June 2009 Archives

Nancy Hillman offered this area some of the best vehicles for our community's talent to be expressed in her 10 years as Director of the Drew Harvey Theater, with her production/direction of fabulous plays and musicals.

Now, Nancy returns to Yelm offering her experience once again to the community.
If you have ever had a desire to sing, dance and act, now is your chance!

FOR ADULTS:
The Art of the Playful Actor Taught by Nancy Hillman
Wednesday nights @ the Blue Bottle Cafe, Yelm
Call 789-2486 to register

"In an 8 week period, we will use Improvisation, Monologues, and Scene work to show how to access, with ease, the most joyful and entertaining part of you. This skill can be used in every life situation, starting with professional presentations, through personal conversations, and all the way to theatrical productions," says Ms. Hillman.

TELL NANCY YOU HEARD ABOUT HER CLASSES ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

I have been impressed with the fine investigative reporting on challenging area issues Olympian reporter Christian Hill has penned - so much so I wrote him a note after yesterday's report in The Olympian on the Tumwater Brewery's declining viability. I am sharing this with all of you, as this correlates with Yelm's own situation:

Dear Mr. Hill,

I can always tell when you have written a story -
I have noticed you do your homework and delve into many aspects of a featured article.
I appreciate that.

This paragraph in the brewery story [Sunday, June 28th front page of The Olympian] is very astute on your part:
"It’s a story etched in misfortune. A big corporation shuts down the century-old brewery, saying it’s no longer profitable. A start-up company, All American Bottled Water Corp., led by a chief executive with big dreams and virtually no business acumen, picks up the property for a song. That executive, L. Eric Whetstone, runs the business into the ground, leaving creditors on the hook for millions in unpaid bills after refinancing falls through and his criminal past as a scam artist is exposed in this newspaper. Creditors force the company and property into bankruptcy. A year of litigation and one unsuccessful offer for the property follow; then the lenders seize control of the property. They foreclose on it and put up a “For sale” sign.

And there it sits."

Unfortunately, this is also indicative that banks and lenders just did not vet and due diligence on their developers, prior to the downturn that in-turn, contributed to that very economic downturn.

We know that well out here in Yelm with the bright-eyed dream of a 5,000 home development (15,000-20,000 more people) proposed for a town of 5,000, with little foresight given to environmental, water, traffic, groundwater recharge and other costs to the public, as "city fathers" tripped over each other shoving those issues aside all-the-while salivating at the prospect of supporting Mayor Harding's "...stance in recent years for growth to pay for growth," as he told the NVN printed on April 17th, 2009.

As I always said, none of Yelm's leaders took an Economic 101 class to know that when the music [growth] stopped, someone was going to be without a chair [money to continue to pay for the infrastructure of what that growth required] with such short vision. [Ed. Note: Nor did they listen to and heed the public.] That happened and now Yelm taxpayers are left with $1.6 million in debt for the Golf Course well, almost $200 thousand in unpaid invoices and back-taxes owed to the city by the developers, and a [proposed] $71 million Yelm-taxpayer tab that begins with water rate hikes July 1st in an unapproved Water System Plan [with an option] to pay a Master Planned Community's (MPC) water needs.

You have reported several aspects of that excellently, from the water case against the City of Yelm to the Thurston Highlands default and subsequent debt burden left to Yelm taxpayers.

I just had to write to acknowledge your work!

Most sincerely,

Steve Klein

1. "Small Towns Help to shape county"
was the title of The Olympian story Saturday, June 27 and had this to say:
RAINIER
Location: 12 miles southeast of Olympia and 6 miles southwest of Yelm
History: Established in 1890, the town of Rainier was named in 1884 by Northern Pacific officials because of its proximity to Mount Rainier, amid the ten al quelth prairies, an American Indian word meaning “the best yet.” The area was homesteaded by Albert and Maria Gehrke in 1890, and there still are many Gehrke families in the area.
Population: About 1,740, according to 2008 OFM estimates.

YELM
Location: Yelm is at the junction of state Routes 507 and 510, about 15 miles southeast of Olympia in eastern Thurston County.
History: The city was incorporated Dec. 10, 1924. Yelm is a Salish Indian word that means “heat waves from the sun.” Yelm was known as a village site for the Nisqually tribe. Since the 1980s, Yelm also has been home to JZ Knight, who claims to channel a 35,000-year-old warrior named Ramtha, and Ramtha School of Enlightenment, run by Knight.
Population: About 5,150, according to 2008 OFM estimates.
Features: In recent years, shopping centers and a cinema complex have sprung up in Yelm. A new library has opened near the cinema. Also, a Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in 2007.

2. Intercity Transit Named Best Transit System in the Country
for its size by the American Public Transportation Association

"In 2006, Intercity Transit [IT] officially set its vision to be a leading transit system in the country, committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Thurston County.

Three years later, that vision is realized. The American Public Transportation Association has named Intercity Transit the best transit system in the nation for its size. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) presented the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award to just three transit systems in the country this year, based on size categories. Intercity Transit won the title in the medium-size category of transit systems providing between 4 and 30 million rides annually. There are a total of 108 medium-sized transit systems in operation across the U.S....

"Intercity Transit is only the third Washington State system to receive the award and the first since 1991. The award was previously given to Seattle’s King County Metro (Seattle) and Pierce Transit (Tacoma).

'This is a great honor,' stated Intercity Transit General Manager Mike Harbour. 'It’s a tribute to our outstanding employees, the leadership of the Intercity Transit Authority, and our entire community that supports and understands the value of public transportation.'

The Intercity Transit Authority, the only governing transit board in Washington State to have citizen representation with full voting power serving with elected officials, redefined the agency’s credo in 2006 adopting a new mission and vision that reflected its focus as not only a high-performing bus system but as the community’s mobility manager," quoting the IT website.

Artists Heidel and Raya Bethel

"Paradise Studios is a premier architectural finishing and fine art mural studio that is recognized for its fabulous conceptualization, design and application of finely crafted decorative faux finishes, European plasters(including Venetian plaster, marmarino and more), and tromp l’oeil murals. We provide an unlimited spectrum of stunning, extraordinary fine finishes to achieve any effect imaginable. We are committed to artistic excellence and craftsmanship in every project. Every project is designed custom to you, your unique space, and your individual needs," quoting their website.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
"Paradise Studios is a unique company formed by identical twin sisters, Heidel and Raya Bethel. With 15 years experience in fine art and studying with renowned artists in their early years, they have developed a diverse level of skill and creative direction. Through drawing and painting courses, Raya and Heidel have received extensive training that they have applied for years in project execution. The identical twins have worked on paintings side be side for years. Starting off their great works with oil on canvas, they eventually transitioned to small and large scale murals .They work in tandem on tromp l’oeil murals, matching painting styles exactly, allowing the finished piece to look like it was painted by one artist. They have a versatile ability to paint in styles ranging from realism to surrealism to impressionism to whimsical. Heidel and Raya have a great talent for painting reproductions capturing the beauty of a classic or renaissance piece of art."

CONTACT
Paradise Studios
info@paradisestudiosart.com
Phone # (425)830-2911 Kirkland, Wa
Phone # (360)789-5744 Olympia, Wa

TELL PARADISE STUDIOS ART YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Dear Readers;

No matter what each of us may feel about Michael Jackson's flaws, his were no different than our own. These define the human condition that are all of our roadblocks towards evolution. His were just more publicized than ours!

We have a generation alive today that truly do not know the contribution that this man made to our evolving society; emerging from the ignorance, blindness and prejudice of the inequities amongst races.

Let THIS and his whole genre of works be Michael Jackson's legacy. That there be no one untouched and unmoved by this man's co-production of this piece the world-over is fitting this day, I say!

For those that are too young to know or to jar your memory from 24 years ago [yes, 24 years ago; Michael was 26!]:

"USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa), was the name under which forty-five predominantly U.S. artists, led by Harry Belafonte, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie, recorded the hit single "We Are the World" in 1985. The song was a US and UK Number One for the collective in April of that year. The considerable profits from the enterprise went to the USA for Africa Foundation, which used them for the relief of famine and disease in Africa; critics, however, claim that this money went directly to the (often military) governments of the affected countries rather than the people. A recording of the live performance was released with the Live Aid DVD set released on November 8, 2004," quoting YouTube.

And, the final released version of the song went viral & touched the world in 1985 long before cell phones, laptops, I-Phones, Twitter, Facebook & Blogs! click here

Bless Michael Jackson for bridging Blues & Pop and in doing so, bridged yet another racial chasm with his music, starting with our youth and moving beyond to all ages.

"THERE COMES A TIME, WHEN WE HEED A CERTAIN CALL, WHEN THE WORLD MUST COME TOGETHER AS ONE..."

In his Op-Ed piece out today [print edition of June 26] in the Nisqually Valley News (NVN), Publisher's Column writer Keven Graves titled story says "Replacing the perceived me with the real one." This piece is very interesting because he is attempting to dispel the many myths he hears about himself.

Mr. Graves should not be surprised about that, because I was always taught "what goes around, comes around" and Mr. Graves sure does shovel misconceptions himself.

To wit: He has mentioned in the same column several times he and his family's move from Yelm to near Rainier, the column from where I quote:
"Try and find an acre inside Yelm city limits. It didn't exist at the time.

Nope, a savvy bloggist observed, I obviously fled Yelm because I didn't want to endure an increased water bill two years down the road."

This "savvy bloggist" said nor implied any such thing, as most any reader can see for themselves from this June 18th Blog entry about the city's debt service comprising the huge city water rate increase, still unreported in Mr. Graves' newspaper:

"HOW LONG IS SILENCE GOING TO BE THE MANTRA HERE?
HOW LONG WILL THIS ALL BE IGNORED BY THE NISQUALLY VALLEY NEWS?
[Ed. Note: After all, this newspaper is the first to publish front-page reports and editorials on their perceptions of malfeasance by the Cities of Rainier & Roy. Why does the City of Yelm get a bye?
And, the NVN's publisher/editor has said several times in his Op-Eds he no longer resides in Yelm, therefore is not affected by city policies at his new residence? HMMM!]"
CLICK HERE for the full story.

Does this say anything that Graves "fled Yelm because I didn't want to endure an increased water bill two years down the road?"
NO!
What this sentence DOES say is that the water rate increases do not affect him, so he does not personally know the burdens Yelm property owners will bear beginning July 1st, and the Yelm Draft Water System Plan debt spread to the taxpayer has not been covered by his newspaper.

Mr. Graves spoke in the column of his "extreme shyness," yet he certainly is not shy about penning misconceptions to the public with his newspaper's omissions & facts twisting.

This is now the third week in a row where the NVN has gotten a story incorrect;
the previous two weeks garnering e-mails to Mr. Graves & his reporter by me. I recommend Mr. Graves look at his own actions as to why he must write a column titled "Replacing the perceived me with the real one."

OF COURSE, AS ALWAYS, YOUR THOUGHTS ARE APPRECIATED!

Photo from Jamie Honey's website

1. LEARN TO LAUGH, LAUGH TO LEARN
Introducing The Fun Pro
"Healing benefits of laughter combined with encouraging neural plasticity by challenging the mind.
Learn out of the box thinking and have fun doing it!
Jamie Honey's Improv classes Friday nights in Rainier, WA.

"Improv is for absolutely everyone! There are so many benefits to stretching your own limits and giving Improv a try...

Science has come out with some great studies about the benefits of laughter. Laughter stimulates the mind to be in the moment, and when we are in the moment, we are more productive, creative, and healthier."

Everyone welcome. For more information,
CLICK HERE

Listen to Jaime's audio message: CLICK HERE

Laugh it up,

Jamie Honey

2. FIREARMS CLASS
"Last year I decided to offer a firearms training class for novices at my house in Rainier. Having over thirty years experience with with both long and short firearms, I thought it may be helpful for those who are unfamiliar with guns. The class is available twice a month on alternating Sundays. It lasts about four hours and I cover basic safety, handling, shooting and maintenance of pistols, rifles and shotguns.
The cost is $60 per person and each person is required to bring a notepad as well as eye and ear protection. I provide the firearms, ammunition and targets. I accept up to five students per class and preregistration is encouraged. The class is very interactive and fun those that have taken it said they would indeed recommend it to a friend.

Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions. 360-259-5528."

Joel Kaminskas

On June 9th, Mayor Ron Harding issued a Proclamation announcing Yelm's annual Prairie Day festivities this week and urged all to join in and participate during this celebration.

Thursday, June 25, 2009 – 5:30 p.m. – Social prior to Prairie Days Parade– Prairie Days Parade
Thursday, June 25, 2009 - Prairie Days Parade - Line up starts at 6:00pm; Parade at 7:00pm
Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28, 2009 – Prairie Days Celebration, Yelm City Park
Saturday, June 27, 2009 – Chamber Education/Foundation – Car Show, Yelm Middle School Campus

ENJOY THE FUN & FESTIVITIES!

Yelm Librarian Kristin Blalack announced to the Yelm City Council tonight that she was leaving her post, after 35 years of service (beginning in 1974) as librarian in the Yelm Schools and Yelm's Timberland Regional Library.
Ms. Blalack said she will continue to serve on the Yelm Tree Advisory Board & work with Friends of the Library.

Kristin told the Mayor & City Council,
"I have enjoyed working with the city & seeing changes in the city.
I appreciate working with you guys here and loved interacting with the council for 19 years as Yelm's librarian."

Mayor Harding presented Kristin with an official certificate of appreciation for her years of service and a key to the city saying, "this is awarded to people who go above and beyond."

Ms. Blalack told the Council she began her service in Yelm as a temporary librarian in the summer of 1974 and she met her future husband at the former, small city library in the corner of City Hall.

Ms. Blalack's departure comes at a crossroads for the Yelm Timberland library. Mayor Harding had previously announced that there was no money for a new public facility, and with the 10 year exemption given by Timberland to Yelm to lease a facility in a private building due to expire in July, 2012, Mayor Harding has said the library will move into much smaller digs back in City Hall with curtailed offerings. That is VERY unfortunate since Yelm is THE single library in the whole 19 library Timberland system with the largest youth usage.
Losing this is sad, as Mayor Harding has said he is running for 4 more years to complete his goal of a youth center here. Passing up the value of a full-service, vibrant Yelm Library for our youth lacks vision and foresight.

Other introductions announced by Mayor Harding tonight:
1. Sue Davis is the new Yelm Finance Director, coming here from Orting and said, "Every fundamental - I should know everything."
2. The two new City Council candidates for Pat Fetterly's open Council seat were introduced by Mayor Harding in-audience:
Jennifer Littlefield
Tracey Wood
3. Mayor Harding announced he is the Grand Marshall in the Prairie Days Parade this year and will be in his own car with the council walking behind.

THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG WISHES KRISTIN BLALACK WELL IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
I HAVE FOUND WORKING WITH KRISTIN AS A FORMER LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER, LIBRARY PATRON AND BENEFACTOR TO BE MY SINCERE PLEASURE!

WHAT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE LARGEST ANNUAL FUND RAISING EVENT IN YELM RETURNS THIS WEEKEND!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The Children’s School of Excellence cordially invites you to their Sixth Annual Auction on Saturday, June 27, 2009.
CLICK HERE for the invitation details.

Join them for a "Star-Studded Celebration" as they raise funds for the school.
A truly delicious summer menu, is planned!

CLICK HERE to purchase Dinner Tickets online.

CLICK HERE to view the online Auction Catalog, filled with fabulous items from local vendors and residents!

CLICK HERE for more about the Children's School of Excellence.

Featured again this year is a one-hour session with Ramtha One on One donated by JZ Knight.

In the almost four years that Mayor Ron Harding and most of this City Council have been at the helm of the City of Yelm, there has been a major burden that has accumulated for Yelm's residents, property owners and taxpayers in connection with this city's alliances with two developers, itemized as follows:

1. The city released it's Water System Plan earlier this month revealing that City of Yelm's water customers will foot the $1.6 million debt in-full for the Tahoma Valley Golf Course well. The owners of the Golf Course are the same two developers of Thurston Highlands and Tahoma Terra. They transferred the Golf Course water rights to the city for a credit to bring water to the city with their application for the 5,000-home development Thurston Highlands.
CLICK HERE for the details.

2. The city released it's Water System Plan earlier this month revealing that City of Yelm asked "for financial scenarios incorporating assumptions for a new MPC [Master Planned Community - i.e. Thurston Highlands]. The scenarios assumed additional growth of new customers, with additional operating and capital costs that were in addition to the capital improvement projects [CIP] listed... the MPC-related CIP... for 2009... through 2028, for a combined 20-year CIP of $42.61 million ($71.54 escalated)."
CLICK HERE for the details.

3. Thurston Highlands developers Doug Bloom & Steve Chamberlain asked the city for help in funding road improvements necessitated by traffic impacts from their Tahoma Terra developments. Property owners in the impact zone of Tahoma Terra were forced to pay a City Council imposed L. I. D. covering 46% of the costs of road improvements to Yelm Ave. West, Killion & Tahoma Blvd. via mandated property taxes, or almost one-half of the cost of the road improvements, work that should have been borne totally by the developers. Now, property values are falling and these neighbors will still carry the debt load for the roadwork.
CLICK HERE for the details.

4. The same Thurston Highlands developers defaulted and left the city with an unpaid bill for services rendered under contract with the city in 2008 totaling $121,500.
CLICK HERE for the details.

5. The Thurston Highlands developers' default left the city "holding the bag" on a $550,003 water study that was partially funded by a taxpayer-supported grant, supposedly to be repaid by the developers. The city had no contract with the developers to get repaid for the water study and used taxpayer money to look for water resources only on the developer's private property.
CLICK HERE for the details.

6. "Thurston Highland Associates owes more than $57,200 in back property taxes, including interest and penalties, that were due last year, county records show," from The Olympian.
CLICK HERE for details

7. The city's October 10, 2008 Press Release said:
"The City of Yelm is pleased with Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham’s decision to deny JZ Knight’s request to overturn preliminary land use approvals for five separate subdivisions in the City."
Yet, the City of Yelm appealed the judgment that involved 5 Yelm developments, one of them being Tahoma Terra. The city is spending 10's of thousands of taxpayer dollars in legal fees appealing the Thurston County Superior Court ruling in a case in which they say they were pleased.
CLICK HERE for more details.

To quote the Nisqually Valley News of April 17, 2009:
"The city has taken the stance in recent years for growth to pay for growth, [Yelm Mayor Ron] Harding said.
The city has taken on debt and allowed new growth to pay that debt.

That has changed with the economy, growth slowing and an “anti-growth environment.”

'We can no longer operate the system allowing new growth,' Harding said."
[Ed. Note: Mr. Harding called "anti-growth" anyone differing with his "stance in recent years for growth to pay for growth". Now, has he seen the light that these were failed policies?
Is Mr. Harding now "anti-growth"?]

The unbridled relationship between the City of Yelm and Tahoma Terra/Thurston Highlands owners is very suspicious. However, no matter, as the City of Yelm taxpayer will get the continuing suspect policies of Mayor Harding and the City Council for 4 more years without any opposing candidates (except 2 running for Pat Fetterly's soon-to-be-vacated Council seat), without any Town Hall Public Forums, without any public give-and-take on critical issues outside of a tightly controlled City Council public comment period and without any in-depth, hard-hitting questions from our local newspaper.

OF COURSE, THERE HAS BEEN NO OUTCRY FROM CITY RESIDENTS EITHER!

Former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura summed it up in his book "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me" where he said,
"If you want good government, you must have an involved citizenry. Yet it seems like apathy is a contagious disease.
People don't pay attention to government because they don't think it affects them. Well, you work five days a week. Why wouldn't you pay attention to an entity that's taking the fruits of your labor two of those days?

Wouldn't that be enough motivation to pay heed to what your tax dollars are being used for?

Today, special interests have a stranglehold on our reality. Nobody is being told the truth. We've bought a bill of goods. I can't believe everyone is asleep." (from pages 3-4)...

"It's personal battles that got me involved in politics in the first place. I had no political intentions until I ran for Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, in 1990. I did it because I was outraged about developers coming into the area where we lived then, aiming to make housing subdivisions out of the few remaining potato fields. Rubber-stamped by the good old boys on the city council, they demanded that our neighborhood pay for curbs, gutters and storm sewers through assessments..." (page 34)

SOUND FAMILIAR IN YELM?

Ron Mallet, Ph.D., Professor of Physics University of Connecticut

Yelm's very popular speaker Dr. Ron Mallett appeared on ABC's Good Morning America Weekend Show today, June 21st.
CLICK HERE, then scroll to GMA Weekend Hot List, and click Turning Back the Clock.

"Dr. Mallett is a professor of physics at the University of Connecticut. In 1973, he received a Ph.D. from Penn State University. He is a member of American Physical Society and the National Society of Black Physicists. Inspired by a Classics Illustrated comic book version of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, Mallett resolved to travel back in time to save his father, which became his life's dream." He is a Contributing Scientist to Yelm-based SuperConsciousness Magazine.
SuperConsciousness Magazine's Danielle Graham published a discussion on "the scientific interpretation of time" with Dr. Mallett in January, 2008 (free sign-up required to access)

"Dr. Mallett is the author of the popular science/memoir published in October, 2006 entitled "Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality" written with New York Times best-selling author Bruce Henderson," quoting his website.

Dr. Ronald Mallett was featured on the History Channel's program: The Universe: Unexplained Mysteries.
See that video from YouTube.

Dr. Mallett journeyed to Yelm twice in 2007 as a very popular guest speaker at Ramtha's School of Enlightenment.

1. From MSNBC:
"Only these 33 metro areas had increasing housing starts, out of 381 metro areas in the U.S., according to the Adversity Index from Moody's Economy.com and msnbc.com. They each showed increases between the three-month periods ending April 2008 and April 2008. Some areas cross state lines and are listed more than once."

Washington
Olympia, 77%
Tacoma, 32%

2. From The Olympian:
"Intercity Transit has won recognition as the best medium-sized transit system in the United States.

The award from the American Public Transportation Association is based on ridership growth, safety, financial management, community involvement and other measurable records during 2006-08, a period that saw IT ridership grow by more than 50 percent to about 5 million passengers a year.

That growth continues this year despite fare increases of 33 percent in January.

'It is a very significant recognition. ... In the transit industry, it’s one of the top awards,'’ said the Intercity Transit Authority’s citizen chairman, Tom Green, after general manager Mike Harbour announced the award Wednesday to IT’s 290 employees."

ONLINE POLL
"Are you disappointed that filing week only produced one contested race in Roy, Rainier and Yelm?"

CLICK HERE
SCROLL DOWN TO LOWER LEFT OF PAGE AND CAST YOUR VOTE!

Summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere Saturday, June 20th at 10:45PM PDT in Yelm.
From Chiff.com

Yelm's European Baker Extraordinaire Sebastian Schefer

Summer is here and like Mother Nature, Sebastian’s Best is growing a new branch too.

“SEBASTIAN’S CATERING”

New we offer naturally prepared frozen meals for your convenience. Sebastian prepares a week’s worth of Home style cooked meals ( 5 main courses ) and you can pick them up at our place or get them delivered for a small fee.

Meals always consist out of Protein, Starch and Vegetables.
For example, Chicken Pasta salad with Broccoli and Carrots. Please ask for the menu.

A one week pack ( 5 meals ) cost $ 40 and you won’t need to rely on fast food or supermarket frozen dinners but can trust the quality you already know. You can also buy one day’s worth for $8. Here’s an example of a menu that I cooked this week.

1. Spinach Feta Quiche w/ Salad

2. Pork Chop w/ noodles, apples and green beans

3. Beef, yam and broccoli casserole

4. Stir fry w/ chicken, rice and veggies

5. Curry rice w/ beef and fruit

We still bake Bread, etc. ‘on demand, gathering the orders for the Bavarian and the Prairie Bread and baking once we have a full batch ordered up. The more little orders we get, the more frequently we bake, so give us a call! For cakes, lemon cheesecake etc. please give us 1 week advanced notice.

The Plowman Bread (made with beer and spent grain), is always available frozen and we have just put 8 loaves of the Bavarian into our freezer, so you won’t need to wait until the next batch is happening.

We wish you a wonderful Summer and look forward to hearing from you:

Thanks,

Sebastian, Amy and Elena
sebastiansbest@yahoo.com
360/292-5497

PLEASE TELL SEBASTIAN'S BEST YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

After this writer's presentation to the City Council on June 9th, 2009, City of Yelm Project and Program Manager Stephanie Ray responded to my comments in Council Chambers that the purpose of the Water Rate Increase was to meet debt service obligations and will be solely used to keep Fund 401 in-status.
Council Member John Thompson asked what Fund 401 was.
Ms. Ray said this is an operational and maintenance fund.

Now we know why Ms. Ray did not answer my e-mail nor would the Mayor permit me to respond to her comment in Council Chambers about this debt issue she mentioned! They did not want the public (or Council) to know about the debt servicing foisted on Yelm tax payers. However, the city finally posted the Draft Water System Plan on the city's website with a March 23, 2009 posting date, when the Draft Water System Plan was only made available there in June. HMMM!

So, here is one aspect of the city's debt, quoting directly from just-released Draft Water System Plan Chapter 9, page 13:

"The initial rate increases are required to cover the existing levels of O&M expenses, while the following increases are there to support new debt service associated with the capital program...

After the completion of the technical analysis and presentation of the rate recommendations to the City Council and the public [when was that? at the Open Houses? the Open Houses did NOT present the Draft Water System Plan to the public, as the Plan was not released until June!] new capital information was presented to the City. The Golf Course Well project, previously assumed to be fully developer-constructed and then turned over to the City, is now required to be 100 percent City-funded. The Golf Course Well project total cost is estimated to be $1.6 million. In order to move forward with the project, the City will be applying for an RD low-interest loan, with estimated terms of 3.75 percent interest over 40 years. The new capital and debt costs have been incorporated into the analysis.
In order for the City to absorb these costs with the recommended rates unchanged, the City must delay all other capital projects by 1 year."

WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?
IF YOU ARE A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF YELM, YOU ARE PAYING FOR THE GOLF COURSE WELL DEBT THE CITY TOOK ON WHEN THURSTON HIGHLANDS DEVELOPERS (AND GOLF COURSE OWNERS) TRANSFERRED THEIR WATER RIGHTS TO THE CITY.

THIS SAYS IT ALL,
"The Golf Course Well project, previously assumed to be fully developer-constructed and then turned over to the City, is now required to be 100 percent City-funded. The Golf Course Well project total cost is estimated to be $1.6 million."

Remember, as reported here last month: Thurston Highlands developers are in default and owe the City of Yelm taxpayers multi-hundreds of thousands of dollars!
And now this additional $1.6 million debt, too!
And you are going to put back in office those running unopposed for re-election to City seats!?
Mayor Ron Harding and Council Members Bob Isom, Mike McGowan, and Russ Hendrickson; who permitted this debt on their watch?

And from the same page of the Water System Plan:
"During the financial analysis process, the City requested several additional financial scenarios incorporating assumptions for a new MPC [Master Planned Community]. The scenarios assumed additional growth of new customers, with additional operating and capital costs that were in addition to the capital improvement projects [CIP] listed in the previous sections. Not including annual system reinvestment project costs, the MPC-related CIP was approximately $20.65 million in 2009 dollars ($25.36 million escalated) for 2009 through 2015, and $21.96 million ($46.18 million escalated) for 2016 through 2028, for a combined 20-year CIP of $42.61 million ($71.54 escalated)."

$71.54 million for the MPC [Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community] CIP (capital improvement projects).
Oh, gee, how nice the city is looking to finance capital improvement projects for "a new MPC" after the 6-year planning period (see new debt service growth in 2015).

FOLKS, YOU ARE GETTING SOAKED HERE, AND BEHIND YOUR BACKS WHILE YOU WEREN'T LOOKING - PUN INTENDED.
THIS IS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, OUR CITY'S OFFICIALS!

THIS IS YOUR CITY FOLKS!
WHY THERE ISN'T A PROTEST MARCH ON YELM CITY HALL IS BEYOND ME!
WHERE ARE THE TWO NEW COUNCIL CANDIDATES' VOICES;
WHERE DO COUNCIL CANDIDATES JENNIFER LITTLEFIELD & TRACEY WOOD STAND ON THIS ISSUE?
NEITHER OF THEM HAS RETURNED MY E-MAIL REQUESTS OR PHONE CALLS!

HOW LONG IS SILENCE GOING TO BE THE MANTRA HERE?
HOW LONG WILL THIS ALL BE IGNORED BY THE NISQUALLY VALLEY NEWS?
[Ed. Note: After all, this newspaper is the first to publish front-page reports and editorials on their perceptions of malfeasance by the Cities of Rainier & Roy. Why does the City of Yelm get a bye?
And, the NVN's publisher/editor has said several times in his Op-Eds he no longer resides in Yelm, therefore is not affected by city policies at his new residence? HMMM!]

HOW LONG BEFORE THE CITY OF YELM PROPERTY OWNERS WAKE UP TO BEING FLEECED?
THEY WILL SOON SEE THEIR TAX AND WATER BILLS RATE HIKES!
THEN WHAT?
IT'S TOO LATE!

Yelm City's Water Ad in NVN is to sell the public on the water rate Increase, however conveniently left out anything about the debt servicing, mentioned by Ms. Ray last week!

Rainier's Charles Pryor is seeking clean styrofoam from which he makes art.

Charles tells the Yelm Community Blog he likes square shapes, flat sheets and in the colors white or pink.

Call Charles instead of tossing your styrofoam in the rubbish bin.

Charles Pryor
446-7613
e-mail: craig_pryor2002@yahoo.com

TELL MR. PRYOR YOU HEARD ABOUT HIS STYRO RECYCLING ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

For the first time ever in the over 5 years I have been attending official city meetings, did I witness an active public exchange with officials.
Planning Commission Chair Terry Kaminski skillfully conducted a Public Hearing on the "2009 Transportation Plan Update to include updates to two maps. The 20 year transportation map, and the trail and bike map. The transportation map includes projects planned over the next 20 years. The new map shows reconstructions, new connections and other projects planned. Adoption will bring the transportation project map up to date making use of the latest available information," quoting the City's website.

Almost a dozen property owners and residents along 93rd Ave. SE in Yelm spoke protesting the Y1 connector from Thurston Highlands and Tahoma Terra onto 93rd Ave., saying among other things:
- 93rd is a county road. Who is going to pay for road improvements to 93rd when the county cannot?
- 93rd should not be used as an entrance/egress for Thurston Highlands & Tahoma Terra
- why is this road even on the map when the city has a water lawsuit against it (the city has appealed) and there may not be full build-out in Tahoma Terra? Until we know the results, why is this on here?

In response to questions from the Commission about the Y1, including one from Commissioner Glen Cunningham asking how long the Y1 has been there, he'd never seen it, Tami Merriman responded that this allows for traffic movement from Tahoma Terra & Thurston Highlands. Mr. Cunningham was told by Dir. Beck the Y1 had been there since 1994. While true, Mr. Beck failed to mention that the Y1 was originally further west of the present location on the map.
I responded to Ms. Merriman's assertions that the Y1 will ease traffic for Thurston Highlands & Tahoma Terra by reminding everyone that Tahoma Blvd., Longmire, Mosman, and Tahoma Blvd. eventually exiting on SR 507 were the only ways these two developments proposed to mitigate their traffic and that was already approved by the city. They can't come back now and say this is for Thurston Highlands & Tahoma Terra!

However, for the very first time, I felt the citizens were listened to by most of the Planning Commission.

There was a motion put forward to remove the Y1 from the map that was seconded. However, in discussion, most on the Commission said the road should be on a 20 year plan as a potential. Finally, a motion passed, with two voting against, to leave the Y1 on the map yet send a note to the Yelm City Council to do more study before this road is placed on any STIP (6 year plan).
I am certain these same residents will be in City Council when this issue comes up in late July to add further comment, however the Yelm City Council has a history of not listening to the public and there will be no further discussion there of any merit, nor any consideration of public input. This will pass by the Council as is, slam dunk!

One comment of note by a Planning Commission Member was this from Glen Nutter,
"Leaving the Y1 in the 20 year plan makes sense only if the Highlands is developed."

Other key points presented:
- Community Development Beck said this map represents models and his dept. would have to rerun the models.
25 year environmental planner & Yelm resident Bill Hashim reminded the Commission that rerunning the models is a simple task, requiring a few funds, however the models are only as good as the numbers you put into them.
- Mr. Hashim reminded the Commission that Council Member Bob Isom said he would not listen to any concerns of RSE students who lived outside of city limits. Mr. Hashim said this map represents alot of Urban Growth Areas (UGA) outside the city that must be considered, regardless of Isom's ridiculous remark.
- Beck was asked about Mr. Klein's comments that the Bypass is to be split into two phases and Phase Two funding won't even be taken up by the State Legislature until the 2021-2023 biennium. Mr. Beck responded that the city would be seeking federal funding and going to the legislature in 2 years to request Phase 2 Bypass funding.
My, of my, Mr. Beck - that answer would lead one to think the city is in the running for Phase 2 funding when that is far from the case. There are no funding discussions on the horizon for at least 12 years!
- Tami Merriman responded to questions about Mr. Klein's comments that a Phase One Bypass would terminate at Cullens Rd., where there is no traffic light at Yelm Ave to handle the traffic. Ms. Merriman stated there could be no light there as it is too close to Longmire. Mr. Beck said most of the traffic would use Killion anyway.
Mr. Klein stated that Killion & Cullens were not engineered and designed to handle truck and heavy traffic - that Killion goes through a residential neighborhood with children and senior assisted-living housing area & Cullens is an unimproved 2-lane street.
- Of note brought up by Australian transplant Pam Paiz about using roundabouts in Yelm, which help to keep traffic moving. Ms. Merriman stated there would be two on the Bypass and that there may be one or two in the city soon.

Bottom Line: Kudos to Mrs. Kaminski for her handling of this 70+ minute meeting and allowing the public to exchange with the Commission, heretofore unprecedented! And, hats off to JW Foster and John Thomson for being able to see through all of the issues raised and asking key questions. In being thoroughly aware of all of the parameters, these two voted against keeping the Y1 in the plan and brought forth several well-balanced statements demonstrating they were well-versed on the issues.
This was a refreshing change that was noted by the public!

Yelm Council Member Bob Isom announced to the Council & public at the June 9th Council Meeting that as the city's representative on TRPC [Thurston Regional Planning Council], he reported that contracts for Phase One of the Yelm Bypass will be let in October, 2009.

And this appeared on city's website under Permits, then Recent Permits Lists:
Project Value: $0.00
Date Received: 06/03/2009
Review Status: ACTIVE
Applicant: Washington State Dept of Transport Parcel Number:
Site Address: 510 Yelm Loop
Lot:
Building Size:
Project SR 510 Yelm Loop

So, again I wrote WSDOT Bypass Manager Dennis Engel this question,
"Did WSDOT split the Yelm Bypass into 2 phases and move the $11 million r-o-w & engineering funding allocated from the State Legislature to construction funding for a Phase 1 construction start?

Mr. Engel's response,
"We are in the process of having the $11 million allocated to the construction phase of the project. We are still working towards an October 2009 advertisement date of a construction contract to build stage 1 of the Yelm Loop project as Councilman Isom reported."

What Isom and Engel are saying are two very different things.
Isom said "contracts for Phase One of the Yelm Bypass will be let in October, 2009."
Engel has repeatedly stated, "We are in the process of having the $11 million allocated to the construction phase of the project," which means that has NOT been done.

WSDOT may be ready with the funding by October, 2009, and may not.
Why Isom, Mayor Harding and others keep saying it's a done deal is beyond me.

I told the Yelm Planning Commission along with Community Development Director Beck and Associate Planner Tami Merriman last night at the Planning Commission meeting that the correct facts on this were not being given to the public by city officials.

How will all of know when WSDOT has split the Bypass into two phases and moved the funds to Phase 1 for construction?
Simple: When we see this line on the WSDOT Yelm Loop webpage "Unfunded Amount Remaining - $56,059,900" changed to FUNDED!

EVERYTHING ELSE IS WINDOW DRESSING!

Do you love shopping at your local farmers market? Is your market the best farmers market in the country?

If you find your local farmers market to be a great source of fresh and locally grown foods, participate in America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest and let the world know why you love your local market!

Farmers markets are an asset to our communities and deserve our support. You can help your favorite farmers market gain the recognition it deserves and ensure that it and others like it continue to thrive. How can you help? Start by casting your vote.

Step One: Find Your Farmers Market

Enter your market's city and state or ZIP code, and zoom in on the map until you find your market (each orange barn and silo pin is a market). Once you find and click on your favorite farmers market, click the vote button to continue!

Basic Survival Systems or help with Simple Repairs

My name is Allan Arzt and I have been around Yelm since 1989. I have over 40 years experience in many aspects of designing and installing water and gas systems for industry as well as farm and residential. I grew up in my family’s business: appliances and mechanical services.

At this time Yelm Refrigeration is my business name that I have used since 1996.
We are licensed for electrical and mechanical work.

I am an ASHRAE applications engineer and would be happy to help anyone with a BASIC SURVIVAL SYSTEM for the days to come:
water storage tanks and NON-ELECTRIC APPLIANCES that use propane.

What is going to happen is that once we are at a certain point we can then use ALL OF THIS APPARATUS with HYDROGEN FUEL. Hydrogen fuel is the result of 2 volts D.C. applied to water to break the covalent bond of Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms sharing electron orbits.

I am happy to talk to you about installing a system that you use everyday and it works when you need it the most.

Allan Arzt—360-894-0810

1. CITY OF YELM PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY ON TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
Public Hearing - 2009 Transportation Plan Update
"Comprehensive Plan Update:
The City of Yelm is updating its Comprehensive Plan this year to include updates to two maps. The 20 year transportation map, and the trail and bike map. The transportation map includes projects planned over the next 20 years. The new map shows reconstructions, new connections and other projects planned. Adoption will bring the transportation project map up to date making use of the latest available information. The trail and bicycle map is proposed to be updated to reflect the recent completion of the rail trail to the Yelm City limit line. The proposal is to delete the existing maps and add the new maps. The Yelm Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Yelm Public Safety Building to receive public comment on the maps," quoting the city's website.
[Ed. Note: my, how convenient for the public -- during the evening rush-hour and the start of most people's dinner hour! This timing demonstrates the city is not really interested in public input.]

2. THURSTON GREEN BUSINESS WORKSHOP JUNE 17TH
Thurston Green Business is a recognition program involving the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and several local partners to highlight Thurston County businesses for their environmentally-friendly practices. Participating businesses receive designation stickers to display, and outstanding efforts are recognized with special annual awards.
As part of the program, a series of workshops is being offered to assist area businesses in their conservation efforts. One workshop left in June. Workshops are free of charge but registration is required.

June 17
7:30-9am
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department
412 Lilly Rd. NE

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Or call 360-357-3362
Waste Management and Reduction
Presented by Thurston County Solid Waste and LeMay Enterprises, Come learn how easy it is to save money while protecting the environment with cost effective recycling services, waste reduction strategies and local assistance.

Thurston Green Business is a Partnership Program between the Thurston County Chamber, the City of Lacey, the City of Olympia and Thurston County. Program sponsors include Puget Sound Energy, Le May, Intercity Transit, LOTT Alliance, and Olympia Federal Savings. For more information, visit thurstonchamber.com/green or call (360) 357-3362.

3. JUNE COFFEE WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA ROMERO JUNE 22ND
"You’re invited to coffee with County Commissioner Sandra Romero
This month’s coffee will focus on the county’s response to public
health emergencies with special guest Public Health and Social Services
Director, Sherri McDonald

Join us Monday, June 22nd
10am - 11am
Blue Bottle Café
309 E Yelm Ave., Yelm

If you have any questions contact:
Lisa Paribello at 360-786-5747 or paribel@co.thurston.wa.us, quoting the e-mailer.

4. SOUTHEAST THURSTON REGIONAL FIRE PLAN
City of Yelm voters will see Proposition 1 on the August 18, 2009 ballot and decide whether to approve a Regional Fire Authority. Click the link to see the Plan.

SouthEast Thurston Regional Fire Plan FAQ Sheet
Click the link to see the Frequently Asked Questions," quoting the city's website.

FROM DUNGENESS VALLEY CREAMERY:
My family is celebrating it's third year of raw milk sales here at the Dungeness Valley Creamery! Whether you have never explored our farm or you are a weekly customer, all are welcome to come share in the festivities.

The bridge [Hood Canal Bridge] is open so it's a great time for our east side supporters to come on over!

The celebration will occur from 10:00am-4:00pm this Saturday the 13th.

Attractions include....

Hay Rides-Free and fun for all ages!
Petting zoo by Lamb Chops 4-H club
Cheese samplings
Butter Making demonstrations-audience participation
needed!
Pet baby calves-God has blessed us with oodles of heifers this year!
Tour milking parlor
See our new bottle filler in action!

Visit with the farmers and employees to learn more about us and where your milk comes from. We feel that knowing and trusting your farmer is more important than any label or certification you can get. Our customers are always welcome to the farm to see how the animals are cared for.

Thank you for your interest and support of local hard working families! I hope you can come out and have a good time with us.

Many thanks!
Sarah McCarthey

Dungeness Valley Creamery
1915 Towne Rd.
Sequim, WA 98382
360/683-0716

DUNGENESS VALLEY CREAMERY PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YELM FOOD CO-OP!

I sent this letter to the Nisqually Valley News in response to their inaccuracies in reporting what I said at Tuesday's City Council Meeting.
CLICK HERE for my letter read to the Council.

Dear Megan,

I am writing you to say that your story about what I stated in the Yelm City Council Meeting Public Hearing on the Water Plan is NOT correct, nor is Stephanie Ray's [Yelm City Staff] response correct, where you said:
"...Steve Klein... questioned why the council was approving increases the public was not informed about.

Ray responded that the city held three open houses, posted the information on the city's Web site and sent out mailers to all water customers.

Mayor Ron Harding added that he personally doorbelled 150 homes to discuss the rate increases."
[Ed. Note: How can the Mayor doorbell when the Water System Plan was not made public? How can he look his constituents in the face to sell them on something that had not been finalized? HMMM!]

The previous 2002 Water System Plan was a 227 page document.
Click Here to see for yourself.

The Water System Plan Plan is an engineering, legal document.
Mrs. Ray cannot say that a 30 page PowerPoint Slide Presentation on the city's website and presented at the open houses [March, 2009] is THE document on the 2009 Water System Plan, when it is not!
That was nothing more than some slides thrown together for public consumption.

If you read my letter correctly that I presented to the city on-record and sent to you, I stated and I quote (attached),
"Why are you adopting rate increases to pay for water system improvements that have not been reviewed by the public nor approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Ecology as part of the required update to the Water System Plan? The Water System Plan update should be done first then the Council can consider and implement appropriate rate changes that are consistent with an approved update to the Water System Plan. Why are there Water System Plan decisions without public review?"

Since Mayor Harding would not let me respond to Mrs. Ray's ridiculous answer, I remind you & Mr. Harding that what I was requesting was for the public to see the 2008 (now late, so 2009) Water System Plan.

Interestingly, the City's Water System Plan just "showed-up" on the city's website today [June 12] with a June date, yet under the March 23rd headline link
Draft Water System Plan Released

as if no one would notice and the city acting like the Plan has been there since March, when they know they just posted it.
IF Mrs. Ray was correct, then this Water System Plan would have been available for the public open houses and dated March, 2009, instead of saying
"Draft Water System Plan - June 2009"

I find interesting that ONLY since my comments Tuesday night, does the public finally have access to Draft Water System Plan Released and dated March 23, 2009 out on the website now, yet was published in June, 2009!
[Ed. Note: Normally, when something is placed on the city's website, the exact date of loading the item is placed there, too. However, not in the case of 2009 Water System Plan example! WHY NOT?]

This is grand the Water System Plan is now made public, though after the Public Hearing on the Water Rate Increase & City Council voted in a July 1st water rate increase!.
This is VERY disingenuous on how/when the plan was released and just another demonstration of the lack of candor from City Hall with their constituents!

HOW LONG DOES THIS CHARADE CONTINUE HERE?

UPDATE: June 19th, 2009
Mrs. Ray said in the City Council Meeting June 9th according to the Minutes, "...the public has had an opportunity to review the rate increase as part of the Water System Plan online and at a series of three Open Houses meetings..."

However, City officials all knew the Water System Plan was not available online until June (it's even dated as such by the city's engineering firm, even though the city still chooses to post the Plan under a March 23, 2009 posting date) and access via the website was not working, even requiring several people to notify the city to get their Plan working online and access made available to the public. That finally happened on June 12th.
The Open Houses all happened in early Spring without the Draft Water System Plan being available to the public as the Plan was not actually publicly available until June.

The Thurston Highlands auction rescheduled for today at 10am has been postponed until August 7th. HMMM!

The NVN said,
"Thurston Highlands note was purchased by an unknown investment group and the company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, halting foreclosure proceedings.

'It puts the LLC into the position where it stops the foreclosure process,' said developer Steve Chamberlain. 'It’s a means in which to get time to work things out.' ...

The property was going up for auction June 5 because the developers owe more than $12 million after its primary lender, Frontier Bank, couldn’t extend the loan...

The auction was postponed until June 12, but a private investment group purchased the note from Frontier.

Chamberlain said he does not know who purchased the note, but is trying to find out himself.

In the meantime, Chamberlain is working on a long-term financial plan and expects to have a plan in place within the next several months.

That plan includes paying existing debts and working to get out of foreclosure.

The developers still owe the City of Yelm $121,500 for planning services associated with the master planned community.

City Administrator Shelly Badger said the city won’t process any applications for the project until the debt is paid."

UPDATE: From The Olympian of Monday, June 15th.

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding and Council Member Bob Isom's actions in recent days have turned especially aggressive towards the public they were sworn to serve.
I can imagine they are gearing-up for unopposed runs at their seats again in 2009, and given that they have demonstrated the previous 4 years that there will be no Town Hall Meetings nor interactions with the public on official business unless in Council Chambers, where they control and cut-off dialogue with the public, looks like we can expect increasing belligerence from the City Council for four more years.
Of course, the people of Yelm do not engage city officials on matters where the Council affects their lives, so the public is getting what they want.

Mayor Ron Harding
The Yelm Community Blog received this e-mail from a reader in last week,
"Mayor Harding was interviewed on TCTV and at the end said that anyone can meet and talk with him directly about any community concerns...and he mentioned water, transportation, and a couple of other issues we face in our community and how hard he and coucil (sic) are working to meet and satisfy community members needs and what a difficult job it is to do that....given all the considerations and sides...he appeared so NICE...AND OPEN-MINDED. ....sooo maybe someone should interview him from another position and film it and put it on TCTV (all of the issues Yelm has on their plate: a Water Plan, Transportation, an MDNS, a lawsuit the City has on appeal, etc.)."

In the spirit of this interview AND the contemptuous letter of Council member Bob Isom in the newspaper last week, I wrote Mr. Harding and said,
"I am writing to request a meeting with you at your earliest possible convenience to discuss the deteriorating situation amongst factions in our town.

Mayor Pro-tem Bob Isom's incendiary letter in today's (June 5) Nisqually Valley News has the potential to inflame the Yelm area community in dividing the energies of the talented people we call our neighbors, as we begin a 2009 election campaign this filing week...

Mr. Harding, I am requesting a meeting with you at your earliest possible convenience to discuss this and the potential for irreparable harm to our community that could ensue if we all do not work together to stop it...

...the divisions here are clearly lining up for escalating tensions that perhaps a face to face conversation to discuss our differences can do something to avert. "

Of course, there has been no response nor did Mayor Harding say anything to me prior to the Council Meeting Tuesday evening. His silence is his answer!
In a Public Hearing where only I and one other spoke, Mayor Harding would not permit me to respond or ask questions of Staff's answer to my comments. So, I have written Staff for an answer and will publish here in-full. This was a public hearing where there is supposed to be open dialogue. Two people's comments under 3 minutes each are not like alot of time was being taken up in the Hearing!

Council Member Bob Isom
Regarding Council Member Bob Isom's Letter in the NVN,
My wife & I penned this letter together & sent to NVN Editor/Publisher Graves:
"Council Member Isom's letter was really nothing more than a reaction to an ad revealing facts the city has been hiding from the public they swore to serve. And perhaps he is attempting to distract the public from focusing on a massive Council-imposed water rate increase on Yelm property owners prior to the city’s Water System Plan being made public or approved by the DOE.

As a City Council Member, Isom took an Oath of Office affirming,
"I do solemnly swear … that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of City Council Member of the City of Yelm, to the best of my ability."

Mr. Isom's comment "to disregard JZ Knight, Ramtha and any of the so-called students who do not live within the city limits when they attempt to influence decisions of the city council" demonstrates his pronouncement he cannot be fair and open-minded in making decisions as a Council Member.
We are students of Ramtha’s School, own a home within the City of Yelm and several parcels and a home in which we reside outside of city limits. On all of our properties, we pay taxes that go to City of Yelm fixtures like Yelm Schools, Yelm Timberland Library and Yelm’s Cemetery. Mr. Isom is stating that he will not listen objectively when we have matters before the Council.

That runs contrary to his sworn oath.

Placing this contemptible statement from a sworn public official in context '…needed to be said!'"

LOOKS LIKE WITH NO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH ANYONE THAT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL AND ONLY ONE OPEN COUNCIL SEAT WITH ANY OPPOSING CANDIDATES FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR ISSUES, THE NEXT 4 YEARS ARE HEADED TO BE EVEN MORE CONTENTIOUS IN YELM !

THIS IS VERY SAD FOR THIS COMMUNITY!

Last night at the Yelm City Council Meeting, there was a Public Hearing on Yelm's Ordinance 905, a Water Rate Increase. I and one other person were the only two giving comments. Here is what I wrote:

June 9, 2009

You on the City Council will be asked to implement a water rate increase based on what the Staff Report describes as the City’s work on an updated Water System Plan, a draft of which the public has never seen (the old one expired in September, 2008).

Why are you adopting rate increases to pay for water system improvements that have not been reviewed by the public nor approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Ecology as part of the required update to the Water System Plan? The Water System Plan update should be done first then the Council can consider and implement appropriate rate changes that are consistent with an approved update to the Water System Plan. Why are there Water System Plan decisions without public review? If there is NO approved Water System Plan to implement, then for what do you want the money from a rate increase you are to vote in tonight? The Water System Plan is the guide to any rate increases and the city has none! How does the public know what the Plan is for the next 6 years, 10 years, etc. This is just another example of the City making decisions on information that the public and perhaps you have not seen.

Additionally, DOE Mike Gallagher’s wrote a response to my comments on Yelm’s MDNS and stated,
"Ecology’s Water Resources Program has not yet approved the City of Yelm’s mitigation plans. Therefore, the final mitigation requirements in the water right permit decisions might be different from what is described in this Mitigated Determination of Non Significance document."

Though I reside outside of city limits, I own a home within the City of Yelm and am a city water rate payer.

Therefore, I am lodging an objection to the water rate increase and specifically request that you postpone your decision on Ordinance 905 until the public has seen the draft of the Water System Plan and the Update is completed and approved by DOE.

Response from City:
Mayor Harding directed the response from Staff and Stephanie Ray answered as follows:

What Mr. Klein raised has already been addressed in Open Houses and the public has had ample opportunity to comment on the Water Rate Increase.
The purpose of the Water Rate increase is to meet debt service obligations and will be solely used to keep Fund 401 in-status.
Council Member John Thompson asked what Fund 401 was.
Mrs. Ray said this is an operational and maintenance fund.
She said the City Council can raise rates for operations as they see fit and the last time there was a water rate increase was in 2003. She added that there is a need to raise rates to keep up with operational costs.
Mrs. Ray added that residents are still paying less than a penny a gallon.

There was a question about the MDNS from Council and City Staff said that is comparing apples to oranges and the MDNS is not the issue tonight.

Council member Don Miller asked how Yelm's water rates compare to other communities.
Mrs. Ray answered that Yelm is not in the lower tier nor the higher tier.
The rate depends on a city's capital project needs. She added this is a reasonable cost for Yelm.

I asked to rebut and Mayor Harding said NO!

The Council adjourned to Executive Session away from the public and they announced the issue was to discuss the city's Real Estate acquisition.
[Ed. Note: I couldn't help but think with Thurston Highlands' default being postponed from last Friday to this Friday, that the city is involved in somehow saving Bloom/Chamberlain's Highlands.
Forgive me for these thoughts. However, the city's past actions just lead to that as a potential.
Stay tuned!]

Ordinance 905 Water Rate Increase passed unanimously!
Slam dunk.

The one bit of fresh air at the Council meeting was the introduction of Tracy Wood, who announced he is running for City Council, Position 5 (Council Member Pat Fetterly's seat). Mr. Wood was interviewed by the NVN and I will be following up with an interview here, as well.

Jennifer Banach-Stein is 2009 Yelm High School Valedictorian

Jennifer Lynn Banach-Stein is Yelm High School’s 2009 class Valedictorian, with the highest grade possible over four years, 4.0 - straight A’s. Out of a class of 343, only one other student ascended to her lofty status, Niguel Quiroz. She is now a member of the prestigious National Honor Society. Jennifer is a former Children’s School of Excellence (CSE) student in Rainier.

Following in the tradition of her musical family, she was also a versatile band member all this time, playing alto and tenor sax, and her specialty, the temperamentally demanding French horn.

She also completed the New Market Skills Center Professional Medical Careers class. Here she job-shadowed at St. Pete's hospital and worked as a student at Olympia Manor and the Capital Medical Center. She passed the state test at the end of the year and is now a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Jennifer plans to continue her studies in pre-medicine this fall at Pacific Lutheran University. For relaxation she enjoys video games and Frisbee.

Her mother, Carol Ann Banach, graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, was the Children’s School of Excellence’s first music director. Her grandparents, Mary and Rev. Dr. Richard Banach, retired United Methodist Minister, are Rainier residents & long time (1983) students at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment in Yelm.

From the:
Legal Notices section, printed on page C9 in the 29-May-2009 issue,
Legal No. NVN-7816:

"City of Yelm/Public Hearing/Water Rates Increase
The City of Yelm has scheduled a Public Hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Water Rate Increase to Residential, Commercial and Irrigation accounts. The meeting will take place on June 9, 2009 at the Public Safety Building, 206 McKenzie Ave at 7:00 pm.

For additional information, please contact Janine Schnepf, 360-458-8402."

CLICK HERE for the City of Yelm Water System Plan and massive proposed rate increases (which will be official after the Council's vote tomorrow night).

CLICK HERE for the Staff Report on the Water Rate Increase.

Not only will the City Council vote to approve the Water System Plan rate increases tomorrow night covering the next 6 years, more rate increases beyond that are in-store, quoting the city's Staff Report:
"In the early fall of 2009, staff will be coming forward with the proposal for the remaining rate increases that will cover the next six year planning period, as well as proposed increases to the system development charges allocated to new construction."

THIS IS CITY OF YELM PROPERTY OWNER'S LAST CHANCE TO MAKE ANY COMMENT ON THE HUGE WATER RATE INCREASES THE CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE IN DIRECTLY AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING!

IN OTHER CITIES, THERE WOULD BE MARCHES AND PROTESTS ABOUT THESE TYPE OF ISSUES.
NOT YELM!
At some City Council meetings, a Yelm Police Officer is seen in the back of the room standing tall, as if cued to expect some kind of ruckus. When none materializes, the officer leaves prior to the end of the meeting. The only ruckus is the belligerence of some Council members towards the few, handful of citizens that have the courage to speak.
THE CITIZENRY OF THE CITY OF YELM DO NOTHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT, AND JUST CONTINUE TO GET KICKED IN THE STOMACH!


ONE DAY SOON, THEY WILL WAKE UP TO TRIPLE OR GREATER WATER RATE INCREASES ON THEIR MONTHLY BILL AND WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED. THEN IS TOO LATE!

"IT HAS TO BE SAID."

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

Rep. Tom Campbell officially kicked-off his campaign for the 9th District's Congressional seat, which is up for election in 2010. The kick-off was held at Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup Friday evening, June 5th and was attended by almost 100 people, strong supporters of Rep. Campbell's bid to serve our district in Washington, D. C.. The evening included complimentary hors d'oerves, drinks, silent auction, prizes, entertainment and music. And, of course, the opportunity to show support for Tom by making a donation or pledge!

The highlight of the festivities included a kick-off speech by Rep. Campbell that clearly demonstrated his love, passion and enthusiasm for public service. Calling himself a proud military man who served his country, he said that actions and deeds are everything to him, and not touting the Party line (Rep. Campbell is a registered Republican). Campbell said he votes his mind using strict moral principles as his guide. Campbell stated that his word means everything to him and when he gives his word to his constituents, they can expect him to do everything within his ability to deliver, as he has aptly proven since his public service began in 1993.

While Rep. Campbell said he would miss the district when elected, he feels the time is right to take his talents East to represent us in the U. S. Capitol. Campbell said he honors and respects the Constitution and he is ready to defend this document's values against those in the Federal government that have lost sight of their oath to support the precepts laid down by wise people several hundred years ago. That comment brought the collective to a thunderous, standing ovation.
Rep. Campbell and his wife Lynn radiated joy and wonder on what they are about to embark.

A cross-section of the district was in attendance, including Democratic Party Precinct Committee Officers from Yelm and Rainier out in force supporting Campbell's kick-off. The glaring absence were any officials from the City of Yelm. After all, Rep. Campbell's efforts have been key in the State Legislature funding Yelm's Bypass. Without his persistence, influence and efforts, there would be no Bypass funding. This writer was quite surprised that not one City of Yelm official was there to lend support to Rep. Campbell's Congressional bid.

THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG WISHES REP. CAMPBELL AND HIS WIFE LYNN WELL IN THEIR ENDEAVORS SEEKING OUR DISTRICT'S CONGRESSIONAL SEAT!

Yelm-area Democratic Precinct Committee Officers Jackie Reid & JeanMarie Christenson with Rep. Campbell & Yelm Co-op Manager Florence Vincent

UPDATE: This from The Olympian of Monday, June 15th.

Photo courtesy of Guustaaf Damave Photography

Prairie Days Parade sign-up closes this Monday
Get your sign-up form for the Yelm Prairie Days Parade:
CLICK HERE.

Thursday, June 25 - Prairie Days' Parade Lineup at 6:00pm
Parade starts at 7:00pm
2009 Parade Theme – Prairie Pride
'Stars & Stripes Across the Prairie'
Sponsored by: Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce

Mayor Harding called this Yelm's "... signature celebration of the year"

Scott Mills, Yelm Chamber's Parade Days organizer told the Yelm Community Blog,
"I would like to see the community set a record for parade entries and vendor booth attendance."

The Thurston Highlands auction scheduled for today at 10am has been postponed until Friday, June 12th. HMMM!

UPDATE: This from The Olympian on June 8th.

MAYOR PRO-TEM BOB ISOM

I expected a major backlash after I went public with the Thurston Highlands default records and then JZ Knight's ad on the city's Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) about the water plan. Now we have a City Council member lashing out, along with a supporter of Pastor Jeff Adams in today's NVN.

Let's examine Mayor Pro-tem Bob Isom's Letter to the Editor published today in the NVN piece by piece [Isom's letter remarks in BOLD.]:

"Who is JZ Knight?...
What about Ramtha?
[Mr. Isom, JZ Knight and Ramtha operate a School that brings thousands of people to the Yelm area annually & pumps millions of dollars into the economy here, even in this economic downturn. Many talented people from all walks of life have moved here and brought their passion, knowledge and experience to make Yelm a better place. As an elected city official for so many years, hasn't the time come for you to educate yourself and not portray your ignorance to even ask such a question?]

Have you ever tried to contact her?
What about Ramtha?
[contact information is on the Ramtha & JZ Knight websites.
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, a division of JZK, Inc.
JZK, Inc.,
14507 Yelm Hwy. SE,
Yelm, WA 98597
360-458-5201
Mr. Isom, how can you even ask such a question after being invited by Ms. Knight and attending one of the first Chamber After Hours at RSE, where Ms. Knight greeted every guest?]

Every member of the Yelm City Council is listed in the phone book.
Is she and/or Ramtha?
[Frankly, Mr. Isom, YES!
Quoting Fairpoint Communications latest phone book of December, 2008
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment 360-458-5201
Mr. Isom, you are a publicly elected official, she is not. You, as a public citizen, should make yourself available to the public. A private citizen is not expected to do so.]...

We've all seen the paid ads about her students spending millions of dollars in the city.
The city records are open for public inspection.
Are hers?
[Mr. Isom, hers is a private company; the city you represent is a public domain and required by law to provide public records.
However, YES, even though hers is a private company, JZ Knight's ads about student spending locally state that all records are available for review upon request.
No request has ever been received from you to date.
Are Mr. Isom's private records open for public review?
Of course not!]

Her ad in the newspaper is the final straw.
No basis in fact and unfounded accusations.
[All of the information was taken from City of Yelm documents and are supported by facts from legal counsel. Mr. Isom never explained in his letter what his "beef" was with the ad.]

Do the citizens of Yelm know what any of her minions are costing you, as taxpayers, in public records requests for documents?
[The city is supposed to provide those by law on request. The public pays the city's required fees for documents, CDs & DVDs, which go directly to city coffers. Unfortunately, the City of Yelm has chosen to make public documents difficult to obtain, which require additional staff time to answer Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Websters say this on minions, "a servile follower or subordinate of a person in power."
Ms. Knight has a talented staff and legal team. These fine people are not minions any more than the City's Staff are not minions to Mr. Isom and the City Council, rather than the committed public servants they are.]

I attended a court hearing regarding her latest suit against the city, as did several other city officials and employees.
Was she there? No.
[Ms. Knight's legal team and several of her staff were there along with Community Development Director Grant Beck, City Administrator Shelly Badger, and my wife and I. We all exchanged greetings during one of the recesses in the corridor. While Ms. Knight was not there, neither were you or the Mayor on that key day of testimony in Judge Wickham's Thurston County Superior Court!]

The title of the lawsuit is JZ Knight vs. the City of Yelm. As usual, she sent someone else to do her dirty work.
["Dirty work" is a very serious comment, Mr. Isom. Unfortunately, when the city does not respond to grievances and a citizen has no recourse but to take the city to Court IS really the dirty work. Interesting then that Thurston County Superior Court Judge Wickham sided with Ms. Knight in her case against the city.]

I have every right to disregard JZ Knight, Ramtha and any of the so-called students who do not live within the city limits when they attempt to influence decisions of the city council.
[Mr. Isom, you should know better than to say that because these are property owners and taxpaying citizens that spend money and support local businesses in the City of Yelm and are affected by decisions you and the City make, for they live in an affected area downstream of the city's aquifer. Does this mean you will also disregard non-students who do not live within the city limits and have issues with the city, many of them filing comments against the city's recent MDNS? How can you so blatantly dismiss all of these people when they look to city leaders for guidance? Would you say the same thing to Thurston County, the Nisqually Tribe who give the city quite a bit of money annually, or the Squaxin Island tribe who filed an appeal in the city's MDNS on the water plan, all whom do not reside in the Yelm City limits?
I think not!
Mr. Isom needs to be reminded of all of the tax receipts the city receives from property owners outside of the City that pay for Yelm Schools, Yelm Cemetery, and the Yelm Timberland Library, whether that property is owned by RSE students or not. So, Mr. Isom and the Council guide my tax dollars, even though I do not reside within Yelm city limits. I own property within Yelm, too. Taxation without representation is not the American way!
Isn't a public official's first role to protect the welfare of the citizens, ALL citizens? What about visitors to our city? These comments are strange for an elected official of a municipality that is an agent of the State, governed under the rules of the Revised Code of the State of Washington (RCW). His job is to represent all of us!
Is this not discrimination?
This has a potential for VERY serious repercussions for our area.]

I predict that I will be unmercifully attacked by either JZ/Ramtha and/or her followers because I have expressed these view, but so be it.
It needed to be said."
[No one will deny you your right to speak Mr. Isom, regardless of the fact that you have denied your own citizens that right in Council many times, even earning the City Council on which you sat the egregious Jefferson Muzzle Award. This, in addition to Mr. Isom's moratorium on moratoriums in response to a citizen's request.]

Looks like Mr. Isom will run unopposed for his City Council seat this Fall, so we can expect an additional four more years of Mr. Isom's current policies!

Does this have any meaning?
Or, is this just anther ploy to get people whipped up into another vortex on a diversionary course, like Mr. Isom has done previously?
CLICK HERE

The Thurston Highlands auction was postponed a week. HMMM!
What is going on behind the scenes that we don't know?

LET THE READER DISCERN FOR THEMSELVES WHAT TO MAKE OF MR. ISOM'S CLAIMS, ONCE THEY HAVE ALL OF THE FACTS!

"The National Weather Service in Seattle says the temperature hit 89 degrees at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday. The previous June 3 record of 87 was set in 1978. Records have been kept at Sea-Tac since 1945.

At the Olympia airport, the temperature also hit 89, tying the June 3 record set in 1978. Records have been kept there since 1948," quoting The Olympian.

From the McCrea Winery website:
The McCrea Cellars winery is located in a lovely country setting with a stunning view of Mt. Rainier. We're a half-hour from Olympia, the State capital, and benefit from being only about an hour south of Seattle, with its many fine restaurants, markets, and cultural riches. Our lush, green maritime zone has a moderate climate with warm summers and occasional winter snow.

Both our home and winery are located on a twenty-acre property, so our lifestyle resembles that of many European winemaking families. It's handy to simply walk a few hundred feet down the hill to the winery at any time necessary. Most of the property will remain untouched, however, we plan to plant a small vineyard on a rather steep, south-facing, rocky hillside below the facility.

The new winery, completed for the 2005 crush is the realization of many years planning. The facility consists of two buildings connected by a steel covering that functions as the crush pad. One is the barrel room, and the other is a larger dual building with one room primarily providing multi-purpose use while the other is the tank room and production area. Two huge, custom doors create a riveting entry into the main room. The winery appears sleek and modern and has already provided excellent efficiency, promoting total quality control over all aspects of winemaking, from grape to bottle.

Our wines are produced in a somewhat low-tech manner...

We believe that great wines are made in the vineyard - it's there the stage is set, driving the ultimate quality of the wine. We view ourselves as guardians of the grapes, mostly letting them tell us the course to take with very minimal intervention. Winemaking requires many critical decisions and considerable science, yet intuition plays a major role. The winemaker enhances the essence of the grapes, in a sense, a personal signature that cannot be replicated. Ultimately, a great amount of time must be spent in blending, constructing the wines for enhanced complexity, balance, texture, and profound fruit intensity. That's why we are McCrea!

Winery (tours by appointment only)
Doug McCrea
Winemaker, CoOwner
11515 Eagleview Lane
Rainier, WA 98576
360.446.8466
DougMcCrea@aol.com

TELL MCCREA CELLARS WINERY YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Regarding the City of Yelm's Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) on their water plan, almost 100 citizens wrote to the City criticizing the City’s MDNS and requested an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the City’s proposed applications for 3,200 acre-feet/year of new water rights.

This is an astounding public response in opposition to the City’s attempt to sneak through an environmental review of its water rights applications!

Quoting the NVN:
"The comment period on the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance ended May 15 and the appeal period ended May 22.

A total of 98 comments were received, 80 of them after JZ Knight placed an ad in the Nisqually Valley News and Shopper last week questioning the city’s water practices.

City officials said the ad relied on scare tactics to get residents concerned.

Knight’s representatives denied that...

Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck said he wasn’t surprised by the flood of comments or the fact that they were all pretty similar.

'They all read the ad,' Beck said. 'They didn’t appear to have read the MDNS.'

'I was disappointed people didn’t take time to understand what they’re commenting on.'

If the city went back and conducted an EIS they would just be hiring someone to produce the same technical reports they already did, he said.

In addition to the 98 public comments, the city received one agency comment from the state Department of Ecology and three appeals."

All of the comments came from a broad spectrum of the community, from property owners and taxpayers both within and outside of the City of Yelm.
See all of the comments here:
Click Here

Even the Department of Ecology (DOE) submitted a comment letter stating that the City’s water mitigation plan has not been approved by Ecology and that “different” mitigation might be required for Ecology’s approval of the proposed water rights.

Three appeals were filed challenging the MDNS: JZ Knight, the Squaxin Island tribe, and Sara Foster (“Yelm Aquifer Preservation Society”).

Not one comment letter was filed in support of the City’s MDNS – 100% of the comments from the general public opposed the MDNS and asked for a more thorough environmental review of the proposed new water rights.

Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck told the NVN, "If the city went back and conducted an EIS they would just be hiring someone to produce the same technical reports they already did, he said."

THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT MR. BECK.
THE CITY SHOULD HIRE AN INDEPENDENT FIRM TO PRODUCE THE TECHNICAL REPORTS.
ALL OF THE DATA THE CITY USES REFLECTS ONLY THE CITY'S OPINION.
THIS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE SINCE THE CITY OF YELM IS THE LEAD AGENCY ON THE MDNS AND NOT THE DEPT. OF ECOLOGY.
WITH THE CITY OF YELM AS LEAD AGENCY ON THE MDNS AND ALSO THE CITY OF YELM PRODUCING THEIR OWN TECHNICAL REPORT, THE COMMUNITY IS ENTITLED TO ALTERNATE, EXPERT INFORMATION ON A PROJECT THAT WILL AFFECT THE FUTURE OF SO MANY PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE DECADES AHEAD!

As the DOE pointed out in responses to those commenting,
"The water right application process, especially for large public water supplies, often takes several years. In fact, the city first submitted its water right applications for the "Southwest Yelm Wellfield" in January 1994.
Although the applications are before Ecology, we aren't in a position to make a decision in 2009.

We know that Yelm's proposal has the potential to impact streams in several area watersheds, including the Deschutes and Nisqually Rivers and McAllister and Woodland Creek drainages. As required by Ecology's water right
application process, the city submitted a mitigation plan (not to be confused with the SEPA process) in October 2008 to demonstrate how it will offset the anticipated impacts. It is Ecology's responsibility to determine
if this mitigation plan is adequate.

It's important to understand Ecology won't issue any water rights until it is satisfied the city will be mitigating potential impacts to the affected watersheds. Using information from the 2008 mitigation plan, previous water right applications from the area and our understanding of the hydrogeology, stream flows and existing water rights in the area, we will decide whether additional water rights can be issued to the city.

Ecology's Water Resources Program has not yet approved the City of Yelm's mitigation plans. Therefore, the final mitigation requirements in the water right permit decisions might be different from what is described in this
Mitigated Determination of Non Significance document."

STAY TUNED!
Is Yelm going to have to go to water rationing in Summer like the City of Lacey?
Click Here for Lacey's water rationing program.

Pastor Jeff Adams of Paramount Christian Church

Pastor Jeff Adams Letter to the Editor of the Nisqually Valley News on May 29th demonstrates he is up to his usual diatribe, spewing out his own brand of "truth" under the cloak of religion.

Let's take a look at his allegations, one by one!

"People are lying to you...
They don't come from reporters or other staff with the paper.
They don't come from government officials or representatives.
They don't come from community leaders....

most of them coming from a disgruntled former mayoral candidate..."

Bloom and Chamberlain (partners with Thurston Highlands, LLC) talked with us about a possible church campus in the Thurston Highlands area..."

To address Pastor Adams, all of the issues I have raised over the years on the Yelm Community Blog are supported by Public Documents, which I have placed on this site for all to see. Read for yourself from May 7, 2009 all related to the Thurston Highlands' default.
CLICK HERE
If there are any lies, Pastor Adams should address the City of Yelm and let the public know where these records are wrong!

Pastor Adams states:
"No matter how many times they lose in court, they still perpetuate the idea that laws are being broken and keep trying to instill a fear in people that our water is going to go away.
It's not true, but they created their own reality and want to convince us of it."

Pastor Adams obviously has an issue with the facts!
Judge Chris Wickham and the Asst Attorney General sided with JZ Knight in her lawsuit against the City of Yelm and the City appealed the case, not the other way around, as Pastor Adams states. Thurston County Superior Court sided with Ms. Knight!
Click Here for that story.

Pastor Adams states:
"People are lying to you...
They don't come from government officials or representatives.
They don't come from community leaders....
most of them coming from a disgruntled former mayoral candidate..."

Pastor Adams obviously has an issue with the facts!
Mayor Harding was the one that lied to the city as outlined in a letter read before the City Council in October, 2008.
Click Here for details.

Pastor Adams states:
"Meanwhile, the city of Yelm loses money with the cost of these appeals, and the progress of Yelm is halted by tactics of some who try to maintain a stranglehold on the town."

Pastor Adams obviously has an issue with the facts!
Thurston Country's Superior Court ruled against the city and the City of Yelm appealed the Court's ruling, inflicting their own expenses, not the other way around.
Click Here for details.

Pastor Adams states:
"Behind closed doors they rejoice over their claimed victory of stopping Thurston Highlands development. yet to the rest of us, they blame the city."

Pastor Adams obviously has an issue with the facts!
Thurston Highlands, LLC defaulted in September, 2008 from their own lack of foresight and a downturn in the economy. No one can claim responsibility for what went on over there but Thurston Highlands', LLC associates, period!

Ed. Note: Were I a parishioner of Pastor Adams, I would look him square in the face and ask him why he did not tell us that the proposed site for our new church in Yelm's Thurston Highlands was in jeopardy over 3/4 of a year ago when Thurston Highlands defaulted? And, he has been silent all of this time?
If he did not know, why not?
He should have known and only the Yelm Community Blog brought this to light on May 7th, 2009???

Pastor Adams states:
"I encourage you to examine the facts yourself before coming to any conclusion of truth. Don't be persuaded by people who have axes to grind and people to control...
More than likely, you're smarter than that."

Pastor Adams obviously has an issue with the facts!
Though on this, we can agree:
Read for yourself and discern the truth!

Bottom line:
Paramount Christian Church's webmaster John Owings own page on the Church's website states,
"The bible teaches us to be careful with our words: 'I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me' (Psalms 39:1).

Carelessness with with our tongue can be a very dangerous thing. It can be hurtful, and even harmful. God did not intend for our words to break people down, but to build them up: 'Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers' (Eph. 4:29)."

Pastor Adams is flailing because the light has been shined on the fact that his church's expansion as a faith-based choice to go into Thurston Highlands is in jeopardy with the Highlands default.

LET'S HOPE THESE CHURCH OFFICIALS ONE DAY PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH!
FOR IF THEY DID, ALL OF US WOULD REAP THE BENEFITS!

BO FOSTER
SIGNATURE SERVICE REAL ESTATE

Voted Best Agent 2006, 2007, 2008 in the “Best of the Nisqually”

"...Buy land. They've stopped making it." – Mark Twain

This quote is a favorite of Signature Service owner Bo Foster, and that statement summarizes her attitude towards real estate.
“Now is a great time to buy property. There are some amazing deals out there, with prices lower than we have seen for many years,” Bo told the Yelm Community Blog.

With an in-depth understanding of the unique criteria & needs of locals in the area or new to the area, as well as specializing in service to students from Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, Bo Foster has 20 years of local knowledge and experience you want working for you.
She is well known in the Nisqually Valley for her integrity, personal service, and commitment to matching people and places. She specializes in country properties, whether it be raw acreage, farms, small holdings or local businesses.

Bo spoke with the Yelm Community Blog from the wisdom of her almost 2 decades of service to our community.

“Don’t wait to catch the bottom of the market. Prices are already low and properties with good drainage, elevation, etc., are not all that common...even now. So if you see one, grab it!
Short term fluctuations in real property value may occur, as has happened recently.
However, when viewed as a long term investment, real property value has always increased.
Real Estate is a tangible asset, much like gold and silver.
Forget the insecurity and stress of short term speculation, which is best left to the extremely experienced and the lucky. There is no better long term and secure investment than Real Estate.

Most importantly, real estate has value beyond that of an investment. It’s a place to live and to prosper, no matter what is going on in the outside world. It’s a place to raise a family or retreat from the busy world, to plant a food garden or flowers. It’s where we put our feet, our faith, and our dreams for the future.”

Signature Service Real Estate
302 Binghampton Street W
PO Box 8
Rainier, WA 98576
Phone: (360) 446-4646
Toll-Free: (877) 446-4647
Email: info@signatureservice.com
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
Meet the Signature Service Team

TELL RAINIER'S SIGNATURE SERVICE YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!