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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 2, 1999     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 2, 1999
 
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Chamber numbers show Herald Highlights dramatic Increase dues are $100 a year. But the real magnet is the KPS health in- surance. Area chambers in surrounding communities also offer KPS health coverage, but for some rea- son, outsiders are not flocking to join those chambers. Melode Sapp, the executive di- rector of the Port Orchard Cham- ber, says their current member- ship is at 484. Where nearly one- third of North Mason's member- ship is from outside the communi- ty, Sapp estimates that no more than 10 percent of Port Orchard Chamber members are from out- side of South Kitsap. INDIVIDUAL DUES for the Port Orchard Chamber is $135 annually and $485 for 100 or more employees. And like all other chambers, Port Orchard re- quires local support to the cham- ber as the only major criteria for joining. The Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce has 430 members with annual dues costing $80 for an individual and $850 for 100 or more employees. Wayne Junge, the executive director, says that KPS coverage is offered to cham- ber members. Though he does not track the number of chamber members from outside the area, Junge believes the figure is just a fraction of the total. "Our only criteria for joining is that you possess a viable business license or live on the Kitsap Pen- insula," says Junge. In Shelton, executive director Dick Taylor reports that the Shel- ton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce has 380 members with individual dues costing $66 a year for an individual and $935 for companies with 100 or more em- ployees. "To join the Shelton Chamber," says Taylor, "all you have to do is pay the fee." He reported that less than one percent of members are from outside the area. Chambers of commerce are tbund throughout the world and are strongly entrenched in Ameri- carl life at many levels. They are the direct descendants of the mer- chant guilds of medieval times. The first association to take the name "chamber of commerce" was organized in Marseille, France, in 1599. The first American chamber of commerce was organized in New York City in 1768 with the pur- pose of "encouraging commerce, supporting industry, adjusting disputes relative to trade and navigation, and producing such laws and regulations as may be By RICK STEDMAN In a year-and-a-half, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce has nearly tripled its member- ship. As of January 1, 1998, there were 89 members. A year later on January 1, 1999, 145 members had joined the local chamber. By August 4 of this year, the cham- ber's rolls had swelled to 223 members. That sounds impressive, until you look at where the new mem- bers are joining from. Numerous members have joined fi'om as far away as Cheha- lis, Rochester, Morton, and Ma- dras, Oregon. According to North Mason Ctlamber of Commerce President Don Cady, approx- imately 70 members are from out- side the North Mason area. "ONE OF THE main reasons people are joining our chamber is because of our inexpensive dues an(t the benefits offered," said (ady. Those benefits Cady refers to are health-care coverage offered by the troubled Kitsap Physicians Service. KPS has been in finan- cial troubles of late, but officials at the 80,000-member health-care organization say that coverage for chamber members will not be af- flicted. KPS Health Plans, which has subscribers in Mason, Kitsap, Jeff ferson, Clallam and Thurston counties, is the area's largest health insurer. Though KPS health-care cover- age has attracted new chamber members over the last year-and- a-half, officials at the health-care insurance company acknowledge there is a problem. ACCORDING TO Judith Edgecomb of KPS, there is a loop- hole in the system right now. "We're in the process of changing the policy because too many peo- ple are abusing the system," she said. "This offer was intended solely for local chamber mem- bers." One North Mason chamber member is Wendy Hawes of ttawes Gutters in Rochester, Washington. Ne basically joined t:hc North Mason chamber in or- der to receive KPS benefits," she said. That same refrain was re- peated over and over by numer- ous others from outside North Mason proper. According to Cady, North Ma- son Chamber's annual dues are a modest $35 for individuals, non- profit agencies, and government organizations. For businesses with five or more employees the ms o Note For more information, please call (360) 874-9751, or e-mail cappella@net-nw.com. TOPS to meet Thursday mornings According to Carolyn Thomas, organizer of the Take Off Potds Sensibly (TOPS) 1032 in Belfair, the group meets on Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. in the Belfair Commu- nity Baptist Church. For informa- tion, please call 275-0962. Cappella Girls' Chorus looking for new members The Cappella Girls' Chorus is now accepting applications for the 1999-2000 season. Rehearsals be- gin on Tuesday, September 7. Girls ages 5-18 are invited to audition for the beginning, inter- mediate, or advanced choir. The cost is $20 for beginning, $35 for intermediate, and $45 for ad- vanced, The advanced choir place- ment includes monthly vocal coaching sessions. LAST GARAGE SALE OF THE CENTURy! LABOR DAy WEEKEND! 666 [ '9 puo 9 '17 '' JequJe4de$ iuosol61 qpoN jo qnlo s!uoM!)l eq, o elDS eIDJD-O snowD=I PlJO/V eqi EVERYTHING (almost) MUST GOI "We have so much stuff, junk and treasures we don't know what to do " 22921 NE Hwy. 3 -- Across the street from the Belfair Elementary School i,loe, qlP' t eql Joj JesloJ-punj | # JnO found necessary for the benefit of trade in general." These general objectives still characterize the movement. Locally, the Belfair Business Association was formed in 1953 with dues of $6 per year. Some of the members of the group were Nels Barber, Bill DeMeiro, Ed Co- kelet (both Senior and Junior), R.W. Cady, Leigh Hunt, Dorothy Harper (Belfair Drug), Bill Grif- fith, Bill Landram, John Pope and Sam Theler. IN 1967, THE organization's name was changed to the Belfair Chamber of Commerce with many of the same members remaining, plus double the number of firms and individuals. In 1968, dues increased to $12 per year. It wasn't until 1977 when the chamber's official name was changed to the North Mason Chamber of Commerce; it includ- ed the communities of Allyn, Bel- fair, Dewatto, Grapeview, Union, Victor and Tahuya. The local chamber's mission states: The purpose of the cham- ber shall be to encourage and promote business, tourism, social, educational, and environmental interests and activities of the North Mason community. DON CADY SAYS that in- creasing chamber numbers gives the organization more clout. "The chamber is the only political enti- ty and organized voice for the en- tire North Mason area," says Cady. "When we need to call on politicians, these bigger numbers (of chamber members) definitely give us more clout." Cady cited the increased funds as playing an important role as well. "We recently donated $500 to allow a committee to examine incorporating Belfair as a city," says Cady. The chamber will fol- low up in the coming weeks by bringing guest speakers to their regular meetings. In another charitable effort, the North Mason Chamber donat- ed $500 to help supply a school in war-torn Bosnia. According to Cady, the chamber is working with Denny Hamilton, an Inter- national Human Resource Devel- opment Consultant and local resi- dent to identify a specific school to donate supplies. Various members of the local chamber are also involved with this humanitarian effort that could also lead to developing a Sister City in Bosnia. Steve Warn Pastor Steve Warn has just ar- rived in North Mason from Katy, Texas. He is the brand-new asso- ciate pastor at Belfair Communi- ty Baptist Church (BCBC) who will assist in all pastoral duties, but will predominantly be work- ing with youth. He and his wife Dorothy, plus their four children, live in LakeLand Village. "These people are just awe- some!" he said of the church members. The Warn family ar- rived at their rented home at 7:30 on a Saturday evening, and "They unloaded us in just about an hour!" They thought it was a great way to be greeted by the commu- nity! The extended area around Katy, Texas is "a very small town" of about 150,000 people, he said. (.Remember, it's in Texas!) With three-and-a-half million res- idents in nearby Houston, Katy is indeed a very small town. Steve and Dorothy have lived in smaller places before, and they are al- ready pleased with their new community. TH:E WARN children are Bek- ki, 17, Andy, 15, Jenny, 11, and Danny, 9. The two older kids will be attending North Mason High School, and the younger ones will be students at Belfair Elementa- ry. Steve became acquainted with Dave Daroff when they were stu- dents at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Daroff is the senior pastor at BCBC, and the two of them have been friends for over 20 years now. Steve and Dorothy also met in college. "We fell in love in college," he said, "and have grown in love through life." Steve looks forward to working The following is an editorial from The Tacoma News Tribune, Sunday, August 29, 1999. Permanent EMS levies aren't wise Voting against an emergency medical services levy is like voting against motherhood and apple pie. Even so, The News Tribune recommends voters say no to EMS levy proposals in Tacoma, University Place and Thurston County. We have no quarrel with the purpose or the amount of the proposals appearing on the Sept. 14 primary ballot. The . I....,... problem is fire officials in those r--Lr.U I IUFI if jurisdictions want voters to w'IWeMMENDATION S make the levies permanent - ........ -- and that's unwise. Until this year, cities and fire districts could only ask voters to approve EMS levies for six- or 10.year terms. This year, however, the Legisla.ture allowed cities and fire districts to seek approval for permanent levies, meaning they would no longer be required to return to the voters periodically. EMS levies, which pay for paramedics and medical rescue units, almost always win handily at the polls. But occasionally it's a close call, as it was in Tacoma in 1994 and in King County in 1997. Fire officials would rather have the assurance of a permanent tax; they note voters can reduce or repeal an EMS levy by referendum if they're dissatisfied. The traditional six-year term is long enough to provide both stability and accountability to the taxpayers. Fire lepartments should be no different from schools and other local governments required to periodically put their special levy requests before the voters. Pro-EMS campaign statements don't tell voters that permanent EMS levies, set at a fixed rate, could produce a revenue windfall for fire departments if property values increase strongly over the years. Rejecting permanent levies this year won't leave citizens unprotected; fire districts or departments can return to the polls next year before their current levies expire. Fire districts in Lakewood and tiny Greenwater are seeking one-year and six-year EMS levies, respectively. Those are fine. But voters should tell fire officials seeking permanent cash flow to go back to the drawing board. These concerns also apply to the EMS levy by Mason County Fire District #5 Please don't double your EMS Tax and make it permanent. VOTE NO ON PROP 1. Paid by Thomas Brokaw, Candidate for MCFD #5 Commissioner Pos. #1 4950 Mason Lake Drive West, Grapeview, WA 98546. i , ,i i Page 4 - Belfair Herald section of Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, September 2, 1999 with the youth of the church, and recognizes that that also means working with the parents, a joy he looks forward to, he indicated. He wants to get to know the youth a bit before he announces any planned activities, but he does have several ideas in mind. SO FAR, HE is pleased with all he has learned about this new )lace of ministry. After receiving master's degrees in both New Testament theology and counsel- ing, he has helped severely emo- tionally disturbed teenage boys as a social worker, pastored two churches, and served as chaplain and teacher at a Christian high school. Steve describes himself as theologically conservative and evangelical, but not fundamental- ist. "I believe the gospel is the power for salvation to everyone who believes," he explained. "When the gospel comes in, there's hope. When hope takes root, then truth can make a dif- ference." The casually-dressed pastor de- scribes himself as an avid golfer and fisherman who also enjoys playing racquetball and tennis. He likes to paint, as well, but con- fesses he hasn't had time to pur- sue that creative outlet in about a decade. Steve lets most things roll off his back. "I just think there's way too much to be thankful for to spend any of my life dealing with bitterness of any kind." Thus, he doesn't let the little things irri- tate him. "I'm a person who is in- debted to forgiveness," he ex- plains. To dwell on irritations, in his way of thinking, would violate the forgiveness he has received, and would be a sin itself. IN SOMEWHAT of a baptism by fire, Steve has come aboard the staff of BCBC just as Pastor Daroff was preparing to leave for two weeks of vacation, leaving him in charge. He is very pleased with his new church and the strong ties to the local community. "We have two worship services each Sun- day, one very contemporary and one traditional," said the pastor. He said they are really different groups, which means they are meeting people at their needs. Steve's comment on that was, 'rhat's cool?" (Editor's note: If you would like to nominate someone to be fea- tured in "Herald Highlights," please contact the Belfair Herald at (360) 275-6680.) Class size not a factor Is there a correlation between class size and student achieve- ment? If so, what is it, and what are the reasons? According to a report released by the Evergreen Freedom Foun- dation, a public policy research organization in Olympia, there is little correlation between efforts to reduce class sizes and student learning. EFF Policy Analyst Da- vid Boze stated, "trends from the '505 to the '80s provide no evi- dence of a significant relationship between student achievement and class size." Dr. Marie Pickel, superinten- dent of North Mason School Dis- trict has heard of several similar studies over the years. "According to the statistics," she said, "you have to reduce the class down to 15 students before it makes an appreciable difference in acade- mic achievement." PICKEL NOTED that the Washington Assessment of Stu- dent Learning (WASL) scores over two years for fourth graders showed an increase in those schools which had a school-wide focus on reading and mathemat- ics. "Increasing the amount of time spent on reading and math," Pickel explained, "and integrating those two subjects into other con- tent areas, have proven very ef- fective in bringing up the acade- mic test scores." Why would schools seek so dili- gently to keep class sizes down, if that is not the effective strategy? Smaller teacher-to-student ratios mean less stress on teachers and more one-to-one time given to children, Pickel said. "This allows teachers to possi- bly recognize a Columbine before it occurs, or a situation like the young man who stabbed a North Mason teacher in her home this summer. Having 25 instead of 35 kids in a class may give the teacher time to notice and report such concerns. There other than pure enter into the picture,  continued. Last spring, parents munity members across tion, including in North indicated that the safety dents was their number one cern about schools. new worry, but one that to the top of the list than one disturbing lent incident in sc the country. IN ADDITION TO security, the school conducted training for dents and even the how to deal with lent situations, as types of emergencies. In North Mason sizes are kept under 25 garten through third 27-29 in grades 4 average 27 in the high State and federal money able on a "use it or lose to keep K-3 class size do, el explained. The superintendent that with 30 to 32 classroom, the teacher ing a great deal room management roll, dealing with lems, and the like. time to notice what's their lives?" she asked. t Dig Water P oog WELL DRILLIH6 & PUMP SYSYTEM$ 275-7501 TRUCKING & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY, INC. • TOPSOIL • lark • (:rushed Rock • Washed Rock * Rockery Rock * Decorative Sand * Pitrun • Land Clearing * Road Building * Stump RemovaJ Free Estimates: 275-3465 7- Corner of Highway 3 and Log Yard Road, Belfair Vendor Guide: Chiqui's Corner ................................................................... Linda Alas, 871-6790 Marie's Embroidery ......................................................... Marie Aman, 275-3182 Dorothy's Alterations ............................................ Dorothy Barfield, 275-011 I Native American Crafts ............................................. Donna Buehler, 275-6018 Davis Farms ........................................................................ Irene Davis, 275-2032 Devaney's Crafts ............................................................ Ron Devaney, 877-5056 Foxes ........................................................................................ Carl Fox, 275-9251 Tina's Homeworks Jams 'n' Things ................................................. Tina Fugman Outdoor Furniture ..................................................... JoAnn Herrick, 426-8516 Donna's Wreaths .......................................................... Donna Huard, 479-043 I Betty's Boutique ............................................................ Betty Lamont, 426-4458 The Treasure Cove .......................................................................... Shirley LeMaY The Airplane Factory ....................................................... Lohn Lentz, 377-6770 McKinley Farms-Cookies & Produce ............... Francine McKinley, 275-4395 Peters Crafts ................................................................. Norma Peters, 857-3290 Penible Farms ................................................... Jack & Debbie Piggot, 372-2735 Crocheted Creations by Bea ...................................................... Beatrice Riedal Terry's Honey .......................................................... Terry Robertson, 426-II 44 Personalized Signs & Woodcrafts ....................... David Rosenquist, 275-7428 Finished Ceramics ........................................... Jack & Inez Schaeffer, 275-5137 Eileen's Gardens ................................................................................... Eileen Scott Home.made Pies & Fry Bread .................................. Norma Stencil, 275-0616 Home Sweet Home Crafts ...................................... Carol Tauscher, 275-5769 Tahuya Soap Opera ............................................................................ Bey Wendell - . Attention Back Yard Gardenersl extra p00o00oco ao. °p fee .e  ] Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the k // Belfair Elementary play shedl  For more information call 275-0616 I Chamber numbers show Herald Highlights dramatic Increase dues are $100 a year. But the real magnet is the KPS health in- surance. Area chambers in surrounding communities also offer KPS health coverage, but for some rea- son, outsiders are not flocking to join those chambers. Melode Sapp, the executive di- rector of the Port Orchard Cham- ber, says their current member- ship is at 484. Where nearly one- third of North Mason's member- ship is from outside the communi- ty, Sapp estimates that no more than 10 percent of Port Orchard Chamber members are from out- side of South Kitsap. INDIVIDUAL DUES for the Port Orchard Chamber is $135 annually and $485 for 100 or more employees. And like all other chambers, Port Orchard re- quires local support to the cham- ber as the only major criteria for joining. The Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce has 430 members with annual dues costing $80 for an individual and $850 for 100 or more employees. Wayne Junge, the executive director, says that KPS coverage is offered to cham- ber members. Though he does not track the number of chamber members from outside the area, Junge believes the figure is just a fraction of the total. "Our only criteria for joining is that you possess a viable business license or live on the Kitsap Pen- insula," says Junge. In Shelton, executive director Dick Taylor reports that the Shel- ton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce has 380 members with individual dues costing $66 a year for an individual and $935 for companies with 100 or more em- ployees. "To join the Shelton Chamber," says Taylor, "all you have to do is pay the fee." He reported that less than one percent of members are from outside the area. Chambers of commerce are tbund throughout the world and are strongly entrenched in Ameri- carl life at many levels. They are the direct descendants of the mer- chant guilds of medieval times. The first association to take the name "chamber of commerce" was organized in Marseille, France, in 1599. The first American chamber of commerce was organized in New York City in 1768 with the pur- pose of "encouraging commerce, supporting industry, adjusting disputes relative to trade and navigation, and producing such laws and regulations as may be By RICK STEDMAN In a year-and-a-half, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce has nearly tripled its member- ship. As of January 1, 1998, there were 89 members. A year later on January 1, 1999, 145 members had joined the local chamber. By August 4 of this year, the cham- ber's rolls had swelled to 223 members. That sounds impressive, until you look at where the new mem- bers are joining from. Numerous members have joined fi'om as far away as Cheha- lis, Rochester, Morton, and Ma- dras, Oregon. According to North Mason Ctlamber of Commerce President Don Cady, approx- imately 70 members are from out- side the North Mason area. "ONE OF THE main reasons people are joining our chamber is because of our inexpensive dues an(t the benefits offered," said (ady. Those benefits Cady refers to are health-care coverage offered by the troubled Kitsap Physicians Service. KPS has been in finan- cial troubles of late, but officials at the 80,000-member health-care organization say that coverage for chamber members will not be af- flicted. KPS Health Plans, which has subscribers in Mason, Kitsap, Jeff ferson, Clallam and Thurston counties, is the area's largest health insurer. Though KPS health-care cover- age has attracted new chamber members over the last year-and- a-half, officials at the health-care insurance company acknowledge there is a problem. ACCORDING TO Judith Edgecomb of KPS, there is a loop- hole in the system right now. "We're in the process of changing the policy because too many peo- ple are abusing the system," she said. "This offer was intended solely for local chamber mem- bers." One North Mason chamber member is Wendy Hawes of ttawes Gutters in Rochester, Washington. Ne basically joined t:hc North Mason chamber in or- der to receive KPS benefits," she said. That same refrain was re- peated over and over by numer- ous others from outside North Mason proper. According to Cady, North Ma- son Chamber's annual dues are a modest $35 for individuals, non- profit agencies, and government organizations. For businesses with five or more employees the ms o Note For more information, please call (360) 874-9751, or e-mail cappella@net-nw.com. TOPS to meet Thursday mornings According to Carolyn Thomas, organizer of the Take Off Potds Sensibly (TOPS) 1032 in Belfair, the group meets on Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. in the Belfair Commu- nity Baptist Church. For informa- tion, please call 275-0962. Cappella Girls' Chorus looking for new members The Cappella Girls' Chorus is now accepting applications for the 1999-2000 season. Rehearsals be- gin on Tuesday, September 7. Girls ages 5-18 are invited to audition for the beginning, inter- mediate, or advanced choir. The cost is $20 for beginning, $35 for intermediate, and $45 for ad- vanced, The advanced choir place- ment includes monthly vocal coaching sessions. LAST GARAGE SALE OF THE CENTURy! LABOR DAy WEEKEND! 666 [ '9 puo 9 '17 '' JequJe4de$ iuosol61 qpoN jo qnlo s!uoM!)l eq, o elDS eIDJD-O snowD=I PlJO/V eqi EVERYTHING (almost) MUST GOI "We have so much stuff, junk and treasures we don't know what to do " 22921 NE Hwy. 3 -- Across the street from the Belfair Elementary School i,loe, qlP' t eql Joj JesloJ-punj | # JnO found necessary for the benefit of trade in general." These general objectives still characterize the movement. Locally, the Belfair Business Association was formed in 1953 with dues of $6 per year. Some of the members of the group were Nels Barber, Bill DeMeiro, Ed Co- kelet (both Senior and Junior), R.W. Cady, Leigh Hunt, Dorothy Harper (Belfair Drug), Bill Grif- fith, Bill Landram, John Pope and Sam Theler. IN 1967, THE organization's name was changed to the Belfair Chamber of Commerce with many of the same members remaining, plus double the number of firms and individuals. In 1968, dues increased to $12 per year. It wasn't until 1977 when the chamber's official name was changed to the North Mason Chamber of Commerce; it includ- ed the communities of Allyn, Bel- fair, Dewatto, Grapeview, Union, Victor and Tahuya. The local chamber's mission states: The purpose of the cham- ber shall be to encourage and promote business, tourism, social, educational, and environmental interests and activities of the North Mason community. DON CADY SAYS that in- creasing chamber numbers gives the organization more clout. "The chamber is the only political enti- ty and organized voice for the en- tire North Mason area," says Cady. "When we need to call on politicians, these bigger numbers (of chamber members) definitely give us more clout." Cady cited the increased funds as playing an important role as well. "We recently donated $500 to allow a committee to examine incorporating Belfair as a city," says Cady. The chamber will fol- low up in the coming weeks by bringing guest speakers to their regular meetings. In another charitable effort, the North Mason Chamber donat- ed $500 to help supply a school in war-torn Bosnia. According to Cady, the chamber is working with Denny Hamilton, an Inter- national Human Resource Devel- opment Consultant and local resi- dent to identify a specific school to donate supplies. Various members of the local chamber are also involved with this humanitarian effort that could also lead to developing a Sister City in Bosnia. Steve Warn Pastor Steve Warn has just ar- rived in North Mason from Katy, Texas. He is the brand-new asso- ciate pastor at Belfair Communi- ty Baptist Church (BCBC) who will assist in all pastoral duties, but will predominantly be work- ing with youth. He and his wife Dorothy, plus their four children, live in LakeLand Village. "These people are just awe- some!" he said of the church members. The Warn family ar- rived at their rented home at 7:30 on a Saturday evening, and "They unloaded us in just about an hour!" They thought it was a great way to be greeted by the commu- nity! The extended area around Katy, Texas is "a very small town" of about 150,000 people, he said. (.Remember, it's in Texas!) With three-and-a-half million res- idents in nearby Houston, Katy is indeed a very small town. Steve and Dorothy have lived in smaller places before, and they are al- ready pleased with their new community. TH:E WARN children are Bek- ki, 17, Andy, 15, Jenny, 11, and Danny, 9. The two older kids will be attending North Mason High School, and the younger ones will be students at Belfair Elementa- ry. Steve became acquainted with Dave Daroff when they were stu- dents at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Daroff is the senior pastor at BCBC, and the two of them have been friends for over 20 years now. Steve and Dorothy also met in college. "We fell in love in college," he said, "and have grown in love through life." Steve looks forward to working The following is an editorial from The Tacoma News Tribune, Sunday, August 29, 1999. Permanent EMS levies aren't wise Voting against an emergency medical services levy is like voting against motherhood and apple pie. Even so, The News Tribune recommends voters say no to EMS levy proposals in Tacoma, University Place and Thurston County. We have no quarrel with the purpose or the amount of the proposals appearing on the Sept. 14 primary ballot. The . I....,... problem is fire officials in those r--Lr.U I IUFI if jurisdictions want voters to w'IWeMMENDATION S make the levies permanent - ........ -- and that's unwise. Until this year, cities and fire districts could only ask voters to approve EMS levies for six- or 10.year terms. This year, however, the Legisla.ture allowed cities and fire districts to seek approval for permanent levies, meaning they would no longer be required to return to the voters periodically. EMS levies, which pay for paramedics and medical rescue units, almost always win handily at the polls. But occasionally it's a close call, as it was in Tacoma in 1994 and in King County in 1997. Fire officials would rather have the assurance of a permanent tax; they note voters can reduce or repeal an EMS levy by referendum if they're dissatisfied. The traditional six-year term is long enough to provide both stability and accountability to the taxpayers. Fire lepartments should be no different from schools and other local governments required to periodically put their special levy requests before the voters. Pro-EMS campaign statements don't tell voters that permanent EMS levies, set at a fixed rate, could produce a revenue windfall for fire departments if property values increase strongly over the years. Rejecting permanent levies this year won't leave citizens unprotected; fire districts or departments can return to the polls next year before their current levies expire. Fire districts in Lakewood and tiny Greenwater are seeking one-year and six-year EMS levies, respectively. Those are fine. But voters should tell fire officials seeking permanent cash flow to go back to the drawing board. These concerns also apply to the EMS levy by Mason County Fire District #5 Please don't double your EMS Tax and make it permanent. VOTE NO ON PROP 1. Paid by Thomas Brokaw, Candidate for MCFD #5 Commissioner Pos. #1 4950 Mason Lake Drive West, Grapeview, WA 98546. i , ,i i Page 4 - Belfair Herald section of Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, September 2, 1999 with the youth of the church, and recognizes that that also means working with the parents, a joy he looks forward to, he indicated. He wants to get to know the youth a bit before he announces any planned activities, but he does have several ideas in mind. SO FAR, HE is pleased with all he has learned about this new )lace of ministry. After receiving master's degrees in both New Testament theology and counsel- ing, he has helped severely emo- tionally disturbed teenage boys as a social worker, pastored two churches, and served as chaplain and teacher at a Christian high school. Steve describes himself as theologically conservative and evangelical, but not fundamental- ist. "I believe the gospel is the power for salvation to everyone who believes," he explained. "When the gospel comes in, there's hope. When hope takes root, then truth can make a dif- ference." The casually-dressed pastor de- scribes himself as an avid golfer and fisherman who also enjoys playing racquetball and tennis. He likes to paint, as well, but con- fesses he hasn't had time to pur- sue that creative outlet in about a decade. Steve lets most things roll off his back. "I just think there's way too much to be thankful for to spend any of my life dealing with bitterness of any kind." Thus, he doesn't let the little things irri- tate him. "I'm a person who is in- debted to forgiveness," he ex- plains. To dwell on irritations, in his way of thinking, would violate the forgiveness he has received, and would be a sin itself. IN SOMEWHAT of a baptism by fire, Steve has come aboard the staff of BCBC just as Pastor Daroff was preparing to leave for two weeks of vacation, leaving him in charge. He is very pleased with his new church and the strong ties to the local community. "We have two worship services each Sun- day, one very contemporary and one traditional," said the pastor. He said they are really different groups, which means they are meeting people at their needs. Steve's comment on that was, 'rhat's cool?" (Editor's note: If you would like to nominate someone to be fea- tured in "Herald Highlights," please contact the Belfair Herald at (360) 275-6680.) Class size not a factor Is there a correlation between class size and student achieve- ment? If so, what is it, and what are the reasons? According to a report released by the Evergreen Freedom Foun- dation, a public policy research organization in Olympia, there is little correlation between efforts to reduce class sizes and student learning. EFF Policy Analyst Da- vid Boze stated, "trends from the '505 to the '80s provide no evi- dence of a significant relationship between student achievement and class size." Dr. Marie Pickel, superinten- dent of North Mason School Dis- trict has heard of several similar studies over the years. "According to the statistics," she said, "you have to reduce the class down to 15 students before it makes an appreciable difference in acade- mic achievement." PICKEL NOTED that the Washington Assessment of Stu- dent Learning (WASL) scores over two years for fourth graders showed an increase in those schools which had a school-wide focus on reading and mathemat- ics. "Increasing the amount of time spent on reading and math," Pickel explained, "and integrating those two subjects into other con- tent areas, have proven very ef- fective in bringing up the acade- mic test scores." Why would schools seek so dili- gently to keep class sizes down, if that is not the effective strategy? Smaller teacher-to-student ratios mean less stress on teachers and more one-to-one time given to children, Pickel said. "This allows teachers to possi- bly recognize a Columbine before it occurs, or a situation like the young man who stabbed a North Mason teacher in her home this summer. Having 25 instead of 35 kids in a class may give the teacher time to notice and report such concerns. There other than pure enter into the picture,  continued. Last spring, parents munity members across tion, including in North indicated that the safety dents was their number one cern about schools. new worry, but one that to the top of the list than one disturbing lent incident in sc the country. IN ADDITION TO security, the school conducted training for dents and even the how to deal with lent situations, as types of emergencies. In North Mason sizes are kept under 25 garten through third 27-29 in grades 4 average 27 in the high State and federal money able on a "use it or lose to keep K-3 class size do, el explained. 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