Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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I lean into the aisle seeing the cockpit door from my seat 8D as the 737 enters the runway. The engines get loud, and I'm pushed back in my seat as we pick up speed. The nose comes up and then we are off the ground. I have done it too many times to even count. This time I keep looking at the cockpit door. I have an idea of what is going on in there but don't know all the details. I can't see the pilots, but I have faith in them. It grows into belief, and it becomes success as we leave the...
Although it is enjoyable and wholesome work in the great outdoors, growing Christmas trees is not as easy as you might think. My husband, Wes, and I worked as professional foresters. Now, we are Christmas tree growers which in many ways is more intense. However, you reap the benefits in six to eight years instead of 40 to 60! Hopefully after reading this article, you'll have a better understanding of what is involved and appreciate the knowledge and effort that it takes to provide families with...
There was much apprehension and anticipation going into the 2024 general election based on the experience from 2020. Your elections team was determined to make the Nov. 5, 2024, general election the best ever. We began formal preparation and planning in December 2023. I attended two tabletop exercises and led two more local exercises to address possible threats and disruptions to the election and develop mitigation plans with input from our sheriff, the Office of Secretary of State, State...
Your financial services team published the Mason County Annual Report for 2023 per RCW 36.22.010(4) and submitted the preliminary budget for 2025 to the Board of County Commissioners per RCW 36.40.040. Both documents are available on the auditor’s Financial Services Department webpage. There will be public hearings in early December on the 2025 budget prior to formal adoption by the commissioners where you can provide comments and input. Next, we have started work with our certified public a...
Loneliness and isolation are silent epidemics in our society, exacerbated by modern lifestyles and the pervasive influence of technology. This growing crisis calls for immediate action to foster individual well-being, social connection and stronger community. As leaders of key community organizations— Senior Services for South Sound, United Way of Thurston County, Timberland Regional Library and the South Sound YMCA — we are committed to addressing these issues head-on. The evidence is clear: we are better together! The epidemic of lon...
By the time you read this, the manual recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands race will be well under way. The last time there was a statewide manual recount in a primary election race was 1960. This recount was triggered by a 51-vote margin between the second-place candidate in the primary, Dave Upthegrove, and the third-place candidate, Sue Kuehl Pederson. This is a 0.0064% difference in vote totals, less than the 0.25% threshold required in RCW 29A.64.021. The winner will face the top...
Article I, Section 1 of the Washington state Constitution affirms that all political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. It's been uplifting to see the citizens of Fire Protection District 12 exercise their political power and turn things around in their community. Frustrations around alleged fraud and gross mismanagement reached a point where the people no longer gave their consent to the previous commissioners or their...
Mason County's annual Forest Festival is a celebration of the abundant forests that surround us. This year, as our community gathers for the 80th annual fete, the future of our working forests gives even more cause for celebration. Washington Gov. Clarence Martin issued a proclamation in 1940 creating the Keep Washington Green Association to promote prevention of human-caused wildfires in Washington. Four years later, Forest Festival was born under the banner of Keep Washington Green. Mason...
It seems as if 2024 is running at "fast forward" speed. Your elections team certified two of the five elections scheduled for the year, including the March 12 presidential primary. Many voters expressed concerns with having to identify a political party affiliation on their ballot return envelope. Presidential primaries are conducted for major political parties as part of their respective candidate nomination processes and the parties want to know who voted in their primary. From an elections...
Each year, approximately 500,000 people in the United States take the adventure of a lifetime and try skydiving. Washington is home to five drop zones, each hosting thousands of these tandem skydives per year. Tandem skydiving - where you're attached to an experienced skydiving instructor for your jump - has maintained an excellent safety rate. In fact, 2023 was the safest year ever for U.S. skydiving. Yet, local skydiving centers are under attack. Legislation that is unnecessary and...
The last quarter of 2023 was busy and productive. Your Financial Services Department finalized and published the Mason County 2022 Annual Report. The Auditor’s Office is responsible for reporting the complete activity for prior-year finances, per RCW 36.22.10(4). You can find this report at www.tinyurl.com/ye22b2ne. To better support veterans, your Recording Department team provided the ability for veterans to record, process or obtain certified copies of their Form DD214 Certificate of R...
In May, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Second Substitute House Bill 1474 creating the covenant homeownership account and program. The intent of this program is to address housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants. This law will result in an increase of $100 in the recording fee for each document recorded by your Auditor's Office Recording Department. This fee is collected as an assessment for the covenant homeownership program. As part of the program, the state...
Life involves significant milestones like buying a home, starting a family and planning for your children's education. Amid these, creating a will often is overlooked. Despite its somber nature, a will is crucial for ensuring your wishes are respected and your loved ones are supplied for after you are gone. A will is a legal document detailing how you want your assets distributed posthumously, serving as a guide for your loved ones in managing your estate. It helps avoid the complications of...
The Nov. 9 edition of the Shelton-Mason County Journal published statistics for the number of challenged ballots as of 8 p.m. on election night, "Mason County had the highest percentage of contested ballots in Washington's 39 counties, with more that 3.5% of the votes being cast contested." So, what's going on? The contested ballots included many rejected for "signature mismatch." Signature verification is done by trained, experienced elections staff. Despite training and experience, signature...
Our state’s Climate Commitment Act was passed in 2021 with the stated goal of reducing and eventually phasing out carbon emissions. Among other things, the law promises protections for Washington’s agricultural sector and marine trade, and we were assured revenue resulting from the “cap-and-trade” approach would be spent only on projects that reduce carbon pollution. Gov. Jay Inslee claimed the CCA would raise fuel costs “pennies per gallon” at most. These promises have not been met. The Inslee administration refuses to be transparent...
As of Sept. 30, $24 billion in child care stabilization funding passed as part of the American Rescue Plan has expired. The unintended consequences of allowing child care funding to lapse could have a long-term ripple effect on our economy, workforce, and the well-being of children in our community. This is why President Joe Biden requested $16 billion in child care funding in a supplemental budget to continue the stabilization of the child care industry. Here's where you come in. We have a...
Dozens of TVs, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and abandoned cars had either been gunshot, torched or both. This place of destruction was what some locals called "Carnage Canyon," roughly 30 acres off Lefthand Canyon in Boulder County, Colorado. It was a shocking sight, but was it unique? Think about your own nearby public lands. This canyon's history began with mountain biking. Sometime in early 2000, a mountain biker discovered the canyon and developed a trail through it. Then, more...
“The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.” – Freedom to Read If you have never read the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, it is worth your time to read this powerful document. Published in 1953, eight years after the end of World War II, the statement feels timeless, as if it were written today, taken directly from recent headlines about banning books and defunding libraries. The Freedom to Read statement serves as a foundational...
Since my last report, your Financial Services team completed the 2024 Mason County preliminary budget. I had the honor of formally submitting this budget to the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 12 and it includes total projected expenditures of $69,149,840. Budget workshops with the board and various department heads are scheduled for Oct. 3 and 4, where adjustments to requested expenditures may be made. The county commissioners will also hold a public hearing on Dec. 4 prior to...
In Mason County, as in many rural areas, economic development is more than just a catchphrase-it's the lifeline to a more prosperous and sustainable future. While cities and urban hubs often dominate headlines with tales of growth and advancement, rural communities face an equally pressing but less-publicized need: the revitalization of their local economies to ensure the sustained well-being of their residents. Economic development isn't just about improving the bottom line of local...
In our current election system, your signature on your ballot return envelope is of utmost importance. Your signature affirms the declaration printed on the envelope that under penalty of perjury you meet the qualifications to vote and you have not voted in any other jurisdiction in that election. The declaration also informs voters that it is illegal to vote if they are not a United States citizen; are incarcerated for a felony conviction; and that it is illegal to cast a ballot or sign a...
Thank you, Shelton. Thank you for this opportunity to serve my hometown and the place I call home. There are many people who have had a role in why I am here today serving as the next city manager. Teachers and coaches like Dann Gagnon, Terry Gregg, Harlan Buitenveld, Brian Brickert, Dave Niehl, Mark Jensen (all basketball junkies like me) and many more, instilled work ethic and teamwork principles that carry over from the gym to the office. Community leaders like Mike Byrne, who hired me for...
It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve you and to be your voice in the House of Representatives. In my freshman year there was a certain level of uncertainty going into session. However, I was absolutely blessed to be surrounded by Rep. Dan Griffey and Sen. Drew MacEwen. They made me feel comfortable and supported throughout the entire session, and their experience was invaluable as I navigated those rocky waters. Although in many ways the session was a disappointment regarding...
Mason County is a great place to live, work, and play. We are warm and welcoming people. We have miles of coast, trails, mountains and lakes for recreation. We have active and thriving small businesses with a variety of distinct fare and wonderful food. We also have differing opinions on social justice. I have witnessed and experienced instances of racism and discrimination in our community, and I believe that we can work together to create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all people...
From time to time, I hope to let you know how the Auditor's Office team is working to prepare for future elections and provide more transparency to the people of Mason County. This year is off to a busy and solid start. With certification of the February 2023 special election behind us, we completed another successful election. Your dedicated and experienced elections team worked hard to ensure that every accepted ballot and vote was counted correctly and accurately. Voters approved educational...
