December 2009 Archives

The Olympian has an excellent story in today's editions titled:
Decade in Review: Extraordinary Times

"If one theme unifies the top stories of the past decade, it's an unfortunate one: loss.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In one fell swoop, an entire nation lost its once-ironclad sense of security.

For many in South Sound, it would get worse; the region lost an icon and economic engine in the form of the Olympia Brewery; an Olympia woman, who posthumously became a local legend, lost her life while trying to block a bulldozer in the Gaza Strip, and many people lost their jobs or homes as the economy went south toward the end of the decade.

Following are some of the stories, photos and faces that defined a sometimes-painful decade.

No. 1: 9/11 attacks rattle nation, and Fort Lewis is heavily affected (2001)

No. 2: Nisqually earthquake hits; damage lingers for years (2001)

No. 3: Olympia Brewery closes; more than 400 lose jobs (2003)

No. 4: Local economy fluctuates, ends decade on sour note

No. 5: Razor-thin governor’s race stirs political passions (2004)

No. 6: Attempts to block convoys at port turn violent (2007)

No. 7: Rachel Corrie killed while trying to block bulldozer (2003)

No. 8: Mother Nature packs a punch with windstorms, flooding

No. 9: “Cowboy Mike” convicted of killing Lacey woman (2008)

No. 10: Olympia’s Linehan gets 99 years for murder plot (2007)."

WELCOMING VOLUNTEERS

"Become a volunteer at Yelm Food Coop. Our store has a dedicated volunteer staff performing a variety of functions, from customer service, cash register, pricing, restocking shelves, inventory, data entry, product pick-ups, to cleaning and store maintenance.

Volunteers receive 20% discount on all store items and discounts in bulk ordering through the Buy Club.

Become part of this growing store that serves the community with healthy choices for foods and natural products.

Visit the Coop and fill out a volunteer application.

The Yelm Food Coop is happy to announce the appointment of Sean Patrick Kelly for Store Manager.

With years of customer service and managerial experience, Sean is well known and highly regarded in the local community. Many are familiar with his easy manner and smiling face from Mountain Lumber, where he was the store manager for a number of years. Sean's familiarity with food products and business training makes him an ideal individual for the position.
The Coop has evolved from a small refrigerator to a thriving store. With the new manager, with Florence Vincent, the Coop's long term buyer of organic and natural products, as well as the highly dedicated volunteer staff, further growth and success is in the future.

Please stop by to say hello, and shop at your local Yelm Food Coop, " quoting Coop President Susan Mayer.

YELM FOOD COOP
Corner of 1st St and Mosman Ave
in the Pioneer Village Mall off Hwy 507
Yelm
360-400-2210

THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG CONGRATULATES SEAN KELLY IN HIS NEW POSITION AS THIS TOWN IS ASSURED OF SEAN'S SMILE, ENTHUSIASM AND MANY TALENTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD!

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

FROM REP. CAMPBELL'S UNABRIDGED PRESS RELEASE

OLYMPIA – Following a week during which legislators convened in Olympia to discuss priorities for 2010, State Rep. Tom Campbell (R – Roy) came ready with bills in hand, prepared to meet the tight deadlines of a short 60-day session.

His legislation ranges from a further crackdown on the chemical components of methamphetamines to property tax relief for disabled veterans.

After leading an effort in the state legislature to control the large sales of pseudoephedrine, used as an ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, Campbell wants to reduce its accessibility even further. The previous legislation, which led to an 80 percent reduction in large meth labs around the state, needs new teeth to control the “backpack and pop bottle” labs that have replaced them, Campbell believes. He’s working with law enforcement officials to model his legislation on an Oregon law, which requires a prescription to purchase any amount of pseudoephedrine and better accounts for each consumer’s use via the prescription network used by pharmacies. “We have a great opportunity here to eradicate meth production in the state in a cost-effective way by utilizing a system that’s already in place.” (HB 2454)

Campbell also aims to crack down on domestic violence crime with a proposal that would require any alleged DV perpetrator to stand before a judge for arraignment prior to posting a release. This would allow for a “cooling down period,” as Campbell calls it, citing examples of offenders released soon after their arrest who return to terrorize their victims once again. “Right after a report of DV is not a good time to put someone back on the street, when emotions are running even higher and the threat of danger grows worse,” said Campbell. “It’s a sad fact, but one we have to face: By requiring this, we’ll reduce the rate of DV recidivism in Washington.”

After successfully passing new protections for patients in hospitals and health care clinics around the state, Rep. Campbell also hopes to reduce the climbing rate of dangerous infections contracted in nursing homes. Statistics show that thousands of deaths occur every year when patients contract the flesh-eating bacteria methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), called a “superbug” due to its drug-resistance. Up until now, nursing homes have not been required to report any infections. Campbell wants to change that. (HB 2453)

Other legislation Campbell plans to introduce in the 2010 legislative session includes property tax relief for people awarded disability income. Those disability payments are presently considered “income” by County Auditors in calculating eligibility for property tax deferments and exemptions. These same disability payments are not considered “income” or taxed by the Internal Revenue Service, just the County Auditors. (HB 1405)

A bill filed at the end of the 2009 session, HB 2387 “Humane Treatment of Dogs” is also under consideration. This bill would set uniform standards of care throughout our State in the availability of fresh water, food, exposure to cold, heat and other environmental elements.

The Environmental Health Committee of which Rep. Campbell serves as Chairman will address Bills that prevent exposure to toxic elements such as Mercury and Bis-Phenol A as well as furthering Food Safety in Washington State. A bill that has been pre filed HB 2459 “Updating Hazardous Waste Fee provisions” also sponsored by Rep. Campbell will reduce the Hazardous Waste Fees for small business in our State. “I look forward to passing this bill to assist small businesses by reducing the burden of excessive fees.”

Above all else, Campbell believes the state’s number one priority must be creating and protecting jobs. “In these tough budgetary times, don’t expect a lot of innovative new programs this year. We’re going to focus on the kitchen table issues that are going to help keep families employed and businesses running.” Campbell points to projects like the Bethel Skills Center, which provides training and retraining in vocational skills from robotic technology to criminal justice education. Last year Campbell championed a $10 million allotment for improvements at the school. “Schools like the Bethel Skills Center will help keep kids in school and provide a path to family wage jobs and a brighter future”.

###
Contact: Tom Campbell 360-786-7912
Campbell.tom@leg.wa.gov
Downloadable photo

"If Santa left you a new computer or laptop under the tree, you may be looking for a good way to get rid of your old one. Fortunately, the state's largest non-profit computer refurbishing center, InterConnection, is based in Seattle. Depending on what you are getting rid of, InterConnection can either recycle or refurbish your computer. Refurbishing, they point out, is actually the greenest way to go.

InterConnection takes unwanted computers and turns them into something useful, which is particularly fortunate for Washingtonians not only because computers contain hazardous materials, but also because it is illegal for people in our state to put old computers in the trash," quoting KING-5 News.

"A Stage One Burn Ban has been EXTENDED for Thurston County and will remain in effect at least until Monday morning. Conditions will be reevaluated at that time to determine when the ban can be lifted.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality and its impacts on health. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur until early Sunday," quoting the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA).

Most Americans have heard of nor know of Boxing Day December 26th around the world:

"Boxing Day is a bank and public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Greenland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Nigeria and countries in the Commonwealth of Nations with a mainly Christian population. In South Africa this public holiday is now known as the Day of Goodwill. Though it is not an official holiday in the United States, the name "Boxing Day" for the day after Christmas has some currency among Americans, particularly those that live near the Canada – United States border.

The name derives from the tradition of giving seasonal gifts, on the day after Christmas, to less wealthy people and social inferiors, which was later extended to various workpeople such as labourers and servants.

The traditional recorded celebration of Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, the needy and people in service positions. The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown and there are some claims that it goes back to the late Roman/early Christian era; metal boxes were placed outside churches used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen.

In the United Kingdom it certainly became a custom of the nineteenth century Victorians for tradesmen to collect their "Christmas boxes" or gifts in return for good and reliable service throughout the year on the day after Christmas. The exact etymology of the term "Boxing" is unclear, with several competing theories, none of which are clearly true.

The establishment of Boxing Day as a defined public holiday under the legislation that created the UK's Bank Holidays started the separation of 'Boxing Day' from the 'Feast of St Stephen' and today it is almost entirely a secular holiday with a tradition of shopping and post Christmas sales starting," quoting Wikipedia.

Mt. Rainier looking due east, taken from our home Dec. 24th, 4pm

This Christmas Guest Entry original published here in 2007 is timeless.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

AN HONEST RECOMMENDATION
A Christmas story by Guustaaf Damave

The light of the of the street lamp barely made it to the ground, so thickly was the snow coming down. At three in the morning the street was empty. A faint bluish glow emerging through the flakes directly above betrayed where the full moon was revealing itself. It was a cold winter's night in 1964, a week or so before the Dutch holiday of Saint-Nicholas. The snow had covered all traces of the day's comings and goings and was quickly covering a fresh track of footsteps leading to a broken window. Inside, the beam of a flashlight moved across the wall, from painting to painting. The thick white carpet outside hushed every sound. Carefully avoiding the sharp glass, the man climbed out of the window with two paintings under each arm and dissolved into the curtain of icy flakes.

I was born in that old town, the son of a fine artist. That year I was eight. I enjoyed going for long walks looking at shop windows, building sites and ships moored on the river Spaarne, on which we lived. The snow made it a little bit harder to get around, but the river and canals being frozen over, more than made up for that. A trip with a note from my mother and a ten guilder bill to the grocery store only took half as long walking over the ice.

For a young child the sight of the full moon on a cold and crispy night stirs the sense of wonder and imagination like nothing else. I had looked at it often and read about it. The idea that the light came from the sun meant that the sun shone at night too! Was there really no one living there on that moon? I wasn't so sure about that. On my many walks through the streets of our nine century old town I frequently included one particular store in my route. In the window there was an instrument of magic and mystery called telescope. If only I could own this. Many of the questions that occupied me could be settled once and for all. I would be able to look at the moon and the stars whenever I would like. My life as I knew it would definitely be over and new and brighter existence would be mine. The telescope... I wiped the fog of my breath off the store window. The price tag was the appropriately astronomical sum of twelve guilders.

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' eve is the primary occasion for gift-giving. Even though it is his birthday being celebrated, Sinterklaas is the one who gives the presents. Children are allowed to express their wishes by putting a note in one of their shoes and putting it near the fire place. I had my own ideas about where exactly these presents came from but I carefully played along with the traditional protocol so as not to interfere with any of its mechanics. I had written down the telescope as the only item on my list and the address of the store that was displaying it in its window. It was a lot to ask for, and I was one of ten children. All the same, if there ever was a chance that this telescope could be mine, this was it.

As the long awaited evening drew closer and the air became thicker with expectation, I made my daily rounds to the store window and imagined everything I would be able to see once I could look through the telescope's eye piece. The glance that my mother gave me however, when I came home, made me think that I had asked for too much and that I would probably have to settle for perhaps a new sweater.

Early that morning they found the broken window and the empty spaces on the wall. It is not hard to guess at the motives of the mysterious man who broke into the museum on that icy cold night so close to gift giving day. More mysterious than his identity was his particular taste in art. Maybe his choices were dictated by the convenient size of certain works or their proximity to the shattered window. Still, there were quite a few works to choose from and the burglar left slushy footsteps throughout the contemporary wing of the Frans Hals Museum.

That afternoon as I got ready to leave to continue my explorations of the snowy landscape the newspaper dropped on the floor inside the front door. It reported the art theft from the museum on the front page. I knew my father would be interested in this and took the paper to him in his studio. He read the article with rapt attention. He looked at me and said that they stole one of his works. He went to the front of the house to tell my mother about it. A burglary in the museum is serious business I thought, but they did not seem particularly distraught.

Over the next few days there were frequent phone calls and visitors interested in purchasing one or more works of this artist whose work was stolen from the museum. The unknown burglar had unwittingly brought abundance to our house. I knew that my chances of having a close-up view of the moon had taken a turn for the better. Saint Nicholas' eve was only two days away now and as I was approaching the store window with the object of my desire and felt pretty sure that indeed it would be mine. But as I came closer I was struck with shock and horror. It was gone! Someone must have bought it. I had to muster all my restraint not to let tears roll down my cheeks. I slowly turned around and walked away. I wandered the cold dark streets in a blur of disappointment. When I came home too late for dinner my mother asked what was the matter. I explained to her that the telescope was gone, the only thing I really wanted. "That's terrible," she said.

When the evening of great expectations arrived the air was charged with excitement. Knowing that I would not get what I really wanted, I was prepared to pretend to be happy with whatever I would get. But when the package with my name on it was pulled out of the large pile I could not believe my eyes. It had a long familiar shape. In a frenzy I ripped off the paper. I was surprised and delighted that I did get the telescope. It had disappeared from the store because it was making its way to me. My father also had his best present ever because there is no more honest recommendation than that of a thief in a hurry.

© 2007 Guustaaf Damave

The author, Guustave Damave

"The Thurston Climate Action Team is a public/private partnership dedicated to creating a healthy and sustainable future for Thurston County by encouraging, coordinating, and taking action on climate change. TCAT’s founding members include individuals serving on local jurisdiction governing bodies, along with citizen activitists, representatives of key planning entities in the county and the educational community. TCAT has identified three priority areas for its work

1. energy efficiency in buildings
2. transportation, and
3. land use," quoting their website.

The Thurston Climate Action Team was introduced to the Yelm City Council at their November 24th meeting by Thurston Economic Development Council's Executive Director Michael Cade seeking support from the City of Yelm.

Thurston County Commissioners adopt 2010 budget

"Thurston County Commissioners have adopted a spending plan designed to guide the County through 2010. The overall budget for next year is set at about $317.6-Million, down about 17% from 2009 levels. The general fund is approximately $74-Million dollars. That’s down about 2% from 2009 spending levels.

Thurston County Commission Chair Cathy Wolfe says work done on the 2009 budget made putting the 2010 plan together a little bit easier. 'We took some very significant steps regarding the 2009 budget. Between adoption of the budget at the start of the year and a mid-year adjustment, we cut about $7-Million from the County’s General Fund. That’s about 10% of the funding that we have the most control over. In order to accomplish that level of reduction, we had to eliminate approximately 12% of county workforce positions and initiate a painful cut to Public Health and Social Service programs.

While that process was very difficult, it was necessary to accommodate the drop off in revenue that the county is dealing with.' Commissioner Sandra Romero agrees that working on budget issues in 2009 has been very difficult. 'Considering limitations on revenue caused by initiatives, we have crafted a responsible budget that still provides important programs and services. For example, we were able to restore funding for special recreation which is vitally important to people with special needs. It’s a responsible budget that contains significant cuts but keeps county government whole and provides the services that taxpayers expect from county government.'

Wolfe says it has taken cooperation from county workers, elected officials and department directors to get this far... Among other changes, Commissioners reduced the number of county departments from 16 to 8, improving lines of communication and saving money. Thurston County residents are encouraged to contact the county with any questions or suggestions. Those interested can call (360) 786-5440 or fax to (360) 754-4104 or send email to: tcbocc@co.thurston.wa.us

Budget materials can be viewed on line at: www.co.thurston.wa.us Look for the “Budget Information” button on the opening page of the web site," quoting the NVN.

Due to so many misunderstandings about the Fire Authority Consolidation Issue, I posed some issues to SE Thurston Fire/EMS Chief Rita Hutcheson to address for Yelm Community Blog readers. She addresses them all here in her own words:

"After careful consideration of the current service levels and impending budget crisis, SE Thurston Fire and EMS chose to ask voters to approve the formation of the SE Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

KEY FACTS FOR FORMING A REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA)

Why South East Thurston Fire Authority is being proposed & what the Fire Authority would accomplish?

1. Thurston County Fire District #4 (Rainier), Yelm Fire District #2, and the City of Yelm are seeking voter approval to form the South East Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) on the February 9, 2010 ballot.

2. Citizens living outside the Yelm City limits are currently paying $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This proposition WILL NOT change the current tax collection for citizens outside the city limits of Yelm.

3. Citizens living within the city limits of Yelm will see the same tax collection as district residents for fire services beginning in 2011. This will be an increase in taxes for Yelm City property owners.

4. City of Yelm citizens will be able to vote on all fire district ballot issues and will be eligible to run for Fire District Commissioner positions. Unlike a merger, which is dependent on a lead agency, South East Thurston Fire Authority proposes equal representation and a local voice for the citizens of Thurston County Fire District #4 (Rainier), Yelm Fire District #2, and the citizens of the City of Yelm now and into the future.

5. The South East Thurston Fire Authority Operations Plan provides for improved service. Service improvements include the capability to provide 24 hour staffing at more than one station which will help to decrease response times and will make it possible to meet National Fire Protection Agency standards that require at least 4 firefighters on a structure fire before entering a burning building. There will also be a reduction in duplication of administrative personnel and services.

6. The improvements (more 24 hour staffing and additional fire apparatus) will allow the fire department to apply for a reduction in the insurance rating for the City of Yelm, City of Rainier, and the unincorporated area outside the cities.

7. If voters approve the RFA in February, the new South East Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) will replace the two (2) participating fire districts on July 1, 2010 with voter approved funding to take effect January 1, 2011.

8. Proposition 1 will be on the February 9, 2010 ballot.

9. Questions, contact Chief Rita Hutcheson at 360-458-2799.

CLICK HERE for a link to the RFA website, from Citizens for Fire Protection. There is an interesting video from J.W. Foster (Yelm Planning Commissioner), a paramedic firefighter in Tumwater who has lived in Yelm for many years. He worked here as a paid employee 9-10 years ago. The entire RFA Plan is also posted there.

Mission Statement of S.E. Thurston Fire & EMS:
“S.E. Thurston Fire/EMS will provide professional, caring volunteer and full time responders for Public Education, Prevention Activities and all manner of emergencies. We will strive to effectively utilize all available resources provided by our community. We commit to the support, caring, and well-being of every member of this organization. We value compassion, integrity, respect, and support for citizens in their time of need.”

THIS FIRE CONSOLIDATION MEASURE IS NOT A LAND USE ISSUE
Although no citizens ever came forward to the planning committee and expressly opposed the formation of the SE Thurston Regional Fire Authority, a letter was sent to the Nisqually Valley News which insinuated that, due to the passage of ESSB 5808, the formation of the Regional Fire Authority would allow the Cities of Yelm & Rainier to annex any property. These thoughts are fundamentally flawed. What follows is a list of Facts related to those concerns:
FACT: ESSB 5808 did pass the legislature and did include language relating to how a city may annex property.

FACT: Any statutory language enacted by the state legislature under ESSB 5808 will be binding upon cities and towns whether or not a Regional Fire Authority exists.

FACT: A portion of the annexation process described in ESSB 5808 calls for an agreement between the annexing city and the fire department currently providing services to the citizens in the property to be annexed. An approval such as this would currently require approval by either 2 of the 3, or 4 of the 6 fire commissioners currently serving SE Thurston Fire and EMS. If the Regional Fire Authority were to be approved by the voters, such an agreement would need to be approved by 5 of the 9 members of the board.

FACT: The proposed SE Thurston Regional Fire Authority will require everyone who is currently served by SE Thurston Fire & EMS to pay the same rate for fire service and to have a vote on bonds and levies. If you live outside the city limits of Yelm (Unincorporated Thurston County and the City of Rainier), you are already paying the $1.50 rate and will not be required to pay anything additional.

FACT: The creation of the SE Thurston Regional Fire Authority does not simply create a larger government. Instead, it would eliminate the need for the fire department to contract with the City of Yelm and it would eliminate the need to have some administrative functions duplicated.

FACT: By no longer contracting with the City of Yelm, citizens would be assured that every dollar that was collected for the needs of their fire department was going directly to the fire department.

Note: The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) ensures the Yelm City Council will no longer determine how fire department tax dollars are allocated for the citizens of the City of Yelm through the contract process. The RFA enables City of Yelm citizens to determine how fire department tax dollars are allocated by enabling the citizens to vote.

Specific quotes from the article:
1. "...with the regional fire authority [RFA] in place and SB 5808 in effect, then the City of Yelm and the Fire Commissioners could decide to annex areas into the city limits without a vote of the people affected."
FACT: If the RFA is in effect there is no annexation issue. The RFA pertains only to fire and emergency service provision. The RFA will ensure emergency services are provided to all citizens residing within the RFA boundaries regardless of location within or outside either the Rainier or Yelm city limits.

2. "...think long and hard about turning over the power to decide who has jurisdiction over your rural property."
FACT: The RFA has jurisdiction over fire and emergency medical services only. The RFA has NO jurisdiction over land use issues whether inside or outside city limits.
The RFA provides equal representation to all citizens within the RFA boundaries.

If anyone needs to register to vote, an application can be picked up at the fire station
SE Thurston/Fire EMS
709 Mill Road
Yelm.

The last day to register is February 1, 2010. All updates to voter registrations must be done by January 11,
2010. Again thank you for your continued support of this department. It is indeed an honor for me to be the Fire Chief for this wonderful community."

THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG ENDORSES THE REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY MEASURE!

Tumwater takes steps to curb light pollution
"First In South Sound: Ordinance requires most new, replaced outdoor lights to be shielded and directed downward"
"The city of Tumwater is the first jurisdiction in South Sound to adopt an ordinance aimed at reducing light pollution from outdoor lighting.

The ordinance, approved by the City Council this month, requires most newly installed or replaced outdoor lighting to be fully shielded and directed downward so it doesn’t shoot into the sky, create an unsafe glare for drivers or trespass into neighbors’ homes and property.

It will be years, if not longer, before the ordinance will make a measurable dent in South Sound light pollution, city officials said.

But it places Tumwater with a growing group of communities in the region, nation and beyond that recognize uncontrolled night light as a waste of energy and money.

It has been estimated that one-third of outdoor light spills out and upward away from its intended target, according to a city staff report prepared before the council voted Nov. 2. That translates into an annual cost in the United States of about $4.5 billion, the report says.

Medical evidence also suggests that exposure to light at night is hard on human health, putting the body at risk for certain diseases, including breast cancer, according to the city staff report.

Light pollution also obscures vision of the night sky and the stars and galaxies otherwise visible to the naked eye," quoting The Olympian.

South Sound Seed Stewards Mission Statement
"Knowing that in our present geopolitical state, many seed companies, which have provided the non-hybrid and open-pollinated varieties, are no longer in business and/or are producing hybrid varieties mainly for the commercial growers, South Sound Seed Stewards has organized for the purpose of:

* Encouraging community independence and self-reliance through producing and sharing locally-adapted, open-pollinated seeds.
* Providing for the home gardener an educational resource in sustainable gardening.
* Protecting and collecting the seed from our non-hybrid, open- pollinated varieties
* Creating a Seed Bank of non-hybrid, open-pollinated seeds which have been acclimated to our region."

Safe Seed Pledge
We shall never knowingly buy, sell or distribute genetically engineered seeds or plants."

South Sound Seed Stewards 2010 Program
South Sound Seed Stewards begins the New Year with new programs and classes for the seasoned gardener and the new gardener. A Healthy Garden List of vegetables grown specifically in the South Sound area will allow you to become sustainable in providing your own organic food source. Learn to produce your own seeds from your garden. Program and class begins Monday, January 11th.
Meetings are held at the
Yelm Adult Community Center - Senior Center
16530 SE 103 Avenue
Yelm.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with classes starting at 7 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the 2010 schedule.

CLICK HERE for South Sound Seed Stewards History.

CLICK HERE to contact the South Sound Seed Stewards for more info, then click the envelope in the upper right corner.

TELL SOUTH SOUND SEED STEWARDS YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

KIRO-FM 93.7 radio's Dori Monson had a very interesting show Wednesday, December 9th about property rights issue and cities' improper use of eminent domain and under very similar circumstances to the City of Yelm using eminent domain to acquire the McMonigle Water Rights.

From KIRO radio's site:
"SeaTac, WA private property rights case. Owner of the Park 'N Fly lot across the street from SeaTac Airport talks LIVE with Dori about a unilateral decision by the city of SeaTac that could undercut their value in their family owned business property."

Mr. Monson stated,
"...for government to take property to spur economic development is a gross misuse of the whole intent of eminent domain, isn't it?"

Ed. Note: YES! and the exact same situation is occurring in Yelm with the City seizing the McMonigle Water Rights through eminent domain to support their Draft Water System Plan (WSP) that has as a key component supplying water to for economic development to a Master Planned Community (MPC).
CLICK HERE to listen.

A recent new study released by the Washington Policy Center titled, “The Use and Abuse of Washington’s Community Renewal Law,” concludes that, because of Washington’s Community Renewal Law (CRL), home and small-business owners of the Evergreen State are not protected from eminent domain abuse—local government officials can take anyone’s property and sell it to a developer for private gain....

YELM COULD BE CLASSIFIED IN THE CATEGORY OF ABUSE IN IT'S DESIRE TO ACQUIRE THE MCMONIGLE WATER RIGHTS TO GIVE THE CITY WATER TO SUPPORT A DEVELOPER'S MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY!

Over 100 students worldwide have now achieved and demonstrated their focused mind by seeing the numbers & suits correctly from the back of a deck of playing cards at Ramtha's School of Enlightenment.
CLICK HERE for a sampling of those students on YouTube.

What could you do if YOU could see the future, as these students do with each card, before they turn them over?

AND - RSE'S YELM CAMPUS OPENS TO THE PUBLIC FOR 2 & 3 DAY JANUARY WORKSHOP
For the first time in many years, Ramtha's School of Enlightenment will open the Yelm Campus to the public for a 2 and 3 day Workshop in January titled "2010 Create Your Year".
"The 2010 Create Your Year Event is based upon Ramtha's powerful New Year's Eve discipline. It is designed so that each individual secures and creates their specific personal realities for the upcoming year.

When you Create Your Year in advance, the changes are then seamless, and the daunting prospects of an uncertain future are replaced by the certainty you created with those changes!" quoting YouTube.
CLICK HERE for a special 2 minute message from Ramtha.

CLICK HERE for Yelm's Three Day Create Your Year Weekend January 22-24, 2010.

CLICK HERE for Yelm's two day Create Your Year Workshop January 23-24, 2010.

"The 2010 Create Your Year Workshop and Weekends will be presented at the RSE Campus in Yelm, Washington, and in 14 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, The Netherlands, and Venezuela."
CLICK HERE for more information on those locales.

"On Tuesday [Dec. 15], the state Employment Security Department released jobless data showing that county unemployment increased to 7.5 percent last month from a revised 6.9 percent unemployment rate in October.

The South Sound economy shed jobs in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality, but added 500 seasonal holiday jobs and another 500 jobs in government and education for a net gain of 200 nonfarm jobs in the October-to-November period, regional economist Jim Vleming said.

The total number of people looking for work in the county increased to 10,040 last month from 9,160 in October, according to the ESD data," quoting The Olympian.

Locally, with the Saars Market closure and several other Yelm businesses with lay-offs, as I mentioned previously, Yelm will have to grapple with lower revenues in the 1st quarter of 2010.
Lost jobs means less people spending, meaning less sales taxes collected, means lower revenues for local governments.

"Jerry's Color Center is a full service paint store with locations in Centralia and Yelm Washington. We have been serving the northwest for almost 30 years. With our knowledgeable staff, with a combined 50 years of experience, you can't go wrong with Jerry's Color Center on your side."

Jerry's Color Center - Yelm
"Your Family-Owned Hometown Paint Store"
401 Creek St
P.O. Box 596
Yelm, Wa 98597
360-400-3067
jerryscolorcenter2@hotmail.com

Serving Southwest Washington Since 1981

TELL JERRY'S COLOR CENTER YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

"The City of Yelm is moving forward with its draft water system plan, which does anticipate additional water rate increases in 2010.

Those increases were originally planned for January, however, because the plan has not been approved, those increases will be at the council’s discretion, said Project Manager Stephanie Ray.

An ordinance was approved by council Tuesday night [Dec. 8] to increase the scope of work conducted by the consulting firm, Brown and Caldwell to address concerns about the draft plan raised by the Department of Health.

The city is paying an additional $37,000.

The Thurston County Conservancy Board approval for the transfer of the McMonigle water rights was denied by the Department of Ecology.

'This denial means the McMonigle water rights is not available to the city as they expected when preparing the (water system plan),' said Department of Health officials.'Since the McMonigle water right was counted toward the current total water right portfolio, the information in the (plan) is based on this assumption and must be corrected.

The city is currently in negotiations with the McMonigle Family and is attempting to seize the water rights through eminent domain. Issues specified by the Department of Health concerning the McMonigle water rights will be set aside for now.

'We’re going to work on the stuff we know we can do ahead of time,' Ray said...

Ray said the council hopes to have Department of Health approval on the water system plan in early 2010.

Part of that plan does include water rate increases each year through 2015. The original plan called for an increase each January. The average residential water customer can anticipate rates going up to $43 a month," quoting form the NVN.

ED. NOTE:
Back to the question I raised in my Letter to the Editor last week:
"Why were water rate increase enacted based upon an unapproved water system plan?

The water system plan has not been approved and may not even be viable."

MERRY CHRISTMAS YELM RESIDENTS, FROM YOUR CITY HALL -
YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET ANOTHER STOMACH PUNCH!
6 PEOPLE PROTESTING THE 2009 WATER RATE INCREASE HAD NO AFFECT.

ABOUT THE EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUE
KIRO-FM 93.7 radio's Dori Monson had a very interesting show Wednesday, December 9th about the property rights issue and cities using eminent domain improperly and under very similar circumstances to the City of Yelm using eminent domain to acquire the McMonigle Water Rights.

From KIRO radio's site:
"SeaTac, WA private property rights case. Owner of the Park 'N Fly lot across the street from SeaTac Airport talks LIVE with Dori about a unilateral decision by the city of SeaTac that could undercut their value in their family owned business property."

Mr. Monson stated,
"...for government to take property to spur economic development is a gross misuse of the whole intent of eminent domain, isn't it?"
Ed. Note: YES! and the exact same situation is occurring in Yelm with the City seizing the McMonigle Water Rights through eminent domain to support their Draft Water System Plan (WSP) that has as a key component supplying water to for economic development to a Master Planned Community (MPC).
CLICK HERE to listen.

"The estuary restoration, combined with 140 acres previously restored by the Nisqually tribe, boosts the amount of salt marsh habitat critical for salmon, shorebirds and other species by 50 percent in South Sound, noted Jean Takekawa, refuge manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...

At the end of the 19th century, the Nisqually estuary was intact, but in the early 1900s about 1,000 acres was diked for farming. Since the 1970s, U.S. Fish and Wildlife managed the area as freshwater wetlands, an effort made difficult by invasive plants.

By reconnecting the wetlands with the Nisqually River, McAllister Creek and Puget Sound, more than 21 miles of tidal channels and sloughs will be restored in the estuary," quoting The Olympian.

"People are welcome here too. By 2010 there will be a mile-long boardwalk that will allow visitors to walk out into an actual tidal plain to experience an estuary at work.

Biologists say the return of the tides will help rid the area of non-native plants that choke out native species and will create perfect habitat for wildlife," from KING-5 TV News.
CLICK HERE for KING-5 video.

Who We Are

"We are a growing group of dynamic, multi-talented individuals and service and community groups who want to form a more cohesive, supportive and sovereign community. We are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters from all walks of life with something to offer: our time and our talents.

Members range from 12 to 70. Our membership is currently focused in the Rainier, Yelm and Tenino areas of east Thurston County of Washington State. We also have members joining from Olympia and the McKenna and Roy areas of south Pierce County.

We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups/associations, school community service programs, churches and civic organizations to join us in building community by trading time. If you have a project in mind, please contact us, and perhaps we can build community together.

Our Vision

The Hour 4 Hour Time Exchange Bank, serving Thurston County, strengthens our communities through the existing informal support systems of family, neighborhood and individuals by creating and facilitating a network of service exchanges among members."
CLICK HERE to learn more.

TELL HOUR 4 HOUR TIME EXCHANGE BANK YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

The 10 degrees recorded at Olympia Regional Airport this morning broke the former 11 degree record low for this date set in 1972. The December 10th's cold of 6 degrees did not break the -1 record low.

Sandra Romero

You’re invited to coffee with County Commissioner Sandra Romero

"This month’s coffee will focus on the county’s relationship with Animal Services. Come learn about adoptions, services provided, and much more with special guest, Director Susanne Beauregard.

“Our office frequently receives calls and emails inquiring about pet related issues, including barking or aggressive dogs, and finding pets new homes. I think it will be helpful for the public to find out what
services each entity provides.”

Join us Monday, December 14th
10am - 11am
Blue Bottle Espresso
309 E. Yelm Ave
Yelm

These coffees give you the opportunity to talk about issues, ask questions about the county, and share ideas. Commissioner Romero provides complimentary coffee to participants, that she pays for personally. She is the representative of District 2, which includes Yelm, Lacey, and Rainier.

If you have any questions contact:
Lisa Paribello, Commissioner Assistant at 360-786-5747 or paribel@co.thurston.wa.us

YELM: Woodland workshop planned for Dec. 12

"Northwest Certified Forestry will host a workshop for small-woodland owners on how to develop a forest stewardship plan for their property from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 12
at the Yelm Masonic Lodge,
302 Yelm Ave. E.
CLICK HERE for workshop details

For more information or to register, contact Kirk Hanson at kirk@nnrg.org or 360-316-9317
or go online to www.nwcertified.org," quoting The Olympian.

ABOUT NNRG
"Founded as the Olympic Peninsula Foundation in 1992, NNRG began as a community based organization dedicated to economic and environmental vitality in one of the world's most unique ecosystems, the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State."

TELL Northwest Certified Forestry YOU READ ABOUT THEIR YELM WORKSHOP ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

The 7 degrees recorded at Olympia Regional Airport this morning broke the former 10 degree record low for this date set in 1972. Previous days cold did not break any records.

Thurston County Fire Protection District 17 Logo

"The Fire Dept is having our annual Santa Run Dec. 12 at 6:00 PM at the Clearwood store.
Kids get to climb around on our fire engine, sit on Santa's lap, get a small bag of goodies, and have their picture taken, which parents can pick up later at the store.
Jonathan at the store and Clearwood will be providing hot drinks and munchies. There will be caroling which makes up in enthusiasm for what it lacks is quality. It is for everyone in the neighborhood, even those that don't have a kid and can't find one to borrow.

It's a nice opportunity to say hi to neighbor that you only see when the weather is nice in the summer."

"The median sales price of a Thurston County home fell to the lowest point of the year in November, down 6.23 percent since January 2009 and down 8.87 percent since November 2008, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service data released Thursday [Dec. 3].

The median price last month was $225,000, down from $246,900 in November 2008, the combined single-family residence and condominium data show. Since January, median prices have fallen from $239,950 to $225,000, the data show.

Lower prices recently have helped to stimulate home sales in the South Sound housing market, but that downward pressure on home prices also has provided an added challenge for home sellers.

Home sales last month rose to 277 units from 177 units in November 2008, while fewer homes were listed for sale last month than a year ago, the combined single-family residence and condominium data show. In November, 328 homes were newly listed for sale, compared with 337 in November 2008.

Although mortgage interest rates remain low and tax-credit homebuyer incentives recently were extended, South Sound real-estate professionals say they aren’t sure when home prices will rise again.

Real-estate agent Mark Kitabayashi thinks there won’t be price appreciation until the foreclosure problem bottoms out, and another wave of foreclosures could be on the way, he said. Thurston County Realtors Association president Mark Steves agreed Thursday, saying another batch of adjustable-rate mortgages, in which mortgage interest rates adjust higher, could come in 2010 or 2011.

'It’s going to take a while,' Steves said about a return to price appreciation.

Real-estate agent Bob Jorgenson added that with so many existing undeveloped home lots in the county, prices will be lowered to sell those lots, followed by new houses on those lots at lower prices," quoting The Olympian.

MORE FORECLOSURES & DOWNWARD HOME PRICES ARE TWO ASPECTS I HAVE MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY THAT WILL AFFECT YELM'S BUDGET IN 2010!

The number one responsibility of elected officials and their staffs of our municipalities is to protect and serve the constituents in their communities - looking out for their interests. Sure, being honored as Citizen of the Year, Best Community Volunteer, or Best Elected/Appointed official is a wonderful acknowledgment for all of the service to the town.

That doesn't quite equate to the "protecting" part of job. Yelm residents & especially tax-paying property owners should be holding City of Yelm officials' feet to the fire on two key questions as to why this Mayor, City Council and their Staff have not protected the interests of their own people with two simple questions, also published in the NVN, Dec. 11th under their title "Where is the accountability in government?":

1. HIGHLANDS DEFAULT LEFT UNPAID TAXES & FEES
Why has the City of Yelm NOT filed liens against Thurston Highlands, LLC. to attempt to recoup owed back-taxes and contractual fees for citizens after the Highlands' Fall, 2008 default, totaling in the hundreds of thousands of dollars?

I am also a City of Yelm property owner and posed this question City Administrator Shelly Badger. After an e-mail exchange, she has not answered this question. Her lack of a response IS the answer in and of itself. This IS the 1,000 pound elephant in the room the city does not want addressed!
That city officials do not like me or my question does not matter, nor is the issue.
Where is the common decency in working on your citizens' behalf to protect their tax money?
All of the community-volunteering acknowledgments pale next the lack of aggressiveness on this matter!
If Mrs. Badger provides a response, I will pass on to you.

2. WATER RATE INCREASE
Why has the City of Yelm raised water rates 69% on their residents, as outlined in the city's Draft Water System Plan, when that plan has not been approved?
How can city officials pass on water rate increases to its residents for a Water Plan that involves expenses for a major Multi-Planned Community (MPC) when that MPC has defaulted and is out of the picture is just one question that has never been answered? And, the plan has not been approved and may not be viable.
Another 1,000 pound elephant in the room the city does not want addressed!

UPDATE: Dec. 8th, 8pm
The Yelm City Council authorized spending $37,000 tonight to craft a response from a Dept. of Health letter to the city dated October 20, 2009 regarding the Water System Plan & provide additional "analysis regarding the city's water portfolio in light of the recent denial of the McMonigle water right."
Ed. Note: Will that be all [$37,000]? Probably not!
Stay tuned!

Further, regarding the 2010 Sewer Rates on the City Council Docket tonight:

Grant Beck gave the Staff Report on the record saying that due to his heavy work load, the city's 2009 Sewer Rate Plan has not been updated, so was asking Council to carry-forward the 2009 rates into 2010 and eliminate the deposit.
That was interesting and what especially caught my ear was a follow-up warning to Council on this from City Administrator Badger, who said that if the Budget Committee finds the City's Budget is not on their targets in the 1st quarter of 2010, Staff will be coming back to ask for a COLA [Cost of Living Adjustment] rate increase for Sewer Rates, as the city will not have their 2009 Sewer Plan done until the latter part of 2010.

I wrote in the NVN last week that I knew the city was going to have 2010 budget issues & Badger basically gave that warning last night to Council, on the record.

I encourage you to write to City officials and ask them these 2 simple questions.
Send me the answers you get & I will publish them here.

Mayor Ron Harding = ronh@ci.yelm.wa.us
City Administrator Shelly Badger = shellyb@ci.yelm.wa.us
City Community Development Director Grant Beck = grantb@ci.yelm.wa.us

ALL YELM RESIDENTS SHOULD DEMAND ANSWERS FROM THEIR CITY'S LEADERS!

U.S. funds offer energy help
STIMULUS: Economic Development Council to get $1 million to help homeowners, businesses upgrade

"The federal government is sending $1 million in economic stimulus money to the Economic Development Council of Thurston County for energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades for homeowners and businesses.
The program will offer technical help to middleincome homeowners and businesses, helping them to find suitable upgrades and learn about tax credits, rebates and other assistance, EDC Executive Director Michael Cade said Monday [Oct. 12]. The areas of energy improvements could include wall insulation, floorboard insulation, windows and even furnace upgrades, Cade said.

The grant is one of eight statewide distributed by Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension. Together they put $14 million toward private and public projects, helping up to 10,000 homes and businesses and creating hundreds of jobs, according to the office of Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The EDC grant grew out of efforts by the Thurston Climate Action Team, a new nonprofit group that wants to make it easier for people to upgrade their home energy systems. The money is to be used in part to set up neighborhood workshops that help homeowners get home energy audits and learn about weatherization, rebates and tax credits.

...Henderson (Stewart Henderson, an activist with the action council) said the group has worked over several months to build support for the project from political jurisdictions as well as Puget Sound Energy, the Thurston Chamber, and local financial institutions. The private, nonprofit EDC will administer the new Thurston Community Energy Efficiency Program that is being funded.

'The EDC has a longstanding history of providing technical support for communitybased efforts that work to promote a quality and vibrant community. We believe that the partnerships that were developed to create this proposal will result in the success of this communitybased energy efficiency program,' Cade said in a statement...

Commerce staffers have said that close to 6,940 homes might be upgraded with insulation and other weatherization through March 2012 using the state’s earlier weatherization allotment, which ultimately could reach $59.5 million. Overall, that is expected to generate close to 250 direct jobs per year across the state," quoting The Olympian on the Thurston EDC website.

Mr. Cade gave a presentation to the Yelm City Council on November 24 about climate initiatives for the county & getting Yelm involved.

"Add plastic foam products such as cups, plates and food take-out trays to the list of items that can be recycled in South Sound.

Dart Container Corp., a Tumwater-based manufacturer of plastic foam food and beverage containers, has opened a drop box to accept these items from the public for free.

It’s one of the few sites in the state to provide recycling for a family of products that otherwise end up consuming space in regional landfills...

In Thurston County, 1,465 tons, or about 0.83 percent, of garbage sent to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center at Hawks Prairie each year are plastic foam products, said Terri Thomas, an education and outreach specialist at Thurston County Solid Waste.

Because the plastic foam products are about 95 percent air, the percent per volume of garbage is much greater...

Westerfield and Thomas said the long-range goal is to expand the South Sound recycling options for plastic foam to include more drop boxes. Some curbside recycling programs in Southern California have added plastic foam products to the list of items they recover.

The increase in plastic foam recycling and re-use comes as a number of communities have imposed or are considering bans on plastic foam food containers and cups. For instance, a plastic foam ban affecting the food-service industry goes into effect in Seattle on July 1...

The plastic foam products recycled outside the Dart plant in Tumwater must bear the number 6. They include products covered by the trade name Styrofoam and molded plastic foam used to package electronics.

Once collected, the plastic foam products are run through a compactor capable of converting 4,116 eight-ounce cups into a 40-pound block of material the size of a small suitcase.

Recycled foam food service products can be reprocessed into building insulation, plastic lumber, picture frames and other items," from The Olympian.

Earth Artisans Gallery in Tenino.

Earth Artisans, a mixed media gallery owned and operated by Elisabeth Schenk will be hosting it's Second Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Dec 5, from 4:30 until 8:00 PM. Capital Artists, Jeanne Selby; Arlene Baller; and Eleanor Falash, from Olympia will be featured. We carry a wide variety of fine art and handcrafted items most of which are produced by local and Pacific NW artisans.
Wine and refreshments will be served.

Come help us celebrate our continued survival in this tough economic chaos!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Saturday, Dec 5
4:30 until 8:00 PM

Earth Artisans
325 Sussex Ave. W.
Tenino, WA 98589
360-264-2787

PLEASE TELL EARTH ARTISANS YOU READ ABOUT THEM ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

The following is a summary of my public comment (the only person to make any statement) to the Yelm City Council on November 24th, 2009. Since Mayor Harding keeps public comments to 3 minutes, I could not go into specifics about my remarks, just a summary, which was published today in the NVN:

At the City’s Tax Increase & Budget Public Hearing last year, I suggested the General Fund Revenue forecast be reduced by 25% from the proposed 15% drop, due to the housing slump, decreasing assessed home values, and on-going water rights issues.
The Council voted unanimously to raise property taxes by the legal limit of 1% & totally ignored my comments. Since the 25% revenue reduction did not occur, the city was forced Sept. 30th to cut 6 jobs and leave a police position vacant. 2010 looks equally challenging.

[In addition to the job cuts at City Hall, the city also increased B & O and utility taxes on our local merchants in 2009. You can do the math:
1. 69% water rate increase
2. 1% tax property increases in 2008 & 2009
3. B & O tax increase
4. Utility tax increase
Think there won't be more tax increases & service cuts in 2010?
Think again! Stay tuned. Yikes!]

Impacting revenue in 2010:
A. Yelm’s Finance Manager announced NO new revenue sources are known!
B. Saar’s Marketplace closure means lost tax revenue; due to economic conditions, unknown how long that space will be vacant.
C. Lost tax revenue from Thurston Highlands’ default.
D. County figures show Yelm’s 2nd quarter taxable retail sales fell 12.27%, the county’s 2nd worst & greater than Thurston’s average drop of 9.06%.
E. State revenue is $2.6 billion LESS than forecast, meaning more cuts across the board to balance the budget.

Yelm’s expense challenges:
A. Thurston Highlands, LLC default left unpaid taxes/fees totaling hundreds of thousands lost.
B. An unapproved Draft Water System Plan.
C. Perhaps not enough water to continue approving building permits & potential lawsuits arising from lack of adequate water.
D. Thurston County Superior Court water ruling appeal’s legal costs.
E. Major legal bills ($200,000 to date) on the eminent domain decision of Council to acquire the McMonigle Water Rights.
F. A city population weary of increased water rates.

So, the Council unanimously voted in another 1% tax increase last week – with more fees, taxes and cuts anticipated as the recovery outlook continues to be bleak. And really, is this the time for the state & city to be spending $400,000 for flush toilets & concession stand at Longmire Park? As the ONLY commentator at the Budget, Tax & Revenue Hearings in 2008 & 2009, obviously city residents do not care or are satisfied with the budget decisions, as 2 years in a row not one other citizen has shown up to state otherwise.

[About the tax increase, City Administrator Shelly Badger said so cavalierly in today's NVN,
"That increase is normal operating procedure and described as a 'housekeeping issue.'"
Ed. Note: that's right and when the city keeps adding a 1% tax increase, after 5 years, that's a hefty 5% tax increase! WE'RE AT A 2% TAX INCREASE IN A YEAR NOW & COUNTING - JUST A HOUSEKEEPING ISSUE!
Remember, $100,000 in unforeseen legal bills equates to 2 city jobs as an example.]

AND THE COUNTY'S BUDGET HEARING IS NEXT WEEK:
Thurston County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the 2010 budget Monday, December 7, 2009 at 5:30pm, Room 152, Building One, Thurston County Courthouse.
The County's budget has been reduced by almost 17% from 2009.
From the NVN,
"County manager Don Krupp says earlier rounds of cuts have meant no wholesale reductions were needed for the 2010 budget. 'County Commissioners have been trimming back the budget for years now to account for the limit of 1% per year on property tax increases, which does not allow us to keep up with inflation and an increasing population. We have cut more than 12% of county employee positions and $7- Million from the county’s General Fund.'

Krupp says the recession, which hit the county hard, has flattened out a bit, but he still has words of caution. 'That does not mean that county government has recovered in any significant way. We are still dealing with a terrible revenue situation and an increasing demand for programs and services. Even if the economy fully recovers, county government will still be in a revenue bind for the foreseeable future.'"

Ed. Note: That sounds familiar to my comments to Yelm's Mayor & City Council last week!
Yelm operates with a biennial budget, which had a 15% General Fund revenue reduction for 2009-2010. Yelm has even more challenges than the county, with an even lower percentage of revenue & proportionately higher expenses; which was my point.

County residents are invited to send in comments the following ways:
By mail:
Board of County Commissioners
Thurston County Courthouse
2000 Lakeridge Drive, SW
Olympia, WA 98502

By fax: (360) 754-4104
By e-mail: tcbocc@co.thurston.wa.us

Checkout the County Budget online:
CLICK HERE

Rainier-based award-winning author Bettye Johnson

ABOUT BETTYE JOHNSON
Bettye Johnson won the 2008 Independent Publishers Book Award for her book,
Mary Magdalene: Her Legacy (Living Free Press).

Ms. Johnson is also a two-time book award winner and an international author. Her latest book is Awakening the Genie Within. Bettye is also the founder and facilitator of Writers Night Out Forum, which meets the first Monday of each month at Yelm's Blue Bottle.

TELL MS. JOHNSON YOU READ ABOUT HER ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

Giorda E Welcomes you to Classic Elegance.

PROMINENT FASHION DESIGNERS TO MAKE EXCLUSIVE APPEARANCE AT GIORDA E. TRUNK SHOW
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

"On December 3rd through December 5th, Giorda E. will be hosting a trunk show featuring internationally acclaimed fashion designers Lourdes Chavez, Kevan Hall, Trixi Schober and Raffinalla.

Lourdes Chavez and Kevan Hall will make an exclusive appearance to introduce their Spring 2010 Collections on December 4th, in a rare opportunity for Yelm/Olympia residents to meet and mingle with the fashion industry’s hottest designers. Kevan Hall gowns have been worn by celebrities strutting red carpets at the Emmy’s and Golden Globe Awards such as Tina Fey, Carmen Electra, Vanessa Williams, Anne Hathaway and dozens more. His designs have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, California Apparel News, and LA Daily News among other national publications and magazine covers; InStyle, Star, Essence and more.

The Trunk show will feature hundreds of new arrivals in coats, suits, sweaters, dresses and more," quoting Giorda E's Press Release.

WHEN
December 3rd from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
December 4th from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
December 5th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE
Giorda E.
301 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm, WA 98597

ABOUT GIORDA E.
Giorda E. is a treasure trove where fashion is vibrant and style flourishes. Giorda E. dresses women and men to cultivate their individuality in a wide range of selections from every day elegance to absolute extravagance. Indulge in the Giorda E. experience to freshen up your wardrobe with classic styles, current trends, and accessories with flair!

ABOUT LOURDES CHAVEZ
Lourdes Chavez is an heir to the legacy of a fabled Hollywood designer who made glamorous movie stars look even lovelier. She began her career of designing for the stars by winning the Nolan Miller Dynasty Contest and creating an outfit worn by Linda Evans.

ABOUT KEVAN HALL
The Kevan Hall Collection emphasizes purity of style, incomparable tailoring and sensuously draped streamlined silhouettes; Hall has a natural sense of sophisticated elegance and uncluttered modern design.

For additional information, please contact:

Giorda Elie, Designer & Owner
GIORDA E.
301 Yelm Avenue East,
Yelm Washington 98597
TEL: 360.400.1125
EMAIL: giordae@fairpoint.net
WEBSITE: www.giordae.com

"Giorda E was created in 2002 after a survey was done in the local newspaper about what was missing in Yelm and it was a clothing store. Since I worked in the clothing business since 1974 as a young girl and the love for fashion brought me to Paris, New York, Italy, South America and Finally to Yelm."

TELL GIORDA E. YOU READ ABOUT HER SHOP ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!