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00ournal of Opinion:
Elective surgery
with U1e p00,iv00te
What a jumble of emotions one experiences looking at next
week's long general election ballot. Hope, despair, sadness and
cynicism are just a few that bubble to the surface.
For all the complaining that Mason County citizens do
about the various agencies of government and all the trash
talk at bond and levy time, they sure are satisfied with the
way things are going. Or should we say unwilling to put
their time where their mouth is. There are 44 uncontested
races in the county this November.
Let's hope the majority in North Mason vote to form a new
hospital district and secure a medical clinic for Belfair. It would
be tragic if those trying to save a few bucks in property taxes left
that area high and dry for medical services after it was excised
from Public Hospital District 1. The proposal isn't calling for
new taxes but only to retain the 34 cents per $1,000 in valuation
currently collected by Hospital District 1. That would give the
new hospital district funds to form a partnership with Harrison
Hospital, which would operate the medical clinic.
As with so many votes it will be a decision about the
quality of life in a community, and the prayer here is that
folks will vote for the betterment of their area rather than
wondering "what's in it for me?" if they happen to go to
Bremerton for their medical care.
Rarely have we seen a populace so ill-informed as city residents
seem to be on the streets measure. The city and media have tried
to present accurate information, but some of the things we've
heard tell us many don't understand it.
It's not clear citizens realize that the measure covers
only residential streets. It's not clear they understand the
proposed annual tax collections, the city budget or the
philosophy behind choosing which streets would be fixed.
Some say there's got to be a way other than property taxes
to fix streets and suggest that a sales tax would be great.
The argument goes that all those nonresidents who shop
here would pay their fair share for using city streets by
contributing sales tax.
People outside of the city are supposed to pay to fix the
streets in front of Shettonians' houses? Nonresident shoppers
aren't using Olympic Avenue or Mason Street or Poplar Street
or Monroe Street on the city's four hills. They're using arterials
in commercial areas, which have nothing to do with the street
measure. Residents are getting a partial free ride under the
proposal up for vote Tuesday. All their friends with commercial
property in Shelton - businesses and industries - would pay
property taxes to help repair residential streets.
City commissioners want to fix streets in both residential
and commercial areas, but they specifically separated the
residential program from the streets in commercial areas
so the issues wouldn't be confused. They want to set up
a transportation benefit district in the commercial areas
later and perhaps use a sales tax as a funding mechanism
for repairs. Who knows what happens to that plan if the
current proposal fails.
There's a chance voters will return Mayor John Tarrant to
office without the tools to do what they expect him to - repair the
streets. His consolation if he is elected? If he wants to use this
position as a stepping stone to higher office, he's already got Gary
Cronce's endorsement for mayor of Seattle.
Talk of sales taxes as the answer to everything is
troubling anyway. Sales taxes are regressive; they take a
higher percentage of the income of the poor than the well-
to-do. Governments should be very careful about adding
sales taxes to solve funding problems.
But they don't have many options these days, and many
property owners are in revolt, the kind of protests you hear about
Engrossed House Joint Resolution 4204, the measure to remove
the supermajority requirement for approving school levies. "No"
voters have always had one and a half votes to "yes" voters' one,
and they want to keep it that way. When that supermajority
provision was put in the state constitution, the rich were afraid
the votes of the unwashed would cost them money. Many of the
privileged blessed with property still want an edge. Noblesse
oblige is literally and figuratively a foreign term to them.
School board races around the county have been a
study in contrasts. In Shelton, where one would be hard-
pressed to differentiate between candidates' philosophies,
the contests have been low-key. Despite the friendly
competition, there's not screaming for change in Shelton
schools.
On the oCher hand, the voters in the North Mason and Hood
Canal school districts have board races with fireworks. Voters
there definitely will be choosing between well defined camps.
On one side are incumbent factions saying their candidates
made tough decisions to improve their districts; on the other are
challengers' supporters demanding change from the incumbents'
leadership styles they claim are abrasive and divisive.
When all is settled Tuesday, may the county come out of
the election ready to move forward.
-CG
iiiiiii
,SOJ ? USPS 492-800
ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cola Street, Shelton, Washington
Malting address: RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www.masoncounty.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. Newaroom: Sean Hanlon, managing editor; Steve Patch,
sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools, Port of Shetton; 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 Kinnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, rnailroom
supervisor. Composing room: Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Frank Isaac, pagination, photo technician; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
William Adams, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader. Pressroom: Nick
Carr, pressman; Jon Hughes, pressman's assistant.
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, November 1, 2007
AAA0000;#ISS
l00eaders" C]ournal:
Good news and bad news
Editor, The Journak
There has been good news and
bad news lately.
Good news is that there can
now be a Scrabble club at school.
I would think that would promote
better spelling than just spell-
check on the computer.
Other good news is that now the
school can now have a Christian
club. Hopefully it will be nonde-
nominational (a good varied back-
ground of Christianity). In other
words there would not be just one
slant on Christianity. Maybe they
could get Bruce Robinson as an ad-
visor. He seems to have a thorough
background on religion and could
aid them in avoiding the pitfalls
that have happened in the past
(Crusades, Inquisition, converting
heathen natives from their gold).
Bad news is that the Washing-
ton Supreme Court has ruled that
it is okay for a politician to lie. I
doubt that is what is meant as the
right of free speech. I believe the
right of free speech was meant to
be able to voice an opinion that
may differ from someone else's, not
to lie.
What would be wrong with hav-
ing truth in politicians and adver-
tising?
Other bad news was listening to
Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen
deliver a speech carried on TVW.
He bragged of the exports and im-
ports this state has made with Lat-
in and South America, also with
Asia, particularly India and China.
He forgot to mention the jobs that
have been exported. American cars
are made in Asia and imported to
this country. The Big 3 automak-
ers are good examples. Their auto
sales are down in this
and more jobs are sent out
country. The Japanese
Toyota, led in U.S. sales
American-made and an
better product did the tricl
More bad news. The
issue of The Journal tells
cal mill jobs exported to
Cheaper labor costs?
felling timber on the coast,
to compete with Canadian
products. Canada
lumber industry. At that
were not offered "trade
assistance."
I heard recently of a
worker, whose job was
to Asia, who was to
training.
as a security guard?
Ral
Wooletts were silent heroes
Editor, The Journal:
Having lived in Mason County
for several years and owned prop-
erty in the Lake Limerick area and
before that in the Shorecrest area,
as well as serving on the Shorec-
rest Board of Directors, it gave us a
real opportunity to know Carol and
George Woolett firsthand.
Silent heroes are the neighbors
and friends who are always there
when people, friends and neighbors
are in need. They quietly volunteer
when called upon. There are many
such people living in Mason County
as well as elsewhere. These silent
heroes remain silent, seeking no
recognition but always are the first
to help out with a lending hand.
Such people were Carol and
George Woolett, who recently
passed away rather close in time
to each other. These wonderful
people were typical silent heroes.
Recently their obituaries appeared
only weeks apart in The News Tri-
bune in Tacoma, which brought out
many details that were unknown
to many of us.
My wife and I knew them from
the Shorecrest Beach Club when
we lived there and served on both
boards. Carol and George spent
much of their time helping out at
the Nifty Thrifty store in town.
They both helped out with the
mailing of the SCBC newsletters.
They always helped out with the
monthly potluck dinners along
with many other activities in Sho-
recrest
George, along with his friend
Don Sahlin, cared for all of the
grounds and lawns and accepted
maintenance duties at Shorecrest.
George and Carol painted the club-
house at the beach club.
Many other things could be said,
but my point is that these
able people were always
ing things for others
asked for any recognition.
was indeed a "Jack of all
He was at one time a bush
Alaska, a milkman, a
driver and a skilled painter
many other skills. A
band and father! His family
bers owned and operated the
Store, which one of his
dren now operates.
My point being that we J
look at the people around
the "silent heroes" in our
nities and recognize them
contributions. They are
where, so seek them out
the proper tribute, like the
that George and Carol
deserve.
Don't bet against a zillion
Editor, The Journak
I thought I had heard every-
thing on the subject of economics
and the lexicon of the folks who
pursue that endeavor until yes-
terday when an infrequent visitor
to The Diogenes Society's haunts
dropped this provocative bomb-
shell in our midst.
"I'm dropping a note of thanks
to George for helping me win a
debt that's more than a half cen-
tury old."
"I can't wait to hear this revela-
tion."
"Naw, it's the truth. It all has
to say about the value of money. I
mean really big bucks."
"I can reckon that big bucks
these days are certainly big bucks
by anyone's definition."
"Not anymore. I mean not as
compared with what a dollar was
when we were kids."
"How's that so?"
"Well, heck, when I was a kid
and we wanted to really show the
other kid just how certain we were
about something, I mean just about
anything, we'd say, 'I'll bet you a
million bucks!' Then the' next kid
would say, 'Oh yeah? I'll bet you a
million dollars it ain't so!'"
"Okay, so what? Kids are that
way, even today's kids."
"Well, sure, I know that, but
when you were a kid and wanted
to really raise the ante you might
come back and say, 'Oh yeah? I'll
bet you a billion dollars it's true!'
"Okay, so what's so significant
about that?"
"Well, I recollect I told that oth-
er kid Johnny Malloy it was true
and I'd bet him a billion dollars it
was SO!"
"So what's your point?"
"Well, now he came back and
took the bet and furthermore say-
ing there wasn't any such amount.
I then shouted back that there was
too, and I'd bet him an extra tril-
lion dollars he'd be wrong and he'd
have to pay up."
"And?"
"Well, dumb sucker, he took
both bets, and now if I can hunt
him clown I mean to collect, seein'
as I won the first bet so far. I want
to thank George for helping make
it come true."
"You're nuts. Are you saying
Bush is responsible for wrecking
our currency?"
"He sure helped a lot and made
it possible for me to see that hap-
pen in my lifetime."
"You're crazy. You'll never col-
lect."
"I'll bet you a zillion dollars I
will collect, if I live long enough."
"A zillion dollars?!
such amount; not now,
not nowhere."
"Now talk about a
You want to bet me we'll
a zillion dollars in
"Of course not. It will
happen. George wouldn't
happen."
"I wouldn't hold my
that, cousin. So, how
Ready to put your money
your mouth is?"
What is the ideal
for a secretary in
ivory business?
Multi-tusking.
00ournal of Opinion:
Elective surgery
with U1e p00,iv00te
What a jumble of emotions one experiences looking at next
week's long general election ballot. Hope, despair, sadness and
cynicism are just a few that bubble to the surface.
For all the complaining that Mason County citizens do
about the various agencies of government and all the trash
talk at bond and levy time, they sure are satisfied with the
way things are going. Or should we say unwilling to put
their time where their mouth is. There are 44 uncontested
races in the county this November.
Let's hope the majority in North Mason vote to form a new
hospital district and secure a medical clinic for Belfair. It would
be tragic if those trying to save a few bucks in property taxes left
that area high and dry for medical services after it was excised
from Public Hospital District 1. The proposal isn't calling for
new taxes but only to retain the 34 cents per $1,000 in valuation
currently collected by Hospital District 1. That would give the
new hospital district funds to form a partnership with Harrison
Hospital, which would operate the medical clinic.
As with so many votes it will be a decision about the
quality of life in a community, and the prayer here is that
folks will vote for the betterment of their area rather than
wondering "what's in it for me?" if they happen to go to
Bremerton for their medical care.
Rarely have we seen a populace so ill-informed as city residents
seem to be on the streets measure. The city and media have tried
to present accurate information, but some of the things we've
heard tell us many don't understand it.
It's not clear citizens realize that the measure covers
only residential streets. It's not clear they understand the
proposed annual tax collections, the city budget or the
philosophy behind choosing which streets would be fixed.
Some say there's got to be a way other than property taxes
to fix streets and suggest that a sales tax would be great.
The argument goes that all those nonresidents who shop
here would pay their fair share for using city streets by
contributing sales tax.
People outside of the city are supposed to pay to fix the
streets in front of Shettonians' houses? Nonresident shoppers
aren't using Olympic Avenue or Mason Street or Poplar Street
or Monroe Street on the city's four hills. They're using arterials
in commercial areas, which have nothing to do with the street
measure. Residents are getting a partial free ride under the
proposal up for vote Tuesday. All their friends with commercial
property in Shelton - businesses and industries - would pay
property taxes to help repair residential streets.
City commissioners want to fix streets in both residential
and commercial areas, but they specifically separated the
residential program from the streets in commercial areas
so the issues wouldn't be confused. They want to set up
a transportation benefit district in the commercial areas
later and perhaps use a sales tax as a funding mechanism
for repairs. Who knows what happens to that plan if the
current proposal fails.
There's a chance voters will return Mayor John Tarrant to
office without the tools to do what they expect him to - repair the
streets. His consolation if he is elected? If he wants to use this
position as a stepping stone to higher office, he's already got Gary
Cronce's endorsement for mayor of Seattle.
Talk of sales taxes as the answer to everything is
troubling anyway. Sales taxes are regressive; they take a
higher percentage of the income of the poor than the well-
to-do. Governments should be very careful about adding
sales taxes to solve funding problems.
But they don't have many options these days, and many
property owners are in revolt, the kind of protests you hear about
Engrossed House Joint Resolution 4204, the measure to remove
the supermajority requirement for approving school levies. "No"
voters have always had one and a half votes to "yes" voters' one,
and they want to keep it that way. When that supermajority
provision was put in the state constitution, the rich were afraid
the votes of the unwashed would cost them money. Many of the
privileged blessed with property still want an edge. Noblesse
oblige is literally and figuratively a foreign term to them.
School board races around the county have been a
study in contrasts. In Shelton, where one would be hard-
pressed to differentiate between candidates' philosophies,
the contests have been low-key. Despite the friendly
competition, there's not screaming for change in Shelton
schools.
On the oCher hand, the voters in the North Mason and Hood
Canal school districts have board races with fireworks. Voters
there definitely will be choosing between well defined camps.
On one side are incumbent factions saying their candidates
made tough decisions to improve their districts; on the other are
challengers' supporters demanding change from the incumbents'
leadership styles they claim are abrasive and divisive.
When all is settled Tuesday, may the county come out of
the election ready to move forward.
-CG
iiiiiii
,SOJ ? USPS 492-800
ournal
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cola Street, Shelton, Washington
Malting address: RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www.masoncounty.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. Newaroom: Sean Hanlon, managing editor; Steve Patch,
sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools, Port of Shetton; 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 Kinnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, rnailroom
supervisor. Composing room: Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Frank Isaac, pagination, photo technician; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
William Adams, ad builder, computer system manager; Clinton Kendall, proofreader. Pressroom: Nick
Carr, pressman; Jon Hughes, pressman's assistant.
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, November 1, 2007
AAA0000;#ISS
l00eaders" C]ournal:
Good news and bad news
Editor, The Journak
There has been good news and
bad news lately.
Good news is that there can
now be a Scrabble club at school.
I would think that would promote
better spelling than just spell-
check on the computer.
Other good news is that now the
school can now have a Christian
club. Hopefully it will be nonde-
nominational (a good varied back-
ground of Christianity). In other
words there would not be just one
slant on Christianity. Maybe they
could get Bruce Robinson as an ad-
visor. He seems to have a thorough
background on religion and could
aid them in avoiding the pitfalls
that have happened in the past
(Crusades, Inquisition, converting
heathen natives from their gold).
Bad news is that the Washing-
ton Supreme Court has ruled that
it is okay for a politician to lie. I
doubt that is what is meant as the
right of free speech. I believe the
right of free speech was meant to
be able to voice an opinion that
may differ from someone else's, not
to lie.
What would be wrong with hav-
ing truth in politicians and adver-
tising?
Other bad news was listening to
Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen
deliver a speech carried on TVW.
He bragged of the exports and im-
ports this state has made with Lat-
in and South America, also with
Asia, particularly India and China.
He forgot to mention the jobs that
have been exported. American cars
are made in Asia and imported to
this country. The Big 3 automak-
ers are good examples. Their auto
sales are down in this
and more jobs are sent out
country. The Japanese
Toyota, led in U.S. sales
American-made and an
better product did the tricl
More bad news. The
issue of The Journal tells
cal mill jobs exported to
Cheaper labor costs?
felling timber on the coast,
to compete with Canadian
products. Canada
lumber industry. At that
were not offered "trade
assistance."
I heard recently of a
worker, whose job was
to Asia, who was to
training.
as a security guard?
Ral
Wooletts were silent heroes
Editor, The Journal:
Having lived in Mason County
for several years and owned prop-
erty in the Lake Limerick area and
before that in the Shorecrest area,
as well as serving on the Shorec-
rest Board of Directors, it gave us a
real opportunity to know Carol and
George Woolett firsthand.
Silent heroes are the neighbors
and friends who are always there
when people, friends and neighbors
are in need. They quietly volunteer
when called upon. There are many
such people living in Mason County
as well as elsewhere. These silent
heroes remain silent, seeking no
recognition but always are the first
to help out with a lending hand.
Such people were Carol and
George Woolett, who recently
passed away rather close in time
to each other. These wonderful
people were typical silent heroes.
Recently their obituaries appeared
only weeks apart in The News Tri-
bune in Tacoma, which brought out
many details that were unknown
to many of us.
My wife and I knew them from
the Shorecrest Beach Club when
we lived there and served on both
boards. Carol and George spent
much of their time helping out at
the Nifty Thrifty store in town.
They both helped out with the
mailing of the SCBC newsletters.
They always helped out with the
monthly potluck dinners along
with many other activities in Sho-
recrest
George, along with his friend
Don Sahlin, cared for all of the
grounds and lawns and accepted
maintenance duties at Shorecrest.
George and Carol painted the club-
house at the beach club.
Many other things could be said,
but my point is that these
able people were always
ing things for others
asked for any recognition.
was indeed a "Jack of all
He was at one time a bush
Alaska, a milkman, a
driver and a skilled painter
many other skills. A
band and father! His family
bers owned and operated the
Store, which one of his
dren now operates.
My point being that we J
look at the people around
the "silent heroes" in our
nities and recognize them
contributions. They are
where, so seek them out
the proper tribute, like the
that George and Carol
deserve.
Don't bet against a zillion
Editor, The Journak
I thought I had heard every-
thing on the subject of economics
and the lexicon of the folks who
pursue that endeavor until yes-
terday when an infrequent visitor
to The Diogenes Society's haunts
dropped this provocative bomb-
shell in our midst.
"I'm dropping a note of thanks
to George for helping me win a
debt that's more than a half cen-
tury old."
"I can't wait to hear this revela-
tion."
"Naw, it's the truth. It all has
to say about the value of money. I
mean really big bucks."
"I can reckon that big bucks
these days are certainly big bucks
by anyone's definition."
"Not anymore. I mean not as
compared with what a dollar was
when we were kids."
"How's that so?"
"Well, heck, when I was a kid
and we wanted to really show the
other kid just how certain we were
about something, I mean just about
anything, we'd say, 'I'll bet you a
million bucks!' Then the' next kid
would say, 'Oh yeah? I'll bet you a
million dollars it ain't so!'"
"Okay, so what? Kids are that
way, even today's kids."
"Well, sure, I know that, but
when you were a kid and wanted
to really raise the ante you might
come back and say, 'Oh yeah? I'll
bet you a billion dollars it's true!'
"Okay, so what's so significant
about that?"
"Well, I recollect I told that oth-
er kid Johnny Malloy it was true
and I'd bet him a billion dollars it
was SO!"
"So what's your point?"
"Well, now he came back and
took the bet and furthermore say-
ing there wasn't any such amount.
I then shouted back that there was
too, and I'd bet him an extra tril-
lion dollars he'd be wrong and he'd
have to pay up."
"And?"
"Well, dumb sucker, he took
both bets, and now if I can hunt
him clown I mean to collect, seein'
as I won the first bet so far. I want
to thank George for helping make
it come true."
"You're nuts. Are you saying
Bush is responsible for wrecking
our currency?"
"He sure helped a lot and made
it possible for me to see that hap-
pen in my lifetime."
"You're crazy. You'll never col-
lect."
"I'll bet you a zillion dollars I
will collect, if I live long enough."
"A zillion dollars?!
such amount; not now,
not nowhere."
"Now talk about a
You want to bet me we'll
a zillion dollars in
"Of course not. It will
happen. George wouldn't
happen."
"I wouldn't hold my
that, cousin. So, how
Ready to put your money
your mouth is?"
What is the ideal
for a secretary in
ivory business?
Multi-tusking.