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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 22, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 22, 2012
 
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GUESTCOLUMN Election not a life or death situation for Gallagher Losing an election, especially after an intense campaign, is a tough experi- ence. Americans this last election night, whether you voted for him or not, had to feel sorrow for Mitt Romney. He left the stage wea- ry and hurting. So did Ross Gallagher. He had run hard as always, and for the second time in two years he had lost. Every candidate recognizes the re- ality of running: you win, or you lose. And Gal- lagher is above all a realist. His style is to be quietly upbeat, but never overcon- fident. His admirers would praise his effort and predict victory, but Gallagher would demur. "You never know," he would respond in his soft drawl. You don't declare victory until the votes are By JOHN counted and the total is in KOMEN your favor. Election night the votes were not in his favor. Disap- pointment, yes. But Gallagher is a veteran politician. He knows the game. He knows that when a candidate puts his name on that ballot he runs the risk of rejection. That's part of a politician's life. And for Gallagher it is life that is most im- portant, far more important than winning an election. For within hours after the results were in, and Gallagher knew he had lost, he nearly lost his life. It happened in Hawaii. Ross and Cathy Gallagher had left for the island of Kauai the day immediately after the election. The vaca- tion had been scheduled long before election day. They were going to rest and relax after long weeks of intensive campaigning. Hawaii with its sun and sandy beaches offered a real respite from the cold and rainy days of door- belling, debates and campaign sign waving. It wasn't long after they arrived on Kauai before the Gallaghers headed for a popu- lar beach not far from the resort village of Princeville. With a boogie board attached by tether to his wrist, Ross was soon in the surf and beyond, enjoying the warm Hawaiian wa- ters. The election and his loss receded in im- portance. And he began to swim farther away from shore. He said he realized he had gone far enough and turned back. But he had gone too far. Try as he might, he could make no progress toward shore. Wind and waves were too strong, and Gallagher was slowly being driven out to sea. The boogie board provided flotation enough to keep him afloat, but he was being buffeted by waves. He was swallowing too much salt- water. Clearly, Gallagher was in a dangerous, life-threatening situation. On shore, a frantic Cathy was powerless to help. Then, just in time, help appeared. It was in the person of a veteran of Hawaiian waters aboard a small kayak-like craft. Throwing a line to Gallagher, the kayaker told him to hang on, and proceeded to slowly tow him to shore. It was an ecstatic Cathy and an arriving rescue team that was waiting for them when Ross and his rescuer reached the beach. Galla- gher was taken to the hospital for examination whether he had taken in too much saltwater. X-rays showed his lungs were OK, and he was soon released. Gallagher may not have survived his lat- est contest for Mason County commissioner, but he had survived the surf, wind, waves and ocean currents off Kauai. Had he lived for another day and another election campaign? Who's to say? We're not posing the question to him, at least not yet. But we know Gallagher loves politics and thoroughly enjoys the process. We know, too, there is probably no one who knows Mason County better than this veteran campaigner. Every corner of the county is familiar to this former county commissioner and school board member. His institutional memory of county politics and politicians is phenomenal. Over his many campaigns, he has met and intro- duced himself to thousands of constituents. As a campaign door-belier in Mason County, there is no one comparable. We shall see what happens. There's another contest for county commissioner in just two years. • John Komen, who lives on Mason Lake, was for 40 years a reporter and editor, TV an- chorman, national TV network correspondent, producer, columnist, editorial writer and com- mentator. His column, Komen Comment, ap- pears each week in the Shelton-Mason County Journal. Standing water serves a reminder to be safe on the road "~ 1" 7ater rushed down Olympic quick refresher.' • Avoid driving through standing ~ Highway North Monday af- According to TakeWinterByStorm. water if possible. Additionally, don't • • ternoon. Drivers slammed org, a service sponsored by the City of drive past road closure signs -- the on their brakes as they hydroplaned Seattle, King County, Puget Sound En- water may be deeper than you think through the road's standing water. Pe- ergy and a number of other businesses or could be hiding damaged roads or destrians took their lives in their hands and organizations, you can take a few downed electrical lines. as they held their hoods to their heads, steps to make sure you make it from • Don't use your high beams when Officials placed sandbags on a Point A to Point B safely, visibility is bad. Headlights should al- number of Mason County roads. The Here are a some tips: ways be on and set to low beam when Skokomish River near Potlatch sur- • Double check that your vehicle is driving through difficult conditions. passed flood levels, properly serviced, and its tires, brakes • Slow down. Try to maintain a And it could get worse, and head and taillights are all working greater following distance on icy or Rain is still forecasted to continue correctly. Also, the organization sug- wet roads. For large trucks, allow even through the Thanksgiving holiday gests keeping a vehicle emergency kit, more distance. weekend as drivers hit our local roads which includes a radio, flashlight, extra • Maximize your visibility by mak- to travel to visit family members, batteries, a first aid kit, water and non- ing sure your windows and mirrors are We're used to drizzle, showers and perishable food. defrosted. Keeping the air conditioning even steady rainfall in Washington. But • Look at the local forecast before on can keep them from fogging up. we think drivers navigating through hitting the road. If the weather is caus- For more tips on wet or winter driv- heavy rain and large doses of standing ing road closures, consider an alternate ing, visit www.TakeWinterByStorm.org water this Thanksgiving should take a route or postponing the trip. or www.wsdot.wa.gov. County friend Editor, the Journal Mason County lost an exceptional citizen and a lifelong friend to many this past month. Among tears, drums, songs, poems, stories and the posting of our flags last Thursday, Nov. 15, hun- dreds said goodbye to one of Mason County's most prominent citizens, Dave Whitener Sr. His name is synony- mous with integrity, hon- esty, caring, lending a helping hand, education, friendship and dedication. He was proud of his Na- tion and his country. Dave Whitener Sr. dedicated his life to serving and he exemplified the best in citizenship as a teacher and mentor. I had the privilege and Journal Letter Policy honor of knowing Dave most of my life and wit- tothe editor. We will nessed his happy and car- ing attitude to all ages local interest. We will not and walks of life when we were in high school, working with him in our community, and teach- ing together at Southside the Journal. School. Many times, I wit ..... nessed how much Dave cared for people and the compassion that he gave of his warm feeling show, his students and oth- and a person as you I felt ers. Words from Amanda lucky to know. Bradley's poem on "Cer- Yes, Dave Whitener Sr. tain People" best describe will not be a name that him. will easily be forgotten Dave Whitener Sr. was for all that he did for oth- a certain kind of person ' ers, our community and that was a joy to know. our country. We will miss Dave Whitener Sr. was him. a person who knew how to brighten a day, with heart Annette S. McGee warming and smiles and Shelton kind words to say. A person who knew how to gently impart, the comfort it takes to cheer Shelton someone's heart. A person who knew how to always come through, Preschool when there's anything he could possible do. is excellent A person who knew how to willing share, who knew how to give and Editor, the Journal knew how to care. I wanted to take a mo- Who knew how to let all ment to brag on Anne- ;of In the story "Deadline to purchase PUD building passes for senior cen- ter," the amount of the Community II Shelton-Mason County 1| n Mason Count Shelto - ~ Journal is a member of usPs 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: County Journal~ P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. $51 per year in state of Washington but outside at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www.masoncounty.com Owned and published by Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc Marie Ryan's behalf, as write certain letters and she has established such learned all his letters a wonderful preschool by picking them out. He program for our children knows his numbers, colors to attend -- the Shelton and shapes, as well. Yes, Preschool, located on Rail- we as parents teach our road Avenue. children but so do their Who knew such a phe- teachers, even at this age. nomenal teacher would be I have been as involved in the middle of nowhere! as I possibly can be dur- I had a vision for my son ing my son's time at this to attend a preschool pro- school and I honestly gram for his age group, wouldn't have it any other which happens to be way. 3-year-olds, and it actu- Both teachers are just ally meant "preschool." amazing with us parents, I have been so pleased as well as our kids. Anne- with the activities that Marie has accepted my take place in this school, son and myself almost im- They actually teach mediately. these children. Aiden When we move on to a comes home every Tues- new school in Georgia, we day and Thursday and will miss you and always is so excited to tell me be wishing you the best. about his two hours of school. Kimberly Ballard He has learned how to Allyn Development Block Grant applied for $825,000. The grant applicaton was for by the Mason County Senior Activities $1 million. Association was incorrectly stated as The Journal regrets the error. Kari Sleight, publisherAdvertising: Composing room: Dave Pierik, Sr. Acct. Executive William Adams, graphics Newsroom" Maggie Burdick, ad representative Adam Rudnick, editor Pressroom: Natalie Johnson, reporter Front office: Kelly Riordan, production manager Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Travis Miller, press operator Gordon Weeks, reporter Emily Hanson, sports reporter Rene~ Chaplin, circulation Mary Northover, press assistant Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal- Thursday, Nov. 22,2012 . = I I II I I I