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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 27, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 27, 2011
 
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Alpine Way is beautiful and they have a great reputation. I always thought that it was expensive, but a friend told me what she is paying. I can't believe it is so affordable! Journal photo by Natalie Johnson Dave O'Connell, general manager of the Mason Transit Authority, said the MTA was just awarded a $3.28 million dollar grant to turn the Shelton Armory into a community transit center. MTA receiVes $3.28 million grant for downtown transit center By NATALIE JOHNSON Dave O'Connell, the Mason Transit Au- thority's (MTA) general manager for the past 20 years will retire as soon as the authority hires a new manager. This week, O'Cormell got the best retire- ment present anyone could have given him. After almost six years of trying, the MTA has been awarded a $3.28 million dollar grant from the Federal Transportation Administra- tion to turn the old Shelton armory into a downtown transit community center. The grant, along with matching funds pro- vided by MTA, will fund the project in its en- tirety. "The way I looked at it was I couldn't get this thing funded until I agreed to quit," he joked. "I love the idea that I can leave the community better." The grant came from the federal 2011 Bus Livability program. This program most often focuses on funding work on "sustainable tran- sit centers" in urban areas. MTA's project will be unique because it is centered in a rural county, O'Connell said. The project will completely transform the old National Guard Armory into a green, sus- tainable building, he said. "I think it's going to have great application for this city," he said. "They've wanted for years to build something as the focal point of the downtown area." MTA has already completed Phase 1'of the program, which was a feasibility study and included preliminary design, using state fimds. In order to complete the project, MTA will have to raise $900,000 in matching funds for the grant. Much of that can come from MTA reserves, since the authority has long been sa~ng up for this project, O'Connell said. The Community Center Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will likely help with fund- raising efforts, he said. The transit center sits on Franklin Street., which will need to be rebuilt to allow the kind of traffic that the transit center will create. The damaged street already gets heavy traffic from Safeway across the street, and is above an underground stream. The City of Shelton has long planned to re- pair the street in conjunction with the project. At this point, city officials aren't sure when that can be accomplished. "I know in the budget we'll be discussing Franklin Street, but I don't know what the fi- nance committee's recommendation will be," said Steve Goins, the city's community and economic development director. The grant to expand and remodel the tran- sit center couldn't have come at a better time, as demand for MTA's services continues to increase. 'Tee're hit by a tough economy, but so are the people we serve," O'Connell said. "Rid- ership increased 30 percent from last year. We're seeing a lot more people switching from cars to the bus." Expanding and remodeling the transit center is designed to combine transportation and community services in the same building, O'Connell said. Right now the center hosts both youth and senior programs, sports groups, a community computer lab and has a commercial quality kitchen. O'Counell said existing programs will stay, but the remodel will provide more room, through a second floor, that will have office space for small businesses and nonprofits. The project to remodel the armory will cost much less than building a brand new build- ing. According to O'Connell an architect hired by MTA said the building had "good bones." "It was built to withstand a nuclear attack, I think," he said. O'Connell hopes construction can get un- derway by summer 2012 and could be done by 2013 -- but of course, by then he'll be long gone, basking in his retirement. "I've been fortunate to work in a business like this for 40 plus years," he said. "It was a lot of work - I think everybody believed in it." Committee report recommends mental health tax By NATALIE JOHNSON year. The committee con-using the money to supply cluded that the tax could cost matching funds for grants An advisory committee an average family up to $20 and to create new programs. tasked to consider a proposed per year. Specifically the advisory one-tenth of 1 percent sales Sixteen counties in Wash- committee suggested ex- tax for mental health and ington have already ap- panding therapeutic courts, substance abuse has recom- proved the tax, including addressing the mentally ill mended that Mason County neighboring Thurston, Grays or substance abusers who fall adopt that tax. Harbor and Jefferson coun- victim to the "revolving door" "No one should be living ties. As the report states, of jail and homelessness and on the streets or in jail due whenever a Mason County increasing availability of li- to their mental illness," the resident shops in one of those censed mental health profes- report reads, counties, they pay the tax sionals. The committee released without reaping the benefits. The committee also rec- its final report on Tuesday, The advisory commit- ommended creating a citi- Oct. 18, which outlines in de- tee also recommended that zen's advisory board to con- tail why it believes the court- the commission approve the tinue to monitor the use of ty should vote to approve the tax by "councilmanic vote," any revenue generated by tax. Committee members meaning that the three Ma- the tax. plan to urge the county com- son County CommissionersOne member of the com- mission to adopt the tax fol- would alone vote on the tax: mittee, community volunteer lowing a public hearing on Under this option there will John Smith, did not agree Nov. 1. be no public vote. with the recommendation to "I think they did a great "Putting it to a vote will adopt the tax at all, or by a job, I think they heard from delay the beginning of rev- councilmanic vote. a lot of experts who talked enue collection and therefore "The person that partici- about what is happening in delay getting much needed pated had some pretty strong Mason County," said Vicki services to people in Mason feelings about the first two Kirkpatrick, director of Ma- County," the report states, recommendations," Kirkpat- son County Public Health. The committee also gave rick said. "He didn't agree "They were very thoughtful the commission recommen-that the tax should be ap- in their discussion." dations on how to implement proved." In 2005, the Washington the tax. The dissenting committee State Legislature passed a "Fund programs or servic- member also disagreed that bill allowing counties to en- es where there is a document- the tax should be approved act a one-tenth of 1 percent ed need and where there are by a councilmanic, rather sales tax increase to fund evidence-based or promising than with a vote of the citi- mental health and substance practices that can be imple- zens of the county. abuse programs, mented in Mason County ... The advisory committee The tax would produce Assure that all programs or members will present their dedicated funding for mental services funded by sales tax findings to the Mason Coun- health and substance abuse revenue have specific goals, ty Board of County Commis- issues in Mason County. expected outcomes and mea- sioners during a public hear- It is estimated to gener- surable performance indica- ing at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, ate between $450,000 and tors,"the report states.Nov. 1 at the commission $600,000 of revenue per The report also suggestschambers. It's true! For less than the cost at the nursing home, an apartment at Alpine Way is an excellent value and includes wonderful amenities. Chef-prepared meals, your own bathroom, privacy, parking, plentyof Assisted living apartments now renting! activities, housekeeping, security, personal laundry service, and licensed nurses on duty 24 hours a day make Alpine an excellent value. You can even bring your own furniture. If you're ready to investigate our services and rates, come and tour Alpine Way. We'd love to treat you to lunch, show you our lovely apartments, and answer all your questions. Call Kathy Burbidge at (360) 426-2600 for a free lunch and tour 900 West Alpine Way Shelton, WA 98584 RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ASSISTED LIVING AND ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE www.encorecommunities.com i Dr. Stephen Ou Microsoft' i HealthVault i 50 to MyMasonHealth.com for medical histories Meet Stephen Ou, D.O., board-eligible orthopedic surgeon, to the medical staffat MGH and MGH Shelton Orthopedics. He joins Fred Davis, M.D., board certified in orthopedics. Dr. Ou's specialties are shoulders, fractures, and hip/knee replacement, and he has a fellowship in sports medicine. Dr. Ou received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2004. He completed his internship and residency at Maimondes Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY; and has a Fellowship in Sports Medicine from University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. For an appointment with Dr. Ou, call MGH Shelton Orthopedics at (360) 427-0663. Mason General Hospital Shelton Orthopedics (360) 427-0663 I 939 Mtn. View Dr., Ste. 100, Shelton, WA www.MasonGeneral.com. Printed in Shelton, WA, USA using US-made ink and US-made @ newsprint with the highest percentage of recycled content in the industry. Printed With Thank you for recycling. SOY INK Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, October 27,2011 - Page A-3