Letters to the Editor

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 decision on approval or rejection.

Paraphrasing Paul Harvey, here’s the rest of the story. On every PAC meeting agenda, item 1 D is Conflict of Interest Inquiry, which the chair asks of every PAC member. Commissioner Will Harris stated he wanted to ensure his actions did not reflect poorly on Mason County, so sought legal advice from the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in advance of the Sept. 16 PAC meeting. He is running for a county commissioner position and a topic coming before the PAC dealt with a campaign donor. The prosecuting attorney’s opinion: No conflict of interest on Harris’ advisory voting on this request.

I encourage interested county residents to review the recorded meeting discussion for themselves, when available on the PAC website.

Mr. Johnson has his opinion. However, I have found Commissioner Harris conducts himself with ethics, honesty and integrity during PAC meetings and support activities.

Bob Wilkerson, Shelton

Misleading letter

Editor, The Journal,

In response to the misleading Letter to the Editor by Jack Johnson on Sept. 26:

I have known William Harris for 44 years. He is a man of outstanding integrity.

William’s commitment: Work with the public to provide affordable housing, attract new businesses, improve transportation network and provide affordable utilities.

William is an appointed member of the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission and reviews county staff-prepared land use proposals.

During the Mason County Planning Commission meeting on Sept 16, AFA 2024-0001 was presented that rezones 325 acres, located between Belfair and Allyn, from Rural Residential 10 to Rural Residential 5. This encourages the development of additional housing and small businesses in an area that will align with the new transportation corridor and minimize impact on existing Belfair traffic.

William voted to endorse this proposal for county commissioner approval.

Yes, land in the area of the rezone is owned by a contributor to William Harris’ campaign.

Is that a conflict of interest? The county’s attorney says “no.”

But Jack Johnson thinks so. Why?

Does his contribution to Randy Neatherlin ’s campaign acquire him preferential treatment?

Does the landowner’s decision to back Neatherlin’s opponent cause Neatherlin to oppose developing sewer infrastructure in the existing Belfair UGA?

Did Johnson’s contributions to Neatherlin’s past campaigns oblige Neatherlin to use whatever means necessary to acquire the permit for the Grump gravel pit? Or was the public’s concern about Neatherlin’s interface with Grump Ventures LLC more based upon his lack of transparency, improper record storage and poorly timed vacation to Ireland with Johnson? Either way it cost the taxpayers $30,000 plus legal fees to settle. Kitsap Sun Grump article dated July 3, 2020, and U.S. District Court, Seattle C20-5628 TSZ, Docket 25, dated June 17, 2021, relate.

What is your vision for the future of Mason County?

Vote informed.

Chris Kay, Allyn

Be prepared

Editor, The Journal,

Shelton’s a rural community in a rural county; yet we citizens need a voice beyond elections.

Internationally the U.S. supports Taiwan making China unhappy. Our southern border’s a sieve. Iran hates us and nearly has the bomb. We give war weapons to Ukraine, making Russia nervous and to Israel making Hamas unhappy.

Meanwhile we’re 30 air miles from a major submarine base, which is next door to the Bremerton naval base. It’s the same distance to the Lewis-McChord Army/Air Force base. Farther north is Boeing, arms manufacturer for Air Force planes and missiles. If America is attacked, northwest Washington would likely be a target. What are our plans?

The havoc caused by the recent hurricane in six southeastern states has over 100 dead with losses exceeding $100,000,000,000. Our disaster may be California-type forest fires. Most likely it will be an earthquake or volcano. Entire regions may be isolated.

Hurricane survivors have no power, no cell service, no homes, even no roads. Gas lines and grocery lines are very long, if any businesses are even open. Checks and credit cards are rejected; cash only. We may have it worse, especially in an earthquake. What are our plans?

Does Washington have disaster emergency plans? If so, would someone share the details with us, especially as it relates to Shelton and Mason County? A disaster emergency is not the time to plan disaster support or discuss governmental failures. Shelton citizens must prepare individual disaster plans before any emergency. Now is the time to discuss ideas and share concerns via the media. Then we need open meetings discussing the issues learned. When will this happen?

Ardean Anvik, Shelton

Bad pamphlet

Editor, The Journal,

OMG. Will somebody please run against our present/new auditor as soon as his term nears the end? It is the general election local voters’ pamphlet that once again, like the primary election pamphlet, fails to inform the voters of their choices.

This is for president, vice president, governor, attorney general and on down the line as well as statewide measures. I find this intolerable.

We are only informed as to county and PUD commissioners. It’s not enough. Apparently not enough people care to let the guy know. Other counties have this service. We always had it too in Mason County until the present auditor’s tenure.

Dianna Timm Dryden, Union

Check your facts

Editor, The Journal,

Nothing disturbs me more than people expounding on a particular subject without first checking the facts and misleading the public through a Letter to the Editor.

Take last week’s writer who said that Mason County Planning Advisory Commission member William Harris (and current candidate for County Commissioner District 1 — that’s from Dewatto to Belfair to Allyn to Grapeview) “did something disgusting.”

What did he do?

He voted to change a zoning area from RR10 to RR5. Instead, the writer insinuates what was voted on was to give county funds to build another sewer line. Not so.

Mason County’s website is a treasure chest of truth. The PAC has a separate webpage where you can find the meeting agendas and minutes and bylaws.

[Editor’s note: Go to masoncountywa.gov and select “Planning Advisory Commission” from the drop-down “Advisory Boards” menu. The Sept. 16 meeting minutes had not posted as of Wednesday morning.]

There are seven members of the PAC. Five were present at the zoning hearing.

Zoning from RR10 to RR5 means the owner can build one home on 5 acres. That’s pretty much in keeping with Washington’s Growth Management Act. Interestingly, of the 64 parcels only one is more than 5 acres. The purpose of the RR10 to RR5 is to simply right the wrong of many years ago.

Critically missing from the writer is that the location is pretty much behind the very rural state Route 302 Coulter Hatchery. Also missing is that of the five Planning Committee members deliberating the change – all five voted for the change and notified the Mason County Commission which should take place next week.

Disclaimer: I am friends with both candidates and am endorsing neither in this missive. Just trying to set the record straight.

And shame on the Shelton-Mason County Journal for the accompanying letter’s headline “Vote Neatherlin.” While that was the goal of the writer, it appears as the Journal is endorsing candidate Neatherlin.

Bob Pastore, Stretch Island