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JOURNALEDITORIAL
We made a mistake
Two weeks ago, we published news.
a story on the unemployment We made a mistake.
rate in Mason County and the All of the facts reported in our
state of our local economy. We front-page story were accurate.
reported that unemployment And, the article was based upon
rose from July to August of this information given to us by the
year, and that was not good state's economists and statisti-
clans. However, our m~stake was with August of 2010. boom days of the past, we are
that we failed to make a correct When we made this year-to- seeing gradual improvement
comparison, year comparison we discovered a over last year.
You see, every yc ~ since ~ ~ of good news What's even better news is
2007, the unemplo: ment rate m Unemploym~:nt m August of unemployment has fallen nearly
Mason County has increased in 2010 stood at nearly 11 percent. 20 percent from this recession's
August, when compared to July. This past August, unemployment high in the past 19 months.
In this context, the story chang- felt almost 4 percent to 10.5 per. We're not dancing in the
es quite a bit. cent. streets just yet, but we are
A more realistic analysis While we have not yet reachedvery happy to see some posi-
should have compared the unem- the single digit unemploymentlive trends when it comes to the
ployment rate in August of 2011 rate enjoyed in the economic economy.
LETTERSTOTHEEDIT()R"
Port is in and Cold Weather ShelterJohn i~Thurston County while These accomplishments in difficult times. More
at the Parish Hall of St. my spouse was in extended by the school board and its are on the way. Our school
David's Church. St. Ed- treatment amounts to thou- members, Sue and Gent district is in better shape
way of jobs wardsYouth Group, Faith sands of dollars. Iknowof happened at a time of actu- financially because ofthe
Lutheran Youth Group, many who also make theseal and impending cuts f~om decisions that have been
Editor, the Journal United Methodist Youth m e m o r i a trips for health care month state and federal funding, made. I believe the current
Group, Dr. Stephen Bow- m after month. [ wonder how Please join me in casting board, working with the
Do we have some great era, Laurie McClanahan the Economic Development a vote to retain Sue Mc-new superintendent, will
port commissioners, or and Dawn Pannell all vol- tribute Council of Mason CountyCausland and Gent Cra- continue to do a good job
what'? They schemed for unteered to be "dunked" for reacts to this fact? ter on the Shelton School as they deal with the tough
months in their secret the homeless. Thank you to Board on November 8. budgetary issues and con-
meetings on how to jam Shelton and in particular to Editor, the Journal Janelle Personius tinue to make the decisions
through the Adage bio- these outstanding citizens John Hoover was a great Union John Tarrant that need to be made. They
mass pollution generator, for their support, man and a great artist. I Shelton are a dedicated and capable
They proudly announced first met him 35 years ago, group of individuals that
that we were going to get Fr. JosephMikelas an uncertain graduateWe were all bring different perspee-
the enormous benefit of St. David of Wales student and Shelton native, Who are the tivesto the discussion. I'm
friends disappointed that Dean
20 jobs as a result of this Episcopal Churchthrough Nell Parson, the at Hirschi has chosen not to
forward-thinking proposal. SheltonBlackfoot Indian painter, members of
One commissioner even an- This internationally run again.
nounced, "Anyone against known artist took me un- Sue McCausland and
this wonderful proposal was der his wing, selflessly th is Gent Crater are both up
a kook." In return for these introducing me to the ma- for reelection. They are
valuable jobs, we only had jor players in the budding Editor, the Journal m"s*e r" o u sy t, | both approachable, make
themselves accessible to our
to give up some air quality world of Native American i did OysterFest Satur- school community members
for the next 20-50 years. Art, all of whom are now day. All the money goes to
Another small concession gone: Fritz Scholder, the local nonprofits and every-coalition? and have listened to my
was having diesel trucks needed -- painter; Will Sampson, the one who attended seemed concerns on many occa-
pounding down our roads actor; Marilyn Butler, the really happy. Everyone was sions. They are both com-
24/7 to feed this monster, of Editor, the Journal passionate individuals that
Of course, all the electricity get out gallery owner; and wealthy shilling and super iYiendly
collectors. That gesture(could it have been the beer care about the students,
was going to California. alone defines greatness,garden and the wine last- 1 have been a voluntem families and employees in
Now a developer has the way When I invited John ing?), in Shelton schools fbr the their district. They have
proposed building a hous- to speak to my Central Standing m line we past t2 years and have proven that they can make
ing and retail development Shelton Washington University were all friends hap- regularly attended school tough, yet fair, decisions.
south of the airport that art class afterwards with pily standing m line being board meetings fbr the past They have earned my sup-
would create 1,000 new jobs typical prescient humor, he ~upei ~ocial A tbe[u*g ot five years. I've noticed that port in their reelection.
and our good old boys are Make an iiffbrmed deci-
fighting tooth and nail to Editor, the Journal dismissed intellectuals as no hurry, because we came community members and
easily bored and in need of to enjoy and that is what parents rarely attend these sion, support our schools
prevent the developer from After hearing a heated constant amusement, tblks did. From the littlest meetings. During this five- and remember to vote.
getting building permits. Of discussion in favor of Vista His influence was in- OysterFester riding the year period, I was often the
course I'm sure it's only a Oncology at the local meet- strumental in my artistic train and squeezing those only non-school district em- Helen Thomson
coincidence that some of the ing of Fiercely Independent development, urging me rubber horns to the attend- ployee in the room. I attend Shelton
commissioners are private Elders and then receiving to paint my heritage, the ees using their walker to these meetings to educate
pilots, a phone eall from another Northwest, where lfbund getabout, this ~as the 30th myselton the challenges What
Have you ever asked highly satisfied Vista pc- my voice. I became the first OysterFest and ]~got thefacing our school district
yourself', "I wonder why tient ... and then reading woman to teach painting feehng the oldest attendees and about the people we
there aren't more big stores your newspaper account, and drawing at Arizona had been here be,bre, some put m positions to repre- exac~'|1/i.,~
is
in the Shelton area like I can only shake my head State University. of them 29 times, sent us.
Costco or Home Depot?" I and wonder what in the John Jay was a zeitgeist It felt like we were all In her recent letter to the
thought the reason for the world is going on in Shel- shaman, a storyteller and friends at OysterFest, hap- editor, Holly Sharpe, a for- the
port commissioners was to ton's government? Let me a romantic, with one foot pily raising money tbr Shel- mer scho61 board member
promote development and state that I am fiercely on on earth, he was able toton's nonprofits, mentioned an organization l itio n ?
jobs, not dig in their heels the side of Vista Or/cology make art and support his My thanks to Skookum called the "Coalition ibrcon
when a new environmen- having a complete opera-family for the remainder of Rotary and all of its mere- School Board Excellence."
tally sound, non-polluting tion in Shelton, including the year from his summerbers fbr hosting anotherWhy has this organiza- Editor, the Journal
proposal was presented, chemotherapy etc., mostly earnings as a Bristol Bay awesome OysterFest! lion only now surfaced, at
because I honestly feel salmon fisherman, the begriming of election Concerning Holly
Joe Carneytheir very professional of- John's elegant, stylized Katherine Priceseason? On what informa-Sharpe's letter to this pub-
Shelton rices in Olympia saved my carvings and out-sized Shelton lion are they basing their lication dated Sept. 22, one
life. I traveled all the way sculptures both broke and opinion that current board must do their homework
to Olympia for several embraced traditional andRetai members should be re- befbre blindly accepting"
nk nk months for chemotherapy he lived to see the Smithso- ]1 OLaF placed? Where has the "co- candidate endorsements.
D t~ ta and associated treatmentnian acquire his pieces, alition" been during the last What exactly is The Coali-
and my lymphoma cancer Like all magic, John's S h e ]to n two years of budget chal- lion for School Board Ex-
raises is now clear. It wasn't easy, stint on this earth will re- lenges, when others havecellence? A Google search
but at least it was over main indefinable. But I am School labored to make difficult turns up no results, no
spring, summer and early certain his friendship, love decisions? Without a dem- website, just a Facebook
money fall months. Local govern- and grace were a blessing onstrated involvement inpage with a mere eight
ment's asking sick local and a gift to those who fell this process, during meet- "likes," four of which are
residents to make that trip, under his spell, ings in the public arena, I the two Shelton School
Editor, the Journal especially over the hazard- am left to wonder if this co- Board candidates endorsed
Shelton, sincemyar- ousmonths, when it could Rebecca Hollandmembers alition is nothing more than by the collation, Ms. Sharpe
rival here in March of this be done by qualified profes- Lake Oswego, Ore. a per'sonal agenda, to be and Wendy Wilson:Hoss.
year, has demonstrated sional here is no less than played out at the expense of' I find it interesting that
on countless occasions an criminal. I am aware of a Editor, the Journal uur children's education, the endorsement of these
enormous spirit of caring local cancer patient who 5helton is l have had the privilege1 would like to have been candidates is sandwiched
and support for our com- tried to voice her concerns of' knowing Sue McCaus intbrmed by this coalition, between Judge Settle's 9/11
munity members often with city planning, etc.,los in g land and Gent Crater forabout the three new people speech quotes. I wonder if
referred to as "the home- and has not even received a number of years. More running for the school the judge sanctions having
less." I am in surprised the courtesy of a returned recently, Sue and Gent board positions. What his name-dropped in what
wonder at this outpouring phone call. And now Shel- money have dedicated their col- makes them qualified? appear to be an unsolicited
of support as we work to ton government's printed lective energy toward a This coalition urges us to be backhanded endorsement.
find ways to reach out and paltry paperwork excuses focused plan for the Shelton an infbrmed electorate, yet Concerning the current
step up to this reality, the and finger pointing makeEditor, the Journal Schools as board members, they failed to inform. So, I school board, they hare do-
reality ofhomelessness, me sick. Not only are they With reference to the ar- With their combined lead- suggest you get informed, ing an excellent job. Here
Shelton, given its economic denying ill local citizens of ticle "City, vista battle over ership we have seen: theattend meetings, ask ques- are a few of their accom-
reality, is truly inspiring, well qualified highly pro- permits" on the front page development of" a ne w stra- lions of' all candidates. Get plishments over the past
In particular I am grateful fessional local services but of the Thursday, Sept. 29, tegic plan for the Shelton your infbrmation first hand. two years. They choose to
for those who helped at the denying the community ofJournal, I concur with local schools; a three-year re- Find out for yourself. Board allow OBJH to focus on its
Skookum Rotary drive at the economic benefits ofresident Robert Shaw. Heplacement levy that passed members are there to repre- plan for school improve-
OysterFest. At OysterFest successful local employer was pictured testifying at with 63 percent; the avoid- sent you. Make the decision ment, rather than taking
there was the opportunity and office site. Get out of the Shelton City Commis-ance of massive reduction yourself, federal dollars (which al-
to "Dunk A Friend/Save A the way, Shelton. sion meeting and quoted in force and layoffs and the Based on my personal ob-ways come with strings at-
Life" at the dunk tank. The stating how much money he Shelton School District's servations and experience, tached). By focusing on that
dunk tank raised money Gordon Personiusfeels Shelton is losing. The reserve fund improved tothis school board has had
ibr the Community Meals Union amount of money I spent five percent, to make tough decisions See Letter on page A-5
Shelton-Mason C~unty
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Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 6, 2011