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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
July 26, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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July 26, 2012
 
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JOURNALEDITORIAL KOMENCOMMENT Not enough parks? How about trying McNeil Island? y!u can never have too many parks. hat's a given. Parks for people re ranked as a public priority, a necessity, a part of our state's infra- structure. And as the state's population zooms toward seven million, attention must be paid to the dwindling amount of space available for public parks. And nowhere is the need more criti- cal than in Pugetopolis, the population- pressed area from Marysville-Everett on the north to Olympia-Tumwater on the south. This band of land is squeezed between the Cascades on the east and the Olympics on the west. It is dominated by the saltwater inland sea, Puget Sound. And Puget Sound is where the need for parks is critical. Yet the opportunities for By JOHN parks on Puget Sound KOMEN are so rare as to be almost non-existent. Except there is one big opportunity still available. McNeil Island. It is the last pristine, undeveloped, wholly public-owned island in South Puget Sound. But the public, who owns it, cannot even approach it. Promises were made but never kept. A Governor's task force in 1980 declared the island "a natural asset irreplaceable at any price." "With its 12 miles of saltwater shore- line, virgin timber and acreage, wildlife and other natural amenities, McNeil Island is truly a unique place that the citizens of the state of Washington can enjoy in its natural setting for genera- tions to come," reported the task force. That report was made more than three decades ago. So far not one inch of the 12 miles of shoreline has been pro- vided to public boaters. Not one week- end camper has been allowed on even a square yard of McNeil Island's 4,409 acres. The island, in all its pristine beau- ty, is still for all intents and purposes a prison colony. The federal government abandoned its old penitentiary in 1980 as too old, outmoded and too expensive to maintain. The state took it over and immediately declared it would use it as a temporary state prison. The idea was to relieve crowding at the state's old prisons, particularly the State Penitentiary at Walla Walla and the Monroe State Ra- fbrmatory. Conditions at these facilities were terrible, and the McNeil Island "temporary" solution was too tempting to ~g~ore. Temporary quickly morphed into permanent. The state spent millions of dollars to update the old federal facilities and build new cellblocks on the island. It was what the state prison officials had always wanted--a location to build new penitentiaries where there would be no citizens to object. There would be no "nimby" reactions, no "not in my back- yard" public protests. The promise of an Island-In-The- Sound public park was discarded. The 1980 Governor's Task Force's words faded away as another study to be placed on a shelf and forgotten. But in the years since, the state has phased out almost all its prison facilities on the island. The ancient McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary is gone. Much of what the state built is no longer in use. All that remains is an institution to house sex offenders the state deems to dangerous to parole. So 4,409 acres of what should be a public island remains hostage to a band of criminals. The opportunity is there for a pristine island park, located right in the middle of population-pressed Pugetopolis. There's nothing like it anywhere. There is nothing comparable to McNeil Island's potential for the enjoyment of future Washingtonians. There can never be too many parks. • John Komen, who lives on Mason Lake, was for 40 years a reporter and editor, TV anchorman, national TV cor- respondent, producer, columnist, editor# al writer and commentator. His column, Komen Comment, appears each week in the Shelton-Mason County Journal. Shelton-Mason County Mason Transity Authority expansion a positive step With gasoline prices the Skokomish Tribe, has gone crease in ridership numbers plied to extend the grant fbr creeping up again, from six riders during its first for a brand new route is good another year. We're hoping Mason County resi- day to 183 total riders during news. Individuals who needthey're successful. dents need to know ~hey count the month of May. transportation throughout the Typically it takes about on reliable and inexpensive That number reached 357 county now have access to it. 18 months to establish a new transportation, in June -- the last month sta- The route gives individuals bus route, MTA officials said. That's why we're pleased to tistics were available from the living near the route who can't If the route continues at its see that Mason County Trans- public transportation author- afford or aren't able to drive current pace, the tribe and portation's (MTA) recent pilot ity. a way to run errands or pur- MTA officials said they could program to expand service The tribe received a one- chase groceries, expand service and create an past Hoodsport to Lake Cush- year, $73,000 grant earlier On top of that, once the express shuttle from north of man is gaining traction, this year to fund the pilot pro- route becomes established, of- Brinnon on U.S. Highway 106 Launched in April, MTA's gram after trying to find a way ficials said they think a great- to Olympia, giving riders even new route, funded through a to partner with MTA since er number of people will take more options. Federal Transit Administra- 2010. advantage of it. We're looking forward to tion (FTA) grant obtained by Seeing the staggering in- The tribe has already ap- seeing more buses on the road. Remember, re-elect no one to gains tax, taxing the financial Recently they met in the Re-elect no their current political job and system such for derivative trad: privacy of executive session to promote no one from another ing and use the money to create grant a solid waste hauling con- O n e political job. infrastructure for Main Street. tract without competitive bid- That is just the beginning, ding. Did the privileged grantee Editor, the Journal Ardean A. Anvik Every teacher, policeman,gift $150,000 to the county in Re-elect no one! Our nation, Elma (Star Lake) highway worker and yes, fed-. exchange for the lucrative con- our state and our county are all eral state and local government tract? in trouble. The current crop of worker, that is laid offmeans Time will tell but these may politicians, regardlessofparty, Ring Erickson less spending in the economy only be the tip ofthe iceberg. I is no help. One definition of and a spiraling downward of believe we need full time com- insanity is to do the same thing has acted jobs and the economy. Itis missioners. over and over again, but expect called the multiplier. Promote our current county different results. By this defini- In short, there will be nocommissioners to the state Leg- tion, supporting incumbents to Editor, the Journal robust recovery until this is ad- islature and they'll have even fix the problems is insane. In I've been hearing some talk dressed, more public money to spend on the spirit of re-elect no one, I about the 35th Legislative Dis- By the way the inspirationlawsuits. support these candidates and trict race for Position 2, and for this lette to the editor is Hopefully I won't be shackled hope you will too. here's what I think, an Internet video. Take a look in the county castle and flogged in In the 35th Legislative Dis- Other candidates talk about -- it's great. It's a five-minute the town square before I can vote trict, our incumbent has been improving our transportation; clip by a rich capitalist Nick in the Aug. 7 primary election. in charge of the Education Lynda Ring Erickson has acted. Hanaur and is located at blog. Committee for a decade with no She helped obtain funding pjvoice.com/diary/2198/ted-talk- Bob Harris improvement in education. We for our ferry system, she has on-taxes-too-hot-for-ted. Belfair need new leadership. Do not re- worked with Fred Finn and elect her. Vote for Dan Griffey Kathy Haigh to keep the Belfair Linda Lee Gruer as a new face with new ideas in Bypass moving forward and Shelton Congratsto the Legislature. Mason County has some of the Also in the 35th District, best roads in the region thanks we have a county commis- to Ring Erickson. Mason County Hupp sioner running for the state Other candidates talk about Legislature. She is leavingimproving technical educa-~ y |Ly DO" "a|'l" • Editor, the Journal behind Mason County in ruins, tion; Ring Erickson has acted. I would like to express my financially. We have lost way She helped bring four-year gratitude to Commissioner Jay too many sheriffs deputies in nursing and mechanical en- Editor, the Journal Hupp for his efforts to find a the county. Now she wants a gineering schools to Olympic .... It's time for a change: Wesolution for the continuation of promotion to the Legislature College and helped improve • ' have two:Mason County Com-Our fairgrounds. It is puzzling to devastate the state with her the funding o£OlympicCol,missioners that act more like that the FAA has taken such an spending ways. Deny her a pro- lege Shelton. self-ordained royalty thaninterest in this relatively small motion. Vote for Drew MacE- Other candidates talk about elected county employees. Com- piece of property. Clearly, they wan. the environment; Ring Erickson missioner Lynda Ring Erickson aren't considering what the fair- I support the independent has acted. She led establish- and Sen. Tim Sheldon put up grounds means to the various candidacy of Randy Neatherlin ment of the Oakland Bay Clean with each other and endurecitizens of Mason County. for county commissioner. He Water District, she helped weekly citizen audiences only What do the fair mean to can clean up the mess left be- revitalize the Hood Canal Co- to seemingly conduct county the children? Besides pro- hind by the previous county ordinating Council, and Lynda business with predetermined viding a fun weekend with commissioner. Neatherlin not helped develop Olympia's conclusions. How much county exhibits, rides and great food only will provide new ideas, he Stormwater Master Plan. business is conducted in the for all, 4-H members have an will provide some stability and Your vote for Ring Erickson privacy of their office hallways opportunity to showcase their even some adult supervision is a vote for competence, a vote and/or in private executive ses- talents. Whether competing on at the courthouse. He will add for experience, and a vote for sion? horseback, displaying animals more deputies for our rural citi- our community. Many county taxpayers tried they've raised, or exhibiting zen protection, to stop extravagant and waste- domestic arts like sewing and I support Shahram Had- Andrew Graham ful squandering of county funds baking, the young people can :an for governor. He will go to Grapeview on the Belfair sewer, why did proudly show their accomplish- Olympia and kick the union our commissioners spend more ments. In addition to learning bosses out of their residency in than $50 million on this $26.4 personal responsibility and the governor's office. Hewill What really million project? Initial monthly gaining self-esteem, theyare assure citizens and taxpayers sewer rates of $96 to $4,036 and able to compete and become that we have a government of i ~'~ some sewer hook-up costs in eligible for the next level of thepeople, by the people and creates JIO'~S excess of $150,000 won't bring competition. for the people. Also the major businesses and economic pros- what do the fairgrounds candidates opposing Had:an Editor, the Journal perity to Mason County. Before mean to businesses? For fair are both career politicians, one It is simply incorrect that the our self-proclaimed noblesvendors, it provides an oppor- at the national level and one at rich are '~ob creators" and in- leave office, ask them who re- tunity to acquaint citizens with the state level, creasing any taxes on them will ally profited here? their products and services. For With Rep. Norm Dicks retir- make our economy worse. Taxes They finally granted a Bel- local businesses it also means ing, this opens up a seat in Con- on the well-to-do are the lowest fair UGA Advisory Committee increased traffic potentially gress. I suggest Jesse Young in more than 30 years and if but severely limited member- stopping to make purchases. It in the 6th Congressional Dis- they were the real job creators ship only to homeowners. Was gives folks with vacation prop- trict. His four ideals make him with such low taxes we should that divine wisdom or censor- erties an extra reason to come a perfect candidate: be drowning in jobs now. ship? use their place, perhaps buying • He has great ideas about Real job creation is caused by The commission raised the extra provisions from our bus:- our region and its riches in middle class consumption. If no sales tax in the depths of the nesses. It also gives visitors an climate, ports, workforce and one can afford to buy anything, great recession. Would Presi- opportunity to see what a great mineral deposits, a capitalist will not hire anyone dent Kennedy have done this? area we live in, in case they • He is young and energetic to provide the product. So our Sheldon and Ring Erickson might be thinking of a vacation and will provide feedback quar- real problem is the decimated embroiled themselves in an age destination. terly to the all citizens of his middle class buying power. For discrimination lawsuit with a What do the fairgrounds district, several decades, real incomes county employee. The settle- mean to nonprofits? It provides • He is not a lawyer, which of middle class Americans have ment cost everyone $115,000 an opportunity to educate the means we might actually get been flat (real income means plus countless legal fees and public about the services they tort reform through Congress. adjusted for inflation). Trying court costs. Maybe their regal provide. With donations and • He is a Republican, which to keep up, first both men and duties kept them from complet- government funding diminish- means he will be in a leadership women in the family went to ing a mandatory training ses- ing, fairground events provide position in the new Republican work. Then credit card debt sion required in this expensive a much-needed fundraising op- Congress rather than a back went up. Then houses were settlement, portunity that draws from not bencher with no power or influ- used as equity for loans. Middle They canceled the fair- only the local population, but ence. Dicks had this, being part class is at the end of the line. grounds contract, jeopardizing the visitors to our community of the majority party, and we what to do? We need policyour county fair and events like for the event. all saw his influence. Let us not to rebuild the health of the OysterFest that brings valu- What does it mean if the port lose that. Vote Jesse Young for middle class, including taxing able tourism dollars to Mason Congress. the rich, increasing the capital County. See Letters on page A-5 USPS 492-800 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington She~ton-Mason County Journal is a member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. Kari Sleight, publisher Newsroom: SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Adam Rudnick, editor $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Natalie Johnson, reporter $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Emily Hanson, sports reporter Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Owned and published by She~ton-Mason County Joumal, Inc : : Advertising: Composing room: Dave Pierik, Sr. Acct. Executive William Adams, graphics Sharee Miller, ad representative Maggie Burdick, ad representative Pressroom: Kelli Alexander, ad representative Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller, press operator Front office: Mary Northover, press operator Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Margot Brand, circulation Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, July 26, 2012