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00ournal of Opinion:
Not so super
"Those legislators sure are sneaky."
"What do you mean, Ralph?"
"They want to take away my edge, Alice."
"Fill me in. I'm lost. What's that you're reading? The
voters' pamphlet?"
"Yeah, and this Gross House Disjointed Resolution 4204 thing
is a ripoff."
"If I'm remembering correctly, that's the proposed
amendment to the state constitution to eliminate the
requirement for a supermajority to pass school levies.
What's the problem?"
"The problem is, Mrs. Smarty Pants, as a 'no' voter on all school
measures for the past 45 years I've always had one and a half
votes at the polls while 'yes' voters got only one vote. Us 'no' voters
just had to raise 40 percent plus one vote to take down anything
the school district had on the ballot."
"And you think that's fair?"
"Of course. Each time one of those levies crashed and burned
with only 59.6 percent of the vote, it was a victory for the
community because the will of the superminority prevailed."
"Sounds inequitable to me, Ralph."
"That's because you're a pawn of the educational establishment
who thinks problems can be solved by throwing money at them.
There's no accountability."
"No accountability? We elect school board members, and
as our representatives they figure out how much money is
needed for our educational programs and then ask us to
dig deep for the kids and pay for the 15 percent the state
doesn't cover."
"Look, Alice, this is a failed educational system. If these people
can't take the ineducable children society sends them and impart
some knowledge, if they can't recruit the best teachers for $38,000
a year, if they can't keep 35 percent of the kids from dropping out,
if they can't teach them any morals, we need to dismantle what
we've got and start over."
"With 1930s education for the 21st Century?"
"Darn right. The only way the educators will get the message is to
reject their M&O levies and take 15 percent of their'budget away -
teachers, textbooks, technology, training, busing, sports, activities,
building maintenance - nonessentials like that, so they're forced
to improve the product. But now the stupid legislature is trying to
make it easier for communities to support their schools."
"Gee whiz, Ralph, the principle of a simple majority
determining elections is what this country is all about."
"I ask you, if I'm here with my three all-American grandkids
and they want to watch 'Sesame Street' but I want to watch cage
fighting or a poker tournament, what do we watch?"
"You'd watch cage fighting or the poker because they are
all under 4 years old, Ralph, but quit changing the subject
from education to television programming that causes
brain damage. It's our duty as citizens to accept the tax
obligations that we collectively approve as a community.
You want those against the War on Iraq to stop paying
income taxes?"
"A war halfway across the world that has cost this household
only $3,000 I can accept, Alice. What I can't accept is a local
school levy that costs me 50 cents a day. What a complete waste
of money. And why should I be responsible for educating other
people's children when mine are grown?"
"You never voted for a school levy when the kids were
in school, either, Ralph."
"That's beside the point. You're trying to make me prove a
negative. That's a typical rhetorical ploy people use when they're
being irrational, like using a red salmon."
"I'm trying to be rational, Ralph, and look at history.
Apparently the people in power had some real fears of
the proletariat when the supermajority rule was enacted
during the Depression in 1932. The rich were concerned
that propertyless voters would force them, the property
owners, to pay for schools. How is that a concern today
when 65 percent of us own homes?"
"Stop talking communist talk, Alice."
"So what do you suggest, Ralph?"
"I think the least they could do is make this MSRP 4204 receive
a 60 percent supermajority to pass if they are going to take away
the superminority's rights."
"That's not the way it works."
"Well, then, the legislators who approved this constitutional
amendment should be voted out of office. They're traitors. They've
given away a basic American right."
"You can vote any way you like in 2008, Ralph."
"Will I get one and a half votes in the House and Senate races
while those supporting the traitors get only one vote?"
"'Fraid not, Ralph. 'Fraid not."
-CG
IIIIIi
Shall'on. ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, Re. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cola Street, Shelton, Washington
Mailing address: Re. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www•maaoncounty•com
Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31 •00 per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Scan Hanlon, managing editor; Steve Patch,
sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools, Port of Shelton; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts• Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Pierik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy Lester, circulation; Donna Ktnnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, mailroom
supervisor. Composing room: Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinan, pagination;
Frank Isaac, pagination, photo technician; Kolasn Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
William Adams, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader• Pressroom: Nick
Carr, pressman; Jon Hughes, pressman's assistant.
l II!IIiIIII!iImiItIIIIIIImtIIIItIIIMIIIIIIItIiIImItInIiIIHIlIIInItIIiIiIItitIiutImiiIIIIIIItItIII
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 4, 2007
I00e,aders" 9ournai:
Follow existing athletic code
Editor, The Journal:
I would like to start by saying
that in a time when the super-
intendent and Shelton School
District are working diligently
to reevaluate and assess the ath-
letic programs across the board,
I was a little bit dismayed that
The Journal would use the op-
portunity to single out the fast-
pitch team. (September 27 news
story, "Softball players keeping
uniforms.")
As stated by board member
Holly Sharpe, "It's a problem, not
just in fastpitch." I do not want
to take jabs at Athletic Director
Bill Hicks as the paper seemed to
state in saying I had brought the
matter to his attention• (I believe
I had been asked if I had been in
contact with the athletic office).
The issue of players keeping
uniforms after the season is over
has been ongoing since I became
the head coach, and it has been
brought to my attention every
fall sports season. As stated at
a coaches' meeting on June 22,
2005 (Yes, I still have the notes),
"enforce equipment/uniform rule,
list to be turned to Susan (ath-
letic secretary), players cannot
turn out for another sport." All
coaches are aware of this, and so
when we talk about passing the
buck, we all need to take respon-
sibility•
Then because one girl brags to
others and they take it home to
the parents, the fallout begins.
No accountability, coaches do not
comply with the rule as stated in
athletic code, no follow through,
etc.
When it is time for my pre-
season parent meeting it bites me
again and hovers over my season
as well as becomes a form of"can-
cer." It just grows and grows. Ba-
sically, it is a set-up for failure.
And, not just for my team.
This was the point of issue to
begin with. Why do we spend
time and effort making an ath-
letic code, making numerous
booklets to pass out and not fol-
low through? All players, parents
and coaches are aware of this
booklet; it is a group effort. This,
by the way, was noted in last
week's presentation of the report
by Mr. Dele Gunnerson, the con-
sultant who studied the athletic
program. And, I quote, "The nec-
essary pieces for a strong athletic
program exist, but they need il
be used." So, this is just not mY I
opinion alone.
linj
I commend Superintendepst
Joan Zook and the Shelton SchoeC"
• (
Board for their efforts to asse
and evaluate the athletic pr0
gram dmtrmtwide. It takes a lo[."
of courage and strength to mot.
• ' S
vate changes It will take energy:
." . (
and commumcahon, as Mr Gu€
nerson states. " - my
It
This is not an easy task an( di
will take a strong effort to r0ae :
store faith and trust within th(;hfi
community as well as teamwork at
It falls in conjunction with "'RSal u
chel's Challenge," and we shouli
all commend the Shelton Scho0
District for the opportunity f[']
students and community to p
judgments aside and work to
gether as a TEAM. €
, As Mr. Gu,,nnerson state£"
'communication must be r K
stored. When district officials w ud
come visitors or telephone callnd
both parties must reach out an ri
embrace the opportunity for th ar
communication. We either ada
to change or we get left behind, i=
Valerie Jame
Mountain Vie J
Emma s story - " " -
, near00_warmmg i:
Editor, The Journal: est story. So, congratulations to repor.'t
e v
I want to thank you your I have been and remain critical rs Mary Duncan and Jeff Gree'
story last week on how a 3-year- of The Journal for its loving atten- to the Schultzes for the prescied,
training they gave their child, t(
tion to lurid details of crime stories
and its relative neglect of what I
believe is more socially significant
news about how the affairs of gov-
ernment are conducted. But this
heart-warming story deserved its
place on the front page.
old's timely call to "911" brought
needed help to her father, a sei-
zure victim ("Tot's call to 911:
'Are you going to help Daddy?' ").
Although I don't know any of
those involved, it lifted my spirits
to read this sort of human inter-
dispatcher Valerie VanCleave fo
her smooth handling of the "911
call and to young Emma for kee
ing her cool. "
John Diel I
Harstine Islan)te
ll,
|elq
bin
Public servant in truest sense
Editor, The Journal:
The Journal of September 27
contained a paid advertisement for
a candidate running against the
Honorable Mayor John Tarrant's
reelection bid. The ad casts asper-
sions on the track record, if you will,
of Mayor Tarrant by taking budget
items and figures out of context and
presenting them negatively.
Please don't be fooled by this
pitiful display of playing politics.
Further, the candidate referred
to our mayor, an elected official
the same as our President, county
prosecuting attorney, local judges
and others as "Tarrant." Even my
10-year-old son recognized the dis-
respectful nature of his reference•
My 7-year-old daughter thinks
the candidate, Mr. Cronce, should
"mind his manners•"
Mayor Tarrant is a public ser-
vant in the truest and best sense
of the term. In the 12-plus years
I've had the pleasure of knowing
him he has consistently demon-
strated nothing but the highest of
moral and ethical standards in his
leadership• He has worked tire-
lessly, in multiple capacities, to
guide our city through an obstacle
course of issues.
Mayor Tarrant, like the rest of
us, has known for many years that
our streets are in need of repair.
After all, he drives on them too.
I appreciate and respect that he
has not been totally reactionar}n
and automatically diverted fun
to one area at the expense and neqt
glect of many others. I think the p
S t i f a 'o :h::, fifc hl:e:aPd%ibleY!;:; o,
funds, you could wager highll
someone would be griping thalami
in "Cronce's" words, "the city' nt
dogcatcher" needs more funding!
If I was a City of Shelton ani
control officer, I'm certain I wotil
take offense in how I was referre
to in the ad.
Please help support Mayor Ta
rant in his bid to continue the goo T
work he has started. h(
Ed Stewar{ t(
Fawn Lak t
!er
Shortly voters will be asked
to choose the Hood Canal School
District's new school board. This
is probably one of the most im-
portant votes a person can make
at a local level, for it involves the
direction of educating our chil-
dren.
We have known Bob Sund for
many years, and we have had
the pleasure of working with
him on many and various activi-
ties. Bob's focus is always on ed-
His focus always "
on educatmn ir
Editor, The Journal: ucation and working with youth making a decision after listenin
groups. He has been involved in to many opinions.
awarding scholarships to local
students. In addition he worked
with the Shelton High School
Key Club, especially on fund-
raisers.
We have had the pleasure of
working with Bob on many ac-
tivities that have involved com-
munity betterment. He is al-
ways a consensus leader open
to all opinions and approaches
to issues. But, he is not afraid of
Bob Is a professmnal educato
with many years in his profeSi b
sion. He was also a local busiP"
h(
nessman, so he will bring to th$ .
board a broad view of the need t'
of the local school district. +c
uW rge i°:d t°c:°te f°r 2o: e
S anal Sc 'iS
Board. Is
Dennis and Margaret Browe.
Hoodspol% r(
00ournal of Opinion:
Not so super
"Those legislators sure are sneaky."
"What do you mean, Ralph?"
"They want to take away my edge, Alice."
"Fill me in. I'm lost. What's that you're reading? The
voters' pamphlet?"
"Yeah, and this Gross House Disjointed Resolution 4204 thing
is a ripoff."
"If I'm remembering correctly, that's the proposed
amendment to the state constitution to eliminate the
requirement for a supermajority to pass school levies.
What's the problem?"
"The problem is, Mrs. Smarty Pants, as a 'no' voter on all school
measures for the past 45 years I've always had one and a half
votes at the polls while 'yes' voters got only one vote. Us 'no' voters
just had to raise 40 percent plus one vote to take down anything
the school district had on the ballot."
"And you think that's fair?"
"Of course. Each time one of those levies crashed and burned
with only 59.6 percent of the vote, it was a victory for the
community because the will of the superminority prevailed."
"Sounds inequitable to me, Ralph."
"That's because you're a pawn of the educational establishment
who thinks problems can be solved by throwing money at them.
There's no accountability."
"No accountability? We elect school board members, and
as our representatives they figure out how much money is
needed for our educational programs and then ask us to
dig deep for the kids and pay for the 15 percent the state
doesn't cover."
"Look, Alice, this is a failed educational system. If these people
can't take the ineducable children society sends them and impart
some knowledge, if they can't recruit the best teachers for $38,000
a year, if they can't keep 35 percent of the kids from dropping out,
if they can't teach them any morals, we need to dismantle what
we've got and start over."
"With 1930s education for the 21st Century?"
"Darn right. The only way the educators will get the message is to
reject their M&O levies and take 15 percent of their'budget away -
teachers, textbooks, technology, training, busing, sports, activities,
building maintenance - nonessentials like that, so they're forced
to improve the product. But now the stupid legislature is trying to
make it easier for communities to support their schools."
"Gee whiz, Ralph, the principle of a simple majority
determining elections is what this country is all about."
"I ask you, if I'm here with my three all-American grandkids
and they want to watch 'Sesame Street' but I want to watch cage
fighting or a poker tournament, what do we watch?"
"You'd watch cage fighting or the poker because they are
all under 4 years old, Ralph, but quit changing the subject
from education to television programming that causes
brain damage. It's our duty as citizens to accept the tax
obligations that we collectively approve as a community.
You want those against the War on Iraq to stop paying
income taxes?"
"A war halfway across the world that has cost this household
only $3,000 I can accept, Alice. What I can't accept is a local
school levy that costs me 50 cents a day. What a complete waste
of money. And why should I be responsible for educating other
people's children when mine are grown?"
"You never voted for a school levy when the kids were
in school, either, Ralph."
"That's beside the point. You're trying to make me prove a
negative. That's a typical rhetorical ploy people use when they're
being irrational, like using a red salmon."
"I'm trying to be rational, Ralph, and look at history.
Apparently the people in power had some real fears of
the proletariat when the supermajority rule was enacted
during the Depression in 1932. The rich were concerned
that propertyless voters would force them, the property
owners, to pay for schools. How is that a concern today
when 65 percent of us own homes?"
"Stop talking communist talk, Alice."
"So what do you suggest, Ralph?"
"I think the least they could do is make this MSRP 4204 receive
a 60 percent supermajority to pass if they are going to take away
the superminority's rights."
"That's not the way it works."
"Well, then, the legislators who approved this constitutional
amendment should be voted out of office. They're traitors. They've
given away a basic American right."
"You can vote any way you like in 2008, Ralph."
"Will I get one and a half votes in the House and Senate races
while those supporting the traitors get only one vote?"
"'Fraid not, Ralph. 'Fraid not."
-CG
IIIIIi
Shall'on. ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, Re. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cola Street, Shelton, Washington
Mailing address: Re. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www•maaoncounty•com
Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31 •00 per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Scan Hanlon, managing editor; Steve Patch,
sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools, Port of Shelton; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts• Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Pierik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy Lester, circulation; Donna Ktnnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, mailroom
supervisor. Composing room: Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinan, pagination;
Frank Isaac, pagination, photo technician; Kolasn Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
William Adams, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader• Pressroom: Nick
Carr, pressman; Jon Hughes, pressman's assistant.
l II!IIiIIII!iImiItIIIIIIImtIIIItIIIMIIIIIIItIiIImItInIiIIHIlIIInItIIiIiIItitIiutImiiIIIIIIItItIII
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 4, 2007
I00e,aders" 9ournai:
Follow existing athletic code
Editor, The Journal:
I would like to start by saying
that in a time when the super-
intendent and Shelton School
District are working diligently
to reevaluate and assess the ath-
letic programs across the board,
I was a little bit dismayed that
The Journal would use the op-
portunity to single out the fast-
pitch team. (September 27 news
story, "Softball players keeping
uniforms.")
As stated by board member
Holly Sharpe, "It's a problem, not
just in fastpitch." I do not want
to take jabs at Athletic Director
Bill Hicks as the paper seemed to
state in saying I had brought the
matter to his attention• (I believe
I had been asked if I had been in
contact with the athletic office).
The issue of players keeping
uniforms after the season is over
has been ongoing since I became
the head coach, and it has been
brought to my attention every
fall sports season. As stated at
a coaches' meeting on June 22,
2005 (Yes, I still have the notes),
"enforce equipment/uniform rule,
list to be turned to Susan (ath-
letic secretary), players cannot
turn out for another sport." All
coaches are aware of this, and so
when we talk about passing the
buck, we all need to take respon-
sibility•
Then because one girl brags to
others and they take it home to
the parents, the fallout begins.
No accountability, coaches do not
comply with the rule as stated in
athletic code, no follow through,
etc.
When it is time for my pre-
season parent meeting it bites me
again and hovers over my season
as well as becomes a form of"can-
cer." It just grows and grows. Ba-
sically, it is a set-up for failure.
And, not just for my team.
This was the point of issue to
begin with. Why do we spend
time and effort making an ath-
letic code, making numerous
booklets to pass out and not fol-
low through? All players, parents
and coaches are aware of this
booklet; it is a group effort. This,
by the way, was noted in last
week's presentation of the report
by Mr. Dele Gunnerson, the con-
sultant who studied the athletic
program. And, I quote, "The nec-
essary pieces for a strong athletic
program exist, but they need il
be used." So, this is just not mY I
opinion alone.
linj
I commend Superintendepst
Joan Zook and the Shelton SchoeC"
• (
Board for their efforts to asse
and evaluate the athletic pr0
gram dmtrmtwide. It takes a lo[."
of courage and strength to mot.
• ' S
vate changes It will take energy:
." . (
and commumcahon, as Mr Gu€
nerson states. " - my
It
This is not an easy task an( di
will take a strong effort to r0ae :
store faith and trust within th(;hfi
community as well as teamwork at
It falls in conjunction with "'RSal u
chel's Challenge," and we shouli
all commend the Shelton Scho0
District for the opportunity f[']
students and community to p
judgments aside and work to
gether as a TEAM. €
, As Mr. Gu,,nnerson state£"
'communication must be r K
stored. When district officials w ud
come visitors or telephone callnd
both parties must reach out an ri
embrace the opportunity for th ar
communication. We either ada
to change or we get left behind, i=
Valerie Jame
Mountain Vie J
Emma s story - " " -
, near00_warmmg i:
Editor, The Journal: est story. So, congratulations to repor.'t
e v
I want to thank you your I have been and remain critical rs Mary Duncan and Jeff Gree'
story last week on how a 3-year- of The Journal for its loving atten- to the Schultzes for the prescied,
training they gave their child, t(
tion to lurid details of crime stories
and its relative neglect of what I
believe is more socially significant
news about how the affairs of gov-
ernment are conducted. But this
heart-warming story deserved its
place on the front page.
old's timely call to "911" brought
needed help to her father, a sei-
zure victim ("Tot's call to 911:
'Are you going to help Daddy?' ").
Although I don't know any of
those involved, it lifted my spirits
to read this sort of human inter-
dispatcher Valerie VanCleave fo
her smooth handling of the "911
call and to young Emma for kee
ing her cool. "
John Diel I
Harstine Islan)te
ll,
|elq
bin
Public servant in truest sense
Editor, The Journal:
The Journal of September 27
contained a paid advertisement for
a candidate running against the
Honorable Mayor John Tarrant's
reelection bid. The ad casts asper-
sions on the track record, if you will,
of Mayor Tarrant by taking budget
items and figures out of context and
presenting them negatively.
Please don't be fooled by this
pitiful display of playing politics.
Further, the candidate referred
to our mayor, an elected official
the same as our President, county
prosecuting attorney, local judges
and others as "Tarrant." Even my
10-year-old son recognized the dis-
respectful nature of his reference•
My 7-year-old daughter thinks
the candidate, Mr. Cronce, should
"mind his manners•"
Mayor Tarrant is a public ser-
vant in the truest and best sense
of the term. In the 12-plus years
I've had the pleasure of knowing
him he has consistently demon-
strated nothing but the highest of
moral and ethical standards in his
leadership• He has worked tire-
lessly, in multiple capacities, to
guide our city through an obstacle
course of issues.
Mayor Tarrant, like the rest of
us, has known for many years that
our streets are in need of repair.
After all, he drives on them too.
I appreciate and respect that he
has not been totally reactionar}n
and automatically diverted fun
to one area at the expense and neqt
glect of many others. I think the p
S t i f a 'o :h::, fifc hl:e:aPd%ibleY!;:; o,
funds, you could wager highll
someone would be griping thalami
in "Cronce's" words, "the city' nt
dogcatcher" needs more funding!
If I was a City of Shelton ani
control officer, I'm certain I wotil
take offense in how I was referre
to in the ad.
Please help support Mayor Ta
rant in his bid to continue the goo T
work he has started. h(
Ed Stewar{ t(
Fawn Lak t
!er
Shortly voters will be asked
to choose the Hood Canal School
District's new school board. This
is probably one of the most im-
portant votes a person can make
at a local level, for it involves the
direction of educating our chil-
dren.
We have known Bob Sund for
many years, and we have had
the pleasure of working with
him on many and various activi-
ties. Bob's focus is always on ed-
His focus always "
on educatmn ir
Editor, The Journal: ucation and working with youth making a decision after listenin
groups. He has been involved in to many opinions.
awarding scholarships to local
students. In addition he worked
with the Shelton High School
Key Club, especially on fund-
raisers.
We have had the pleasure of
working with Bob on many ac-
tivities that have involved com-
munity betterment. He is al-
ways a consensus leader open
to all opinions and approaches
to issues. But, he is not afraid of
Bob Is a professmnal educato
with many years in his profeSi b
sion. He was also a local busiP"
h(
nessman, so he will bring to th$ .
board a broad view of the need t'
of the local school district. +c
uW rge i°:d t°c:°te f°r 2o: e
S anal Sc 'iS
Board. Is
Dennis and Margaret Browe.
Hoodspol% r(