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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
June 23, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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June 23, 2011
 
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Letter ON STREET Continued from page A-1 was a privilege to meet so many dedicated and caring individuals. The program is free and the rewards from partidpating are ton-fold. I encourage the citizens of Mason County to sign up for future academy sessions and learn the truths about law enforcement. You might be surprised; as I was, to learn that things are not always the way the media views them. To get to the truth of a matter, one needs to be informed. In closing, I would just like to send kudos to everyone who was involved in this wonderful training. Cheryl Dunning Shelton libelous rant Editor, the Journal The letter to the editor, June 16, entitled "Facts versus Spin," was a very confusing, disjointed and, to say the least, inaccurate libelous rant. Fortunately, on the cover, Journal reporter Natalie Johnson, did a great job of portraying the facts so that we could wade through the mud that Port of Shelton employee, Teresa Rebo, spun. Just to clear things up, the term "Mason Area Fair" was selected by necessity. When Mason County eliminated the Fair from its budget (after 101 years) the Mason Area Fair Association (a non-profit comprised of the former building superintendents) worked tirelessly with the USDA and local businesses to present a fair that maintained "status" with Washington State. The word "county" had to be changed when the county commission no longer oversaw operations. The term "area" serves a larger purpose and can welcome youths from neighboring counties. In order to participate at the State level, youths must attend a pre-qualifying fair. There are still qualifying places reserved at State for Mason Area Fair kids. The 2010 Fair was an amazing feat of volunteerism, faith and community support. Whether it was encouraging words, in-kind contributions or funding, in just seven short weeks our community should be very proud of what they accomplished. It also taught us something. There are a lot of good people here. Individuals that make the battle worthwhile when those propelled by less than stellar motivations nip at your heels. John and I are taken aback at the tone of Rebo's letter. Although she vehemently claims that this is "not about the Sansens," she uses our name no less than thirteen times. Odd, especially since the contract she takes issue with was with a corporate entity and there was no need for personal slams. The disturbing element is the "spin" involved in this accusation. This isn't just the mutterings of a disgruntled employee. Strings are being pulled in the background. An out-going port commissioner assisting an employee to do a trumped-up "whistle blower" claim against the organization he was elected to protect, a developer who serves his own motives in "just happening" to discover in county records a letter that only pert commissioners were party to. Follow the strings and ask the puppet-master why he makes our port elected official and servant dance. No, I am not so naive as to believe this attack is about the fair. However, it doesn't help much when all these axe-grinders use the Fair as their soapbox. We have a Fair to put on. Our books are shared with the Mason Area Fair Association, not port secretaries. We had a contract with the port of Shelton for a three day fair. Did we get a deal? If you ask us, it should have been less. We suggested a dollar at the time. This is a fair, people! Yet, if we must look at numbers, compare our contract with other renters in 2010. Perhaps what is not being said is more important. We are all about fair. July 29-31. Bring entries. Bring your family. Catch a Rodeo. Get sick on the Starship 2000. If you feel particularly moved, sponsor an event. Teresa's right about one thing. We do believe in kids. We have a responsibility to do all we can to make the place where we raise our kids better. Not just to set an example but also because, as trite as it seems, every little bit does make a difference. This fair represents a century old tradition in Mason County. It doesn't belong to the Port of Shelton. It doesn't belong to the Hansens. It belongs to anyone and everyone who participates, contributes or who has participated. Does Teresa realize that the families in Mason County built those very buildings she claims for the pert? Now who's being selfish? Make tracks to the Mason Area Fair. Rachel and John Hansen Shelton Why do some get to have more than 350 Editor, the Journal Some of the letters get awfully long. Last week one letter, on something about fair ground rental, exceeded everythimg. You may ask if I counted the words? Well, no. In fact I didn't bother to read it. But, I randomly chose four scattered segments, each containing ten lines with a counted average of 39 words, or 3.9 words per line. In the total of 35 inches of column length, containing 22 ten line segments of 39 words each; there were 858 words in the letter. You may ask, "Who cares. Well, nobody, I guess. But it seems tiresomely contradictory to your requested 350 word limit. Bob Hoit Union How much did the failed Adage deal cost Editor, the Journal Ask a simple question; do not expect a simple answer. No answers are forthcoming from Mason County elected offidals. I recently spoke before Mason County Commissioners and Port of Shelton Commissioners/ Executive Director John Dobson. I respectfully requested the total dollar amount of public funds each entity spent on the failed Adage biomaso incinerator proposal. What did Adage cost taxpayers? Mason County board clerk responded, J What do think about a county sales tax or mental health and chemical Darlene Knight Brian Weza Rinett Hays Shannon Klasell "I think it's needed. I"It's probably good "I think it's a positive "I think it's a good thing think it would benefit the because it's obviously a thing. My biggest if it gets used for direct services." big issue for this county." concern is the mental service programs, but health - they've made so not if it's just going to many cutbacks." planning." "There ... are no records the inabillity of these two the dilemma of exceedingtwelve months of washing ... to ... show the specific industries to stay belowthe proscribed chemicalschemicals into the Bay dollar amount spent ... on the standards set by theflowing from their plants really make sense? Adage." Apparently there Department of Ecology into Oakland Bay. RatherHow about fining them is no accountability for the regarding the chemical than give these businesses, for every day they are out time invested on Adage by content of the waste water another twelve months of compliance? Perhaps personnel employed by the these industries allow to to comply, or to bring that would be a greater commissioners, prosecutor, flow into Oakland Bay. themselves below the incentive to them to come the Departments of The purpose of these standards established byup with a solution than Community Development, notices was to advise the Ecology, I suggest that simply allowing them Building or Public Works. public that these companies Ecology enforce their another twelve months to County commissioners are seeking an additional standards, fail to find a solution, at have no idea how many twelve month extension Simpson and Olympic the end of which time they dollars they blew on Adage. (beyond the initial twelve Panel have already had an can request another twelve I received no response months they have alreadyadditional twelve monthsmonth extension. from Port of Shelton had) to come up with an of washing these chemicals, Katherine Price Commissioners/Executive appropriate plan which with their waste water, into Shelton Director/staff. will result in them not Oakland Bay. I did, however, received exceeding the standards If they do not have a an astonishing three-page established by the solution which will bring letter from one of the Department of Ecology. them into compliance numerous Port attorneys, It strikes me that theseal~er twelve months of Mr. Charles "Skip" Houser, businesses have had studying the problem, HI. The document, printed twelve months to solve does giving them another on expensive stationery, was #~+++i~iiii~+ii~i==~i~, ~i; ~i~!'~'i' "+;~:+; i ii!:!!~i~i'~i~!i~i'~ ;!~i~~~lk sent in duplicate via first l~ ~' ~ ~ ~ ......... ~ ~+~ ~+~ ~' ~+'+~+ " ~i++~+~+~]~:-.~I '+l class, certified mail. My exact i ~,~!~+' ~;;~=~:~=' , ~ .......... ................. ...... i~ ....... %~ ~ ...... amount ofp iic funds spent : on ... all aspects of the Adage ................... ' a application." I just want to + ........... know how much the failed Adage deal cost taxpayers. Skip didn't get it. He wrote "I am seeking.., an identifiable record..." and "unfortunately, your request does not designate a... record ..." He asked for "... further clarification..." Houser cited a variety of RCW's/WAC's, case law and Washington Supreme Court decisions explaining why he/Port of Shelton could not answer my simple question. How much money did Skip charge taxpayers to send a letter that said nothing? The Economic Development Council, the main driver of the Adage project, receives almost 90 percent of their operating funds from taxpayer subsidies. EDC is not in any way accountable to those of us who foot the bill. The last eighteen months in our collective dvic life have been an eye-opening time for citizens. I am proud of each member of our community who came together to organize, mobilize and stand together to oppose the very real threat posed by Adage. Our work is not done. Our community is strong. Citizens must remain vigilant and hold elected/ appointed officials accountable for their actions. Theresa Jacobson Shelton Editor, the Journal Public notices were published in the Journal recently by Simpson Timber Company (May 26 and June 2) and Olympic Panel Products (June 2 and June 9) in connection with After '10 Mail-in Rebate. You Pay '39.99 6' Type II Flbergla. Stepladder 2 for 50 Year 100% Silicone Sealant 10.1 0Z., Wldte 0r Clear. Seals cracks, joints, windows, docrs, sinks, showers. 11316.11315 ', 3 Pc.WCmme ~t Jml/4mk sesrat Hardware Monday-Saturday 8:00-6:00 Sunday 9-5 First & Mill • Shelton 426-4373 or 426-241 All prices plus tox * Limited 1o slock on hand I Shelton-Mason County Journal Stock Up! 2 for - Thursda June .5 23, 2011 -