Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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An election idea Editor, the Journal, In this election, as Journal reporter Gordon Weeks pointed out, Mason County voted solidly Republican, with all local partisan races being won by Republicans. However, the vote itself was not as one-sided as it might appear. Historically, Mason County has been roughly divided, with 45% of voters identifying as Democrat and 55% as Republican. This means Republicans hold just over half of the votes, but under our current system, the majority - about 55% - also holds 100% of the representation. This is a...
The Shelton-Mason County Journal encourages original letters to the editor of local interest. Diverse and varied opinions are welcome. We will not publish letters that are deemed libelous or scurrilous in nature. We reserve the right to reject any letter for any reason. When submitting a letter, please observe the following guidelines: Writers are limited to one original letter plus one rebuttal or counter-rebuttal per calendar month; Letters should be no more than 300 words; Letters will be edited for grammar, spelling, style, clarity and...
Ask permission Editor, the Journal, I feel the people that are placing signs in random yards should have to ask the property owner for permission. I had four signs placed around my mailbox. No one asked for permission. I took them down a short time later and discovered that my mailbox was bashed in. That's just not right! Ken Raymond, Shelton Appeal your property tax Editor, the Journal, I received my property valuation for 2024 a couple weeks ago. My valuation is up again despite the housing market crashing and real values going down. We must...
Vote local Editor, the Journal, Vote local, vote democracy, vote for affordable housing, vote public school funding, and of course, vote how you feel about woman’s right to choose. Look at your pamphlets; choose candidates who fall in line with what’s most important to you. Just vote! Andria Richardson, Lake Cushman Time for change Editor, the Journal, My family has been operating our business in Mason County for over a century and we are deeply committed to its success. I support local candidates because running for office is hard and expensiv...
Vote Beben Editor, the Journal, We’re voting for Tom Beben for county commissioner. Tom Beben’s purpose, work ethic and passion that earned him recent Mason County Citizen of the Year honors will continue full speed ahead if he’s elected our county commissioner. Tom is not a politician, owes no party loyalties, and is motivated only by doing what is best for all of Mason County. With Tom’s 17 years of tireless altruistic volunteering, he’s left a large wake of supporters from all walks of Mason County life, who relish the feeling of community...
Voters’ pamphlet Editor, the Journal, Reply to Dianna Timm Dryden’s letter from Oct. 3 Dear Ms. Dryden, In addition to the Mason County Voters’ Pamphlet, you should have received a second pamphlet from the Secretary of State for the federal races, statewide races and measures, and judicial races. If you don’t receive a copy, please let me know. We have plenty of extras available at the Vote Center in Shelton. Copies will also be available at the temporary Vote Center in Belfair located at the Sheriff’s Office on Old Belfair Highway. To recap...
No conflict Editor, The Journal, As an introduction, I am chair of the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission. The PAC reviews citizens’ requests provided to us by county employees, along with their recommendation. With a thorough discussion among the PAC members and input from the public present, online and written comments, the PAC votes on forwarding an acceptance or a rejection recommendation to the Mason County Board of County Commissioners. Note the term “advisory” in the PAC acronym. It is the BOCC that makes the actual legal decis...
Please go vote Editor, the Journal, Christians, are you satisfied in the way our country is leaning? Many Christians don’t bother to vote. The state of our country is at risk, our children are at risk. Please go vote! It is crucial to get our country back on the right track. “God Bless.” Arline Goldsby, Shelton Vote Neatherlin Editor, the Journal, This affects all of us in Mason County. Candidate for Mason County commissioner, William Harris, just did something disgusting, and everyone should be aware of it. Mr. Harris sits on the plann...
The greater good Editor, the Journal, I would like to compliment R. Lee Olsen for his homeless suggestion in the Aug. 22 issue of the Journal. An excellent idea. I have driven past the Shelton School District building next to Tozier Bros. frequently over the years. During the week, there is generally one car parked in the building lot, rarely two cars are parked there. For such a large building, it appears to be mostly unused. There must be many offices that could be converted to homeless housing, in addition to many available bathrooms. Kudos...
A thank you Editor, the Journal, On behalf of the Pioneer School District, I want to thank all of those who contributed to our Stuff the Bus campaign at Walmart. Through your generous donations, our students will have the school supplies they need to be successful in their classrooms. A special thank you goes out to the Pioneer Kiwanis Club for donating its time at the site, providing financial donations, and for their ongoing support of the Pioneer School District. Thank you to Pam Harrell for organizing this event. Jeff Davis,...
Civil dialogue Editor, the Journal, I don’t recall ever agreeing with letter writer Mr. Anvik ... until now. I understand the Journal’s editorial decision to “simmer down” the vitriolic rhetoric from some letter writers and favor comment on less divisive local issues. But as the saying goes, all politics are local. How more local can you get than government control of a woman’s womb? Or children in our grade schools learning reading, writing, arithmetic and how to shelter from a madman with a legal assault weapon? The Journal can be a valuable...
Election systems are critical Editor, the Journal, This is a reply to Scott Peterson’s letter of Aug. 1: Dear Mr. Peterson, In my view, election systems are more critical than the systems supporting the financial sector. I often say, “ballots are more valuable than cash” because the outcome of an election can shape the distribution of resources and power, and affect the future of our county, state and country. There is much at stake. Financial security experts don’t wait until something is compromised before addressing threats; they are pro...
Editor's note: In response to several letters to the editor regarding Mason County's primary election voters pamphlet that was sent to all voters in the county, including only in-county races, but not state or federal races, the Journal reached out to Auditor Steve Duenkel. His response is below: "I have been hearing complaints and requests as well. As required by state law, Mason County began publishing and mailing primary voters pamphlets in 2021. At that time, the decision made was to only cover county and local races in those pamphlets to m...
Apology accepted Editor, the Journal and Mr. Gordon Weeks, I accept your multiple apologies via email, voicemail and personal phone call. Not only did I read the tone of your words, but also I discerned your sincerity with the tone of your voice. Additionally, I forgive you for any anguish your misquote has caused me. Finally, I expect the Shelton-Mason County Journal to keep its promise: a front-page correction and a “most sincere” apology along with admitting, “It is 100% our mistake.” When your paper has used my words or quoted me in the...
Fireworks, opinions Editor, the Journal, I have two unrelated issues I’d like to address. First, 4th of July celebrations. We fought a war to win our independence. We have a national anthem that celebrates “The red glare of bombs bursting in air.” Every year, I see the looks of fear, no terror, in the eyes of my horses as they run around unable to get away from the terrible sounds coming from behind us and then from across the road. I’ve seen the trembling of a small dog as he cowers in a ball in the bathroom. When I had cats they too had fea...
Independence Day 2024 in Shelton Editor, the Journal, Pyrotechnics have become quite prevalent in my home town. The day’s first explosion was heard at 0535 hours. Then occasional detonations until evening when the frequency increased, then nightfall and the explosions were unceasing. Yes, few lulls, they served as a suggestion and a hopeful but unrewarded tease. There was nolet up until midnight when the detonations became less frequent and then toward dawn, then ceased for the day just after sunrise. Do I need to repeat the “why not to do thi...
Bad headline Editor, the Journal, Your sensational banner headline in the June 27 Journal did great disrespect to the facts. A more accurate headline would have read "Incalculable Grief and Sorrow on the Skokomish Reservation" and would have better served. Andrea Love, Union Good policy Editor, the Journal, Congratulations on the success of your new policy concerning what you will print in connection with letters to the editor. I have been riveted by the many positive responses concerning local...
Wrong message Editor, the Journal, I read Theresa Murray's Kid's Message each week. This week I'm wondering why she sent our kids the wrong message. In America there is a plethora of Christian churches across these fruited plains, especially in Shelton and surrounding Mason County there's a church on nearly every corner. Shelton has a variety of 27 Christian churches catering to as many different denominations. Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal, Foursquare, Lutheran, Jehovah Witness,...
Assessor responds Editor, the Journal, In response to Mr. Gripp's letter to the editor, "Assessor's Math." In accordance with Washington State law, all property must be valued and assessed at one hundred percent of true and fair value, unless otherwise provided by law. "True and fair value" means market value and is the amount of money a buyer of property willing but not obligated to buy would pay a seller of property willing but not obligated to sell (WAC 458-07-030). There are three...
A thank you to groundskeepers Editor, the Journal, The Shelton Memorial Park is nice all year but it was especially nice this Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to the groundskeepers and everyone who keeps it up. Florence Wood, Shelton Informative article Editor, the Journal, I finished reading Jan Parker’s great historical article about “Professor Loop” in the April 25th Journal. As a kid growing up in Shelton, we knew little about him except that he was some kind of early Shelton legend and t...
Thanks for aiding Fire District 12 Editor, the Journal, I commend our elected Mason County commissioners Randy Neatherlin, Kevin Shutty, Sharon Trask, Sheriff Ryan Spurling and Auditor Steve Duenkel and staff at Mason County for their actions to stabilize Fire District 12. I was impressed seeing the auditor, sheriff and our county commissioners at community meetings regarding the fire district where they offered support and answered questions from the public. Our state Reps. Dan Griffey and...
Editor’s note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Shelton High School student teacher Shalisa Smith on behalf of Lily Bennett, a student and athlete for the Highclimbers. A letter to female athletes Editor, the Journal, Dear athletes, Nobody warns you about how different things are once you are in high school sports. It is often overlooked how much things change from the time we are preteens to the time we are teens. We used to be on an even playing field with all the boys, now biology limits how much we can grow. The most i...
Advice for Shelton graduates Editor, the Journal, Subject: Advice for SSD graduating seniors Managing your money and planning for the future are such a big part of being an adult. In life you will find that not all people or organizations are good at managing their money. Don't follow the example the Shelton School District has set for you regarding money management. Do set aside a reasonable reserve for those rainy days that will surely come. You see, SSD has been borrowing from the Mason...
Editor's note: The following letter appeared in last week's Journal with an incorrect headline. The Journal regrets the error and is re-running the letter with the correct headline. Belfair Masons say thanks Editor, the Journal, The Belfair Masons who meet at the hall of Hood Canal Lodge hosted the 71st annual Easter dinner on Sunday, March 31. They have held this annual dinner every year since 1951 and it's open to the public. The only years this dinner has not been held were the periods not...
Sales impact value Editor, the Journal, An informational response to Davis Zanot’s letter to the editor in the April 25 Journal. The Assessor’s Office is responsible for valuing all taxable property at 100% of its true and fair market value according to the highest and best use of the property, as mandated by state law. It’s important to note, however, that the Assessor’s Office does not set the market but interprets these market transactions, often set by Realtors in which both sellers and buyers agree. Values are adjusted annually based u...
