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i/ I "
c !
;t
t
The witching
hour
e RC Flyers of Shelton snapped this shot of Wilda
Witch flying over Sanderson Field but would not
:$]lliirm suspicions she was held aloft by remote con-
.1. She did her flyby during the runup to a Halloween
ll some congressional magic in it that gave trick_-or-
,lit eaters an extra hour to stuff themselves and their
lags with candy. The 2005 Energy Conservation Act
rhed back the "fall-back" time from the last Sunday
0etober to the first Sunday in November. Set your
[°. ks back an hour before you go to bed if you want to
up on time the morning of November 4.
00armony Hill is hosting
l00lk on Webb Hill waste
e Mason County Commis-
s invite interested citizens
Open house tonight to dis-
m the results of the Webb Hill
ds Facility Hydrogeologic
tigation.
ested persons will be gath-
mpll from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thurs-
LNOvember 1, in the Great Hall
armony Hill, 7362 East State
106 in Union.
e first phase of the study
recently completed by As-
,UOnsulting on behalf of Wa-
ed Resource Inventory Area
also known as WRIA 16. The
house will feature represen-
Io es of Mason County Public
, the PUD 1 Commission,
ashington Department of
gY, WRIA 16 and Webb Hill
rborn closed
sewer's crack
0. yCity of Shelton began work
to replace a cracked sewer
Dearborn Avenue between
Siorl Street and Summit'Drive
|e ttillcrest area.
_, Work is expected to be com-
I "t this Friday. The roadway
,,he blocked during working
s, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the
Urlgs, the roadway will be cov-
e, ith steel plates to allow lo-
’tCess .
0r aa "
,: ore inmrmation, call Sew-
:'eatraent Plant Operator John
ga at 426-6521.
mm
Biorecycling, the firm that sprays
treated septage on Webb Hill.
There will be a short presenta-
tion explaining the findings in the
report, followed by a time for ques-
tions and answers. Additionally,
representatives will be available
to respond to specific individual
questions. More about what the
report says and plans to respond
to the findings in the report will be
available at the open house.
The report found no evidence
that water beyond that under com-
pany land has been contaminated
by the application of septage to
Webb Hill. However, the Depart-
ment of Ecology may be persuad-
ed to pay for the digging of two
more monitoring wells, and local
officials plan to take some steps
of their own. The Mason County
Board of Health has approved a
plan to contact people with wells
within 3,000 feet downhill from
the site "and offer water-quality
testing for nitrates and provide in-
formation about future testing."
Shelton may tap reserve
to pay for 2008 spending
By JEFF GREEN
The City of Shelton's 2008 pre-
liminary budget was presented to
city commissioners Monday night.
Next year's proposed budget totals
$54,858,283, an increase of 10.6
percent over the 2007 budget of
$49,568,483.
A public hearing about the 2008
preliminary budget will be held
at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Shel-
ton Civic Center, 525 West Cota
Street. A final budget public hear-
ing is scheduled for Monday, De-
cember 3.
"This is an ambitious budget,"
City Administrator Dave O'Leary
noted in a message attached to
copies of the preliminary budget.
"We are proposing to build or re-
pair a lot of infrastructure. If vot-
ers approve a proposed levy lid
lift, we will be able to more than
double funding for our residential
(streets) chip seal program and
more than quadruple it in 2009
and thereafter."
City plans also call for a new
sewer lift station and a new sat-
ellite sewage treatment plant,
including associated sewer and
reclaimed, or treated, water lines,
O'Leary noted. "We are design-
ing improvements to our existing
sewer plant and making plans to
repair sewer lines in two sewer ba-
sins. We also plan to build a new
fire station," he wrote.
O'LEARY ALSO sounded a cau-
tionary note that the city has been
challenged by what he termed a
"disturbing" trend in recent years.
"It is becoming ever more difficult
to fund tax-supported government
services. Recent initiatives have
curbed the city's capacity to raise
local money," he wrote. "At the
same time, there has been no cor-
responding reduction in expecta-
tions. In fact, unfunded mandates
have demanded that we raise cer-
tain levels of service, leaving us
short in others regardless of local
citizen preference."
The 2008 budget includes plans
for a $650,000 fund balance, which
O'Leary believes is the minimum
level the city should sustain to pro-
vide cash flow for a General Fund
amounting to nearly $11 million.
"Essentially, we have been
drawing down the fund balance
and tapping the benefits of a
strong economy to maintain ser-
vice levels. Excessive fund balance
is gone, and without substantial
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO
KEEP YOUR FUTURE ON TRACK.
Now is tlw time to schedule your fl'ee porttblio review. Call or visit today.
www.edwardJones.com Member SIPC
Jan|s Byrd
Financial Advisor
1717 Olympic Hwy. N.
5helton,WA 98584
360-432-8965
m m n mm. m m m m mmmm m m m m m m
!
I
Vith paid comprehensive exam, X rays and cleaning. $300 value!
With coupon through November 30, 2007. Not valid with other offers, cash value 1/20. m
The office of Richard C. Downing, D.D.S. Shelton.
NEW PATIENT OFFER!
The most advanced dental technology is now available in Shelton.
1626 Olympic Highway North
* Families welcome
* Digital X-rays comprehensive family dentistry m
* Smile enhancement with a friendly personal touch
[ frksShelton's
""dont, B,." Call for appointment today! 426-4712 II
m m m mm m m m m m m m m m
improvement in the economy, the
year 2008 will be the final year
that we can maintain this ap-
proach," he noted.
Property taxes are not keep-
ing up with inflation, he told the
commissioners Monday. The econ-
omy is flat and fund balances are
shrinking. "Frankly, we need a
strong economy to maintain our
level of services," he added.
Significant residential growth
is on the horizon and Shelton's
population could nearly double in
the next 10 years. However, the
tax structure will remain the same
and state mandates will still come,
O'Leary said.
NEW-GROWTH is not a pana-
cea for the city, he warned. "New
growth especially residential, will
come with new demands for ser-
vice. The service expectations,
unfunded mandates and limited
taxes have impacted all cities re-
gardless ot" their size," he wrote.
"Eventually, service levels will
have to fit into the shrinking tax
|)ase."
In early 2008, the city intends
to create a growth plan. "The idea
(Please turn to page 7.)
n't Spend Too
Much To
WINTERIZE
See the
PROFESSIONALS
at VERLE'S-
with over 100 yec
of combined technical
experience servicing all your
boating needs s00nce 1948.
BOAT MAINTENANCE
--- 101 --
" rine engine
I I I
,rvicing and Winterizing
OMC MerCruiser" Volvo Suzuki
Yamaha Johnson Evinrude Mercury
Sport Jet Mariner Also other brands
R
See store for details
*00RLE 'S
LLC
741 W. Golden Pheasant Rd.. Shelton, WA * (360) 426-0933
www.verles.com
Thursday, November 1, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 3
i/ I "
c !
;t
t
The witching
hour
e RC Flyers of Shelton snapped this shot of Wilda
Witch flying over Sanderson Field but would not
:$]lliirm suspicions she was held aloft by remote con-
.1. She did her flyby during the runup to a Halloween
ll some congressional magic in it that gave trick_-or-
,lit eaters an extra hour to stuff themselves and their
lags with candy. The 2005 Energy Conservation Act
rhed back the "fall-back" time from the last Sunday
0etober to the first Sunday in November. Set your
[°. ks back an hour before you go to bed if you want to
up on time the morning of November 4.
00armony Hill is hosting
l00lk on Webb Hill waste
e Mason County Commis-
s invite interested citizens
Open house tonight to dis-
m the results of the Webb Hill
ds Facility Hydrogeologic
tigation.
ested persons will be gath-
mpll from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thurs-
LNOvember 1, in the Great Hall
armony Hill, 7362 East State
106 in Union.
e first phase of the study
recently completed by As-
,UOnsulting on behalf of Wa-
ed Resource Inventory Area
also known as WRIA 16. The
house will feature represen-
Io es of Mason County Public
, the PUD 1 Commission,
ashington Department of
gY, WRIA 16 and Webb Hill
rborn closed
sewer's crack
0. yCity of Shelton began work
to replace a cracked sewer
Dearborn Avenue between
Siorl Street and Summit'Drive
|e ttillcrest area.
_, Work is expected to be com-
I "t this Friday. The roadway
,,he blocked during working
s, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the
Urlgs, the roadway will be cov-
e, ith steel plates to allow lo-
’tCess .
0r aa "
,: ore inmrmation, call Sew-
:'eatraent Plant Operator John
ga at 426-6521.
mm
Biorecycling, the firm that sprays
treated septage on Webb Hill.
There will be a short presenta-
tion explaining the findings in the
report, followed by a time for ques-
tions and answers. Additionally,
representatives will be available
to respond to specific individual
questions. More about what the
report says and plans to respond
to the findings in the report will be
available at the open house.
The report found no evidence
that water beyond that under com-
pany land has been contaminated
by the application of septage to
Webb Hill. However, the Depart-
ment of Ecology may be persuad-
ed to pay for the digging of two
more monitoring wells, and local
officials plan to take some steps
of their own. The Mason County
Board of Health has approved a
plan to contact people with wells
within 3,000 feet downhill from
the site "and offer water-quality
testing for nitrates and provide in-
formation about future testing."
Shelton may tap reserve
to pay for 2008 spending
By JEFF GREEN
The City of Shelton's 2008 pre-
liminary budget was presented to
city commissioners Monday night.
Next year's proposed budget totals
$54,858,283, an increase of 10.6
percent over the 2007 budget of
$49,568,483.
A public hearing about the 2008
preliminary budget will be held
at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Shel-
ton Civic Center, 525 West Cota
Street. A final budget public hear-
ing is scheduled for Monday, De-
cember 3.
"This is an ambitious budget,"
City Administrator Dave O'Leary
noted in a message attached to
copies of the preliminary budget.
"We are proposing to build or re-
pair a lot of infrastructure. If vot-
ers approve a proposed levy lid
lift, we will be able to more than
double funding for our residential
(streets) chip seal program and
more than quadruple it in 2009
and thereafter."
City plans also call for a new
sewer lift station and a new sat-
ellite sewage treatment plant,
including associated sewer and
reclaimed, or treated, water lines,
O'Leary noted. "We are design-
ing improvements to our existing
sewer plant and making plans to
repair sewer lines in two sewer ba-
sins. We also plan to build a new
fire station," he wrote.
O'LEARY ALSO sounded a cau-
tionary note that the city has been
challenged by what he termed a
"disturbing" trend in recent years.
"It is becoming ever more difficult
to fund tax-supported government
services. Recent initiatives have
curbed the city's capacity to raise
local money," he wrote. "At the
same time, there has been no cor-
responding reduction in expecta-
tions. In fact, unfunded mandates
have demanded that we raise cer-
tain levels of service, leaving us
short in others regardless of local
citizen preference."
The 2008 budget includes plans
for a $650,000 fund balance, which
O'Leary believes is the minimum
level the city should sustain to pro-
vide cash flow for a General Fund
amounting to nearly $11 million.
"Essentially, we have been
drawing down the fund balance
and tapping the benefits of a
strong economy to maintain ser-
vice levels. Excessive fund balance
is gone, and without substantial
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO
KEEP YOUR FUTURE ON TRACK.
Now is tlw time to schedule your fl'ee porttblio review. Call or visit today.
www.edwardJones.com Member SIPC
Jan|s Byrd
Financial Advisor
1717 Olympic Hwy. N.
5helton,WA 98584
360-432-8965
m m n mm. m m m m mmmm m m m m m m
!
I
Vith paid comprehensive exam, X rays and cleaning. $300 value!
With coupon through November 30, 2007. Not valid with other offers, cash value 1/20. m
The office of Richard C. Downing, D.D.S. Shelton.
NEW PATIENT OFFER!
The most advanced dental technology is now available in Shelton.
1626 Olympic Highway North
* Families welcome
* Digital X-rays comprehensive family dentistry m
* Smile enhancement with a friendly personal touch
[ frksShelton's
""dont, B,." Call for appointment today! 426-4712 II
m m m mm m m m m m m m m m
improvement in the economy, the
year 2008 will be the final year
that we can maintain this ap-
proach," he noted.
Property taxes are not keep-
ing up with inflation, he told the
commissioners Monday. The econ-
omy is flat and fund balances are
shrinking. "Frankly, we need a
strong economy to maintain our
level of services," he added.
Significant residential growth
is on the horizon and Shelton's
population could nearly double in
the next 10 years. However, the
tax structure will remain the same
and state mandates will still come,
O'Leary said.
NEW-GROWTH is not a pana-
cea for the city, he warned. "New
growth especially residential, will
come with new demands for ser-
vice. The service expectations,
unfunded mandates and limited
taxes have impacted all cities re-
gardless ot" their size," he wrote.
"Eventually, service levels will
have to fit into the shrinking tax
|)ase."
In early 2008, the city intends
to create a growth plan. "The idea
(Please turn to page 7.)
n't Spend Too
Much To
WINTERIZE
See the
PROFESSIONALS
at VERLE'S-
with over 100 yec
of combined technical
experience servicing all your
boating needs s00nce 1948.
BOAT MAINTENANCE
--- 101 --
" rine engine
I I I
,rvicing and Winterizing
OMC MerCruiser" Volvo Suzuki
Yamaha Johnson Evinrude Mercury
Sport Jet Mariner Also other brands
R
See store for details
*00RLE 'S
LLC
741 W. Golden Pheasant Rd.. Shelton, WA * (360) 426-0933
www.verles.com
Thursday, November 1, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 3