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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
April 15, 1999     Shelton Mason County Journal
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April 15, 1999
 
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I00eaders' 00]ournal: Inform ,yourselves, voters Editor, The Journal: Prior to the last election on the propos(,d Pioneer high school bond. a sign in the Agate area ask(.(l voters to "Get Informed." S¢)m did, many didn't, several havtmq, and others won't. It's tru- ly a ham(, that so many people don't bother to look at both sides ()f l}w issue. First of all, I like the idea of a higl school in our district. What I (J(>l)'t like outweighs it by tenfold. I was born and raised in the Agate area. My husband and I s(mt our five daughters through th( Pioneer and Shelton school syst(!ms and now our grandchil- dren are the tburth generation re- peating t:he cycle. I've seen and c×p(rienced the good, bad, and s,htma (thanktiHly), the ugly. I,t:t's begin by examining some very real facts, lntbrmation being han(led out refers to matching funds, which come from the state. Many individuals are under the impression that "matching funds" mean 50 percent or dollar for dol- lar At the present time, the state merely provides 25 to 35 percent lbr all new construction, although tler is current legislation fsittinv in a tied-up legislature) ihat is seeking additional funding measures. Would these funds be r¢troactive to our bond issue, if passed now? Presently, we do not have matching funds! Property- lax payers pick up the remaining millions. Next, the information states that we'll be able to keep the $400,000 in-district that now goes t, the Shelton district. It's my un- derstanding that the impending plan will put that money into l)ioneer's general fund and as soma as the new high school is built, a hefty maintenance-and- operations bevy will be asked ot" tlw l)roperty-tax payer. To sup- port a high school comparable to any existing ones we now have will no doubt cost considerably more than we are already paying for the primary and middle schools. The past few years indicate lhat t)imeer has slipped a few notches behind in test scores. While I believe that is true, I also believe that programs are now in place, at the primary level at least, to correct many problems. l)iscipline remains a problem, but I believe that: all schools are af- ticted with this disability. Per- haps a way to get a better hold on that situation would be to hire a vice principal to handle discipli- nary actions and allow the princi- pals to t:'ocus on the overwhehning administrative duties. I would much rather support what we al- ready have and make it the best we can, and we all know that takes more money. By building and supporting another school, [,specially a high school, we'll be slretching the money so thin, we'll he back where we started. Would $400,000 a year come close to covering the (:()st of maintain- ing a high school? l don't believe SO. l.et's not firget, tblks, we also support many other entities :in the counly with our property tax- (,s: fire department, roads, law enforcement, Department of Nat- ural Resources, hospital, library, the list goes on, all vital to our in- frastructure. Let's talk about a bigger jail, which we desperately need. How about a 48-hour men- tal-health holding facility, which is a need. We have a lot of needs, countywide, and they all go after the property taxes. In the mid-'70s, the voters were convinced to place their lo- cal school taxes in the state gen- eral fund to be disbursed throughout the state's schools so that all would be funded equally. That was short-lived, as are most laws that take your money for the "good of education." This particu- lar law should be repealed or at least amendments made as it no longer does what it was intended to do. A total reconstruction of school funding needs to be done. Yes, bonds are low right now, but with growth management along with the proposed fish and wildlife ordinance, low bonds will not be a benefit in the long run. The state's plans are to restrict private property to the point where it will drop in value, possi- bly creating a property-tax reduc- tion. Who will suffer beside the property owner? You got it - all those entities depending on those taxes. Now where does that leave our schools? Now let's address the busing situation in the Pioneer School District. The earliest students, picked up at 6:15 a.m., live on Harstine Island. Average rider- ship is about 14. They are deliv- ered at Pioneer at 7 a.m. to be transferred to a bus which deliv- ers them to Shelton High School around 7:30 a.m. Note that school doesn't start until 8 a.m. The driver of the second bus does have another run, driving a smaller bus and going back to Harstine Island for one student who is then transported to a special-needs class in Shelton. Incidentally, for those who are unaware, Pioneer spends roughly $50,000 extra in nine months just in driver's wages, gas and oil, and normal wear and tear (not includ- ing additional repairs) to drive back and forth two and three times daily by keeping their bus- es housed in Shelton. It is said that the buses would be housed back at Pioneer if the high school bond is passed. Personally, I have not seen anything to indicate that fact. When the primary school was built, we were told, verbally, that the buses would be returned to Pioneer. Where are they? The present proposal appears to be just as vague as was the primary school manipulation. Some folks I've talked with feel that voting for a new school with- out visually witnessing a plan gives the school district a blank check. A few others have remem- bered a former board member, years ago, stating that once they received the money, it was their decision where to spend it, even though it was delegated for a spe- cific purpose. (A special levy cov- ering construction of a water tank and re-roofing the original build- ing; cost overruns on the water tank; a roof neglected, to leak for months to come.) This happens to be one issue that will haunt all board members, perhaps forever. Recently, during a debate, I was told that if I couldn't afford the taxes, then sell out. Not only was I offended by the narrow- minded remark, I was appalled that anyone could make such a judgment of the many people who have worked very hard all of their lives for what they have accumu- lated. Pioneer School District does not have an abundance of wealthy homeowners that can af- ford every issue put before them. Even with continued growth, there won't be the tax base to support it all reasonably (unless of course someone is aware of Mi- crosoft, Boeing or an industrial boom constructed within the dis- trict's borders). The proposed bond, if passed, and the M&0 levy that will follow will increase my property taxes by $400 per year. John Diehl's letter (April 8) to The Journal and one by Gaylord Kidney (March 18) were excel- lent. Mr. Kidney wrote in part, House Bill 1828, if passed, would make money available for school construction. We have got to make the state more accountable for educational resources as a whole. Please call your legislators - do something before we're taxed out of our homes. Our kids deserve it. This is about our children. They also need a home to live in. $400,000 a year to Shelton's School District and its extracur- ricular programs, maj be the most cost-effective means at our disposal for the time being. If we must pay for new construction in Shelton, at least all of the dis- tricts involved pay a share of the funding. If Pioneer has its own high school, we may forfeit more than we can afford, in more ways than our tax dollars. Vote "no" at least for now. Irene Goldsby Agate Confusion Editor, The Journal: I would like *to clarify a possi- ble point of confusion. The Jour- nal publishes the results of food establishment inspections for Ma- son County. Unfortunately a pro- gram run by the Mason County Senior Activities Association (its food bank) received some viola- tion points during its last inspec- tion. This program is in no way related or associated with the Se- nior Nutrition Program. The Senior Nutrition Program is routinely inspected by the health department, and we have never received any unfavorable reports. I am sorry for any stress this situation has caused you, but rest assured, the program is heavily monitored to ensure the safety and welfare of our clients. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly at 438-1100, Extension 14. Robert Colt Director of Senior Services Community Action Council Big Band Soun00 s! Dancing and Dinner Buffet Saturday, April 24 Tickets on Sale Now! Dinner Served 6:00-7:30pm Music and Dancing at 8:00 pm $12.50 per person Join us for the Big .Band Sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basic, LesBrown, and many more! i 'wing Coo AAAAA&AA Open Dally • Interchange H/101/10fl, $helton • (360) 4Z7-7711 • m.lttlle-¢lek.com Check out our new hour: Sunday thru Wednesday 10am to 4am 10am to 6am Pa;je 6 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, April 15, 1999 Adults should secure guns Home meet set Editor, The Journal: If you have children, teach key words here. The "We the People ofl.j County" Committee has uled a home rule charter ° tional meetina for 7 to _,, Thursday, Apr'l 22, at the pup' Much has been written recent- ly about the issue of gun control, and here is another letter. I want people to consider the fact that if adults who owned guns acted RE- SPONSIBLY, there would be no problem with children getting possession of guns and shooting themselves or other children be- cause they do not understand the significance of the gun. Adults who own guns need to secure them so that children can- your child the danger of guns, that they are not toys. Teach your children to RESPECT your pos- sessions, leaving them alone. Do not tell your children where your firearms are located, for they have no need to know. This is not a matter of your trusting them, it is a matter of your protecting them. Today, there seems to be an at- titude that children have the right to know everything that not get hold of them. No matter if goes on in a family and they have the gun has a lock, is in a lock box the right to use anything that is or stashed under a mattress, se- in their house or anyone else's cure the ROOM they are housed house. They do not, and it is the As for the general public gain- ing possession of a gun - if strict gun controls are put into place, only the law-abiding folks will be affected. Those who commit crimes with a gun will still be able to do so; those who are de- mented will still be able to get one and as long as law-enforce- ment agencies sell the guns they take from those committing crimes, the sky is the limit. Government cannot legislate people to have common sense, to act responsibly or to have respect for other's property. If it could there would be no need for seat- Auditorium. Home rule spokesman gley says the meeting the committee an explain charter address questions The committee seeks cal support for home for Mason County. tion is available from (360) 275-0396. in so children cannot get hold of parents' (or adults in the house- belt laws, no need for drunk-driv- lqlld them when your back is turned, hold) responsibility to protect the inglimits, no need for prisons. Youth Keep ammunition in a place other children from themselves. Re- J.W. Johnson than wherethegunis, sponsibility and respect are the Shelton when CY cl Officials destroy freedoms hats bank A 13-year-old boy Cartoon by C.W. Mason Editor, The Journal: We ask our leaders to protect our rights, then cry out about the loss of freedom. We ask our leaders to protect our property and cry out against growth management. We ask our leaders to protect our environment and cry out against loss of industry. Too often we hear the cry, "There ought to be a law," and the lawyers fill our libraries with le- gal verbosity (and their pockets with legal tender) while claiming sole sovereignty over proper in- terpretation and presentation in the courts. A couple thousand years ago we were given 10 simple laws on tablets of stone, but we seem to have mutilated those laws in a multitude of amendments by pleading for "protection." We have placed our freedoms and our rights in the hands of elected offi- cials. They, and innumerable reg- ulatory agencies, are destroying both. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little tempo- rary safety deserve neither liber- ty or safety." C.W. Mason Shelton Mason General injured spleen near mile 1 of Binm' Road east of Shelton. The boy was riding motorcycle when bankment and was eje cording to the Wa: Patrol. Troopers said the was totally destroyed the boy was wearing a the time of the crash. Skok group set A special meeting komish Flood trict Advisory been scheduled for night at the Skokom! Hall on Skoko Road. The purpose of the to discuss a proposed control high-water Bambi Farms Road. More information is from the Mason County ment of Public Works 9670, Extension 450. Buy "em rigid off the Jrwk or we can delJvorl HURRY! Quantities are limited! When they're gone, they're gone! SEAIRS Shelton Sears owned and operated by WALLY JOHNSON 301 Wallace Kneeland Boulevard, Suite 236, Shelton, WA 432-9166 I00eaders' 00]ournal: Inform ,yourselves, voters Editor, The Journal: Prior to the last election on the propos(,d Pioneer high school bond. a sign in the Agate area ask(.(l voters to "Get Informed." S¢)m did, many didn't, several havtmq, and others won't. It's tru- ly a ham(, that so many people don't bother to look at both sides ()f l}w issue. First of all, I like the idea of a higl school in our district. What I (J(>l)'t like outweighs it by tenfold. I was born and raised in the Agate area. My husband and I s(mt our five daughters through th( Pioneer and Shelton school syst(!ms and now our grandchil- dren are the tburth generation re- peating t:he cycle. I've seen and c×p(rienced the good, bad, and s,htma (thanktiHly), the ugly. I,t:t's begin by examining some very real facts, lntbrmation being han(led out refers to matching funds, which come from the state. Many individuals are under the impression that "matching funds" mean 50 percent or dollar for dol- lar At the present time, the state merely provides 25 to 35 percent lbr all new construction, although tler is current legislation fsittinv in a tied-up legislature) ihat is seeking additional funding measures. Would these funds be r¢troactive to our bond issue, if passed now? Presently, we do not have matching funds! Property- lax payers pick up the remaining millions. Next, the information states that we'll be able to keep the $400,000 in-district that now goes t, the Shelton district. It's my un- derstanding that the impending plan will put that money into l)ioneer's general fund and as soma as the new high school is built, a hefty maintenance-and- operations bevy will be asked ot" tlw l)roperty-tax payer. To sup- port a high school comparable to any existing ones we now have will no doubt cost considerably more than we are already paying for the primary and middle schools. The past few years indicate lhat t)imeer has slipped a few notches behind in test scores. While I believe that is true, I also believe that programs are now in place, at the primary level at least, to correct many problems. l)iscipline remains a problem, but I believe that: all schools are af- ticted with this disability. Per- haps a way to get a better hold on that situation would be to hire a vice principal to handle discipli- nary actions and allow the princi- pals to t:'ocus on the overwhehning administrative duties. I would much rather support what we al- ready have and make it the best we can, and we all know that takes more money. By building and supporting another school, [,specially a high school, we'll be slretching the money so thin, we'll he back where we started. Would $400,000 a year come close to covering the (:()st of maintain- ing a high school? l don't believe SO. l.et's not firget, tblks, we also support many other entities :in the counly with our property tax- (,s: fire department, roads, law enforcement, Department of Nat- ural Resources, hospital, library, the list goes on, all vital to our in- frastructure. Let's talk about a bigger jail, which we desperately need. How about a 48-hour men- tal-health holding facility, which is a need. We have a lot of needs, countywide, and they all go after the property taxes. In the mid-'70s, the voters were convinced to place their lo- cal school taxes in the state gen- eral fund to be disbursed throughout the state's schools so that all would be funded equally. That was short-lived, as are most laws that take your money for the "good of education." This particu- lar law should be repealed or at least amendments made as it no longer does what it was intended to do. A total reconstruction of school funding needs to be done. Yes, bonds are low right now, but with growth management along with the proposed fish and wildlife ordinance, low bonds will not be a benefit in the long run. The state's plans are to restrict private property to the point where it will drop in value, possi- bly creating a property-tax reduc- tion. Who will suffer beside the property owner? You got it - all those entities depending on those taxes. Now where does that leave our schools? Now let's address the busing situation in the Pioneer School District. The earliest students, picked up at 6:15 a.m., live on Harstine Island. Average rider- ship is about 14. They are deliv- ered at Pioneer at 7 a.m. to be transferred to a bus which deliv- ers them to Shelton High School around 7:30 a.m. Note that school doesn't start until 8 a.m. The driver of the second bus does have another run, driving a smaller bus and going back to Harstine Island for one student who is then transported to a special-needs class in Shelton. Incidentally, for those who are unaware, Pioneer spends roughly $50,000 extra in nine months just in driver's wages, gas and oil, and normal wear and tear (not includ- ing additional repairs) to drive back and forth two and three times daily by keeping their bus- es housed in Shelton. It is said that the buses would be housed back at Pioneer if the high school bond is passed. Personally, I have not seen anything to indicate that fact. When the primary school was built, we were told, verbally, that the buses would be returned to Pioneer. Where are they? The present proposal appears to be just as vague as was the primary school manipulation. Some folks I've talked with feel that voting for a new school with- out visually witnessing a plan gives the school district a blank check. A few others have remem- bered a former board member, years ago, stating that once they received the money, it was their decision where to spend it, even though it was delegated for a spe- cific purpose. (A special levy cov- ering construction of a water tank and re-roofing the original build- ing; cost overruns on the water tank; a roof neglected, to leak for months to come.) This happens to be one issue that will haunt all board members, perhaps forever. Recently, during a debate, I was told that if I couldn't afford the taxes, then sell out. Not only was I offended by the narrow- minded remark, I was appalled that anyone could make such a judgment of the many people who have worked very hard all of their lives for what they have accumu- lated. Pioneer School District does not have an abundance of wealthy homeowners that can af- ford every issue put before them. Even with continued growth, there won't be the tax base to support it all reasonably (unless of course someone is aware of Mi- crosoft, Boeing or an industrial boom constructed within the dis- trict's borders). The proposed bond, if passed, and the M&0 levy that will follow will increase my property taxes by $400 per year. John Diehl's letter (April 8) to The Journal and one by Gaylord Kidney (March 18) were excel- lent. Mr. Kidney wrote in part, House Bill 1828, if passed, would make money available for school construction. We have got to make the state more accountable for educational resources as a whole. Please call your legislators - do something before we're taxed out of our homes. Our kids deserve it. This is about our children. They also need a home to live in. $400,000 a year to Shelton's School District and its extracur- ricular programs, maj be the most cost-effective means at our disposal for the time being. If we must pay for new construction in Shelton, at least all of the dis- tricts involved pay a share of the funding. If Pioneer has its own high school, we may forfeit more than we can afford, in more ways than our tax dollars. Vote "no" at least for now. Irene Goldsby Agate Confusion Editor, The Journal: I would like *to clarify a possi- ble point of confusion. The Jour- nal publishes the results of food establishment inspections for Ma- son County. Unfortunately a pro- gram run by the Mason County Senior Activities Association (its food bank) received some viola- tion points during its last inspec- tion. This program is in no way related or associated with the Se- nior Nutrition Program. The Senior Nutrition Program is routinely inspected by the health department, and we have never received any unfavorable reports. I am sorry for any stress this situation has caused you, but rest assured, the program is heavily monitored to ensure the safety and welfare of our clients. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly at 438-1100, Extension 14. Robert Colt Director of Senior Services Community Action Council Big Band Soun00 s! Dancing and Dinner Buffet Saturday, April 24 Tickets on Sale Now! Dinner Served 6:00-7:30pm Music and Dancing at 8:00 pm $12.50 per person Join us for the Big .Band Sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basic, LesBrown, and many more! i 'wing Coo AAAAA&AA Open Dally • Interchange H/101/10fl, $helton • (360) 4Z7-7711 • m.lttlle-¢lek.com Check out our new hour: Sunday thru Wednesday 10am to 4am 10am to 6am Pa;je 6 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, April 15, 1999 Adults should secure guns Home meet set Editor, The Journal: If you have children, teach key words here. The "We the People ofl.j County" Committee has uled a home rule charter ° tional meetina for 7 to _,, Thursday, Apr'l 22, at the pup' Much has been written recent- ly about the issue of gun control, and here is another letter. I want people to consider the fact that if adults who owned guns acted RE- SPONSIBLY, there would be no problem with children getting possession of guns and shooting themselves or other children be- cause they do not understand the significance of the gun. Adults who own guns need to secure them so that children can- your child the danger of guns, that they are not toys. Teach your children to RESPECT your pos- sessions, leaving them alone. Do not tell your children where your firearms are located, for they have no need to know. This is not a matter of your trusting them, it is a matter of your protecting them. Today, there seems to be an at- titude that children have the right to know everything that not get hold of them. No matter if goes on in a family and they have the gun has a lock, is in a lock box the right to use anything that is or stashed under a mattress, se- in their house or anyone else's cure the ROOM they are housed house. They do not, and it is the As for the general public gain- ing possession of a gun - if strict gun controls are put into place, only the law-abiding folks will be affected. Those who commit crimes with a gun will still be able to do so; those who are de- mented will still be able to get one and as long as law-enforce- ment agencies sell the guns they take from those committing crimes, the sky is the limit. Government cannot legislate people to have common sense, to act responsibly or to have respect for other's property. If it could there would be no need for seat- Auditorium. Home rule spokesman gley says the meeting the committee an explain charter address questions The committee seeks cal support for home for Mason County. tion is available from (360) 275-0396. in so children cannot get hold of parents' (or adults in the house- belt laws, no need for drunk-driv- lqlld them when your back is turned, hold) responsibility to protect the inglimits, no need for prisons. Youth Keep ammunition in a place other children from themselves. Re- J.W. Johnson than wherethegunis, sponsibility and respect are the Shelton when CY cl Officials destroy freedoms hats bank A 13-year-old boy Cartoon by C.W. Mason Editor, The Journal: We ask our leaders to protect our rights, then cry out about the loss of freedom. We ask our leaders to protect our property and cry out against growth management. We ask our leaders to protect our environment and cry out against loss of industry. Too often we hear the cry, "There ought to be a law," and the lawyers fill our libraries with le- gal verbosity (and their pockets with legal tender) while claiming sole sovereignty over proper in- terpretation and presentation in the courts. A couple thousand years ago we were given 10 simple laws on tablets of stone, but we seem to have mutilated those laws in a multitude of amendments by pleading for "protection." We have placed our freedoms and our rights in the hands of elected offi- cials. They, and innumerable reg- ulatory agencies, are destroying both. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little tempo- rary safety deserve neither liber- ty or safety." C.W. Mason Shelton Mason General injured spleen near mile 1 of Binm' Road east of Shelton. The boy was riding motorcycle when bankment and was eje cording to the Wa: Patrol. Troopers said the was totally destroyed the boy was wearing a the time of the crash. Skok group set A special meeting komish Flood trict Advisory been scheduled for night at the Skokom! Hall on Skoko Road. The purpose of the to discuss a proposed control high-water Bambi Farms Road. More information is from the Mason County ment of Public Works 9670, Extension 450. Buy "em rigid off the Jrwk or we can delJvorl HURRY! Quantities are limited! When they're gone, they're gone! SEAIRS Shelton Sears owned and operated by WALLY JOHNSON 301 Wallace Kneeland Boulevard, Suite 236, Shelton, WA 432-9166