Letters to the Editor

Editor's note: The Journal generally does not publish original letters by candidates for public office during election years, however in the interest of public debate, we're publishing this letter from Superior Court Judge Cadine-Ferguson-Brown to serve as her response to previous letters appearing in the Journal regarding her actions in a case involving a woman accused of shooting her boyfriend in Shelton in February.

Judge responds

Editor, the Journal,

Dear Mason County residents,

I am Cadine Ferguson-Brown, one of your Superior Court judges. Throughout the past few months, there have been various writings in the Journal and on social media that claim to tell you who I am, and how I decide cases before me, but the information provided is not the whole and accurate picture. I fear that without my clarification and outreach to you all, the community's understanding of my commitment to them, and my role as a judge, will be misunderstood due to inaccuracies in the materials that have been presented to date. Therefore, I'd like to take this opportunity to share the following:

■ As a judge, I am nonpartisan, meaning, my decisions are based solely on the information before me, and the rules and laws that are applicable. I do not and will not allow outside influences to color my decisions as this is a direct violation of the Judicial Code of Conduct, of which I am bound.

■ I was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee because I am qualified and am the best candidate for the job. Many others applied for the appointment but at the end of a very rigorous selection process, I was chosen. The process included various interviews, and a very detailed application packet. Various members of the legal community and the community at large were contacted and interviewed. I was also vetted by the Mason County Bar Association, and received their recommendation, which was then submitted to the Governor's Office for review. My appointment was because of my hard work and passion for the law and the people I serve.

■ I am open to meaningful conversations about my role as a judge, the law, and how we, as judges, go about protecting the legal and constitutional rights of our community members. However, I am not one to capitalize on the misfortune of others and will choose to respect privacy and the constitutional and legal rights of each individual that appears before me above all else.

■ It is my plan to continue to foster active engagement between the Superior Court and the Mason County community and to ensure that everyone who appears before me experiences fairness and equal justice. My decisions may not always be popular but they will be well-reasoned and based on the current rules and applicable laws that I am bound to, and cannot change, despite whether I agree with them or not.

In closing, I would like to extend my condolences to all of the parties involved, and their families and friends, in the case that is often mentioned in these writings about me. It is my prayer that you will be comforted, clothed in strength, and that a peace that surpasses all understanding will abide with you all.

To all the residents of Mason County, thank you for the opportunity to serve as one of your Superior Court judges. I will continue my endeavor to serve in this role as your Superior Court judge with the same passion and steadfastness that I began with, striving each day to achieve equity and fairness for all.

Cadine Ferguson-Brown, Mason County Superior Court judge, Shelton

Watch your fires

Editor, the Journal,

In the not-too-distant past, we could get a permit and have a burn pile in our yard. Today, we can't, not if you live in an urban growth area.

I do and have neighbors who continue to burn not just yard waste, but household trash as well. I was forced to reach out to our county commissioners and get help. Commissioner Randy Neatherlin is on the Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency board. Randy got me a couple of signs from ORCAA to place on my property, to remind my neighbors that we all have to be responsible. This is not just about fire safety, this is about clean air to breathe. Even with installing new signs that say "No burn area," outdoor burning is prohibited in urban growth areas according to RCW70.94.743, my neighbors again started a large fire, but this time left it unattended.

If my neighbors have an illegal fire and I know it and it gets out of control, I would feel guilty if I didn't report it, especially if someone gets hurt. So first I called my neighbor but he didn't answer. Next, I took pictures for documentation, and finally called ORCAA at 360-539-7610. I told them what was going on and had a compliance officer come out. He could tell that the large illegal fire was in the urban growth area. The neighbor, who had been warned before, is now getting a fine. I'm glad I went to Commissioner Neatherlin, he really helped. I would suggest you go to Randy if you think putting up some signs like I did could help you with difficult people in your neighborhood who may continually burn illegally. However, when the firefighters showed up earlier, there had been a discussion on where the urban growth area actually was. The guy from

ORCAA also said he had a hard time finding the urban growth area limits on the county website. When I told Commissioner Sharon Trask, she said she has a meeting with the county website design committee. She said she'd ask where there is an easier way to find out if you're in an urban growth area, most importantly, where the limits are, and have them included in the next county website update.

If we all support these laws, and know whether we're in an urban growth area or not and that burning in an urban growth area is like burning inside the city limits, and that those of us who live in urban growth areas can only have recreational fires, then maybe we'll have fewer wildfires. So with luck, our first responders will have a safer summer and we will all have better air to breathe.

Monte Ritter, Shelton

The way we are

Editor, the Journal,

Here are some other thoughts on gender: X and Y chromosomes, "all other issues of gender are psychological."

Describe how you know you are male or female without discussing your reproductive organs, without discussing what your parents told you, and without discussing what society tells you. How do you know what you are?

As for locker rooms, there have been transgender kids playing sports for years and somehow schools have managed without all the drama. This is all about competitive sports, what about physical education classes? Schools are very good at making accommodations for students in all kinds of situations. It doesn't take a rocket engineer to make locker/showers private spaces. My junior high and high school both had some private accommodations, and that was in the 1960s.

As for "rights," when we recognize that someone is not afforded the same rights it does not make it "more rights" or "special rights." Same rights does not take away anyone else's rights.

We can meet the needs of all kids without "damaging" anyone.

Democrats are not "allowing" 240 pounds to tackle 110 pounds. What sport kids, all kids, play is up to the individual kid and their parents.

This whole situation became "political fodder" by Republicans who are hell-bent on destroying the lives of transgender kids, all for their political gain. Shame on them, and shame on us for allowing them to do it.

Our schools, teachers, staff are supposed to be safe places for all kids.

Yes, schools should be teaching how to think, how to see both sides of an issue in order to make up their own minds. LGBTQ issues are very relevant today and kids should have a safe place to discuss the issues facing LGBTQ people.

Kids have the right, schools have the obligation, to discuss issues of LGBTQ people as well as issues of race.

It's the old who, what, where, why and how have we treated people through history. This is history in the making now.

Donna Holliday, Shelton

Hooray, Shelton 'Penzance' troupe

Editor, the Journal,

Praise and congratulations for a super job by the Connection Street Theatre production, "The Pirates of Penzance." A very professional performance and great vocal numbers. I think we have a very professional group in our little town of Shelton. Check out their next performances and enjoy and support them.

Mary Rogers, Shelton

Bouncing back

Editor, the Journal,

In the May 18 Journal, I was chastised by three writers in the letters section, all by loyal President Joe Biden voters, I would guess.

First to take a shot at me was Donna Holliday of Shelton, who, alas, doesn't want to understand how language is used politically or psychologically. Creators of ads at the DNC have kidnapped good old SAE (standard American English) words like those in the acronym DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) and "politicized" or even "weaponized" them so all the social justice warriors actually believe the new meanings.

Examples abound: today, when I hear the DNC version of "diversity," all I can think of is Vice President Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's Cabinet. Also, I thought the word "equity" was an economic term. Today, few know what the Democrats want us to believe it means.

At this point, I would strongly urge readers to check out Heather MacDonald's new book, "When Race Trumps Merit" (DW Books, 2023). Personally, I thought this a great title for the entire Biden administration. I like her subtitle, too: "How the Pursuit of Equity Sacrifices Excellence, Destroys Beauty, and Threatens Lives."

Ms. Holliday, Joe Biden is a prodigious liar and his deceptive ways are contagious, especially among Democratic true believers. You're too good a writer to let his garbage infect your letters. (It already has, but just a bit. Your occasional but courteous nods to our First Amendment are noted with pleasure.)

Mr. Ray, over there in Allyn, I'm sure you had something important to say in your letter. Unfortunately, halfway through that 9 ½-inch third paragraph I, and most of your readers, started dozing off. When you learn some paragraphing skills so as to assist your audience in reading a long letter, I shall return. Until then, zzzzzz.

Finally, I was set upon by an old sparring partner, Mr. Bill Pfender of Shelton, in a letter titled, "High horse," a creature which he says off of which I should get. Obviously, Mr. Pfender knows what the idiom means, but I doubt he knows what type of "horse" is being talked about here any more than the female one in "Nightmare."

Oh yes. Some weeks back, I challenged Mr. P. to a very elementary word substitution game which he promptly lost. I even gave him a huge hint to the solution, and he managed to mess that one up, too. Bill, just go back to my letter in the May 4 Journal and try again. I can only wish you good luck one more time.

R.E. Graham, Union

Save the bay

Editor, the Journal,

Mason County residents need to wake up on this one.

I'm not sure how many county residents are aware of Taylor Shellfish's Oakland Bay floating aquaculture permit proposal, but everyone should be. This bay belongs to the citizens of this county, and it may be taken away, if Taylor has its way. This proposal would provide a lease of 50 acres for 99 years. That's 99 years. Goodbye, beautiful Oakland Bay. It is incomprehensible that one company can have such a negative impact on our environment in order to provide three to five jobs for our community members - for 99 years.

Among many unanswered questions regarding this 50-acre, 99-year project, is one that puzzles me. In its permit application (4.1.1) is the statement, "The gear is anticipated to remain continuously but can be removed for a few weeks for fishing access when coordinated with the Squaxin Island Tribe." Just where will this massive contraption be moved to, for how long, and how often? There are too many critical issues without answers.

I don't understand why there is not a community uproar over this proposed eyesore. It has a major impact on not only the bay residents, but the entire Shelton community. We need the support of all community members, including the Shelton Yacht Club, the Squaxin Tribe and anyone who benefits from the tourists spending time in this county. Commuters traveling along State Route 3 will no longer be impressed with the tranquil, serene settings they are accustomed to, settings they justly deserve and those they virtually own.

Taylor has requested, and been granted, a date extension related to the public hearing. The new date is Wednesday, June 14, at 1 p.m. at 415 N. 6th Street, and via Zoom. This meeting could be the last opportunity for the community to voice its concerns regarding Oakland Bay for the next 99 years. Please think about attending.If you cannot attend but would like to express yourself, you may contact Luke Viscusi, planner, at the Mason County Community Services office. His email is [email protected].

Bill Lanning, Shelton