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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
August 4, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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August 4, 2011
 
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COLUMN EDITORIAL There's been no shortage of bickering about na- tional politics lately and there's certainly no shortage of reasons why. That's the bad news. The good news is this: local ballots have been mailed and local voters will get to vote for local can- didates. The August 16 primary features a three-way race for Shelton mayor, two port contests in Shelton and Allyn, a Belfair Water District race and two fire com- mission contests. In addition, three fire districts are running levies. Off-year elections don't usually generate much buzz, but they do matter. Fire District 3, 4, 6 and 9 residents, for instance, can ask themselves one sim- ple question: Is there anytlung more important than emergency response in a life-or-death situation? The city, ports and Belfair Water District have all gotten lots of attention and lots of ink on these pages in recent months and seem to be drawing plenty of voter interest. For those that have not been follow- ing these agencies, there is still plenty of time to get acquainted with the various candidates and issues in the next two weeks before ballots are due. Check your mail, check the box(es) and let the lo- cal griping begin! A quote in last week's lead cover story, "Growth management beard nixes city rezone," omitted a key word that would have changed the thrust and mean- ing of the sentence. The quote, from dissenting board member William Rohl, should have said, "Consultation does not equate with agreement (emphasis added)." The article also said that the city has been attempt- ing to rezone the 160-acre Shelton Hills development to neighborhood-residential since April 2010 when commissioners first voted to do so. To clarify, the Hall Equities Group's initial application for a comPrehen- sive plan amendment and rezone was filed in March of 20O8. Fear of Sh Iton Hills project unfounded ARer last week's headline related to the litigation the Port of Shelton is pur- suing to block the Shelton Hills project, it is time to hear from the project spon- ser. The Shelten Hills project is a 700 acre development located just west of Highway 101 and south of Sandersen field. The project includes a 55-acre regional shopping center with 500,000 square feet of retail uses; a 45-acre business park; about 1,000-1,400 residential units; a 200-acre public park with trails and small lakes; and a new school. The project will clean up long-polluted Goose Lake. It will reconstruct the Wallace-Kneeland 101 Interchange and fix the existing prob- lems at the Wallace-Kneeland/Old Olympic Highway intersection. The project brings an estimated 1,000 per- manent jobs to the City of Shelton and a greatly expanded tax base. This project has been under attack by the Port of Shelton since December 2008. Port leadership claims our proj- ect will be a threat to the airport which could result in airport closure. This fear is unfounded. In fact, we were working with prior Port leadership on a design that included a new airplane tie-down area allowing private pilots to enjoy the amenities of a lakeside res- taurant, hotel and conference center. Our plan visualized a relationship with the airport that was positive with mu- tual benefits. Our project is also consistent with the county and city laws designed to protect airports. Mason County and the City of Shelten have identical Air- port Overlay Zones covering all land area near the airport. Only one third of local government agencies with airports in the state of Washington have actually adopted these protective zones. Most have no special restrictions stall. The Airport Over- lay Zone establishes a hierarchy of restric- tions on surrounding lands. Land at the ends of runways is Mark highly restricted. Hall Land that is merely in the flight pattern surrounding the sides of the runways, less restricted. The least restrictive area is known as Zone 6. In most Zone 6 overlays in airports throughout the state, no special land use regulations at all are required. During the adoption of the Mason County/Shelton Airport Overlay Zone, current Port Board of Commissioners Chairman, Jay Hupp, stated that no restrictions in the Sanderson Field Zone 6 area were even necessary. Yet the Shelton/Mason County Overlay Zone contains s' mificant restrictions on uses, densities and notice to proper- ty owners. Residential uses, however, are not restricted in Zone 6. Most all of our land in the Shelten Hills project lies within Zone 6. Some 300 acres of our land was zoned resi- dential before the adoption of the new Overlay Zone and remains rosidontial to this day. The Port of Shelton, WS- DOT Aviation Division and Flying Advocacy Groups were all involved in the adoption of the Airport Overlay Zone, and they were well aware of our residential land in Zone 6. Now these same people say any more residential zoning in Zone 6 will result in closure of the airport. This makes no sense, particularly since the lands we are seeking to re-zone are far removed from the airport runway and lie behind mature timber buffers. Of the 28 air- ports that exist in the Puget Sound re- gion, all but one have residential uses as close or closer to the runway. The Port's opposition to our project when it is completely consistent with the very regulations it worked to estab- lish is an outrageous abuse of the legal process. It is a double cross on us and those who worked hard to develop con- sensus on regulations that private citi- zens like us could rely on when making investment decisions. The Washington Supreme Court has held that the Growth Management Hearing Board must defer to the judg- ment of cities and counties on allowed uses near airports - hero, the county and city have allowed residential use on the property. Why is the Port attacking our proj- ect? Port leadership states our retailers would provide little economic benefit, but now 60 percent of all retail dollars expended by Mason County residents are spent outside of County boundar- ies. They ignore the permanent in- crease of nearly 1000 jobs associated with our project, when unemployment in Mason County is now over 11 per- cent. I don't understand the Port of Shel- ton. What I do know is that the City and its residents need this project. This project will change Shelton for the bet- ter. Our project can co-exist harmoni- ously with the airport. In fact we can help to make the airport a better ame- nity than it presently is. We can help it reach its true potential. Only the Port leadership stands in the way. Mark D. Hall President Hall Equities Group & Managing Shareholder Shelton Hills LI~ "'D EDITOR called Friends Landing, Need a which is an all handicapped, accessible recreational facil- change in ity (also open to everyone). When David learned about District 8 Friends Landing he imme- diately threw himself into volunteering for whatever Editor, the Journal job was needed and he has been extremely dedicated Mason County Fire Dis- and works very hard to help trict 8 in Tahuya needs a us. His transparency and change. We are asking the willingness to work hard voters to please vote for has enabled us to have activ- Steve Christensen for Fire ities and functions involving Commissioner Position No. several hundred folks from 3, in the August primary, senior centers to rest homes Steve has lived in Ta- to those with physical and huya for many years and is mental challenges. Without very active in our communi- his involvement, theses ac- ty. Some of thoses activities tivities might not have been include President of Tahuya possible. Community Club, Tahuya Your community is in- Days, TCC scholorship pro- deed fortunate to have Dave gram and the salmon bake. Johnston already serving as Steve is a hard worker, your current fire commis- listens to all and would be a sioner and you have had the great commissioner. He will opportunity to see his dedi- work hard to bring everyone cation, desire and ability to together, which this com- give the very best to Union. munity needs. Please cast If you want something done your vote for Steve Chris- following the rules and reg- tensen, ulations then you know that Ernie and Shirley Aries Dave Johnston is the man Tahuya for you. Charles W. Caldwell Voters of Montesano Union Fire Stop the district 6 bickering at Editor, the Journal the port - Although I do not know the opposing candidate for Fire District 6 position No. 1, I have had considerable Editor, the Journal opportunity to work with Commissioner David Jolm- It is time for the circus ston over the past 10 years to pack its tent and leave and find him to be dedicated town. By that I mean the to any project in which he three-ring circus taking becomes involved, place at the Port of Shelton. In our community of The bickeringandbackstab- Montesano I am the presi- bing at the port has to stop. dent of an organization We have a port commission more interested in taking pot shots at each other than promoting economic devel- opment. Shelton and Mason County needs responsible economic development at the port not a dog and pony show. We need good living- wage jobs. The dynamic of the com- mission has to change and we need someone who can break the status quo who is not an incumbent or a re- cycled political insider. We need a person firmly rooted in our community who truly cares, only one candidate fits that bill. I am speak- ing of Shelton's own native son Brian Avery. I am tired of people making the port a laughing stock. This is an important election, and I hope you will vote for Brian Avery. April M. Hernandez Shelton Vote yes for the levy Editor, the Journal First of all, I'd like to per- sonally thank everyone who wrote a letter, displayed a yard sign or paid for an ad in support of our EMS levy. Passage of this levy is not only about a team of highly motivated, professionally trained volunteers and staff who'll arrive at your door in a time of need. It's about a long-term (10-year) busi- ness plan carefully craRed by a new commission to control costs and deliver ef- fective and efficient service. This new commission, only 18 months old, consists of three seasoned managers possessing the skills of fi- nance and project manage- ment, safety and fire ser- vice training management, or Latin America. Those re- human resources and risk ceiving salaries in excess of management. The commis- a million should pay bigger sion has hired a new chief, taxes, including those so- assistant chief and an office called movie stars and sing- professional who are work-Ob f ers. ing together to provide out ama or Ralph Wingert of the box concepts to im- ' ~ ..... Shelton prove fire service delivery. , ........... The staff has increased our volunteer ranks from nine N O mo re to 26 in a time of non-par- Editor, the Journal ticipation. First, I will not run for The reality is this if you a political office. I doubt I live on Vine Maple in AI- could get along with those derbrook, our team can get I would have to associate to you in about five min- with. utes or less. If you live on Second, I'm tired of Re- SR 106 in the 1600 or 9000 publicans blaming ObamaEditor, the Journal blocks, we can get to you in for the economy. Twelve about seven minutes or less years ago the Bush ad- On my drives through Shel- in your time of need. This ministration was export- ten I see gravel being loaded, team of dedicated profes- ing 300,000 jobs a month a busy lamber mill, a marina sionals has already reduced and said it was good for the and, yes, a Couple of smoke operating costs by convert- U.S. Adding 18,000 jobsstacks. I for one am glad to ing office space into sleeping last month is not enough see a forest product industry quarters for the volunteers, to bring the economy back. still working in Shelton. They have managed to pro- when Bush was elected by These industries still pro- vide 24-hour, in-station the Supreme Court, the U.S. vide families with wage jobs. coverage on weekends and was nicely paying down the On Case Inlet and inlets have acquired an addition- national debt. near in Shelton, I observe a al ambulance to transport Last year IBM fired 4,000 viable shellfish industry. our residents to medical in California and hiredTourism is another eco- facilities while maintaining 4,000 the next day in India. nomic benefit to this county emergency coverage in our Boehner and McConnell and I am glad to hear local district with a spare unit. want to give tax breaks to entrepreneurs are building Passage of this levy will their wealthy friends on the a racetrack. Our forestland, provide 365-day, 24-hour backs of us on Social Securi- supported by the forest in- in-station stalTmg for the ty and Medicare. They may dustry and government residents of Union. Passage as well give lethal injections agencies, provides many will allow the department to for cancer treatments and acres of land for hunting, increase its community out- other health problems to fishing and trail riding. reach in areas of CPR, first- reduce Medicare and Social Without a viable forest in- aid training, fall and hazard Security. dustry (being able to har- assessment training and I understand that therevest trees and process logs), fire safety inspections. Well are some making $200,000 would there be an economic be able to provide valuable and up who paid little or incentive to retain this land on-site standby coverage to no tax. With all those peo- for open space and tree- more community events like pie I read about getting $1 growing? tournaments, auctions and million-plus per year, their We need a viable forest fireworks displays. Passage tax rate could go up to 50 industry and, yes, this may of this levy will benefit ev- percent and give the U.S. a include a smoke stack or too. eryone in our district and good boost financially. Wall I am glad we have at least our guests. Street and big oil pay some two commissioners in the Dave Johnston of their people one to 16 rail- Port of Shelton promoting Commissioner, lion a year, plus the use of industry, family wage jobs Fire District 6 private jets and limousines, and economic development. Union Foreign athletes send Phil Wolff their money back to Japan Shelton Shelton-Mason County USPS 492-800 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason County Journal, RO. Box 430, Shalton, WA 98584. Published weekly by Shalton-Meson County Journal, Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mailing address: RO. Box 430, Shalton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 s www.~nty.oom Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington She#on-Mason County Journal is a member of Rick Kennedy, publisher Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. Jesse Mullen, l~t~rat mgr. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $37 per year for Mason County addresses, $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Owned and puUished by She~ton-Mason County Journal, Inc Advertising: Composing room: Dave Pierik, advertising manager William Adams, graphics Harvey Morris, ad representative Koleen Wood, classifiecls/legals Newsroom: Becky Con, typing Keven Moore, managing editor Front office: Aria Shepharcl, North Mason, Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Pmmgoom: environment, reporter Margot Brand, cimulationKelly Riordan, production manager Natalie Johnson, reporter Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Travis Miller press operator .F.m. Hanson, sports re o,er Aoam Rudnlck, copy edRor Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, August 4, 2011