LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor's note: The following letter is a rebuttal to a letter in the Sept. 14 edition of the Journal.

Fair market value

Editor, the Journal,

Dear Mr. Ray,

This is in response to a letter received from you dated Sept. 11, and I hope this helps you to understand the requirements of the Assessor's Office. I have also included some paperwork that covers these same requirements.

From the time of statehood until the 1930s, property tax was the only major tax that supported most state and local government programs. Property tax continues to be the most important revenue source for public schools, fire protection, libraries, parks and recreation, and other special purpose districts. Property tax is a type of direct tax. Real property includes land, improvements attached to the land, and all rights inherent in ownership. Real property is valued in compliance with state law using accepted mass appraisal principles. The assessment of "improvements" to real property includes additions to or enhancements of raw land. Buildings, structures and attachments to land are considered "improvements" as permanent additions to the real property, which are designed to enhance the overall value of your property.

Common examples of "improvements" can include single-family residences, mobile homes, paving, wells, water systems and septic systems.

The Assessor's Office is one piece of the property-tax puzzle. Although we work independently, we maintain close contact with other county, city and state departments on property issues.

State law requires that assessors value all properties at 100% of their true and fair market value. This includes residential properties, commercial properties and personal property. In order to change this law, new legislation would need to be passed.

People establish value by buying and selling real estate in the marketplace. Please remember that the assessor does not create market value, but instead interprets the marketplace. The "market" value of real property is based on the current real estate market. Finding the "market" value of your property means discovering the price most people would pay for your property in its current condition. Based on sales in 2022, reviewed in 2023 for the taxes payable in 2024 saw a large increase in different areas throughout the county.

My job as assessor is to see that all property within the county is fairly valued for tax purposes. This ensures a fair and equitable distribution of property taxes among taxpayers who receive public services. We determine the value of property the year before taxes are due.

Patti McLean, Mason County assessor, Shelton

On the school board

Editor, the Journal

There's a reason why the voters of Shelton School District have voted for Keri Davidson as a school board member for the past eight years. As a former Shelton School District employee of 37 years, I have come to know and work with many school board members over the years. I can say with all my heart that Keri Davidson is, and has been, one of the best school board members to have held that role. She is genuinely passionate about education and understands that "strong schools mean a strong community."

Keri is unwavering in her belief that all kids can learn and that we owe it to them to do all we can to provide every possible opportunity. She exercises wisdom, is highly professional, works well with others to accomplish what's best for students, staff, and parents, and her integrity is above reproach.

Keri takes her role as a school board member - and current board president - very seriously. School board members are volunteers but she puts in countless hours addressing the needs and concerns of the public as well as daily decision-making and attending trainings and events to better understand budgeting, policies and best practices. She is relentless in staying on top of issues and finding solutions.

Keri Davidson loves her community and sees nothing but the best in every student, parent and staff member. I, for one, am grateful for her selfless service and leadership over the years. I hope you will vote for Keri Davidson to continue her work as a Shelton School District board member.

Linda Arnold, Shelton

Sex in the Bible

Editor, the Journal

Katie Groves mischaracterized my earlier letter about sexual content in the Bible. I did not state "the Bible was fouler than the porn books on school shelves."

I simply quoted a salacious Bible scripture of it depicting large genitals and graphically describing the ejaculating lust between a woman and her many lovers in Ezekiel 23:20. My comment was not about which book had the more salacious depiction of sex, but that that verse is lewd in comparison.With all the pedophilia rampant within churches, Boy Scouts and even families, and with any and all books revealing such, they all should be exposed and eradicated from a child's viewing. In all fairness, vulnerable children should be blindfolded from any salacious sexual content, yes, I agree, but that should also include the Bible and its 253 descriptions of sex therein. I support the good-intentioned Shelton citizens complaining to the school board about a book's sexual content resulting in those books being rightfully censored from impressionable minds. Additionally, I'm persuading, if any book is removed from the school library because of its sexual content, then the Bible should be removed as well. Let's be realistically fair in our reasoning to protect the children. So I surmise once more herein: Those asking to ban books, they will likely continue to not include the Bible on their list, and I think they should put pressure on the school board to do so.

Darrell Barker, Shelton

An outsider

Editor, the Journal

Candine Ferguson-Brown is running for superior court judge. Mason County didn't vote her in, she was installed by our soft-on-crime governor. There has been lots of nice letters to the editor about her, such as her life education revolves around her family and community, she has experience, she is active in parent-school activities, she has served Mason County, she is apparently qualified, she went to law school overseas. She also has a track record of not giving credence to law enforcement.

Look no further than the Chantel Peterson case. Peterson was arrested for allegedly shooting Elijah Gossett on or about Feb. 12. Ferguson-Brown showed no faith in the arresting officer when he indicated she was a threat to herself or others or to the prosecutor when he asked for $500,000 bail.

No, Ferguson-Brown let Peterson walk with $5,000 bail and Peterson committed suicide. A double tragedy that could have been avoided if she wasn't an Inslee-appointed, soft-on-crime judge. She protects the rights of the accused with no regard for the safety of the victim or the community. She is an outsider that does not share the values of Mason County. This is why we need to vote for Dave Stevens. Dave believes the courts are to protect the rights of the accused and protect the victims and community. Dave has served honorably in the U.S. Navy and is a graduate from the University of Washington. Dave has experience as a trial attorney, prosecutor, law enforcement, and has trained other attorneys/judges/prosecutors. Dave is endorsed by the Shelton Police Guild, the Fraternal Order of Police, state Reps. Drew MacEwan and Travis Couture, and Melissa Upton, Bob Rodgers and others. Ask them why they have endorsed him. They endorse him because he has a proven track record and is more than qualified to be our judge. Vote Dave Stevens.

Pam Burger, Shelton

Experience

Editor, the Journal

Dave Stevens' campaign motto is, "Experience matters." That experience includes over two decades of actual courtroom practice in state, tribal, international and federal courts, including courts of appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. The fact is, he does have civil courtroom experience. Civil proceedings involve the same processes as criminal, so suggesting that he "has no experience" shows ignorance of legal processes and a willful obtuseness about Dave Stevens' career. He has spent years supervising both prosecutor and public defense offices. Both types of offices handled civil matters.

By the way, Andrew Makar's statement in his letter in the Aug. 31 issue of the Journal is incorrect; Dave Stevens will not have to be conflicted out of cases filed while he was a senior felony deputy prosecutor. He has not represented the victims or defendants in any of those cases, which is the criterion for disqualification. Mr. Makar also claims that Mr. Stevens merely studied processes in law school as a defense of Mr. Makar's allegations. In fact, Mr. Stevens has made public his experience as a federal civil rights investigator, his experience in Afghanistan as a justice advisor, and his experience as an international prosecutor in Kosovo. These all involve knowledge of civil processes, as both Afghanistan's and Kosovo's legal structures are based on civil systems.

If you search Odyssey, the court software used by the state of Washington, under Dave Stevens' Bar number, you'll find thousands and thousands of diverse cases, including civil. If you search under Cadine Ferguson-Brown, you will find no dissolutions, probate or contract disputes.

Vote Dave Stevens, because experience matters.

Jodi Flanagan, Shelton

Editor's note: Victoria Meadows is Cadine Ferguson-Brown's campaign director.

The right judge

Editor, the Journal

Why do I work so hard to assist Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown in her campaign? I don't get paid. I have fully retired and will not appear professionally in any court. There is no personal gain, for me or my family, except the new friendships we have made.

I work hard on Judge Ferguson-Brown's campaign because I want only the best for Mason County.

Judge Ferguson-Brown has the right experience (well over two years in a judicial capacity, plus several years in private practice) and advanced education, having attended Judicial College and ongoing judicial training, specialized domestic violence training, and other relevant courses throughout her extensive career.

Judge Ferguson-Brown is active in community service. She has a lifelong history of mentoring and inspiring youths. She aspires to bring back "Judges in the Classroom" at our local schools. Having volunteered as a judge for the YMCA state Mock Trial Championship, she is working to establish a local YMCA Mock Trial program for Mason County youths. She recently joined the Shelton Rotary Club, after participating in some of our activities, including trash pickup at the Huff'n'Puff trail on a number of occasions.

Judge Ferguson-Brown strives to be fair and impartial. She follows the law, regardless of personal opinions she may have. She has a balanced demeanor on and off the bench.

Even her opponent, Dave Stevens has said, "I like Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown. She is in control of her courtroom. She will shut down attorneys ... and, I think we lose sight of the fact that candidates don't have to be about destroying the other person." (Candidates in The Park, July 5) Judge Ferguson-Brown continues to take the high road in this contentious campaign.

Vote for the best. Vote Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown.

Victoria Meadows, judge, ret., and campaign field director, Shelton

It's a legal license

Editor, the Journal

Credentials of Judge Ferguson-Brown: I have read several letters that indicate there is confusion about Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown's legal education. One writer laments that she was licensed in the liberal state of Washington. Every lawyer practicing in Washington is licensed by Washington.

The bigger source of confusion is the applicability of an education in an English legal institution. For some reason people think that this would be foreign to American law. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let's start with the fact that among the Founders were numerous lawyers. They were at the time British lawyers practicing in Crown Courts. We didn't create unique laws for property, contracts, torts, criminal law, civil procedure, and evidence after the Revolution. Instead, the principles in all of those areas of law were simply carried on in the laws of the various states.

To this day, you will find American court cases that cite to British court opinions. Just earlier this year in the Dobbs abortion decision, a very conservative Justice Alito cited opinions by Sir William Blackstone and Sir Edward Coke and Sir Matthew Hale, all jurists of the King's Bench. So, if you think that British law is irrelevant to American law, you think wrong. That is why when you go to law school, you read a lot of English law.

I also want to note that during the past few months I have read the appointment applications of both Judge Ferguson-Brown and Mr. Stevens. Judge Ferguson-Brown's was a lot better. I will also note that prior to her appointment, she was a court commissioner in Mason County, which required her to hear a lot of motions.

Andrew Makar, Hoodsport

How to learn about candidates

Editor, the Journal,

With the 2024 general election year on the horizon, my newsfeed is quickly filling with stories of voter discontent over the candidate options for open federal and state offices. With Mason County local elections just weeks away, I feel particularly fortunate to live in a community that offers a wide choice of resources for learning about the candidates running for school board, city council, and superior court judge positions.

While I personally value doing candidate research in person by attending meet-and-greets or sitting as an observer in an incumbent's courtroom or school board meeting, the convenience of virtual attendance and the availability of MasonWebTV recordings of these events leaves me little reason not to get acquainted with the issues, the candidates and the public roles they are seeking. For me, candidate forums are one of the best ways to engage directly. I have the opportunity to ask my own questions and see how candidates respond on their feet to questions from my Mason County neighbors.

This month, I'll be attending the upcoming school board candidates' panel discussions on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, as well as "Speed Dating with the Candidates" on Oct. 17. These events are hosted by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Mason County in preparation for the Nov. 7 election. I look forward to meeting fellow Shelton-Mason County Journal readers and letter to the editor contributors there, whether virtually on my computer screen or in person.

Peggy Morell, Union

Experience does matter

Editor, the Journal,

Is David (Dave) Stevens running for prosecutor? Or to serve as an international or Islamic judge? I read, with interest, his "rebuttal" letter which acknowledges that no judge is an expert in every area of the law.

Mr. Stevens' strength is as a criminal law lawyer, having worked for eight different prosecutor's offices, three public defense positions and private practice specializing in criminal law since becoming a lawyer in 2000. He has never worked as a judge. He has no experience in family law or other relevant areas of civil law which comes before the superior courts. His comment that he knows military law, because he served in the Navy, is also confusing. Per his resume (available through a public records request from the Governor's Office to anyone), he served as a petty officer second class, fire controlman second class, E-5, years before he went to law school. I thank him for his service, but note that he did not serve in the military legal office.

It is of the utmost concern to me that he is seeking this position as he has emphatically stated, as recent as Jan. 11, 2021, before the Okanogan Board of County Commissioners, that his interest is in criminal law and "I'm not interested in civil law." I listened to the interview at YouTube/p7jj34kfVqc. The statement is made at approximately the 38-minute mark.

Judges in our society are important to our everyday lives. It is important to me that we fill these positions with people who are actually qualified and have been tested.

I appreciate Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown's candor, her intelligence, her hard work and extra time she puts into her legal research. She strives to be fair and impartial in every case. Most of all, I appreciate the work that she is currently doing as our superior court judge. Please join me and vote for Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown.

Roslynne Reed, Shelton

On justice

Editor, the Journal,

We all know Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown has promoted criminal activity in our community rendering those of us living and working here helpless. But we need to acknowledge that she didn't do this all on her own. She was appointed to fill Judge Amber Finley's position by Gov. Jay Inslee. So, as sad as this is for us, we share this tragedy of injustice with other communities in the state that suffer from judicial appointments for political gain. That is not only wrong but dangerous.

Melissa Upson, Shelton

Longtime lawyer

Editor, the Journal,

As a lawyer and father of a fifth-generation Mason County voter, I have practiced before every Mason County Superior Court judge, including Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown, for the last four decades. Judge Ferguson-Brown honors the rule of law and is thorough, straightforward, firm and fair, respectful, and judicial in every way. This judicial demeanor strongly favors retaining Judge Ferguson-Brown as our Mason County Superior Court judge.

Local superior court judges appointed Judge Ferguson-Brown court commissioner in 2021, after she had practiced in Kitsap and Mason counties since 2013. In 2022, the governor, having appointed Judge Daniel Goodell in 2014, appointed Judge Ferguson-Brown to the bench. The judicial selection process is rigorous and competitive, the governor has appointed 85 judges, both liberal and conservative, including to the Supreme Court, and each appointment has been impressive. A recent bail was appropriate under controlling law, and labels and name-calling on the basis of that bail or the governor's appointment are false and misleading.

Superior Court responsibilities range from personal injury and property damage to real estate, commerce, evictions, divorce, child custody, guardianships, detaining people suffering mental illness, drug court, probate, etc. - in addition to criminal prosecution and defense. Judges are not prosecutors or defense lawyers – judges are neutral parties between people and each other or between people and the state. All of this requires judicial demeanor and respect for the rule of law - and a misleading campaign slogan from someone seeking to unseat a sitting judge is the opposite of that.

It would be a grave loss if Mason County were to lose Judge Ferguson-Brown from the bench. For the good of our community, please vote to retain Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown as our third Mason County Superior Court judge.

Eric Valley, Shelton

Equity and equality

Editor, the Journal,

But there is a difference between equity and equality.

On Sept. 25, I attended a very good local forum to learn more about the two candidates for Mason County Superior Court. The moderator asked the two candidates what equal justice means to them. Candidate Mr. David Stevens responded that there is no difference between equality and equity. As a privileged white woman, I used to think the same thing. But through my personal study of what racial equity means, I have learned a great deal about assumptions I made growing up and how our society and systems automatically disenfranchises many in our communities.

Equality means everyone is treated the same exact way, regardless of differences. Equity means everyone is provided with what they need to succeed. There is a big difference. These concepts are widely misunderstood and often incorrectly defined. It is an opportunity for all of us understand the difference because failing to do so results in different outcomes for marginalized people. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. The outcomes of our social systems may appear to us to be unintentional, but they are rooted in discriminatory practices and beliefs.

Equity is a solution for addressing imbalances in our social systems. Justice can take equity one step further by fixing the systems in a way that leads to long-term, sustainable, equitable access for future generations. I am glad Justice Cadine Ferguson-Brown understands the difference and therefore can apply justice fairly.

Carole Washburn, Shelton

School board choice

Editor, the Journal,

I am voicing my support of Andrew Wilford for the Shelton School Board. He understands that he will be working for the parents, students and community, not the superintendent.

One of his concerns is declining academics. He will work hard to turn around our academic performance.He actively attends school board meetings and rationally speaks on current issues from an informed perspective. This can be viewed from the board meeting videos on MasonWebTV.

The Shelton School Board needs directors who focus on the students and parents of the district, and not ever-changing agendas that distract from academic learning.

Lorilyn Rogers, Shelton

A judicial opinion

Editor, the Journal,

I'm a 38-year deputy sheriff retired from King County. I've seen great judges and I've seen horrible judges.

I'm all for good common-sense judges and do not go for judges that set defendants out on personal recognizance or low bail when we have dangerous or mentally unstable people such as we've seen with Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown.

My vote is for Judge Dave Stevens. Keep common sense alive.

Kurt Lysen, Shelton

Listen to debate

Editor, the Journal,

I support Dave Stevens for superior court judge. Many of us are aware of the case of the woman who shot her boyfriend then was let out on $5,000 bail by Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown and then she tragically took her own life. Yes, people have taken their own life in custody but it would be much more difficult while in jail where you do not have access to drugs or guns. This woman still had a chance to have a good life and be a productive member of society.

There is another case of the arsonist who was let out on a low bail by the same judge and went right back to starting fires.

I am sure the Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown is qualified and has successfully adjudicated many cases and I commend her willingness to come serve in Mason County, however I believe Dave Stevens is a better judge for our county.

If you are unsure on which judge to vote for, watch the entire debate between the two candidates at masonwebtv.com/archives/53946 and decide for yourself.

After listening to the debate and having a chance to meet Stevens, he has my vote.

Philip Wolff, Allyn