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Bd6a00
g Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor
..uursday, september 2, 1999 Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal
Mason High School
Mark Flatau has an-
that the 1999-2000
begin on Wednes-
with arena reg-
grades 10 through
Were registered last
received their class
the freshmen orien-
earlier this week.
la registration for
take place in the
gYm on September 8.
students will have
pictures taken, re-
assignments, pay
and purchase ASB
annuals.
is an estimated time
registration. Students
begins next week
should plan to be on campus and
be ready to register at least 15
minutes prior to their scheduled
time slot.
It should be noted that stu-
dents who had perfect attendance
for the 1998-99 school year quali-
fy to register with the first group
of their respective grade level.
Seniors:
P-Z: 7:45-7:55 a.m.
A-D: 7:55-8:05 a.m.
E-H: 8:05-8:20 a.m.
I-O: 8:20-8:35 a.m.
Juniors:
G-L: 8:40-8:55 a.m.
M-R: 8:55-9:15 a.m.
S-Z: 9:15-9:40 a.m.
A-F: 9:35-10:10 a.m.
Sophomores:
A-D: 11:10-11:35 a.m.
E-J: 11:35-12 noon
K-Q: Noon-12:35 p.m.
R-Z: 12:35-1:10 p.m.
If a student is unable to attend
arena registration, a relative or
friend may register for him or her
during their appointed time.
A completed and signed
"Enrollment and Contact Authori-
zation form" and a "Clear Fine
Record" are the students' tickets
to their registration time. Stu-
dents who do not have completed,
signed emergency cards or who
have outstanding fines will reg-
ister at 1:40 p.m., after all other
students are registered.
Last registration will take
place from 1:40 to 2:10 p.m.
Any question regarding this in-
formation may be directed to the
high school by calling 275-2811.
School break-ins
Sheriff's Detective T.R.
looks at one of the doors at Bel-
ry School, where a rob-
early last week. Sand Hill
and Hawkins Middle School
so struck. Several new com-
puters and other items were stolen. New
leads were coming in from the public,
but at press time, no arrests had been
made. Any information on the crimes
should be given to Detective Bill Hunt
at Extension 313, 275-4467 or 427-9670.
cians make the rounds
federal and state se-
of our
a number of North
on Tuesday,
U.S. Congressman
D-Belfair, and
State Senator Tim
:h, made a
in the Belfair
Week.
Dicks was in
School District
With the administra-
.Boys and Girls Club, of
Saan" honorary board
=u lunch with the
Kiwanis Club, and
time with the Hood
linen Enhancement
Sheldon had met the
with SOme of the
the North Mason
merce. On Tues-
at lunch for
of the day, which
the area,
new home, and
demonstration
enhancement
officials ad-
of issues of con-
tn the North Mason
lelfair and Hood Ca-
nal," shared Dicks, a new resident
of the South Shore. "I've spent
time here every year of my life.
As a kid in Bremerton, I spent
time in the evenings at Twanoh
State Park. There would be thou-
sands of people there every sum-
mer day then. We used to water
ski off that point."
His parents still live in Brem-
erton, and he spends a lot of time
there, too. He had given consider-
ation to leaving his voter registra-
tion in Bremerton, but it has been
transferred to Mason County
now. "Under the state constitu-
tion, you just have to be a resi-
dent of the state," he said. "But I
was advised that it would be bet-
ter to register where I was, in
fact, living." And so he has, and
gladly so, he indicated.
Dicks has been pleased to be
associated with the B&G Club of
Mason County. He wanted to give
that organization a big pat on the
back for doing so many great
things for kids in this community.
"Over 500 kids in North Mason,
and over 300 in Shelton have
been served," he said, sharing the
hope those numbers would go up
significantly.
STATISTICALLY, it has been
shown over and over that offering
these types of wholesome activi-
ties to youth will effectively re-
duce the number dealt with by
the criminal justice system, Dicks
"al filing set
on the Fire Dis-
board of corn-
the focus of a
period. John
effective the
has sought
an appointment to
auditor's
was time to
le general
a ape-
opened
and 7. Since
Opportu: for a
primary, regardless of the num-
ber of candidates, the one receiv-
ing the most votes will be de-
clared the winner.
Interested people may also con-
tact Fire Chief Mike Uglow at
(360) 275-3578, or Secretary Patti
Graeber at (360) 275-3919. Com-
mission meetings are the second
Thursday of each month. The two
remaining commissioners may
still choose to appoint someone to
fill the vacancy for the period pri-
or to the election date, Tuesday,
November 2.
shared. Therefore, $60,000 in fed-
eral juvenile crime prevention
money helped start up the local
B&G, and he is seeking future
funding from the Bureau of Jus-
tice, as well.
Regarding Native Americans
having been granted the right, by
old treaties recently interpreted
by the courts, to enter private
beaches to take shellfish, Dicks
would prefer to see a federal trust
fund set up for the purchase of
land from which to gather shell-
fish. In the meantime, he has con-
tinued to urge Native Americans
to work cooperatively with non-
commercial private landowners.
Dicks addressed the changes
that have occurred at Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard, recogniz-
ing that many residents of North
Mason are employed by the feder-
al government there. He shared
that the work force has dropped
from a recent high of about
13,000 down to about 8,000 now,
and he expects it will drop a bit
more before stabilizing.
He looks forward to seeing both
PSNS and Bangor work on the
Trident conversion from the cur-
rent C-4 to more sophisticated D-
5 missiles. "The number of Tri-
dent subs will be reduced from 18
to 14," he said, with half to be
homeported on each coast. He
also indicated that the remaining
four would not be destroyed, but
converted to non-nuclear use.
DICKS BELIEVES the U.S.
must remain militarily strong,
with the current China threat,
and any future threats to the
safety of this nation. He sees the
military as a definite deterrent to
war.
The congressman addressed
concerns about the safety of chil-
dren in schools, day cares and
other gathering places for kids, in
light of some of the tragedies in
our nation in the past year.
Keeping guns out of the hands of
would-be shooters was his main
concern. "The cooperation of par-
ents is required in monitoring
their own children," he said. "We
turn to'
Four vie for FD2 commission
Ralph Herth
Marcia Hamilton
Jim LeBlanc
(The Herald is sharing infor-
mation on ballot items for the
primary election. This week, Fire
District 2 commissioner position 3
candidates are featured. Last
week, Fire District 5 commission-
er Position 1 candidates and FD5
levy were covered. Next week, the
Port of Dewatto director District
1 candidates will be included.)
Four candidates filed for Fire
District 2 (Belfair) commissioner
position 3. They are, in the order
they will appear on the ballot
(which was determined by lot),
Kathryn J. Klusman, Jim Le-
Blanc, Ralph Herth and Marcia
Hamilton. They are seeking a six-
year term.
Ballots for the position have
been mailed to 4,832 voters in
FD2. The election will take place
entirely by mail, and ballots must
be postmarked no later than
Tuesday, September 14. The top
two candidates will appear on the
general election ballot in Novem-
ber.
The Mason County Auditor has
an on-line voter guide at
http://audit or.co.mason.wa.us,
which also includes candidate
statements.
The position is being vacated
by retiring commissioner Harry
Davis, who has served for 20
years.
Kathryn J. Klusman, 40, is
the owner of Canal Coffee Compa-
ny in Belfair. She lives in the Riv-
erhill neighborhood, and has
three sons: Shannon, 21, who re-
cently married; Kristopher, 18,
who is attending college; and
Leife, 14, who attends North Ma-
son High School.
Jim LeBlanc, 53, is a field
service representative with Inter-
lott Tech of Cincinnati, Ohio. He
and his wife Jo Anna live on Chi-
nook Drive. Margaret Ibele of Bel-
fair is his mother.
Ralph Herth, 57, is retired
from the Seattle Fire Depart-
ment. He and his wife Sharon live
on Haven Lake, have four grown
daughters and eight grandchil-
dren.
Marcia Hamilton, 56, is proj-
ect director for the Jammin' Com-
pany of the Boys and Girls Club
of Mason County. She and her
husband Denny, an international
training consultant, live on Tiger
Lake. She has three adult chil-
dren, Mundi, 30, Dan, 25, and
Elizabeth, 20. Her mother, Euge-
nia Woolman, is an artist, and
her brother is a journalist.
Questions asked by The Herald
are followed by the answers of
each candidate.
What motivated you to run for
FD2 commissioner at this time?
Klusman: I felt that the de-
partment could use my experi-
ence as a volunteer to meet the
upcoming challenges it will face
in the next six years.
LeBlanc: I would like to plan
for future involvement in fire ser-
vice. Within two years I will have
25 years of volunteer fire service.
Like all athletes, I must plan for
when I can no longer physically
meet the challenges of the game.
Herth: I enjoyed being a com-
missioner with Fire District 15
before the merger with FD2.
There was an opening for a new
commissioner now with FD2, and
being recently retired, I can now
give more time to the administra-
tive side of the department.
Hamilton: I want to serve my
community not as a firefighter,
but by bringing my experience in
planning, budgeting and policy
setting to this vital community
service organization.
What goals do you personally
have for FD2, and how do these
align with the goals of the dis-
trict?
Klusman: I want to get back
to the basics. FD2 was built on
the strength of its volunteers:
Neighbors helping neighbors.
Now, with family and job commit-
ments, volunteering is very diffi-
cult to do. I wish to assist the de-
partment in rebuilding our volun-
teer base. Through that effort, we
can control costs.
LeBlanc: My goals include the
master plan and mission state-
ment, more community support,
increased interest in fire and
EMS service, recruitment and re-
tention of personnel. How do they
align? I would hope in a straight
line. FD2 will need to be on the
lookout for more opportunities to
serve the public. Communities
are holding elected officials ac-
countable for their actions and
productivity. A fire department
that cannot and will not meet ad-
ditional needs of their
customers/public that fit with the
mission statement will be re-
placed by commercial operations.
The continued existence of the
fire service as we know it will
hinge on the organization's ability
to meet wants, needs and expec-
tations of their customers/public.
Herth: My goal is to best serve
the community within the budget
that the community can support.
Hamilton: My goal for the fire
district is to assure that the fire
district plans will safeguard and
conserve our limited budget dol-
lars. Careful planning assures
our community receives the high-
est possible level of fire and emer-
gency medical service.
What strengths do you see in
FD2?
Klusman: FD2 is on the cut-
ting edge of education and pre-
vention. We have an outstanding
group of dedicated individuals
who give of their time to educate
our citizens on many aspects of
safety and prevention. FD2 cares.
LeBlanc: Some will say the
strengths are in its equipment,
facilities, or its position in the
community. From my view, it is
the people: career staff, volunteer
staff and support personnel. Peo-
ple! People! People!
Herth: The strengths of FD2
are strong leadership through the
paid personnel of the department,
and dedicated enthusiastic volun-
teers that wish to serve our com-
munity.
Hamilton: FD2's biggest
strength is the dedication and
commitment of firefighters and
emergency medical service pro-
viders who risk their lives to help
save ours.
What weaknesses do you see in
FD2?
Klusman: In District 2, we are
currently experiencing a commu-
nication problem within the de-
partment.
LeBlanc: I do not feel it would
be appropriate to comment at this
time.
Herth: The weakness would be
maintaining volunteer fire and
medical personnel in an area that
is large and sparsely populated at
this time.
Hamilton: I have concern over
how the fire district is going to
continue to expand and still af-
ford service without increasing
taxes.
What do you see as the role of
FD2 as it relates to neighboring
fire districts?
Klusman: I fully support mu-
tual aid with neighboring dis-
tricts. We should work closely and
share our training and resources
to use our tax dollars to their full-
est.
LeBlanc: We need to maintain
agreements that provide service
and support to our customers,
and continue sharing information
and communications.
Herth: Our role is to continue
the support of "mutual" programs
to serve the communities.
Hamilton: I believe that
avoiding unnecessary administra-
tive duplication and sharing re-
sources has proven to save tax-
payer dollars and improve ser-
vice.
If there was a policy on the
books with which you disagreed,
what steps would you take to
change that?
Klusman: I would review the
policy with other board members,
our citizens' advisory council and
department members. If the poli-
cy needed to be changed and was
supported, I would see to its
change. If that wasn't possible,
then I would attempt to modify it
to meet the department needs.
LeBlanc: First I would get
clarification, then make sure it
meets all standards, is within the
law and is safe. Then if changes
are needed, have a committee re-
view it and recommend changes. I
would also advise management
and seek their input to make a
decision based on information.
Herth: My action would be
conferencing with the fire chief to
have the policy explained and to
see if there would be a need for
re-evaluation of that policy.
Hamilton: I would discuss my
concerns with fellow commission-
ers, members of the citizens advi-
sory committee and seek input
from all levels of the organization.
That process would identify ei-
ther the value of the policy or the
need for change.
What do you see as the most
important issues that FD2 will be
dealing with in the immediate fu-
ture, as well as over time?
Klusman: The most imme-
diate issue is our lack of volun-
teers. Our tax base cannot sup-
port a paid staff large enough to
replace volunteers. We need to
dedicate the next several years to
revamping the volunteer require-
ments, splitting job duties and
improving communication skills.
LeBlanc: One important issue
is that public education and pre-
vention will be of equal impor-
tance as putting out fires and sav-
ing lives. Another is that our tax
base will only support a limited
number of employees, so other re-
sources are important to main-
tain level of service.
Herth: One issue of impor-
tance is the growth of the commu-
nity and the means to meet the
demands of that growth. Another
FD2 buys 2 water tankers
Fire District 2 has made its fi-
nal purchases from the $1.5 mil-
lion bond issue passed in May
1998, according to Chief Mike
Greene.
The purchases include two new
water tankers, with a 2,500 gal-
lon capacity each. These tankers
are designed to bring water to a
fire scene and to replenish the
supply brought by the fire en-
gines. The new vehicles have
open portable tanks that can be
set on the from
the tank, so that those fighting
the fire can pump directly from
that plastic vessel. This frees the
tanker up to go to the water
source for another refill.
"This continuous flow at a fire
not only enhances our ability to
fight fires," said Greene, "but also
will enable us to apply for a bet-
ter fire insurance rating for local
home and business owners." He
expects that process to take a few
months, and that citizens should
see a in fire in-
surance within a year.
Additionally, FD2 has had two
of their 1982 engines rebuilt and
refurbished, outfitting them with
larger, lastic tanks to replace
the rusting ones, among other up-
grades.
According to Greene, there will
be a slight amount of the original
bond money unspent, and that
will be used to repay a portion of
the bonds, saving the taxpayers
some of the interest.
9'
Kathryn Klusman
issue is to seek legislation with
the support of all county fire dis-
tricts, for a new structure of fund-
ing for the fire districts.
Hamilton: Important issues
include planning and budgeting,
recruitment and retention of vol-
unteers, meeting ever-increasing
unfunded state and federal man-
dates, meeting future equipment
and facility needs without raising
taxes, avoiding duplication of ser-
vices, mergers and consolidations
with neighboring districts, main-
raining response times, seeking
alternative funding sources.
What experiences and qualifi-
cations do you have that make
you the best candidate for FD2
commissioner, Position 3?
Klusman: I have been a com-
munity volunteer since 1972. I
was a firefighter for five years, a
dispatcher for Firecom, and am
currently a Senior EMT. I have
worked closely with administra-
tions, steering comittees and
several boards. I am well-educat-
ed, outspoken and definitely a
person who can accomplish what
I set out to do. FD2 needs
someone who can understand, re-
late and respond to the current is=
sues facing the fire department in
the year 2000.
LeBlanc: Experience? I don't
know of any ready-made fire com-
missioners in any district. I have
worked in the public sector as a
manager requiring responsibility
for large inventories and super-
vision of employees, and have
served as past president of the
volunteer firefighters' association.
If elected, I will plan courses in
fire management through FEMA
and the national fire association.
My qualities include integrity, be-
ing dependable, honest and I hope
humble, with a love for the fire
service and its people.
Herth: I have 30 plus years as
a paid firefighter/paramedic, 30
plus years as a volunteer fire-
fighter, and 6 years as a fire de-
partment commissioner. This has
given me the opportunity to see
and understand the responsibili-
ties that the fire service needs to
give to its community in relation-
ship to what the community can
give to its fire service.
Hamilton: During my career, I
have worked at nearly every level
of the business and service com-
munity in both large and small
organizations. I have worked as
director of service organizations
in several third-world countries
where the ability to stretch limit-
ed dollars to provide service
makes the difference between life
and death. Planning, budgeting,
policy setting all make the frame-
work, but people make the orga-
nization. I have the experience
and education to provide the link
between the community we serve
and the dedicated volunteers who
risk their lives to provide this vi-
tal community service. While in
the Philippines, I organized 12-
step counseling and critical inci-
dent stress debriefing training for
120 counselors in the Department
of Health. I have had training
and experience as a debriefer my-
self.
Holiday closures
The Belfair Herald office will
be closed on Labor Day, Monday,
September 6. The paper's dead-
line will be noon Friday, Septem-
ber 3 for the following Thursday's
paper.
Other Labor Day closures in-
clude banks, postal service, North
Mason Timberland Library,
Washington State liquor stores,
and Mason County Transit.
Labor Day also traditionally
marks the end of summer vaca-
tion. School in both North Mason
and Grapeview School• Districts
will begin on Wednesday, Sep-
tember 8. The Boys and Girls
Club of Mason County is sched-
uled to reopen Wednesday, Sep-
)er 15.
Bd6a00
g Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor
..uursday, september 2, 1999 Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal
Mason High School
Mark Flatau has an-
that the 1999-2000
begin on Wednes-
with arena reg-
grades 10 through
Were registered last
received their class
the freshmen orien-
earlier this week.
la registration for
take place in the
gYm on September 8.
students will have
pictures taken, re-
assignments, pay
and purchase ASB
annuals.
is an estimated time
registration. Students
begins next week
should plan to be on campus and
be ready to register at least 15
minutes prior to their scheduled
time slot.
It should be noted that stu-
dents who had perfect attendance
for the 1998-99 school year quali-
fy to register with the first group
of their respective grade level.
Seniors:
P-Z: 7:45-7:55 a.m.
A-D: 7:55-8:05 a.m.
E-H: 8:05-8:20 a.m.
I-O: 8:20-8:35 a.m.
Juniors:
G-L: 8:40-8:55 a.m.
M-R: 8:55-9:15 a.m.
S-Z: 9:15-9:40 a.m.
A-F: 9:35-10:10 a.m.
Sophomores:
A-D: 11:10-11:35 a.m.
E-J: 11:35-12 noon
K-Q: Noon-12:35 p.m.
R-Z: 12:35-1:10 p.m.
If a student is unable to attend
arena registration, a relative or
friend may register for him or her
during their appointed time.
A completed and signed
"Enrollment and Contact Authori-
zation form" and a "Clear Fine
Record" are the students' tickets
to their registration time. Stu-
dents who do not have completed,
signed emergency cards or who
have outstanding fines will reg-
ister at 1:40 p.m., after all other
students are registered.
Last registration will take
place from 1:40 to 2:10 p.m.
Any question regarding this in-
formation may be directed to the
high school by calling 275-2811.
School break-ins
Sheriff's Detective T.R.
looks at one of the doors at Bel-
ry School, where a rob-
early last week. Sand Hill
and Hawkins Middle School
so struck. Several new com-
puters and other items were stolen. New
leads were coming in from the public,
but at press time, no arrests had been
made. Any information on the crimes
should be given to Detective Bill Hunt
at Extension 313, 275-4467 or 427-9670.
cians make the rounds
federal and state se-
of our
a number of North
on Tuesday,
U.S. Congressman
D-Belfair, and
State Senator Tim
:h, made a
in the Belfair
Week.
Dicks was in
School District
With the administra-
.Boys and Girls Club, of
Saan" honorary board
=u lunch with the
Kiwanis Club, and
time with the Hood
linen Enhancement
Sheldon had met the
with SOme of the
the North Mason
merce. On Tues-
at lunch for
of the day, which
the area,
new home, and
demonstration
enhancement
officials ad-
of issues of con-
tn the North Mason
lelfair and Hood Ca-
nal," shared Dicks, a new resident
of the South Shore. "I've spent
time here every year of my life.
As a kid in Bremerton, I spent
time in the evenings at Twanoh
State Park. There would be thou-
sands of people there every sum-
mer day then. We used to water
ski off that point."
His parents still live in Brem-
erton, and he spends a lot of time
there, too. He had given consider-
ation to leaving his voter registra-
tion in Bremerton, but it has been
transferred to Mason County
now. "Under the state constitu-
tion, you just have to be a resi-
dent of the state," he said. "But I
was advised that it would be bet-
ter to register where I was, in
fact, living." And so he has, and
gladly so, he indicated.
Dicks has been pleased to be
associated with the B&G Club of
Mason County. He wanted to give
that organization a big pat on the
back for doing so many great
things for kids in this community.
"Over 500 kids in North Mason,
and over 300 in Shelton have
been served," he said, sharing the
hope those numbers would go up
significantly.
STATISTICALLY, it has been
shown over and over that offering
these types of wholesome activi-
ties to youth will effectively re-
duce the number dealt with by
the criminal justice system, Dicks
"al filing set
on the Fire Dis-
board of corn-
the focus of a
period. John
effective the
has sought
an appointment to
auditor's
was time to
le general
a ape-
opened
and 7. Since
Opportu: for a
primary, regardless of the num-
ber of candidates, the one receiv-
ing the most votes will be de-
clared the winner.
Interested people may also con-
tact Fire Chief Mike Uglow at
(360) 275-3578, or Secretary Patti
Graeber at (360) 275-3919. Com-
mission meetings are the second
Thursday of each month. The two
remaining commissioners may
still choose to appoint someone to
fill the vacancy for the period pri-
or to the election date, Tuesday,
November 2.
shared. Therefore, $60,000 in fed-
eral juvenile crime prevention
money helped start up the local
B&G, and he is seeking future
funding from the Bureau of Jus-
tice, as well.
Regarding Native Americans
having been granted the right, by
old treaties recently interpreted
by the courts, to enter private
beaches to take shellfish, Dicks
would prefer to see a federal trust
fund set up for the purchase of
land from which to gather shell-
fish. In the meantime, he has con-
tinued to urge Native Americans
to work cooperatively with non-
commercial private landowners.
Dicks addressed the changes
that have occurred at Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard, recogniz-
ing that many residents of North
Mason are employed by the feder-
al government there. He shared
that the work force has dropped
from a recent high of about
13,000 down to about 8,000 now,
and he expects it will drop a bit
more before stabilizing.
He looks forward to seeing both
PSNS and Bangor work on the
Trident conversion from the cur-
rent C-4 to more sophisticated D-
5 missiles. "The number of Tri-
dent subs will be reduced from 18
to 14," he said, with half to be
homeported on each coast. He
also indicated that the remaining
four would not be destroyed, but
converted to non-nuclear use.
DICKS BELIEVES the U.S.
must remain militarily strong,
with the current China threat,
and any future threats to the
safety of this nation. He sees the
military as a definite deterrent to
war.
The congressman addressed
concerns about the safety of chil-
dren in schools, day cares and
other gathering places for kids, in
light of some of the tragedies in
our nation in the past year.
Keeping guns out of the hands of
would-be shooters was his main
concern. "The cooperation of par-
ents is required in monitoring
their own children," he said. "We
turn to'
Four vie for FD2 commission
Ralph Herth
Marcia Hamilton
Jim LeBlanc
(The Herald is sharing infor-
mation on ballot items for the
primary election. This week, Fire
District 2 commissioner position 3
candidates are featured. Last
week, Fire District 5 commission-
er Position 1 candidates and FD5
levy were covered. Next week, the
Port of Dewatto director District
1 candidates will be included.)
Four candidates filed for Fire
District 2 (Belfair) commissioner
position 3. They are, in the order
they will appear on the ballot
(which was determined by lot),
Kathryn J. Klusman, Jim Le-
Blanc, Ralph Herth and Marcia
Hamilton. They are seeking a six-
year term.
Ballots for the position have
been mailed to 4,832 voters in
FD2. The election will take place
entirely by mail, and ballots must
be postmarked no later than
Tuesday, September 14. The top
two candidates will appear on the
general election ballot in Novem-
ber.
The Mason County Auditor has
an on-line voter guide at
http://audit or.co.mason.wa.us,
which also includes candidate
statements.
The position is being vacated
by retiring commissioner Harry
Davis, who has served for 20
years.
Kathryn J. Klusman, 40, is
the owner of Canal Coffee Compa-
ny in Belfair. She lives in the Riv-
erhill neighborhood, and has
three sons: Shannon, 21, who re-
cently married; Kristopher, 18,
who is attending college; and
Leife, 14, who attends North Ma-
son High School.
Jim LeBlanc, 53, is a field
service representative with Inter-
lott Tech of Cincinnati, Ohio. He
and his wife Jo Anna live on Chi-
nook Drive. Margaret Ibele of Bel-
fair is his mother.
Ralph Herth, 57, is retired
from the Seattle Fire Depart-
ment. He and his wife Sharon live
on Haven Lake, have four grown
daughters and eight grandchil-
dren.
Marcia Hamilton, 56, is proj-
ect director for the Jammin' Com-
pany of the Boys and Girls Club
of Mason County. She and her
husband Denny, an international
training consultant, live on Tiger
Lake. She has three adult chil-
dren, Mundi, 30, Dan, 25, and
Elizabeth, 20. Her mother, Euge-
nia Woolman, is an artist, and
her brother is a journalist.
Questions asked by The Herald
are followed by the answers of
each candidate.
What motivated you to run for
FD2 commissioner at this time?
Klusman: I felt that the de-
partment could use my experi-
ence as a volunteer to meet the
upcoming challenges it will face
in the next six years.
LeBlanc: I would like to plan
for future involvement in fire ser-
vice. Within two years I will have
25 years of volunteer fire service.
Like all athletes, I must plan for
when I can no longer physically
meet the challenges of the game.
Herth: I enjoyed being a com-
missioner with Fire District 15
before the merger with FD2.
There was an opening for a new
commissioner now with FD2, and
being recently retired, I can now
give more time to the administra-
tive side of the department.
Hamilton: I want to serve my
community not as a firefighter,
but by bringing my experience in
planning, budgeting and policy
setting to this vital community
service organization.
What goals do you personally
have for FD2, and how do these
align with the goals of the dis-
trict?
Klusman: I want to get back
to the basics. FD2 was built on
the strength of its volunteers:
Neighbors helping neighbors.
Now, with family and job commit-
ments, volunteering is very diffi-
cult to do. I wish to assist the de-
partment in rebuilding our volun-
teer base. Through that effort, we
can control costs.
LeBlanc: My goals include the
master plan and mission state-
ment, more community support,
increased interest in fire and
EMS service, recruitment and re-
tention of personnel. How do they
align? I would hope in a straight
line. FD2 will need to be on the
lookout for more opportunities to
serve the public. Communities
are holding elected officials ac-
countable for their actions and
productivity. A fire department
that cannot and will not meet ad-
ditional needs of their
customers/public that fit with the
mission statement will be re-
placed by commercial operations.
The continued existence of the
fire service as we know it will
hinge on the organization's ability
to meet wants, needs and expec-
tations of their customers/public.
Herth: My goal is to best serve
the community within the budget
that the community can support.
Hamilton: My goal for the fire
district is to assure that the fire
district plans will safeguard and
conserve our limited budget dol-
lars. Careful planning assures
our community receives the high-
est possible level of fire and emer-
gency medical service.
What strengths do you see in
FD2?
Klusman: FD2 is on the cut-
ting edge of education and pre-
vention. We have an outstanding
group of dedicated individuals
who give of their time to educate
our citizens on many aspects of
safety and prevention. FD2 cares.
LeBlanc: Some will say the
strengths are in its equipment,
facilities, or its position in the
community. From my view, it is
the people: career staff, volunteer
staff and support personnel. Peo-
ple! People! People!
Herth: The strengths of FD2
are strong leadership through the
paid personnel of the department,
and dedicated enthusiastic volun-
teers that wish to serve our com-
munity.
Hamilton: FD2's biggest
strength is the dedication and
commitment of firefighters and
emergency medical service pro-
viders who risk their lives to help
save ours.
What weaknesses do you see in
FD2?
Klusman: In District 2, we are
currently experiencing a commu-
nication problem within the de-
partment.
LeBlanc: I do not feel it would
be appropriate to comment at this
time.
Herth: The weakness would be
maintaining volunteer fire and
medical personnel in an area that
is large and sparsely populated at
this time.
Hamilton: I have concern over
how the fire district is going to
continue to expand and still af-
ford service without increasing
taxes.
What do you see as the role of
FD2 as it relates to neighboring
fire districts?
Klusman: I fully support mu-
tual aid with neighboring dis-
tricts. We should work closely and
share our training and resources
to use our tax dollars to their full-
est.
LeBlanc: We need to maintain
agreements that provide service
and support to our customers,
and continue sharing information
and communications.
Herth: Our role is to continue
the support of "mutual" programs
to serve the communities.
Hamilton: I believe that
avoiding unnecessary administra-
tive duplication and sharing re-
sources has proven to save tax-
payer dollars and improve ser-
vice.
If there was a policy on the
books with which you disagreed,
what steps would you take to
change that?
Klusman: I would review the
policy with other board members,
our citizens' advisory council and
department members. If the poli-
cy needed to be changed and was
supported, I would see to its
change. If that wasn't possible,
then I would attempt to modify it
to meet the department needs.
LeBlanc: First I would get
clarification, then make sure it
meets all standards, is within the
law and is safe. Then if changes
are needed, have a committee re-
view it and recommend changes. I
would also advise management
and seek their input to make a
decision based on information.
Herth: My action would be
conferencing with the fire chief to
have the policy explained and to
see if there would be a need for
re-evaluation of that policy.
Hamilton: I would discuss my
concerns with fellow commission-
ers, members of the citizens advi-
sory committee and seek input
from all levels of the organization.
That process would identify ei-
ther the value of the policy or the
need for change.
What do you see as the most
important issues that FD2 will be
dealing with in the immediate fu-
ture, as well as over time?
Klusman: The most imme-
diate issue is our lack of volun-
teers. Our tax base cannot sup-
port a paid staff large enough to
replace volunteers. We need to
dedicate the next several years to
revamping the volunteer require-
ments, splitting job duties and
improving communication skills.
LeBlanc: One important issue
is that public education and pre-
vention will be of equal impor-
tance as putting out fires and sav-
ing lives. Another is that our tax
base will only support a limited
number of employees, so other re-
sources are important to main-
tain level of service.
Herth: One issue of impor-
tance is the growth of the commu-
nity and the means to meet the
demands of that growth. Another
FD2 buys 2 water tankers
Fire District 2 has made its fi-
nal purchases from the $1.5 mil-
lion bond issue passed in May
1998, according to Chief Mike
Greene.
The purchases include two new
water tankers, with a 2,500 gal-
lon capacity each. These tankers
are designed to bring water to a
fire scene and to replenish the
supply brought by the fire en-
gines. The new vehicles have
open portable tanks that can be
set on the from
the tank, so that those fighting
the fire can pump directly from
that plastic vessel. This frees the
tanker up to go to the water
source for another refill.
"This continuous flow at a fire
not only enhances our ability to
fight fires," said Greene, "but also
will enable us to apply for a bet-
ter fire insurance rating for local
home and business owners." He
expects that process to take a few
months, and that citizens should
see a in fire in-
surance within a year.
Additionally, FD2 has had two
of their 1982 engines rebuilt and
refurbished, outfitting them with
larger, lastic tanks to replace
the rusting ones, among other up-
grades.
According to Greene, there will
be a slight amount of the original
bond money unspent, and that
will be used to repay a portion of
the bonds, saving the taxpayers
some of the interest.
9'
Kathryn Klusman
issue is to seek legislation with
the support of all county fire dis-
tricts, for a new structure of fund-
ing for the fire districts.
Hamilton: Important issues
include planning and budgeting,
recruitment and retention of vol-
unteers, meeting ever-increasing
unfunded state and federal man-
dates, meeting future equipment
and facility needs without raising
taxes, avoiding duplication of ser-
vices, mergers and consolidations
with neighboring districts, main-
raining response times, seeking
alternative funding sources.
What experiences and qualifi-
cations do you have that make
you the best candidate for FD2
commissioner, Position 3?
Klusman: I have been a com-
munity volunteer since 1972. I
was a firefighter for five years, a
dispatcher for Firecom, and am
currently a Senior EMT. I have
worked closely with administra-
tions, steering comittees and
several boards. I am well-educat-
ed, outspoken and definitely a
person who can accomplish what
I set out to do. FD2 needs
someone who can understand, re-
late and respond to the current is=
sues facing the fire department in
the year 2000.
LeBlanc: Experience? I don't
know of any ready-made fire com-
missioners in any district. I have
worked in the public sector as a
manager requiring responsibility
for large inventories and super-
vision of employees, and have
served as past president of the
volunteer firefighters' association.
If elected, I will plan courses in
fire management through FEMA
and the national fire association.
My qualities include integrity, be-
ing dependable, honest and I hope
humble, with a love for the fire
service and its people.
Herth: I have 30 plus years as
a paid firefighter/paramedic, 30
plus years as a volunteer fire-
fighter, and 6 years as a fire de-
partment commissioner. This has
given me the opportunity to see
and understand the responsibili-
ties that the fire service needs to
give to its community in relation-
ship to what the community can
give to its fire service.
Hamilton: During my career, I
have worked at nearly every level
of the business and service com-
munity in both large and small
organizations. I have worked as
director of service organizations
in several third-world countries
where the ability to stretch limit-
ed dollars to provide service
makes the difference between life
and death. Planning, budgeting,
policy setting all make the frame-
work, but people make the orga-
nization. I have the experience
and education to provide the link
between the community we serve
and the dedicated volunteers who
risk their lives to provide this vi-
tal community service. While in
the Philippines, I organized 12-
step counseling and critical inci-
dent stress debriefing training for
120 counselors in the Department
of Health. I have had training
and experience as a debriefer my-
self.
Holiday closures
The Belfair Herald office will
be closed on Labor Day, Monday,
September 6. The paper's dead-
line will be noon Friday, Septem-
ber 3 for the following Thursday's
paper.
Other Labor Day closures in-
clude banks, postal service, North
Mason Timberland Library,
Washington State liquor stores,
and Mason County Transit.
Labor Day also traditionally
marks the end of summer vaca-
tion. School in both North Mason
and Grapeview School• Districts
will begin on Wednesday, Sep-
tember 8. The Boys and Girls
Club of Mason County is sched-
uled to reopen Wednesday, Sep-
)er 15.