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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 29, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 29, 2020
 
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Page A-8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 .Mason County Democrats WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR ' Joe Biden — President and >> Derek Kilmer - U.S. Representative, 6th Congressional District > Beth Doglio U.S. representative, 10th Congressional District Kamaia Harris Vice President > Jay lnslee Governor > Denny Heck Lieutenant Governor > Gael Tarleton — Secretary of State > Bob Ferguson -— Attorney General > Michael Pellicciotti .ifitfiéa‘mh Hilary Franz State Auditor > Darcy Huffman —- State Representative, 35th District > Colton Myers —- State Representative, 35th District > Raquel MOntoya-Lewis - State Supreme Court, Position # 3 > G. Helen Whitener 4 State Treasurer l ENDORSEMENTS AND APPROVALS mwawm PUDs warn about disconnection scams By Kirk Boxleitner kbox/eitner@masoncountycom If you get a call from someone claiming to represent your public utility district, don’t believe them if they claim they’re about to discon- nect your service, and especially don’t follow any instructions you receive to make payments to third parties. The Twitter account for Mason County PUD 1 posted a warning Oct. 20 that scammers are at it again, and asked the community to pass the word onto elderly and other vulner- able populations. Kristin Masteller, general manag- er of Mason County PUD 1, and Lynn Eaton, communications and govern- ment relations manager for Mason PUD 3, agreed that such scams are a serious and ongoing problem across the state. Both PUD representatives pointed out that Washington’s moratorium on utility disconnections for nonpay- ment has been extended through the end of the year. On Oct. 14, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an updated proclamation, extending the moratorium on utility disconnec- tions until Dec. 31. Proclamation 20-23.11 prohibits energy, water and landline telephone companies from: w I Disconnecting any residential customers from energy, landline tele- phone or_water service due to non- payment on an active account, except at the request of the customer. I Refusing to reconnect any resi- dential customer who has been dis- connected due to nonpayment. 'I Charging fees for late payment or reconnection of energy, landline telephone or water service. I Disconnecting service to any res- idential customer who has contacted the utility to request assistance from the utility’s COVID-19 Customer Support Program. Masteller and Eaton said Mason County PUD 1 and Mason PUD 3 had halted their disconnections before In- slee’s proclamation. Even if such a moratorium were not in place, Masteller and Eaton agreed that no PUD would ask its customers to make payments by pur- chasing gift cards or prepaid credit cards, as scammers have asked PUD customers to do. , Some scammers make their calls appear to be coming from the PUD, and they’ve attempted less—than- savvy moves such as attempting to scam the PUD itself, Masteller said. “They’ve even called us to threaten to cut off our power,” Masteller said, laughing. Neither Masteller nor Eaton have discerned any patterns as to when scammers will strike, although Ea- ton added that Mason PUD 3 saw an uptick in scam calls starting Oct. 8. “We’ll get periods of scam calls. maybe once a year, or a year and a half,” Masteller said. “Fortunately, I think our customers have gotten more savvy, but I do worry about our elderly and other customers who might need assistance with their fi- nancesf Diane Hennessy, customer service manager for Mason PUD 3, said that not all calls from folks claiming to be the PUD are scams. Mason PUD 3 is contacting customers whose accounts are past due to try to connect them with funding from the CARES (Coro- navirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Se- curity) Act. But Eaton and Masteller agreed that neither of their PUDs would call customers to tell them that PUD trucks are 10 minutes’ drive away from their property, on their way to disconnect them. Both PUD representatives agreed that customers should call their PUD’s direct line to inform their? of any scam calls. ‘ “And if you get a call from someone claiming to be the PUD, it’s OK to ask them to verify that they are who they say they are by supplying you with your account information, such as your street address,” Masteller said. Eaton pointed PUD customers to an online list of anti-scam tips at pud3.org/scams. Deputy Matt Colbenson, public in— formation officer for the Mason Coun— ty Sheriff’s Office, requested that ,PUD customers also call the Sheriff’s Office if they receive scams calls. State Supreme Court, Position # 6 > Yes on Referendum 90 BRIEFS ‘9 (Approved Write-In Candidate) Tom Davis, Mason Couny Commissioner, Position 2 Genealogy programs topic of meeting The Mason County Genealogical Society hosts its monthly meeting via Zoom from 7 to 9 pm. Nov. 5. “Comparing PC genealogy programs” is the topic of the meeting. If you are new to Zoom, call Sue Sheldon at 360-427-3119. WE RECOMMEND: 0 "Check your registration at . WWW.votewa.com - Vote early - Mail your ballot early, or Help the Post Office by using-a secure ballot box. VOTE Paid for by the Mason County Democrats PO Box 1272, Shelton WA 98584 I Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks 3mm ANNOUNCEMENTS Dakota Jacob Lee Krieger, a boy, born Oct. 13, 2020, to Alishea Kae Pelham and Jared Steven Krieger at Capital Medical Center in Olympia. He was 9 pounds, 15 ounces. Alexander Russell Rae Olson, J r., a boy, born Oct. 14, 2020, to McKenzie Elizabeth Crawford and Alexander Russell ‘Rae Olson Sr. at Capital Medical. Center in Olympia. He was 9 pounds, 9 ounces. Liam Anthony Coy McGee, a boy, was born Oct. 15, 2020, to Trinity CoyV‘Ma- rie Morlan and Nik Anthony Mcbee, at Capital Medical Center in Olympia. He was 7 pounds, 9 ounces. We cling to our own point of view, astliough evéiyhlng'dependedl on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, 9 they gradually pass away. . — Zhuangzi