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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 15, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 15, 2011
 
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. .. : '-4' 1 ~f'~" [4~:5 Tlmrsday, September 15, 2011 -- Week 37 --- The Voice of Mason County since •1886 Published in Shelton, Washington -- $1 ,. By ARLA SHEPHARD On a bright, blazingiy hot day in Shel- ton, young and old gathered to remem- ber the events that drastically changed the course of this nation's history ten years ago. Mason County met the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with somber fanfare and hopeful affirmations last Sunday at the Shelton Rotary Club and MACECOM's Patriot Day program in the Walmart parking lot. Service providers from local fire dis- tricts and hundreds of community mem- bers attended the event, which included statements from County Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson and a keynote speech by U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle. Settle implored the audience to be truthful and honest citizens who are knowledgeable of events happening not just at home but the world over. "I believe our obligations as citizens don't just extend to our own provincial interests, but also beyond our shores," said Settle, referencing the extreme drought occurring m Somalia that has already killed more than 29,000 children in the last three months and threatens one-half of the 3.7 million people living in the country and fleeing to refugee camps. "I am disturbed ... here again I am harkening back to the importance of citizens being informed." Settle encouraged everyone to look inside him or herself to help one another in times of need. "And finally, be courageous," he said. 'TYhen fighting back terrorism, the best weapon we have is courage ... We honor those who died in the attacks on 9/11 best by dedicating ourselves, our fortunes and our sacred honor to ensuring that the United States of America will remain a beacon to the world and a home to a brave. an honest, a diligent and a generous peo- ple for now and generations to come." Settle reminded everyone the reason why they were there. "My last message is be good citizens worthy of those who protect us," he said. 'T~e have men and women in far off places serving us and right here in our community. We are indebted to them." Following Settle's speech, the crowd quieted for a moment of silence. The Honor Guard at VFW Post 318 per- formed a three-gun volley° Greg Walsh played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes and Shelton High School student David Ger- man performed "raps" on his trumpet. The Shelton Rotary Club began plan- ning for the event one month ago, and once the group partnered with MACE- COM, the event came together quickly, said past president Jackie Ross. "People found out about it and they just wanted to participate," Ross said. "I think that on this day Americans realized what it meant to be American. The fact that our first responders gave so much was a re- minder of how much they do for us." Rotary President Kevin Earls said the club is interested in continuing the event each year. "I think there is a spiritual hunger in people that they want to see more than the average and more than the mundane," he said. '~rhis is our chance to stand together." Journal 13noto oy Aria Shephard U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle gives the keynote speech at the Patriot Day program presented by Shelton Rotary Club and MACECOM on Sunday, the ten-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Journal photos by Aria Shephard Skokomish Habitat Biologist Shannon Kirby examines the contents of a fish's stomach as part of the Skokomish tribe's ongoing fish monitoring project at the Nalley Island estuary. By sampling fish, collecting insects and monitorir/g fish diet, the tribe is creating a baseline to determine the health of the Nalley Island estuary. Tribe monitors health of Skokomish estuary By ARLA SHEPHARD It's been one year since the Skokomish tribe completed Phase II of its extensive estu- ary restoration project at the confluence of the Skokomish River and Hood Canal, and changes have already transformed the landscape. More than 200 acres on Nalley Island, which had been diked in the 1930s and turned into farmland, has been reintroduced to tidal influ- ences, bringing back to the island a salt marsh habitat hospitable to juvenile salmon species and steelhead. "Just in the year that the Phase II has been completed, there's been substantial re-vegeta- tion," said Skokomish Natural Resources Di- rector Joseph Pavel. '%'egetation is one of the factors in rehabilitation; it provides habitat for Salt water from Hood Canal seeps into a channel on Nalley Island at the head of the Skokomish River, reintroducing salt marsh vegetation to the formerly diked island. food for the fish, as well as cover for the fish." The Skokomish tribe and its partners from the county~ state and federal governments re~ moved a 2.5-mile dike on Nalley Island last • year under Phase II, and the tribe has already started applying for grants to instigate a Phase III. ' " ' " The tribe restored 108 acres of land across from Nalley Island in 2007, under Phase I, when 5,000 feet of dike was removed at a cost of about $1.6 million. Phase II cost approximately $2 million. Phase III would reconnect an additional 200 to 300 acres of freshwater wetland along the Skokomish River to the tidal wetland habitat, creating more territory for fish to rear. "~/herever we've reconnected the tidal chan- nels, it's been an instant habitat recreation," said Skokemish Habitat Manager Alex Gouley. "There's a very strong likelihood that Phase III will get funded next year." Channel formation and re-vegetation are key to improving an estuary's health, Pave] said. "The desired outcome would be deep, narrow channels, lower hanging vegetation and steep See Project on page A-8 / : .... • J " • • ,T •'- • 7•••:• •• Mental health committee holds public hearings By NATALIE JOHNSON A Mason County advisory committee to consider a one- tenth of i percent sales tax for mental health programs held two hearings in the last several weeks to gather public opinion on the pro- posed tax. The most recent meet- ing took place on Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Mason County Public Works building. Kim Klint of Mason Mat- ters is a member of the com- mittee and gave a presenta- tion to members of the pub- lic on the tax's purpose. "By default our jails are our public health/mental health system," she said. "This provides an option for the community to find out if there's a different way of do- ing things." The Washington State Senate created the tax in 2005 through senate bill E2SSB-5763 to expand ex- isting mental health and chemical dependency, ser- vices in counties through- out Washington, but not to replace existing funding for those services. Before deciding whether to approve the tax, along with 16 other counties which already have, the Mason County Department of Public Health created an advisory committee to "re- view current services and gaps, look at costs and ben- efits, and consider whether enhancements to services could save money and im- prove the health and safety of Mason County reaidents in the long run," accord!ng See Hearings on page A-7 Remodeled Shelton Library shows off fresh, new look 8 IIIIU! UI!!II!!!!!I1112 By NATALIE: JOHNSON On Monday, the librmT opened project quickly expanded to include Library manager Patty Ayala Ross for business after being Closed for a vinytlaminate flooringin some rooms, said the project was long Overdue. After nearly a month of work the month for remodeling, new paint complete with colorfully 'Tae carpet was replaced last, as Shelton Timberland Library finally Originally, the library was sched- accented walls and reorganizing the has a new look. uled to receive new carpet, but th~ library's more than 84,000 volumes. See Library on page A-7