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Impasse continues at Union fire commission
By JEFF GREEN
The brouhaha at Fire Dis-
trict 6 rolls on, with a com-
mission remaining divided
over the results of an inves-
tigation by the Washington
State Auditor's Office.
On Tuesday, Fire Dis-
trict 6 Commissioner Steve
Grout defended his action
in February 2008 when he
voted with Commissioner
Barbara Bodin to approve a
reorganization of the Union
fire department, which in-
cluded a promotion and pay
raise for Grout's wife, Dee.
Grout said Tuesday that
he found out Jim Nutt, who
he described as a valuable
member of the department,
was being wooed by an-
other fire district in 2008.
Grout said Fire District 6
Chief Rich Heinrich asked
him what could be done and
Grout told him to do what-
ever he could to keep Nutt
with the department.
From there, Heinrich re-
organized the department,
lining up Nutt and two oth-
er paid members, including
Dee Grout, for promotions.
Grout said in more than 20
years as a Union fire com-
missioner he never once vot-
ed on his wife's sal-
ary or position. But
he said when newly
elected Commis-
sioner Steve Levette,
who was on vaca-
tion in Hawaii at
the time, didn't show
up for a commission
meeting, action on
the reorganization had to be
taken soon.
Grout said in March of
2008 a new separate prop-
erty agreement between his
wife and him was drawn up
and Dee wrote a check to
the fire district to cover for
the difference in her wages
between the time of her
promotion a month earlier
and when the new separate-
property agreement was
filed.
Grout said he was offend-
ed that it was made to look
like he voted for the reor-
ganization for his personal
benefit. He said he would do
it again to save a valuable
member of the department.
"I have worked very hard
for this district the past 20-
"This nitpicking has got
to stop. This department
deserves better."
some years," he said. "I have
spent thousands of hours
and hundreds of days serv-
ing this district. Not once
have I asked this district for
a dime."
Union resident Ed Bind-
er said no one questioned
Grout's integrity. "You've
gotten sloppy as commis-
sioners," Binder said. The
fire commissioners need
to develop policies to cover
conflicts of interest and oth-
er issues, he said.
"My greatest wish is this
whole thing would blow
over," added resident Don
Chenoweth, who earlier in
the meeting received a cer-
tificate of appreciation from
the department for his role
in a recent water rescue on
Hood Canal.
"This nit-
picking has got
to stop," Che-
noweth said.
"This depart-
ment deserves
better."
"I do not think
it's about Steve
Grout," said resident Mer-
lyn Flakus, who has filed
to run against Grout this
fall. The audit report said
the vote was not proper,
therefore there was no vote,
Flakus argued.
Grout responded that
Chief Heinrich is respon-
sible for promotions and de-
motions in the department,
adding, "that vote doesn't
matter." There was no legal
requirement for a commis-
sion vote, he stressed.
Flakus said the commis-
sioners could have voted on
the promotions of the two
TOO LATE .TO CLASSIFY
TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY
Robber pleads guilty to reduced charge
By MARY DUNCAN
A 30-year-old man who
participated in a robbery
last December in codefendants who are
which a fake Rolex charged withfirst-de-
watch was stolen Pfeiffer, Kelly and gree robbery are set
for trials this month.
changed his plea on
Monday in Mason Reese acquired They are Matthew
County Superior Peterson, 30, of 941
Court. theirfirst "strike" Valley Street, Shel-
Samuel Edward ton; and Leisa Ki-
Pfeiffer, of 2833 Lin- under the state's yoko Pfeiffer, 20, of
dell Road, Olympia, .;¢, _offender 10 SE Springs Place,
pled guilty to an ijeT's~..,,.e]~..,jj Shelton.
According to court
amended charge of sentencingact. documents, on De-
second-degree rob-
bery. He had been cember 19 Shawn
charged with first-de- Morrow arranged
gree robbery. He is sched- Road, Shelton, received to meet Leisa Pfeiffer,
uled for sentencing on nine months, who wanted to buy a Ro-
June 15. Pfeiffer, Kelly and Reese lex watch for a Christmas
Two codefendants in the acquired their first "strike" present. Morrow said he
robbery also pled guilty to under the state's persis- knew the watch was fake
second-degree robbery and tent-offender sentencing but she did not.
have been sentenced. Ja- act, which mandates a sen- Then a dark-colored
son Reese, 34, of 2025 Ad- tence of life in prison with- SUV, driven by Kelley,
ams Street: Shelton, was out the possibility of parole pulled up and three men
sentenced to 20 months in for persons convicted of
prison and Patrick Michael three "strike" offense.
Kelly, 42, of 220 SE Ryan Cases against two other
with bandanas over their
faces got out, police report-
ed. Peterson, Reese and
Samuel Pfeiffer were in the
vehicle.
The men took the watch
and Morrow's wallet. At
his sentencing hearing Re-
ese said no one had a gun
and that a flashlight was
used.
A Shelton police officer
stopped an SUV under the
Highway 101 overpass on
State Route 3 just south of
Shelton. It was registered
to Kelly who was driving
and exited the vehicle.
Peterson reportedly fled
on foot and Reese, who was
a passenger in the vehicle,
took off in it driving south-
bound on Highway 101.
The vehicle turned onto
Ryan Road, hit an embank-
ment and two men fled
from the vehicle. Reese and
Peterson were arrested.
Samuel Pfeiffer and Leisa
Pfeiffer were arrested after
the incident.
"The food is wonderful:" "1 love the variety."
"Before ! moved into Alpine, ! asked
people who lived there about the food
and ! heard nothing but compliments.
Now that ! live here, ! agree completely."
Dan Davis, Chef
Meet Chef Dan, the man responsible for the good
food at Alpine Way. With over 25 years of experience
in all kinds of kitchens from down-home diners to
fine restaurant dining, Chef Dan says that he loves
the challenge of pleasing the residents and visitors
who eat at Alpine every day. From perennial
favorites like Crab-Stuffed Salmon, Barbecue Spare
Ribs and Chicken-Fried Steak to new dishes like
Rosemary Chicken with brandy cream sauce and
Capuccino Angel Food Cake Mousse, the residents
at Alpine Way always have a choice at meals.
"For some of our residents, there's comfort and
pleasure in familiar foods like grilled cheese and tomato soup," Chef Dan
says. "Others like new things. Each person has a favorite type of food
whether it is soups or salads or desserts. That means that everything
from the Steakhouse Mushroom Soup to the Bourbon Street Chocolate
Pecan Pie is important. What a pleasure it is for all of us in the kitchen
to serve so many of our seniors each day."
Chef Dan's scrumptious meals are just one more reason to consider
making your home at Alpine Way.
Car lustalla on
EnloeCustomAudio
& Detailing
One Room . o, . Entire House
Call Beth Johnston, RN, manager
at (360) 426-2600 for information,
a complimentary lunch and a tour.
RETIREMENT APARTMENTS,
ASSISTED LIVING AND
ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE
900 West Alpine Way, Shelton 98584
Dave says --
$20 OFF or
Boat Detail or Audio
Installation!
Purchase required for audio installation.
Offer expires July 31, 2009
". - Jr:rm
• Car Audio. Video
• Alarms Sales &
Installation
. Auto & Boat Detailing
Call Dave or Andy
360-545-6608
680 E. Johns Prairie Rd 0 Shelton
www.EnloeCustomAudio.com
eca@enloecustomaudio.com
other paid members of the
department in February,
then come back later to vote
on Dee Grout's promotion
when Levette had returned
from vacation.
"We didn't want people
to think the chief was uni-
laterally doing things,"
Commissioner Bodin said.
"There is a violation of
state law," Levette said of
the conclusion of the citi-
zen hotline investigation
by the state auditor's office
that Grout had a beneficial
interest in his wife's em-
ployment and salary when
he voted on the departmen-
tal reorganization. The fi-
nancial gain continues, he
added.
Levette recommended
the commissioners seek
some kind of legal guidance
on the matter. Grout said
it has been resolved. Bodin
said she wasn't willing to
spend district money on an
attorney, "which will bank-
rupt us in a heartbeat."
Grout and Bodin voted
against Levette's motion to
seek legal counsel, defeat-
ing the proposal 2-1. But
on Tuesday afternoon, Le-
vette said Bodin, as chair
of the commission, called
for a special meeting at
10 a.m. this Friday to dis-
cuss seeking legal counsel,
which was recommended by
the executive director of the
Washington Fire Commis-
sioners Association.
ONE ROOM cabin, completely
furnished, includes utilities. Rent
by day, week or month. 360-898-
1247. U6/18-7/9
YARD SALE June 20th, 9am-
4pm. Furniture, oriental rugs,
one 8xl 1 area rug, quality ladies'
clothing size 12-14, men's cloth-
ing. 201 SE Maplewood Lane, off
Lynch Road, Shelton. G6/18
2005 DODGE Grand Caravan
with wheel chair rear lift and
Jazzy Scooter SXT. 36,000 miles.
Call 360-427-5490. B6/18tfn
FREE TO good home. Two dogs,
both male not neutered. One
1-7/2 years and other 10 months.
Sadly we have to move by the
end of the month and can't take
them with us.Very good with kids.
Would like to keep them together.
Please call 360-868-2673 or cell
360-229-3903. B6/18
BRAND NEW! 3 bedrooms, 2
baths, community pool, W/D
hookup. No smoking, no pets.
$1,000 monthly, $1,200 deposit,
background check. 360-490-
7068. N6/18-7/9
SMALL JOBS: Drywall, painting,
roofing. Decks, roof cleaning and
moss removal. Licensed, bond-
ed, insured. DEYETC* 911B7.
D6/18-9/3
NEAR TOWN, 1/2 acre, 2 bed-
room, 2 bath, large carport,
Recently remodeled. Available
August 1. $795. 253-537-9215.
A6/18-7/2
EFI IS now hiring for a P.T.
Janitorial position. Basic janito-
rial duties which includes clean-
ing and washing of cars 20-25
hours per week, M-F. Position
starts at $8.55 per hour. Must
have GED/HS diploma, pass a
criminal background check &
drug screen, be 21 or over with
a valid WA DL. Applications and
full job description available at
EFI 2009 Railroad Ave M-F 7:30-
4:30. www.ITeam-EFI.org. EFI is
an EOE and drug free employer.
E6/18
TWIN BED, nearly new mattress,
$60. 360-427-9070 W6/18
YARD SALE, June 19th-20th,
8am-3pm. 1806 SE Jones Road.
All proceeds benefit Relay for
Life. C6/18
50" MITSUBISHI projection TV.
Paid over $2,000, asking $300,
cash only. 360-877-9532. K6/18
ON-SITE ESTATE auction! PeEII,
WA, Saturday, June 20 at 11am.
(Preview 9am-Sale) Featuring a
house full, 3 buildings and a barn,
and 2 shops full of stuff! Every-
thing from furniture to fish tanks,
tons of trailer building supplies
from the owners' trailer company,
2 electric cars, a Ford Taurus,
Clark forklift, trailer mounted
trash burner, Yard Machine, MTD
riding mower, appliances, vin-
tage rug beaters, competition
bows, commercial pallet rack-
ing, DeWalt radial arm saw, 10"
table saw, rear tine tiller, electric
yard sprayer, vintage wheel bar-
row, tons of hand & power tools,
shelving, storage bins, benches,
miter saws, ladders, plumbing,
piping, electric hay elevator,
stamping supplies, loaded tool
boxes, primitive cabinets, roll-
top desk, nice gun safe, dress-
ers, armoire, art, buffet, JVC flat
screen, wall curio, glass shoes,
sad irons, bookcases, Knack job
box, truck box, trailer axles, met-
al fence post, boat trailer, stock
watering bins, commercial air
compressor, job & scrap metal,
trailer fenders, gas water pump,
chains, trailer hubs, post hole au-
ger, several trailers, shop press,
floor jack, chain saws, parts
cleaner, fencing, disc sander,
Clarke MIG 130 EN welder, car
ramps, trailer jacks, work tables,
hardware, table top drill press,
new trailer tires and wheels and
building parts, ball couplers, light
kits etc., hay knives, pick a rod,
tree trimmer, full tool boxes, 100s
of tools, pipe clamps, misc. lum-
ber, wood, scaffolding, tow bars,
tires and wheels. Follow auction
signs from the bridge in PeEII.
Info at 360-791-6085 or johnny-
sauction.com. J6/18
I$
(360) 918-9100
! I i I I LACEY
i I .......... ! k l ST00L~,~yBI~.
www.floortraderlacey.com
*See store for complete details
Page A-6 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 18, 2009