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Belfair -- Allyn -- Grapeview -- Tahuya -- Mason Lake -- South Shore -- Victor |
00,00.nursday, )
levy back on ballot
miserably in the
primary, the Fire Dis-
medical ser-
again be offered to
r, the EMS
a 10-year limit in-
Permanent status
rejected earlier this
levy, at 50 cents
valuation,
on the primary
only 45.6 per-
Votes (1,586 yes to
With 60 percent re-
,sage. The fire de-
until Friday, Sep-
place an issue on
ballot, so de-
and making a
the evening prior to
The board of com-
eventually voted to
per $1,000 value
November 2
'as a standing-room-
With 22 people pres-
special FD5 commis-
the majority of
volunteer firefight-
Among the civilians
came to ask hard
FD5 needs, and
e who came to say
MOORE expressed
and before the eve-
volunteered to help
ord on the levy and
of passing it. "We
tain medical ser-
"My wife be-
ill. Fire District 5
spoke of the com-
expert help on
the relief that it
not to be serious, but
only learned after a trip
He appreciated
his family's time of
to take this oppor-
k you folks for
ting FD5, attorney
Was on hand at the
shared the options
recommendations on
and duration. He
50 cents
the current
Would mean that 50
maximum the corn-
choose to collect.
collecting less
but he recom-
full amount
which would be
explained that FD5
on interest-bearing
first few months of
Prior to property tax
money being available. He ex-
plained that this is not deficit fi-
nancing in a 12-month year, but
that it does cost some in interest.
What is unknown, Snure said,
is the potential impact of 1-695 on
an EMS levy. "There is much con-
fusion about the effect of 1-695,"
he stated.
TOM BROKAW, candidate for
commissioner, asked "How would
the quarter of a million dollars be
spent in that first year, in 2000?"
Board chairman Del Griffey re-
sponded, "A portion of it would go
to lease two new ambulances,
paying them off over time."
Brokaw questioned whether
FD5 would hire a medical direc-
tor, as Chief Richard Knight had
included in one of his proposed
budgets. This was not directly an-
swered, but was referred to as a
"need" later in the evening by one
of the firefighters. Knight indicat-
ed there was a need for more ad-
ministrators in the district, citing
himself, an assistant chief, and a
secretary as the only administra-
tors now.
Following the meeting, Knight
explained that a medical director
is actually an EMS supervisor,
who would likely be one of the
emergency responders, since
many scenes require a safety offi-
cer. Primarily, that person, not
likely a physician, but at least a
paramedic, would take care of
training. "It helps our workers
and the organization," he said. He
also indicated that there has not
been a decision on hiring a medi-
cal director, should the levy pass.
It has, however, been identified
as a need for several years now,
he said.
LOCAL RESIDENT Clyde
Cassell spoke up of hearing of a
desire for more money to be col-
lected, but had not heard on ex-
planation of what the specific
needs are.
Fire district personnel chimed
in one by one:
"We've lost two employees, and
some of our people are now con-
tracted to work 32 hours a week."
"Maintenance on the vehicles
has been deferred."
"WE LOST A brush unit and
some tenders, so there are less ve-
hicles overall now."
"There are holes in our protec-
tive gear. This is what we wear
when we go into a structure fire."
"The engine I drive is three
years younger than I am."
"I've been here for 14 years,
and we have scrimped," said Mike
White. "I invite anyone to come
by and spend a shift with us." He
later described, "We go into situa-
tions where things are out of con-
trol, or they wouldn't have called
us. It's hard enough to deal with
that without worrying if your
equipment may fail. We need
help!"
LORNA HINK, volunteer,
stated, "I became a volunteer to
help my neighbors. We need new
equipment, and the budget isn't
there. We're well-trained in this
district. Fire District 5 isn't wast-
ing money. We're helping people
out there."
Volunteer Bonnie Knight said,
"I wish we had better equipment.
When you're driving a rig, it
smokes so bad you can't see the
car behind you. You don't know if
you'll make it there, when a life is
in your hands. I don't mind put-
ting in the time as a volunteer,
but we don't like the feeling that
you can't make it to the hospital.
Once we get there, we leave the
rig running, not sure if we could
start it up again. This is very
real. That's not mismanagement.
That's provision of services."
In response to a question on.
planning and needs, the chief ex-
plained that the comprehensive
plan was adopted in 1999. Volun-
teer firefighters meet every week,
and have dedicated the last Tues-
day of each month to work on
creating a one-year plan. Bonnie
Knight, the chiefs wife, explained
that most of them are not profes-
sional planners, and they would
welcome help from the communi-
ty in this effort.
Snure mentioned upgraded re-
quirements, imposed by the state,
costing the district a mandatory
$120,000. He also indicated that
five-year plans are often fore-
stalled in order to plan what must
be done tomorrow, and shared
that this is a common problem
with fire districts across the
state.
CASSELL ASKED if FD5 had
considered consolidation with
other fire districts. Griffey said
they had, two years ago. The chief
shared that FD5 and much small-
er FD3 of Grapeview now have a
very strong, fully coordinated,
joint response to emergencies in
the two districts, for their mutual
benefit.
Chief Knight shared that he
had heard a number of comments
and complaints, and wanted to
reply. "We're not threatening to
close stations," he said. "It (the
EMS levy) is not a blank check,
either. We're not going broke. If
this levy doesn't pass, we're not
going broke. We just ain't going
ahead worth a damn. I think we
should. People in FD5 deserve
good service."
With rising emotion, the chief
concluded, '"We're not going to col-
lapse. I keep hearing that, and
it's not true. We don't need this
levy to continue to provide good
service, but we must move ahead.
But we ain't goin' broke, goddamn
it!"
Local resident John Herzberg
was present at the meeting, and
asked rhetorically, "How would
someone feel if your engines
didn't start and someone died?"
He'd had a family member in an
emergency that could have cost a
life had there been a three-
minute delay.
CASSELL WAS not fully con-
vinced of the financial need, how-
ever. When reached the following
day, he stated, "They may very
well need some additional money.
It is hard to tell how much, and
how they intend to spend it, and
whether it will meet the needs of
the people it is intended to help
serve."
Cassell went on to describe
that this is the perception, that
funds are not spent in an
"expeditious manner." He sees a
credibility problem with FD5, and
believes that the 10-year levy will
get the same turn-down as the
permanent proposal, "unless
something changes," he said. "I
am unwilling to arbitrarily give
the organization additional funds,
without plans on how it will be
spent, and how it will address
public needs."
He would like to know that the
basic services are covered first,
and the frosting later, Cassell
said. "I don't trust them. If they
would say, 'This is what we are
going to do, and we will be ac-
countable for it,' I'd be out help-
ing them pass it."
Meanwhile, Gerrit Moore vol-
unteered to head up the Citizens
for Fire District 5 EMS Commit-
tee, remembering the ambulance
left running when his wife was
taken to the hospital, and reiter-
ating his gratitude for the expert
help in her time of need.
Jensen is a
write-in for port
A write-in candidate has regis-
tered with the elections depart-
ment of Mason County for Port of
Grapeview director District 2. Ei-
leen (Lee) Jensen is seeking that
position as a write-in, and will op-
pose candidate Bob Allen. Pre-
viously, Martin (Mick) Roswold
filed, but was declared ineligible
once the redistricting lines within
the port were clarified.
celebrates 40 years of service
haircuts have
Stites since
That's when
tn the business he
Practice in Belfair.
Only $1.50 apiece
.'as now they run
depending on
used to be
19-years-old, and
school when he
Shop. It was
as Belfair
"where the
ster sits right
paid $45 a
that included
Richard Nixon
president of the
and was chal-
John F. Kenne-
grocery store
site of Key
moved the busS-
location in
"Haircuts were
here," said
reminiscing
years and many
Seen come and go.
stayed. He
30 or 40 peo-
COme the full 40
business has
served the people of Belfair.
Ray's Barber Shop no longer
belongs to Ray, of course. He just
works there now. He sold the
business, but just can't stay
away. Cathy Bennett, who never
gave a thought to changing the
name of the place, is the owner.
Stites grew up in Belfair. After
graduating from the local school,
which only went through the
eighth grade, he went on to South
: :ii:/:/: / V:( ¸I :ii!i
Kitsap High School. He actually
went to barber school to pay his
way through dental school. "My
folks didn't have a lot of money,"
he shared.
He's been barbering ever since.
Dental school just wasn't meant
to be a part of his life. He has no
regrets, however. "It's been very
good to me, he said with his
ready smile. I cannot complain.
I've always tried to run a friendly
RAY STITES HAS BEEN cutting hair in Belfair for 40
years. Customer S.K. Epps, reflected in the mirror, has
been coming to the barbershop for 33 of those years.
operation. I've had a good bunch
of customers."
S.K. EPPS, A 33-year client
remarked, "Everybody speaks
well of him and his running of
this place." Stites blushed just a
bit.
"In the barber shop we do hair-
cuts, tell lots of jokes and talk
about everything you're not sup-
posed to: sex, politics, religion
and money!" said the barber. It's
the kind of place that is a mini-
community within the communi-
ty. "We've had some real experi-
ences over the years. It's been lots
of good laughs, lots of good
people."
Stites suffered heart problems
in July of this year, and came
home from the hospital with a
brand-new pacemaker in place.
He is grateful to the emergency
medical crew from Fire District 2,
and said of his current health sta-
tus, "I feel so much better, it's un-
believable!" So he continues to
snip and clip and shave.
Stites answered the phone,
then, and had to go. A friend was
having a problem, and he needed
to give him a ride. That's what
friends and neighbors do for one
another, and if he's anything, he's
a good friend, according to those
who hang out at Ray's Barber
Shop.
Valerie McLeod, owner of Belfair Physi-
cal Therapy, showed up for work on
Tuesday morning, September 14, to dis-
cover a truck on the roof of her build-
ing. The driverless truck and utility
trailer charged down the hill in the
night, coming to rest on the roof over
the lower floor of the building. No one
was injured in the mishap, nor was any-
Drive-in service?
one cited. Damage was estimated at
$15,000 to the structure and $3,000 to
the vehicle, owned by Juan Martin Este-
ban of Bremerton, A 40-ton tow truck,
usually used for semis, was employed to
remove the vehicle. McLeod resumed
seeing patients the following day, once
the building passed a safety inspection.
Both building and truck were insured.
Top reader named
Eleven.year-old Ashley Mur-
phy, daughter of Sue and Dan
Murphy of Port Orchard, has
been named the "galactic" winner
for the North Mason Timberland
Library's summer reading pro-
gram. How did she qualify? "I
read a lot!" said Ashley. There
were mysteries, and lots of other
books, too, she indicated.
So what was this South Colby
sixth-grader doing in North Ma-
son? She spent the summer at
Grandpa Keith Archer's house in
Victor. Besides hanging out at the
library, she also got in. some wa-
ter fun, such as canoeing and
wading.
Each reader had the opportuni-
ty to enter for the grand prize
drawing every time he or she
completed 10 books. There were
over 600 participants in the sum-
mer reading program in Belfair.
That grand prize is a pair of bi-
noculars, plus a book, Exploring
the Night Sky with Binoculars.
Ashley plans are "to look at the
stars" with her new possession,
she said.
"It was really fun setting up
the summer reading program,"
said librarian Corene McDaniel,
"and giving away prizes all
summer." They included coupons
for "galactic" (Italian) sodas, and
astronomy kits with books, pam-
phlets and a chart of the night
sky. Prizes were courtesy of the
Friends of the North Mason Li-
brary and Peninsula Community
Federal Credit Union.
Belfair Village Plan
offers glimpse of future
By RICK STEDMAN
Hillary Clinton said that it
takes a village to raise a child. In
Belfair, we're finding out that it
takes a village plan to establish a
community.
In 1995, the Belfair Citizens'
Planning Group was formed to
assist county officials in under-
standing ideas and issues about
designating Belfair as an urban
growth area. The group was se-
lected to represent a diversity of
community views, and has been
assisted by consultant Richard
Untermann, a site planning and
landscape architect.
It should be noted that the Bel-
fair Citizens' Planning Group is
an unofficial entity; its plan is
merely a suggestion and not an
official county doctrine.
Several problems were identi-
fied in the Belfair Village Plan,
including:
BELFAIR'S COMMERCIAL
development extends along nearly
three miles of State Route 3, pro-
ducing a strip mall look and feel.
The summary report says that it
is impossible to walk anywhere
safely or comfortably; even cross-
ing a street requires a car, and is
very difficult. Traffic on Highway
3 is extremely heavy. Washington
State Department of Transporta-
tion estimates an average of
23,000 vehicles travel along High-
way 3 through Belfair every day.
Additional comments regard-
ing Highway 3 included numer-
ous signs visually compete with
one another for attention, causing
a blight on the landscape. Park-
ing and used car lots are the dom-
inant scene. Compounding traffic
and aesthetics, the lack of sewers
also makes compact development
difficult.
The 1999 Belfair Village Plan
recent update is part of Mason
County's growth management ef-
fort.
The county iS attempting to
validate its comprehensive plan
to comply with stipulations of the
Western Washington Growth
Management Hearings Board.
The plan, however, is a work in
progress. Its intent is to assist
county officials in the future de-
velopment of a town plan for
North Mason proper.
THE PLAN IS not a crystal
ball approach to development, but
rather a strategic guideline that
will serve as a road map for fu-
ture development.
The latest iteration of the plan
contains three parts: a town plan,
infrastructure proposals, and de-
velopment regulations.
Since the plan was begun in
1995, several of the initial recom-
mendations are becoming a reali-
ty.
For example, a sidewalk has
already been constructed in front
of the Safeway store, which is
scheduled to open in November.
The sidewalk will eventually ex-
tend north to just opposite Mc-
Donald's. Building a sidewalk
that extends all the way to the
Theler Center is also suggested.
Thd plan calls for developing
critical infrastructure, in particu-
lar a sewer treatment plant. Over
time, development surrounding
BelfaSt would need to be compact,
clustered, and contain a mixed
use of buildings.
THREE TRAFFIC lights are
penciled into the Belfair Village
Plan. There will be one traffic
light in operation this November
at the intersection of Highway 3
and Clifton Lane to ease conges-
tion when the new Safeway store
opens.
Another light is suggested for
the McDonald's area at the north
end of town. This will slow traffic
and signal the entry to BelfaSt.
The third traffic light would be lo-
cated at Highway 3 and Highway
106 intersection.
Regarding infrastructure, the
plan says that the BelfaSt Water
District has sufficient water to
service the urban growth area.
However, the Belfair Water Dis-
trict has been slow to expand its
boundaries to cover the UGA.
And, like sewers, water is a nec-
essary for commercial expansion.
Untermann suggested that the
Port of Allyn serve as the focal
point for accomplishing some of
these infrastructure-related
goals. He cited Seattle Mayor
Paul Schell's performance when
he was head of the Seattle Port.
"Schell used the port's in-
fluences for building new struc-
tures on the SeaStle waterfront,"
said Untermann. "Likewise, the
Port of Allyn has taxing authority
and has showed interest in help-
ing with sewer and water devel-
opment in the greater BelfaSt
area."
THE PLAN CLAIMS that the
county's sewer study group has
recommended forming a local
sewer district to build a phased
sewer system within the urban
growth area. They recommend es-
tablishing a monitoring program
and funding the repair of failing
septic systems. The proposal has
support, but is likely to be expen-
sive, and several years away.
Funding of these various proj-
ects suggested in the plan could
come from several SOurces. Partic-
ipants felt that funding could oc-
cur over a 10-year period. Sharing
the cost burden would be the
state, county, developers and
property owners within the UGA.
Sources of funding could in.
clude state and federal grant op-
portunities, developers' impact
fees, Mason County Capital Im-
provement funds, user fees, and
urban growth area bonds.
Since the BelfaSt Village Plan
is a work in progress, if you have
suggestions or ideas, please con-
tact the Mason County Planning
Department, or the North Mason
Chamber of Commerce.
Open houses
Mason County Commis-
sioners are seeking public
input regarding the county's
six-year Transportation Im-
provement Program.
The public is invited to at-
tend either of two meetings.
The first will be held from 3-
8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep-
tember 29, at the Shelton
PUD 3 Auditorium. The sec-
ond open house will take
place from 3-8 p.m., on Tues-
day, October 5, at the Bel-
fair Fire Hall (NE 460 Old
Belfair Highway).
Many changes and im-
provements are currently on
the drawing board, including
the 101 Connector Corridor
and Belfair Bypass.
In other county road-re-
lated news, the BelfaSt Ta-
huya Road will be closed at
mile post 8.61 from Monday,
September 27, through Mon-
day, October 4. A more sal-
mon-friendly culvert will be
put in place.
Belfair -- Allyn -- Grapeview -- Tahuya -- Mason Lake -- South Shore -- Victor |
00,00.nursday, )
levy back on ballot
miserably in the
primary, the Fire Dis-
medical ser-
again be offered to
r, the EMS
a 10-year limit in-
Permanent status
rejected earlier this
levy, at 50 cents
valuation,
on the primary
only 45.6 per-
Votes (1,586 yes to
With 60 percent re-
,sage. The fire de-
until Friday, Sep-
place an issue on
ballot, so de-
and making a
the evening prior to
The board of com-
eventually voted to
per $1,000 value
November 2
'as a standing-room-
With 22 people pres-
special FD5 commis-
the majority of
volunteer firefight-
Among the civilians
came to ask hard
FD5 needs, and
e who came to say
MOORE expressed
and before the eve-
volunteered to help
ord on the levy and
of passing it. "We
tain medical ser-
"My wife be-
ill. Fire District 5
spoke of the com-
expert help on
the relief that it
not to be serious, but
only learned after a trip
He appreciated
his family's time of
to take this oppor-
k you folks for
ting FD5, attorney
Was on hand at the
shared the options
recommendations on
and duration. He
50 cents
the current
Would mean that 50
maximum the corn-
choose to collect.
collecting less
but he recom-
full amount
which would be
explained that FD5
on interest-bearing
first few months of
Prior to property tax
money being available. He ex-
plained that this is not deficit fi-
nancing in a 12-month year, but
that it does cost some in interest.
What is unknown, Snure said,
is the potential impact of 1-695 on
an EMS levy. "There is much con-
fusion about the effect of 1-695,"
he stated.
TOM BROKAW, candidate for
commissioner, asked "How would
the quarter of a million dollars be
spent in that first year, in 2000?"
Board chairman Del Griffey re-
sponded, "A portion of it would go
to lease two new ambulances,
paying them off over time."
Brokaw questioned whether
FD5 would hire a medical direc-
tor, as Chief Richard Knight had
included in one of his proposed
budgets. This was not directly an-
swered, but was referred to as a
"need" later in the evening by one
of the firefighters. Knight indicat-
ed there was a need for more ad-
ministrators in the district, citing
himself, an assistant chief, and a
secretary as the only administra-
tors now.
Following the meeting, Knight
explained that a medical director
is actually an EMS supervisor,
who would likely be one of the
emergency responders, since
many scenes require a safety offi-
cer. Primarily, that person, not
likely a physician, but at least a
paramedic, would take care of
training. "It helps our workers
and the organization," he said. He
also indicated that there has not
been a decision on hiring a medi-
cal director, should the levy pass.
It has, however, been identified
as a need for several years now,
he said.
LOCAL RESIDENT Clyde
Cassell spoke up of hearing of a
desire for more money to be col-
lected, but had not heard on ex-
planation of what the specific
needs are.
Fire district personnel chimed
in one by one:
"We've lost two employees, and
some of our people are now con-
tracted to work 32 hours a week."
"Maintenance on the vehicles
has been deferred."
"WE LOST A brush unit and
some tenders, so there are less ve-
hicles overall now."
"There are holes in our protec-
tive gear. This is what we wear
when we go into a structure fire."
"The engine I drive is three
years younger than I am."
"I've been here for 14 years,
and we have scrimped," said Mike
White. "I invite anyone to come
by and spend a shift with us." He
later described, "We go into situa-
tions where things are out of con-
trol, or they wouldn't have called
us. It's hard enough to deal with
that without worrying if your
equipment may fail. We need
help!"
LORNA HINK, volunteer,
stated, "I became a volunteer to
help my neighbors. We need new
equipment, and the budget isn't
there. We're well-trained in this
district. Fire District 5 isn't wast-
ing money. We're helping people
out there."
Volunteer Bonnie Knight said,
"I wish we had better equipment.
When you're driving a rig, it
smokes so bad you can't see the
car behind you. You don't know if
you'll make it there, when a life is
in your hands. I don't mind put-
ting in the time as a volunteer,
but we don't like the feeling that
you can't make it to the hospital.
Once we get there, we leave the
rig running, not sure if we could
start it up again. This is very
real. That's not mismanagement.
That's provision of services."
In response to a question on.
planning and needs, the chief ex-
plained that the comprehensive
plan was adopted in 1999. Volun-
teer firefighters meet every week,
and have dedicated the last Tues-
day of each month to work on
creating a one-year plan. Bonnie
Knight, the chiefs wife, explained
that most of them are not profes-
sional planners, and they would
welcome help from the communi-
ty in this effort.
Snure mentioned upgraded re-
quirements, imposed by the state,
costing the district a mandatory
$120,000. He also indicated that
five-year plans are often fore-
stalled in order to plan what must
be done tomorrow, and shared
that this is a common problem
with fire districts across the
state.
CASSELL ASKED if FD5 had
considered consolidation with
other fire districts. Griffey said
they had, two years ago. The chief
shared that FD5 and much small-
er FD3 of Grapeview now have a
very strong, fully coordinated,
joint response to emergencies in
the two districts, for their mutual
benefit.
Chief Knight shared that he
had heard a number of comments
and complaints, and wanted to
reply. "We're not threatening to
close stations," he said. "It (the
EMS levy) is not a blank check,
either. We're not going broke. If
this levy doesn't pass, we're not
going broke. We just ain't going
ahead worth a damn. I think we
should. People in FD5 deserve
good service."
With rising emotion, the chief
concluded, '"We're not going to col-
lapse. I keep hearing that, and
it's not true. We don't need this
levy to continue to provide good
service, but we must move ahead.
But we ain't goin' broke, goddamn
it!"
Local resident John Herzberg
was present at the meeting, and
asked rhetorically, "How would
someone feel if your engines
didn't start and someone died?"
He'd had a family member in an
emergency that could have cost a
life had there been a three-
minute delay.
CASSELL WAS not fully con-
vinced of the financial need, how-
ever. When reached the following
day, he stated, "They may very
well need some additional money.
It is hard to tell how much, and
how they intend to spend it, and
whether it will meet the needs of
the people it is intended to help
serve."
Cassell went on to describe
that this is the perception, that
funds are not spent in an
"expeditious manner." He sees a
credibility problem with FD5, and
believes that the 10-year levy will
get the same turn-down as the
permanent proposal, "unless
something changes," he said. "I
am unwilling to arbitrarily give
the organization additional funds,
without plans on how it will be
spent, and how it will address
public needs."
He would like to know that the
basic services are covered first,
and the frosting later, Cassell
said. "I don't trust them. If they
would say, 'This is what we are
going to do, and we will be ac-
countable for it,' I'd be out help-
ing them pass it."
Meanwhile, Gerrit Moore vol-
unteered to head up the Citizens
for Fire District 5 EMS Commit-
tee, remembering the ambulance
left running when his wife was
taken to the hospital, and reiter-
ating his gratitude for the expert
help in her time of need.
Jensen is a
write-in for port
A write-in candidate has regis-
tered with the elections depart-
ment of Mason County for Port of
Grapeview director District 2. Ei-
leen (Lee) Jensen is seeking that
position as a write-in, and will op-
pose candidate Bob Allen. Pre-
viously, Martin (Mick) Roswold
filed, but was declared ineligible
once the redistricting lines within
the port were clarified.
celebrates 40 years of service
haircuts have
Stites since
That's when
tn the business he
Practice in Belfair.
Only $1.50 apiece
.'as now they run
depending on
used to be
19-years-old, and
school when he
Shop. It was
as Belfair
"where the
ster sits right
paid $45 a
that included
Richard Nixon
president of the
and was chal-
John F. Kenne-
grocery store
site of Key
moved the busS-
location in
"Haircuts were
here," said
reminiscing
years and many
Seen come and go.
stayed. He
30 or 40 peo-
COme the full 40
business has
served the people of Belfair.
Ray's Barber Shop no longer
belongs to Ray, of course. He just
works there now. He sold the
business, but just can't stay
away. Cathy Bennett, who never
gave a thought to changing the
name of the place, is the owner.
Stites grew up in Belfair. After
graduating from the local school,
which only went through the
eighth grade, he went on to South
: :ii:/:/: / V:( ¸I :ii!i
Kitsap High School. He actually
went to barber school to pay his
way through dental school. "My
folks didn't have a lot of money,"
he shared.
He's been barbering ever since.
Dental school just wasn't meant
to be a part of his life. He has no
regrets, however. "It's been very
good to me, he said with his
ready smile. I cannot complain.
I've always tried to run a friendly
RAY STITES HAS BEEN cutting hair in Belfair for 40
years. Customer S.K. Epps, reflected in the mirror, has
been coming to the barbershop for 33 of those years.
operation. I've had a good bunch
of customers."
S.K. EPPS, A 33-year client
remarked, "Everybody speaks
well of him and his running of
this place." Stites blushed just a
bit.
"In the barber shop we do hair-
cuts, tell lots of jokes and talk
about everything you're not sup-
posed to: sex, politics, religion
and money!" said the barber. It's
the kind of place that is a mini-
community within the communi-
ty. "We've had some real experi-
ences over the years. It's been lots
of good laughs, lots of good
people."
Stites suffered heart problems
in July of this year, and came
home from the hospital with a
brand-new pacemaker in place.
He is grateful to the emergency
medical crew from Fire District 2,
and said of his current health sta-
tus, "I feel so much better, it's un-
believable!" So he continues to
snip and clip and shave.
Stites answered the phone,
then, and had to go. A friend was
having a problem, and he needed
to give him a ride. That's what
friends and neighbors do for one
another, and if he's anything, he's
a good friend, according to those
who hang out at Ray's Barber
Shop.
Valerie McLeod, owner of Belfair Physi-
cal Therapy, showed up for work on
Tuesday morning, September 14, to dis-
cover a truck on the roof of her build-
ing. The driverless truck and utility
trailer charged down the hill in the
night, coming to rest on the roof over
the lower floor of the building. No one
was injured in the mishap, nor was any-
Drive-in service?
one cited. Damage was estimated at
$15,000 to the structure and $3,000 to
the vehicle, owned by Juan Martin Este-
ban of Bremerton, A 40-ton tow truck,
usually used for semis, was employed to
remove the vehicle. McLeod resumed
seeing patients the following day, once
the building passed a safety inspection.
Both building and truck were insured.
Top reader named
Eleven.year-old Ashley Mur-
phy, daughter of Sue and Dan
Murphy of Port Orchard, has
been named the "galactic" winner
for the North Mason Timberland
Library's summer reading pro-
gram. How did she qualify? "I
read a lot!" said Ashley. There
were mysteries, and lots of other
books, too, she indicated.
So what was this South Colby
sixth-grader doing in North Ma-
son? She spent the summer at
Grandpa Keith Archer's house in
Victor. Besides hanging out at the
library, she also got in. some wa-
ter fun, such as canoeing and
wading.
Each reader had the opportuni-
ty to enter for the grand prize
drawing every time he or she
completed 10 books. There were
over 600 participants in the sum-
mer reading program in Belfair.
That grand prize is a pair of bi-
noculars, plus a book, Exploring
the Night Sky with Binoculars.
Ashley plans are "to look at the
stars" with her new possession,
she said.
"It was really fun setting up
the summer reading program,"
said librarian Corene McDaniel,
"and giving away prizes all
summer." They included coupons
for "galactic" (Italian) sodas, and
astronomy kits with books, pam-
phlets and a chart of the night
sky. Prizes were courtesy of the
Friends of the North Mason Li-
brary and Peninsula Community
Federal Credit Union.
Belfair Village Plan
offers glimpse of future
By RICK STEDMAN
Hillary Clinton said that it
takes a village to raise a child. In
Belfair, we're finding out that it
takes a village plan to establish a
community.
In 1995, the Belfair Citizens'
Planning Group was formed to
assist county officials in under-
standing ideas and issues about
designating Belfair as an urban
growth area. The group was se-
lected to represent a diversity of
community views, and has been
assisted by consultant Richard
Untermann, a site planning and
landscape architect.
It should be noted that the Bel-
fair Citizens' Planning Group is
an unofficial entity; its plan is
merely a suggestion and not an
official county doctrine.
Several problems were identi-
fied in the Belfair Village Plan,
including:
BELFAIR'S COMMERCIAL
development extends along nearly
three miles of State Route 3, pro-
ducing a strip mall look and feel.
The summary report says that it
is impossible to walk anywhere
safely or comfortably; even cross-
ing a street requires a car, and is
very difficult. Traffic on Highway
3 is extremely heavy. Washington
State Department of Transporta-
tion estimates an average of
23,000 vehicles travel along High-
way 3 through Belfair every day.
Additional comments regard-
ing Highway 3 included numer-
ous signs visually compete with
one another for attention, causing
a blight on the landscape. Park-
ing and used car lots are the dom-
inant scene. Compounding traffic
and aesthetics, the lack of sewers
also makes compact development
difficult.
The 1999 Belfair Village Plan
recent update is part of Mason
County's growth management ef-
fort.
The county iS attempting to
validate its comprehensive plan
to comply with stipulations of the
Western Washington Growth
Management Hearings Board.
The plan, however, is a work in
progress. Its intent is to assist
county officials in the future de-
velopment of a town plan for
North Mason proper.
THE PLAN IS not a crystal
ball approach to development, but
rather a strategic guideline that
will serve as a road map for fu-
ture development.
The latest iteration of the plan
contains three parts: a town plan,
infrastructure proposals, and de-
velopment regulations.
Since the plan was begun in
1995, several of the initial recom-
mendations are becoming a reali-
ty.
For example, a sidewalk has
already been constructed in front
of the Safeway store, which is
scheduled to open in November.
The sidewalk will eventually ex-
tend north to just opposite Mc-
Donald's. Building a sidewalk
that extends all the way to the
Theler Center is also suggested.
Thd plan calls for developing
critical infrastructure, in particu-
lar a sewer treatment plant. Over
time, development surrounding
BelfaSt would need to be compact,
clustered, and contain a mixed
use of buildings.
THREE TRAFFIC lights are
penciled into the Belfair Village
Plan. There will be one traffic
light in operation this November
at the intersection of Highway 3
and Clifton Lane to ease conges-
tion when the new Safeway store
opens.
Another light is suggested for
the McDonald's area at the north
end of town. This will slow traffic
and signal the entry to BelfaSt.
The third traffic light would be lo-
cated at Highway 3 and Highway
106 intersection.
Regarding infrastructure, the
plan says that the BelfaSt Water
District has sufficient water to
service the urban growth area.
However, the Belfair Water Dis-
trict has been slow to expand its
boundaries to cover the UGA.
And, like sewers, water is a nec-
essary for commercial expansion.
Untermann suggested that the
Port of Allyn serve as the focal
point for accomplishing some of
these infrastructure-related
goals. He cited Seattle Mayor
Paul Schell's performance when
he was head of the Seattle Port.
"Schell used the port's in-
fluences for building new struc-
tures on the SeaStle waterfront,"
said Untermann. "Likewise, the
Port of Allyn has taxing authority
and has showed interest in help-
ing with sewer and water devel-
opment in the greater BelfaSt
area."
THE PLAN CLAIMS that the
county's sewer study group has
recommended forming a local
sewer district to build a phased
sewer system within the urban
growth area. They recommend es-
tablishing a monitoring program
and funding the repair of failing
septic systems. The proposal has
support, but is likely to be expen-
sive, and several years away.
Funding of these various proj-
ects suggested in the plan could
come from several SOurces. Partic-
ipants felt that funding could oc-
cur over a 10-year period. Sharing
the cost burden would be the
state, county, developers and
property owners within the UGA.
Sources of funding could in.
clude state and federal grant op-
portunities, developers' impact
fees, Mason County Capital Im-
provement funds, user fees, and
urban growth area bonds.
Since the BelfaSt Village Plan
is a work in progress, if you have
suggestions or ideas, please con-
tact the Mason County Planning
Department, or the North Mason
Chamber of Commerce.
Open houses
Mason County Commis-
sioners are seeking public
input regarding the county's
six-year Transportation Im-
provement Program.
The public is invited to at-
tend either of two meetings.
The first will be held from 3-
8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep-
tember 29, at the Shelton
PUD 3 Auditorium. The sec-
ond open house will take
place from 3-8 p.m., on Tues-
day, October 5, at the Bel-
fair Fire Hall (NE 460 Old
Belfair Highway).
Many changes and im-
provements are currently on
the drawing board, including
the 101 Connector Corridor
and Belfair Bypass.
In other county road-re-
lated news, the BelfaSt Ta-
huya Road will be closed at
mile post 8.61 from Monday,
September 27, through Mon-
day, October 4. A more sal-
mon-friendly culvert will be
put in place.