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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
May 19, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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May 19, 2011
 
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The Mason County Commission from Latimer's Landing. Journa photo by Natahe Johnson is considering charging a fee to launch County considers fee for launch at Latimer's Landing and Mason Lake By NATALIE JOHNSON If you area a recreational or commercial boater, it may soon cost you money to launch from Latimer's Landing or onto Mason Lake from county docks. County budget cuts hit the Mason County Parks and Trails Department particularly hard this year. In an effort to preserve the operations of two parks, the county is con- sidering launch fees for the Latimer's Landing and Mason Lake docks. "We have histori- cally not charged fees for commercial or rec- reational boaters," said county parks director John Keats. "Everyone to a person would like to offer our services free of charge." Th'~roi)osed~- fee schedule includes sepa- rate fees for commer- cial and recreational boaters. Proposed fees for commerdal b6 tt l' are for each truck and trailer and are $15 per day, $75 per month, $400 per year and $1,000 per business with no limit on number of vehicles. Fees for recreational boaters are consid- erably lower, and include a daily launch fee of $7 and an annual fee of $75. The fees would be collected using enve- lopes and collection boxes. Parks staffwould collect the money regularly. The parks department intends for the fees to be in place by July 1. Latimer's Landing has 5,000 to 6,000 uses per year, and Mason Lake's dock has between 3,000 and 5,000 uses per year, Ke- ats said. Assuming that use stays the same, the fee could amount to $10,000 to $12,000 in revenue annually for the parks depart- ment. Keats said the money would be used pri- marily to maintain the two parks, both of which have gotten new docks recently. "They're the two Cadillac boat ramps in the county," commissioner Tim Sheldon said. While few in attendance at Tuesday morning's county commission meeting ar- gued against more funding for the parks department, many took issue with the fee system. County Assessor Melody Peterson voiced concern over the fees, saying that this would disproportionately impact families with less money. "Even though I think that we are looking ey're illac mps IW thing e6tmty trying t8 di e urago. at an economy where there is a need to be as frugal as we can be ... entertainment will take priority over many things," com- missioner Jerry Lingle said. Teri King, of the Washington Sea Grant, also expressed concern ~gver the fee, saying that a fee for-" public launches will encourage, people to build more private boat launches, some- "I wonder if we could monitor or measure how many more applications for launch sites there are afterwards," she said. Commissioner Sheldon did not question the need for a fee, but questioned whether this was indeed a fee or a tax instead. "I think this notice of the hearing and this hearing today are out of order. The publica- tion talked about boat launch fees - this is a tax, not a fee," he said. Sheldon argued that the cost for daily launches was a tax because the money would not go directly to the maintenance of the park it came from, but could also be used for other parks. "There's definitely a difference between taxation and a fee," Lingle said. "We need to be sure our definition is correct" The commission voted to table discussion on the fee until June 14, giving county Pros- ecutor Mike Dorcy a chance to review the proposal. "If we're going to do this I'd like to see [the money] applied to the parks department," Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson said. by Dylan Roberts The moon shone through the open cellar doors as my feet pounded on the creaking, wooden steps and I ran out into the cool night air. I ran left into the woods behind my house, knowing that heading into the house meant him catching me for sure. As I ran into the woods I couldn't help but think of the past five minutes when he almost found me three thnes, hiding under my bed, hiding in myparents' wardrobe, and then in the cellar among all the dusty boxes we stored there when we moved out here into the country. I ran as fast as I couldinto the forest, trying my hardest not to look back. I swearI could hear his shoes slapping the ground only a few feet behind me. This was proved true when I heard him yell, "'Run and hide!" from less than 20 feet behind me. I put on a burst of speed and lost him when I ran through a thicket of thorn bushes. I didn't care that they tore at my clothes and my skin. I just wanted to get away from him. My plan worked pure puzzlement. As I slowly moved back around the tree to get out of his sights something brushed my shoulder and I almost screamed in surprise. My hands clamped around my mouth just in time to stifle my rising scream. I around and looked at what had hit my shoulder; it was the rope ladder of the old tree house I found after the move. I looked up and thought, "If I can get up there, he will never know where I am?' So with the best determination I could muster, I began to climb. up to see me, I reached the top and climbed up into the only room in the small structure. I looked back down the ladder, about to pull it up with me so he would have no chance of following me, but to my great dismay, he had already found it and was about to start climbing up. He hadn't seen me so I slid back on the floor and looked around quickly, hoping I could find something to hide in or behind. My spirits lifted slightly when I saw the old trunk that had had a nch of old toys in it when I found it. I lifted the lid and quickly climbed inside closing the lid as softly as I could. I pulled my knees to my chest and put my head between my legs and silently waited. I heard him when he got to the top of the ladder and climbed into the tree he tagged it. And I will never forget the sound of my brother's voice when he screamed, "Yes, I finally got youl" Midnight tag had always been my favorite game. Dylan Robe,s is an 18-year-old senior at Shelton High School. Writing has always been a passion of his and he feels as if he has found his niche. He has chosen short stories as his chosen medium because he feels he needs more writing skills. He is also an avid garner as well as reader. He works part time while he completes high school and lives in Hoodsport, Washington. As anyone who has seen, "The Holidays, Through The Eyes of Our Children" has noticed, The Journal encourages and recognizes the creative efforts of local youth. Look for more Creative Kids features in the Journal and Herald from time to time in the future. Artwork, poetry/creative writing and photography from Mason County students of all ages are welcome. Contact the Journal office at (360) 426-4412 for more information. I guidance toi : : : : : : Control infeaiobs d!sease. | Foster healthy lifestyles | Ease the difficulties of chronic i6 | conditions I Our complete medical care includes: / | Newborn care at MGH ( | Well-child checks I .( | Immunizations | Physicals (school and sports, annual) | | Pediatricg | MaraRowena Mar ynBerko TheresePzant ~ : ~=~ Ill CarreOnRam rez MD Board Cert f edM'D' Board Cert fied ~::i :':=: :~:i! ~ ~i:i i!i~%!ii:~.i~ i~ ~ .................................. ' Pediatri'cs .... ' Practitioner ' .~ ~ ' :~ *~3~ ......... Board Certified, Pediatrics Pediatric Nurse Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, May 19, 2011 - Page A-3