypass ton. I am impressed by what as Steve Bloomfield shared development; Fifth, a rock- I saw and heard. These folks about his meeting with Dave ing commercial and urbanare working hard to protect Garland with the Depart- development area in Bel-our rural areas and the ment of Ecology about the fair and Bremerton exactly natural resources that our Belfair Sewer. Presto! Mr. where it belongs; and final- economy depends upon. Garland was elated with ly, commercial property tax As our population grows, the brilliant solution accord- revenues coming straightprotecting wild areas of ing to the commissioner. So into the county's veins! How forest and rivers becomes what is this buzz spreading do we count the ways? more important to preserve across the peninsula? Thank you commission- our salmon habitat, to en- What a brilliant con- ers! For the first time since hance recreational access, and protect our watersheds that supply cold, clean water to Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Mason County shellfish growers depend on this clean, cold water. Mason County gives a unique experience of forest and the free flowing South Fork Skokomish River. I want my grandchildren to be able to enjoy the same experiences that I and other residents have enjoyed over the years. I am glad that Congressman Norm Dicks and Sen. Patty Murray feel the same. To read the report called "Draft Wild Olympics Pro- posal would have little or no impact to timber industry, but would boost region's competitive advan- tages," go to http:// headwaterseconomics.org/ land/reports/olympic- peninsula/ For a list of nearly 150 local business supporters and others go to wildolym- pics.org. Patricia Jerrells Shelton SheltoliMason County ;i USPS 492-800 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412, www.masoncounty.com Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Shelton-Mason County Journal isa member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $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, lnc Kari Sleight, publisherAdvertising: Dave Pierik, St. Acct. Executive Newsroom: Harvey Morris, ad representative Jesse Mullen, editor Sharee Miller, ad representative Kevan Moore, reporter Front office: Natalie Johnson, reporter Emily Hanson, sports reporter Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Adam Rudnick, copy editor Margot Brand, circulation Cricket Carter, mailroom suPervisor Composing room: William Adams, graphics Becky Corr, typing Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller press operator Page A-4- Shelton-Mason County Journal- Thursday, March 29, 2012