May 19, 2011 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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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 |
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Well-child checks I .( |
Immunizations |
Physicals (school and sports, annual) |
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' Pediatri'cs .... ' Practitioner ' .~ ~ ' :~ *~3~ .........
Board Certified, Pediatrics Pediatric Nurse
Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, May 19, 2011 - Page A-3