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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
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Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, August 4, 2011