Letters to the Editor

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 all appeal our valuations now to send a message that we are not happy with the unfair treatment and overtaxing from the Mason County Assessor's office. Per the county website, there is an arbitrary deadline of Nov. 12, 2024, or you lose your right to appeal. This can be done online at masoncountywa.gov/equalization/index.php. Last year I appealed my property taxes for the first time in 35 years. I learned a lot about how the assessor is overcharging Mason County residents and how the assessor's valuation process is unfair and flawed. Obviously, in this letter, I do not have enough words to provide all the details of my experience. But I can assure you that this is factual, and I have the receipts.

Last year I presented overwhelming evidence to the Mason County Board of Equalization (BOE) that my valuation was incorrect. However, the BOE sided with the Assessor's Office as they assumed the assessor was correct. After filing an appeal with the state, the assessor has acknowledged that the Assessor's Office presented false and inaccurate information to the BOE. I was issued a refund of over $1,200. My state appeal is outstanding. 

Although state law puts a limit of property tax increases at 1% per year on "base property taxes," my overall property tax went up 57 percent in four years because of the policies and practices of our Assessor's Office. Although your appeal may be buried by the BOE, you will likely get a call from the Assessor's Office to negotiate your valuation so that you do not file a formal appeal. I'm aware of numerous cases of these behind closed-door negotiations - one where the valuation was reduced by over $100,000.

Wayne Gripp, Allyn

Criminal behavior

Editor, the Journal,

During the last week I have noticed criminal behavior happening in Mason County.

Democratic candidates' campaign signs have been removed. Such behavior is a misdemeanor in Washington punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 dollar fine or both (RCW 29A.84.040). I have spoken with others who have noticed this unusual activity. Undoubtedly there are others who share my sadness that likely members of the so-called "law and order" party are now fearful enough to resort to criminal behavior hoping that it will prevent their loss.

Brent Buhler, Hoodsport

Thank you, Kitten Rescue

Editor, the Journal,

Kitten Rescue of Mason County offers a wonderful service. My daughter's family was shopping around for an affordable vet clinic to get their little kitty spayed. The local vets are expensive and it is difficult to get an appointment in a timely fashion. By the time the appointment rolls around you are likely to be dealing with kittens. The Mason County Humane Society is totally backed up. The highest cost for an out-of-town vet was a quote of $600 to $800! Who can afford that?

Anyway, for the cost of the spay (or neuter), Kitten Rescue will transport your cat from Shelton to a Tacoma clinic and back. My daughter's kitty was delivered to Kitten Rescue yesterday at 5:30 a.m. and I picked her up at 9 a.m. this morning at Kitten Rescue. The cost? $105. The application is online at the Kitten Rescue site and they responded within two days. What a great service.

Linda Myers, Shelton

Who runs the county?

Editor, the Journal,

On Nov. 5 we elect county commissioners. Does it really make a difference? Do the county commissioners run the county or is there a deep county that pulls the strings? Last October the State Department of Transportation conducted a meeting on the Belfair Bypass. The first thing said is there will be no Belfair Bypass. State Route 3 will continue to go through Belfair with ever-increasing traffic. The deep county has wanted a road on the hill east of Belfair for high density development for over 50 years. With current heavy traffic in Belfair came opportunity to get the state to build such a road. However, the road is not a bypass but what they call a freight corridor, i.e., a road. Entering and exiting this road will be via roundabouts. A bypass would be Route 3 going around Belfair with overpasses where needed. The DOT said the freight corridor would divert 20% to 25% of the traffic through Belfair. Later the DOT agreed with me that by the time the road is finished the 75% to 80% of the traffic remaining through Belfair will be worse than it is now. That is, the DOT with the approval of the county will do nothing to alleviate the traffic through Belfair. To repeat, there will be no Belfair Bypass without the county putting pressure on the DOT for one. The county does not seem to have that as a priority.

Bob Supino, Allyn

Vote Ferguson

Editor, the Journal,

Time is running out to vote for Bob Ferguson for governor, our current very effective state attorney general, who for the past 12 years, has worked ceaselessly to protect our state's citizens from all forms of corruption and unfairness, whether from national corporations or local groups or individuals.

His focus on minorities is exceptional and also essential, since our state is home to 29 Indian tribes, along with other vulnerable minorities. From pay inequities to violence and restrictions against females, to threats of unfair use of tribal lands, AG Ferguson is on the front lines with a dedicated staff of lawyers backing his work.

He's devoted his energies toward the cold cases of sexual violence that need to be solved, for the fairness and sense of relief for the victims, whether they are women living everyday lives or male and female prisoners, trapped in a system of overcrowding and unwarranted violence.

He's worked tirelessly to stem the supply of illegal guns and won many lawsuits against gun sellers of such arms, with other states joining him in his successful lawsuits.

He has formed an Organized Crime Task Force to investigate and prosecute organized crime rings that endanger employer safety, damage businesses and the economy, driving up the costs for all Washingtonians.

Future priorities include providing the homeless with more available housing options, and making treatment and counseling essential to re-entry into a life of comfort and employment, when needed.

Another essential area AG Ferguson is effectively guarding is mobile home parks, where residents owning their homes, but leasing private land, are vulnerable to unfair management.

Frivolous or illegal evictions can send low-income people into homelessness. AG Ferguson has also put legal pressure on landlords who ignore needed safety upgrades on their properties.

Fining the corporations that fueled the opioid epidemic, he's won over $1 billion and ensured the money be used solely for treatment and addressing the crisis.

Throughout his AG years, he's worked closely with Gov. Jay Inslee and is well-prepared to take over as our next governor.

Vote Ferguson for governor.

Kathleen Rooney, Lacey