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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 13, 2007     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 13, 2007
 
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Huge resort proposed for Brinnon By ALLISON ARTHUR Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader Supporters tout economic ben- efits and opponents question en- vironmental issues with the pro- posed Brinnon Master Planned Resort, a $300-million project that now is moving from talk and plan- ning to the forefront of public scru- tiny. The proposal would create a re- sort and conference center along Hood Canarjust south of Brinnon theit would rival Port Ludlow, cur- rently the largest such facility in Jefferson County. A series of information meet- ings on the project began Septem- ber 11, and a public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, before the Jefferson County Plan- ning Commission. The planning commission got its first look at the proposal September 5 at its week- ly meeting. There have been a number of it- erations of the proposal in the past two years, according to A1 Scalf, director of the Jefferson County Department of Community Devel- opment (DCD). The current proposal by States- man Group of Companies Limited and Black Point Properties LLC is to create a master planned resort (MPR) that encompasses roughly 250 acres in the Pleasant Har- bor/Black Point area. Statesman estimates the construction and development costs at $300 million, according to Stacie Hoskins, DCD planning manager. Dubbed the Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort, the plan is to build a resort hotel and up to 890 rental units, expand the ma- rine village facilities at Pleasant Harbor and build an 18-hole golf course at Black Point. Ultimately, proponents envi- sion a 290-slip marina served by a 10,000-square-foot commercial vil- lage, a conference center and units that could accommodate more than 1,000 people. To some, that vision is of eco- nomic growth and prosperity in a neck of Jefferson County's woods that's been tMled by bad times since the lumber industry's de- cline 15 years ago. To others, the MPR vision rais- es questions of potential environ- mental degradation in an area of Hood Canal that is thcing new en- vironmental challenges and ques- tions. The economy "The project is probably the big- gest economic development project going on in the county right now. It's really major," said Inn McFall, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Jefferson County and resident of the Brin- non area. In particular, McFall said the project could bring much needed revenue to the Brinnon School District. While enrollment might not increase because resort resi- dents would be only part-time residents, McFall says the added property-tax revenue would help buoy the grade K-8 school district financially. Employmentopportunitiescould double with a need for groundskee- pers, maintenance workers and others, and shops could open once the commercial area is developed, Pioneer School: New teachers, students begin a brand-new year By KAREN EVERETT It has been a great opening to another year of learning at Pio- neer School. Along with some new students there are several new staff members this year. The intermediate and middle school has a new leader with Prin- cipal Heidi Bunker coming on board. After spending nine years in Selah teaching science and health, she is happy to be on the west side of the mountains. Mrs. Bunker grew up in Che- halls and her husband is an art teacher at Chehalis High School. Besides her work at school, spend- ing time with her husband and their two sons, aged 7 and 3, is a high priority for her. One of their favorite family activities is camp- ing. "I am excited about being a part of the Pioneer School District team and I am looking forward to hav- ing a great school year," enthused Mrs. Bunker. REALIZING THE importance of early childhood education, Pio- neer has invested in sending all kindergarten children to school all day, every day. Traditionally, kindergarten is a half-time pro- gram in most school districts as half time is what is funded by our state. There are two new kindergar- ten teachers, Jennifer Ojala and Cheri Norman, to meet the young children's needs. Ms. Ojala comes to the district from the Lake Wash- ington School District. She lives in Olympia where she is enjoying being with Sugar Bear, her brand- new golden retriever puppy. She enjoys hiking, biking, gardening and spending time with friends. Since her grown daughter, Kristy, and son, Kelly, both live out of state, Ojala also enjoys trav- eling. Reflecting on her first weeks at Pioneer, she said her welcome has been a warm one and that she is happy to be a part of the staff. Cheri Norman is a brand-Snew teacher, having graduated from Central Washington University in the spring of this year. However, teaching kindergarten is not her first teaching experience as she began teaching when she was 14 years old at the Just tbr Kicks School of Dance in her hometown of Port Orchard. IT WAS THIS experience that made Ms. Norman realize that she loved working with children and led her to teaching as a career choice. Dancing is truly a love for her and she has a college endorse- ment to teach dance. In her spare time, she loves to read, paint, draw, go camping and spend time with family and friends. "I am looking forward to an outstanding year with the chil- dren and staff at Pioneer Primary School," she said. New middle-school math teacher Amy Sewell hails from Minnesota where she attended Carelton Col- lege. Majoring in marine biology led her to an off-campus program at the San Juan Island Marine Bi- ology Lab on Friday Harbor. With some graduate degree work in San Diego under her belt, she landed a job with the Washington State De- partment of Natural Resources. After a while, Ms. Sewell got tired of working with numbers and decided that she wanted to share her knowledge with people. She received her teaching degree at Saint Martin's University. After working at Centralia High School as a math and science teacher, she jumped at the chance to work with her favorite students, those at- tending middle school. Sewell and her five-year-old son live in Olym- pia where she enjoys gardening and art. NURSING MUST be in the blood of Linda Johnson's family as ,both of her daughters, Rachel and Michelle, are nurses and she is too. Born and raised in Tacoma, she re- ceived her nursing degree ti'om the University of Washington. With 30 years of nursing experience in the school setting, Ms. Johnson is well prepared to meet the needs of the children. She wants to be an ad- vocate for children's health needs and is looking forward to working with the families. She lives in Olympia with her husband Keith. Both are employed in Mason County, as Keith works for the Stretch Island Fruit Leath- er Company in Allyn. Quilting, gardening, camping and spending time with thmily are her hobbies. Summarizing her experience at Pioneer thus far, she said: "The staff is wonderful, helpful and friendly. It is delightful getting to know the children." SEARCHING FOR GREAT INSURANCE RATES.ft. ? JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY ........ A'S'I Arnold & Smith Insurance Agency, Inc. 1535 Olympic Hwy N. Sheitol|, WA 9"d54 (360) 426-3317 u ... lamd "Since 1970" I V Visit us at our wcbsite at Amoldsmithins.com I I I Page 8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, September 13, 2007 McFall said. The Brinnon area employment base now is about 60 to 90 people, McFall said, many of them now self-employed. McFall noted that the propo- nent has promised to employ local people as much as possible during construction. And while some opponents have decried the project's effect on the area's rural character, McFall be- lieves it actually will have a posi- tive impact. "Poverty and crime and drugs. This end of the county has those issues in part because people can't make a living ... Take away pov- erty and some of those issues go away," McFall said. McFall also recognizes that there are environmental issues. The draft environmental-im- pact statement addresses nine is- sues and impacts concerning the environment - shellfish, water quality, transportation, public ser- vices, shoreline, fish and wildlife, rural character, archeological, and cultural and critical areas. Water is one of the biggest is- sues, McFall said. Most people in the area rely on wells, he said. A concern is that if the project drills into the aquifer for water to keep the golf course green, it could also draw down the aquifer, and some wells could suffer saltwater intru- sion, McFall noted. McFall said it's his understand- ing that proponents will be col- lecting rainwater to water the golf course and that only drinking wa- ter would come from wells. "To me, that's a reasonable way to approach it, to mitigate the is- sues," McFall said. The environment Donna Simmons, a ber of the Hood Canal Ea., mental Council, says she [ going to the meetings to rai/. cerns about the projects po environmental impacts. , I "It's a huge developmen_t there's more and more conceit I the time about developing in that have been natural," sai mons, who lives in HoodsporIBi Simmons understands th nomic-benefit argument.. "However, I would say ronmental consequences any economic benefit to she said. An environmental the 1970s who was mer Governor John serve on a state ecological sion, Simmons said her for the area's character for the environmental wildlife and stor rounding into Hood Canal. runoff "It's all connected," Si said of the watershed. Peter Bahls, executive / tor of the Port Townsend (Please turn to page 11 .OO g Taylor Towne Store & Subway 70 SE Lynch Rd. * If you have had or are problems with a well drilli business in Mason County,/ please contact me to share R experiences and informatiovl00l 00i:i Scott • 360-790-3582 on I i 360-426-71 67 • 1-800-675-71 67 We have fishing supplies/ Skokomish Indian Tribal Enterprises (S.I.T.E.) 19390 North U.S. Hwy. I 01 Skokomish Nation, WA 98584 At the intersection of Hwy. I01 & Hwy. 106 minutes north of Shelton on the Skokomish Indian Reservation Located next to the Lucky Dog Casino • 427-9099 Red Bull 12 oz. 2/S4 reg. $2.79 each Sunkist Welch's A&W 7-Up 12-packs FREE 16 coffee with purchase of 10 or more gallons of ga & Skoal S4Q99 10-pack Marlboro Complete s224s $1.59/BAG Cigarette Smoke Contains Monoxide. Huge resort proposed for Brinnon By ALLISON ARTHUR Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader Supporters tout economic ben- efits and opponents question en- vironmental issues with the pro- posed Brinnon Master Planned Resort, a $300-million project that now is moving from talk and plan- ning to the forefront of public scru- tiny. The proposal would create a re- sort and conference center along Hood Canarjust south of Brinnon theit would rival Port Ludlow, cur- rently the largest such facility in Jefferson County. A series of information meet- ings on the project began Septem- ber 11, and a public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, before the Jefferson County Plan- ning Commission. The planning commission got its first look at the proposal September 5 at its week- ly meeting. There have been a number of it- erations of the proposal in the past two years, according to A1 Scalf, director of the Jefferson County Department of Community Devel- opment (DCD). The current proposal by States- man Group of Companies Limited and Black Point Properties LLC is to create a master planned resort (MPR) that encompasses roughly 250 acres in the Pleasant Har- bor/Black Point area. Statesman estimates the construction and development costs at $300 million, according to Stacie Hoskins, DCD planning manager. Dubbed the Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort, the plan is to build a resort hotel and up to 890 rental units, expand the ma- rine village facilities at Pleasant Harbor and build an 18-hole golf course at Black Point. Ultimately, proponents envi- sion a 290-slip marina served by a 10,000-square-foot commercial vil- lage, a conference center and units that could accommodate more than 1,000 people. To some, that vision is of eco- nomic growth and prosperity in a neck of Jefferson County's woods that's been tMled by bad times since the lumber industry's de- cline 15 years ago. To others, the MPR vision rais- es questions of potential environ- mental degradation in an area of Hood Canal that is thcing new en- vironmental challenges and ques- tions. The economy "The project is probably the big- gest economic development project going on in the county right now. It's really major," said Inn McFall, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Jefferson County and resident of the Brin- non area. In particular, McFall said the project could bring much needed revenue to the Brinnon School District. While enrollment might not increase because resort resi- dents would be only part-time residents, McFall says the added property-tax revenue would help buoy the grade K-8 school district financially. Employmentopportunitiescould double with a need for groundskee- pers, maintenance workers and others, and shops could open once the commercial area is developed, Pioneer School: New teachers, students begin a brand-new year By KAREN EVERETT It has been a great opening to another year of learning at Pio- neer School. Along with some new students there are several new staff members this year. The intermediate and middle school has a new leader with Prin- cipal Heidi Bunker coming on board. After spending nine years in Selah teaching science and health, she is happy to be on the west side of the mountains. Mrs. Bunker grew up in Che- halls and her husband is an art teacher at Chehalis High School. Besides her work at school, spend- ing time with her husband and their two sons, aged 7 and 3, is a high priority for her. One of their favorite family activities is camp- ing. "I am excited about being a part of the Pioneer School District team and I am looking forward to hav- ing a great school year," enthused Mrs. Bunker. REALIZING THE importance of early childhood education, Pio- neer has invested in sending all kindergarten children to school all day, every day. Traditionally, kindergarten is a half-time pro- gram in most school districts as half time is what is funded by our state. There are two new kindergar- ten teachers, Jennifer Ojala and Cheri Norman, to meet the young children's needs. Ms. Ojala comes to the district from the Lake Wash- ington School District. She lives in Olympia where she is enjoying being with Sugar Bear, her brand- new golden retriever puppy. She enjoys hiking, biking, gardening and spending time with friends. Since her grown daughter, Kristy, and son, Kelly, both live out of state, Ojala also enjoys trav- eling. Reflecting on her first weeks at Pioneer, she said her welcome has been a warm one and that she is happy to be a part of the staff. Cheri Norman is a brand-Snew teacher, having graduated from Central Washington University in the spring of this year. However, teaching kindergarten is not her first teaching experience as she began teaching when she was 14 years old at the Just tbr Kicks School of Dance in her hometown of Port Orchard. IT WAS THIS experience that made Ms. Norman realize that she loved working with children and led her to teaching as a career choice. Dancing is truly a love for her and she has a college endorse- ment to teach dance. In her spare time, she loves to read, paint, draw, go camping and spend time with family and friends. "I am looking forward to an outstanding year with the chil- dren and staff at Pioneer Primary School," she said. New middle-school math teacher Amy Sewell hails from Minnesota where she attended Carelton Col- lege. Majoring in marine biology led her to an off-campus program at the San Juan Island Marine Bi- ology Lab on Friday Harbor. With some graduate degree work in San Diego under her belt, she landed a job with the Washington State De- partment of Natural Resources. After a while, Ms. Sewell got tired of working with numbers and decided that she wanted to share her knowledge with people. She received her teaching degree at Saint Martin's University. After working at Centralia High School as a math and science teacher, she jumped at the chance to work with her favorite students, those at- tending middle school. Sewell and her five-year-old son live in Olym- pia where she enjoys gardening and art. NURSING MUST be in the blood of Linda Johnson's family as ,both of her daughters, Rachel and Michelle, are nurses and she is too. Born and raised in Tacoma, she re- ceived her nursing degree ti'om the University of Washington. With 30 years of nursing experience in the school setting, Ms. Johnson is well prepared to meet the needs of the children. She wants to be an ad- vocate for children's health needs and is looking forward to working with the families. She lives in Olympia with her husband Keith. Both are employed in Mason County, as Keith works for the Stretch Island Fruit Leath- er Company in Allyn. Quilting, gardening, camping and spending time with thmily are her hobbies. Summarizing her experience at Pioneer thus far, she said: "The staff is wonderful, helpful and friendly. It is delightful getting to know the children." SEARCHING FOR GREAT INSURANCE RATES.ft. ? JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY ........ A'S'I Arnold & Smith Insurance Agency, Inc. 1535 Olympic Hwy N. Sheitol|, WA 9"d54 (360) 426-3317 u ... lamd "Since 1970" I V Visit us at our wcbsite at Amoldsmithins.com I I I Page 8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, September 13, 2007 McFall said. The Brinnon area employment base now is about 60 to 90 people, McFall said, many of them now self-employed. McFall noted that the propo- nent has promised to employ local people as much as possible during construction. And while some opponents have decried the project's effect on the area's rural character, McFall be- lieves it actually will have a posi- tive impact. "Poverty and crime and drugs. This end of the county has those issues in part because people can't make a living ... Take away pov- erty and some of those issues go away," McFall said. McFall also recognizes that there are environmental issues. The draft environmental-im- pact statement addresses nine is- sues and impacts concerning the environment - shellfish, water quality, transportation, public ser- vices, shoreline, fish and wildlife, rural character, archeological, and cultural and critical areas. Water is one of the biggest is- sues, McFall said. Most people in the area rely on wells, he said. A concern is that if the project drills into the aquifer for water to keep the golf course green, it could also draw down the aquifer, and some wells could suffer saltwater intru- sion, McFall noted. McFall said it's his understand- ing that proponents will be col- lecting rainwater to water the golf course and that only drinking wa- ter would come from wells. "To me, that's a reasonable way to approach it, to mitigate the is- sues," McFall said. The environment Donna Simmons, a ber of the Hood Canal Ea., mental Council, says she [ going to the meetings to rai/. cerns about the projects po environmental impacts. , I "It's a huge developmen_t there's more and more conceit I the time about developing in that have been natural," sai mons, who lives in HoodsporIBi Simmons understands th nomic-benefit argument.. "However, I would say ronmental consequences any economic benefit to she said. An environmental the 1970s who was mer Governor John serve on a state ecological sion, Simmons said her for the area's character for the environmental wildlife and stor rounding into Hood Canal. runoff "It's all connected," Si said of the watershed. Peter Bahls, executive / tor of the Port Townsend (Please turn to page 11 .OO g Taylor Towne Store & Subway 70 SE Lynch Rd. * If you have had or are problems with a well drilli business in Mason County,/ please contact me to share R experiences and informatiovl00l 00i:i Scott • 360-790-3582 on I i 360-426-71 67 • 1-800-675-71 67 We have fishing supplies/ Skokomish Indian Tribal Enterprises (S.I.T.E.) 19390 North U.S. Hwy. I 01 Skokomish Nation, WA 98584 At the intersection of Hwy. I01 & Hwy. 106 minutes north of Shelton on the Skokomish Indian Reservation Located next to the Lucky Dog Casino • 427-9099 Red Bull 12 oz. 2/S4 reg. $2.79 each Sunkist Welch's A&W 7-Up 12-packs FREE 16 coffee with purchase of 10 or more gallons of ga & Skoal S4Q99 10-pack Marlboro Complete s224s $1.59/BAG Cigarette Smoke Contains Monoxide.