Yelm Issues: April 2007 Archives

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding
Photo from the City of Yelm website

1. MAYOR ASKS FOR WATER CONSERVATION - WHAT ABOUT THE CITY BEING AN EXAMPLE AND SLOWING DEVELOPMENT TO CONSERVE WATER?
Mayor Harding's byline in this week's edtiton of the NVN titled "Getting serious about conservation (water)"
is interesting since the City of Yelm has footed the bill for a water study for the Thurston Highlands developers
without a contract with the city for repayment, interest on the loaned money or any commitment on the part of the developers.
So, Mayor Harding places the water issues here clearly on the backs of city residents, beseeching them to conserve.

After all, the city has one of its well shut due to contamination.
And, the city has accepted an appllication for a development from the Thurston Highlands developers without proof of adequate water, all along requiring all others to prove water availability BEFORE aceepting an application.
Mr. Harding, City Administrator Shelly Badger's explanation to the NVN in answer to questions on the city's water issues was wholly inadequate and now you write about water conservation?
So, water is definitely the citizens' problem.
And, that is true as long as no one gets involved to demand the City of Yelm be accountable on this issue.
Badger's comments to my letter was printed in the NVN and on the Yelm Community Blog.
scroll down to February 3, 2007

The Mayor tells us "Use water wisely."
I say let the developer prove water BEFORE acccepting their application and pay for the aquifer study on their own dime! This issue has been raised here on the Yelm Community Blog here previously. Scroll to February 5, 2007.

While conservation is to be lauded, isn't this coming from the Mayor a bit over the top?
Mr. Harding, "get serious about Yelm's water"!
What about the City of Yelm getting serious about water?

2. HAS ANYONE SEEN THE NVN POLL ON CITY OF YELM GROWTH PUBLISHED?
The Nisqually Valley News ran an informal poll on growth here last February asking,
"Do you think the City of Yelm is on the right path, or wrong track, when it comes to dealing with residential and commercial growth?"
Please select one:

0 -The city is doing a great job dealing with, and planning for, growth

0- The city is doing an OK job, but could do better

0- The city is keeping up, but isn't doing much planning

0- There is no planning

0- The city is doing a flat out lousy job"

At the time of this writing, 53% of those respondents said, "The city is doing a flat out lousy job."

Did anyone ever see the published results?
NVN, did you report on your poll?
This was listed on the Yelm Community Blog .
Scroll to February 13, 2007
HMMM!

3.STATE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RETIRING - HIS IDEA INSPIRED OFFER TO CITY OF YELM - CITY DECLINED
"Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald announced Friday he will resign, stepping down as the state gets ready for a pair of huge, politically touchy highway projects in the Seattle area," quoting The Olympian

Sec. MacDonald came up with a unique offer to the State of Washington providing funds from his own pocket for a contest to garner "out-of-the-box" ideas from the public for fixing Washington State's transportation issues:

"State Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald wants to move beyond bureaucratese ... to fresh ideas for solving transportation problems and is putting up $1,000 of his own money to reach that goal. It's called the $1,000 Doug MacDonald Challenge, sponsored by the national Transportation Research Board, an organization with the National Academy of Sciences. The idea of generating new transportation ideas from the public with a contest came to him while he was sitting around one day," quoting the Seattle Times last September.

The exact same idea and dollar amount was offered to the Mayor and Yelm City Council on October 10th, 2006 by this writer and his wife to solicit ideas and public involvement in Yelm's traffic issues. Not only was this idea not even considered by the Council, there was no reply from the Mayor or Council to our offer. So, this writer had to call the City Clerk to insure the contest offer was received and delivered to the Mayor and Council. It was.
See the Yelm Community Blog of October 10 & 14, 2006.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sec. MacDonald.

4. DR. BILL ELLEDGE RETIRING - YELM DOC FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS
Dr. Bill Elledge will retire from his post at Yelm Family Medicine after 28 years of service to this community. While he will still remain owner, he and his wife Cathy are moving to Olympia and Dr. Elledge will join the staff at Capital Medical Center as hospital physician.
Cathy & Bill were champions for slower growth in this town and Bill testified against the superstore at the Wal-Mart hearings in 2005. His voice of reason about the increased traffic, noise & light pollution, as well as the effect this store would have on the area's quality of life, was noted as a highlight during those discussions by this writer.
The Elledge's home is very near the Wal-Mart site and the soon-to be-opened store with all of these
factors he mentioned plus the ensuing development that will be approved around Yelm's Wal-Mart are a few of the reasons contributing to their decision to leave now, I am sure.
CONGRATULATION CATHY & BILL AND BEST WISHES ON YOUR NEW ADVENTURES!
YOUR SWEET SMILES, WARM HEART & VOICES CHAMPIONING OUR TOWN WILL BE MISSED AROUND HERE.

Children's School of Excellence (CSE) entrance
Photo from CSE website

Rainier-based Children's School of Excellence has unveliled a new, expanded website.

The Children's School of Excellence is now taking applications for the following full time
teaching positions for the 2007/2008 school year:

Pre-kinder- Kindergarten - Full time teaching position
1st/2nd grade split – Full time teaching position
3rd/4th grade split – Full time teaching position
5th/6th grade split – Full time teaching position
7th/8th grade split – Full time teaching position

Interested persons should send a resume with a cover letter to:
Annie McCandlis, Director
Children's School of Excellence
PO Box 1065
Rainier, Washington 98576
or
Email to: eamccandlis@gmail.com

The Children's School of Excellence
IS HAVING A YARD SALE
Saturday May 12th 10:00am to 5pm
13411 Cedar Grove Lane SE, Rainier
360-446-1100
Come, Have Fun and Shop With Us!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

City of Yelm welcome sign
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Monday, April 30
Yelm honors Agnes Bennick, the city's clerk and treasurer for more than 18 years as she retires.
The event is open to the public from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Yelm City Hall.

Saturday, April 28
Yelm pays tribute in remembrance of former Mayor Kathy Wolf.
A memorial service for Kathy will be at 1:00 PM at Yelm High School.

Friday, April 27
Quiche-making class with Sebastian Schefer, owner and Swiss Pastry Chef
of Yelm's Sebastian's Best - Fine European Pastries.
Class is $34 per person, $60 per couple for 3 hours beginning at 7pm
Call ahead to register 458-9313

Thursday, April 26
Yelm welcomes Rep. Jim McCune for a Town Hall Meeting
Yelm Rosemont Asst. Living Center, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Tuesday, April 24
Mayor Ron Harding issued Proclamations that Yelm recognizes
April as Arbor month &
May as Bicycle Commuter Month

Monday, April 23
Yelm kickoff event of Timberland Reads Together.
This year's program invites community members in the Timberland Regional Library five-county district to read and discuss My Ántonia by Willa Cather. This year we are participating in a national program, The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.
Invited local dignitaries read excepts and described their immigrant fore bearers' journey to America.

Cell Phone Tower
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

The Clearwood Association office has advised that the installation of a cell phone tower in the community was the only topic up for discussion at the May 19th meeting. Only members can make a comment at this session.

If you or someone you know lives in Clearwood, encourage them to attend the meeting to make their voices heard.
If they are unable to attend the meeting, a letter or email as a community resident would be beneficial.

That being said, of course, the broadcasting of frequencies from a cell phone tower in the Bald Hills would effect those living around the Clearwood Community, so if you would like to express your views, Connie Sheehan maintains the Clearwood Community Association website.
Her email address is: ConnieS@ywave.com
Clearwood's Board President is Ron Smith.

A resident reports, "I just spoke with Ron & he said that the Board pursued this possibility due to safety issues -- accidents on Bald Hills Rd & not able to make a phone call, injuries on the trails & not able to call, etc. The cell tower issue is not on the Board agenda for this Saturday. The voting will occur by mail, probably in June & the results should be out in August."

[Ed. Note: Why on Earth these owners would want their pristine environment in which they invested invaded by a cell phone tower is beyond me. Is the loss of their protected community's culture worth the so-called convenience of cell phones ringing by the lake or on summer walks - not to mention the frequencies affecting all around?
Ignorance IS bliss! Is some multi-national company throwing a boatload of money at the Clearwood Assn. that this even gets on the docket? With all of the homes in Clearwood with land line phones, the argument about safety just does not hold water, IMHO. ]

"Located on Bald Hill Road, 10 miles South East of Yelm, Thurston County, Washington.
Clearwood is a lakeside residential community nestled around three lakes.
This uniquely private, gated community is set in 900 forested acres against a backdrop
of rolling hills including Bald Hill and Mount Rainier."

The informational meeting is listed here.
12 noon at Reichel.

Dear Readers;

Road signs at Yelm intersection of SR 507 & 510
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

No issue has area residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors more galvanized than the Yelm traffic.
Even with the addition of city road projects, most are cosmetic at best helping with flow, yet, do little to tackle this mess.
This writer and others have gone on-record with the Yelm Planning Commission and City Council several times baout this issue alone.

Now, the Yelm Comprehensive Plan will be updated this year and the first step in that process is a draft from the Planning Commission, which they will begin on May 21. The public can attend the session at 4pm.
Once that is completed and an anaysis released, there will be an Open House for public comment.

What I have witnessed is that by the time of the Open House, the Planning Dept. and City Administrators have locked-in their views and strongly provide those as the basis for decisions to the Planning Commission & City Council. The Open House then becomes nothing more than a routine drill and the projects are "rubber stamped" by the officials elected to represent our interests - the property owners and residents of this town.
We all have witnessed this time and again. The 2006 Jefferson Muzzle award to the Yelm City Council highlighted
this as truth, with many of those on the Council then, still sitting there today.

With that in mind, doesn't this require your education and participation now?

The following from this Blog of October 24, 2006 will educate you about the transportation issues the Planning Commission MUST consider:

Ed Wiltsie was the only speaker to make a public comment at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting regarding Ordinance 858 amending the Yelm Comprehensive Plan. He spoke brilliantly about traffic and water issues.
Regarding traffic, the points he made are as follows:
A. The major thoroughfares through town (SR 507 to the east & SR 510 to the west) carry
school traffic, emergency responders to medical treatment in Olympia and serves as the
only alternate route around I-5 closures between Tacoma & Olympia.

B. Since 1992, major intersections of this road have been graded level of service (LOS) F,
the lowest grade possible. There is no lower threshold and there is not a method for measuring or establishing how far below the LOS F threshold the system can go. Considering the full scenario in Yelm, a LOS F means the road conditions need to be immediately improved because of safety issues while development adding to a LOS F road needs to be kept to a minimum until the road is improved to a higher threshold.

C. Yelm has laudably performed all of the improvements that are possible along the Commercial Corridor, Yelm Avenue, which partially offsets the impact of modest development. However, the recent approval of mega developments (i.e. Wal-Mart, Tahoma Terra) and consideration of Thurston Highlands (which has been noted as one of the largest residential development projects in the United States) does not seem to be consistent with the intent of the concession granted by the language in the Comprehensive Plan. This size of development will lead to unsafe conditions on Yelm Avenue and the numerous side streets that will experience more and more bypass traffic as congestion increases.

D. Mr. Wiltsie was asked if the City Council should shut off development. He said no because funding to support the construction of traffic improvements is derived from such development. Mr. Wiltsie did suggest the city council should not be considering mega-developments (i.e. Thurston Highlands) until the Y3 Loop is in place, as it will add too much additional traffic, creating a more dangerous situation and more safety issues. The city at this point needs to look to improving SR 507 & 510 conditions or reconsider approving further development until such time that SR 507 & 510's LOS F is improved.
The implication was clear in this listener's mind: the City of Yelm is going to be liable in lawsuits from traffic deaths because of its acceptance of LOS F intersections all-the-while adding development and worsening the conditions for 15 years. HOW LOW CAN LOS F CONDITIONS GO?

E. Mr. Wiltsie stated that a city can temporarily approve development with a major road graded LOS F as long as there is some remediation to improve that LOS F roadway, such as a bypass. He stated that when (and if) the bypass is open approximately 2015, almost 25 years will have passed with SR 507 & SR 510 being graded LOS F (1992-2015). Mr. Wiltsie said that means this is not a temporary condition, since this road has been graded LOS F since 1992 and the City Council & Planning Commission have deemed this LOS F acceptable.

F. Even the city's own Development Director, Grant Beck stated in his staff report:
"The City Council should carefully consider the points raised by Mr. Wiltsie in which he indicates that the establishment of a level of service F in the downtown core is not being used as intended by the 2001 Comprehensive Transportation Plan as adopted by the Yelm Planning Commission and the Yelm City Council, as the intention of the City Council is ultimately determined by the City Council. If the Council's intention is correctly expressed by Mr. Wiltsie's comments, it should clarify that for the record."

Bottom line:
The City approved the Comprehensive Plan revisions unanimously anywayOctober 24, even with all of the questions of Mr. Wiltsie added to Mr. Beck's suggestion to consider Mr. Wiltsie's comments. While the respect and admiration was noted from the City Council towards Mr. Wiltsie and his report, not one member of the City Council raised their hand to say they would like to table the adoption of Ordinance 858 amending the Yelm Comprehensive Plan and do further research regarding Mr. Wiltsie's comments.
The citizens of Yelm owe Ed a great deal of thanks for his constant efforts on their behalf at bridging these understandings for the Planning Commission and City Council.

WILL THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER AND INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES IN 2007?

It's up to the public to ask their elected officials to do so!

What say you?

Road signs at Yelm intersection of SR 507 & 510
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Capital construction projects in the design, permitting or right of way acquisition phase:

Project: Bald Hill Road
Location: Four Corners to Smith Prairie Road
Description: Road upgrade.
Expected Completion Date: 2007
Estimated Cost: $3,700,000
Funding Sources: $2,160,000 Federal

Project: Vail Road
Location: Bald Hill Road to SR 507
Description: Widening and safety improvements.
Expected Completion Date: 2009
Estimated Cost: $800,000
Funding Sources: Federal/County

Project: Morris Road Curve
Location: near 115th Lane SE
Description: Realign curve.
Expected Completion Date: 2007
Estimated Cost: $400,000
Funding Sources: Federal/County

Project: Vail Road
Location: 153rd SE to Bald Hill Road
Description: Realign and widen.
Expected Completion Date: 2009
Estimated Cost: $3,000,000
Funding Sources: Federal/ County

Source: Thurston County Roads & Transportation Services Dept.

Rep. Jim McCune
Photo from Rep. McCune's website

Rep. Jim McCune will be holding Town Hall Meetings

Tuesday, April 24 - Eatonville Library
6:30 - 8:30pm

Thursday, April 26 - Yelm Rosemont Asst. Living Center
5:30 - 7:30pm

Won't you stop in the Chinese Wok and congratulate Insuk for operating her quality chinese restaurant in Yelm for 10 years now?

Photo taken by Karsten Dörre on Wikimedia

Reprinted with permssion of the Eatonville, WA. Dispatch.
The Dispatch writer Bruce Smith is an area resident.

"While honey bee stocks collapsed nationwide in at least 24 states, endangering billions of dollars worth of crops, local beekeepers, so far safe from this winter's mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), have intensified their vigilance.

'We have not seen any evidence of CCD in the 150 or so WSU colonies located around Pullman," says Washington State University's leading bee scholar Professor W. Steve Sheppard, "nor any in the 30 or so we have over in Pierce County.'

CCD is the total, and nearly instantaneous, demise of a bee hive. According to a widely quoted New York Times article of Feb. 27, beekeepers on the east coast and parts of Texas are reporting a 70 percent disappearance of bees, while California reports nearly 60 percent. Officials do not know what is causing this unique kind of die-off.

Entire colonies vacate their hive and are never seen again. Occasionally, some emptied hives are found that contain a few survivors. Examinations reveal that these bees are exceedingly ill with multiple parasitic and fungal infestations.

Local reports vary. In Eatonville, beekeeper David Mitman says he hasn't lost any hives, but Roy Park reports a loss of 2/3: 80 out of 120 hives.

Long-time Pierce County beekeeper Harvard Robbins states he has lost 20 colonies out of 50 this past winter.

'But I lost 40 out of 40 a year ago to tracheal and varroa mites, so who knows what's causing the unusual colony collapse this year," he said. "It could be a combination of things including mites, the stress of being trucked thousands of miles to pollinate agricultural fields or even feeding on the genetically modified crops so prevalent nowadays.'

John Timmons of Timmons' Honey Farm in Graham thinks local stocks are holding their own but require strong vigilance against the mites and cold weather. Timmons works closely with Eric Olson of Yakima, who administers over 9,000 bee colonies - many of which are heading to western Washington to pollinate blueberries in the Orting Valley. Olson is reported to have lost 2,000 colonies this winter, which has become the expected norm in the bee industry.

'But, when I started back in 1974,' declares Robbins, 'we never had losses like that. It's all come from the growing number of problems bees are facing today, especially the arrival of mites in the late '70s.'

Bees perform two vital roles in our nation's food chain. One is the production of honey, while the other is pollination. Some foods, such as almonds and apples, depend heavily on bee pollination to develop a crop. Hence, colony collapse disorder is a very serious threat to our food supply," quoting The Dispatch.

Bruce Smith
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

"The Puget Sound Beekeepers Association is formed to promote the common interest and general welfare of beekeeping, to protect honeybees, to educate beekeepers, encourage good bee management practices, and to encourage good public relations between beekeepers and the public," quoting their site. Dave Mitman is al ocal officer of the Assn.

Further, this story on the subject from the Christian Science Monitor:
"What's happening to the bees?
Suddenly, the bees farmers and growers rely on are vanishing. Researchers are scrambling to find out why. The cause of the die-off has yet to be determined. Its effect on the food supply may be significant. Longer-term, it may also force a rethinking of some agricultural practices including our heavy reliance on human-managed bees for pollination. The Christian Science Monitor reports that to insure crop pollination, scientists suggest increasing habitat for native pollinators. Evidence suggests that the honeybee disappearance may be due to bee immune systems weakened by varroa mites, pesticides, poor nutrition, genetically modified crops, and other factors."

Bruce Smith's own website is The Quantum Story.

"Will of the Wind [Rainier, WA based] carries a wide array of beautiful and wonderful products all related to enjoying the captivating Spirit of the Wind.

Our goal at Will of the Wind is to provide products for your home and garden of which you can be proud and that you will enjoy for years to come. We also sell fun wind toys, such as kites and spinners for the delight of children and adults alike.

New products and services are added to the site regularly as we grow and expand. Thank You for dropping by and we hope you enjoy your visit," quoting their website.

From Yelm City Administrator Shelly Badger,

"We received word today that Kathy Wolf passed away after a long bought with cancer. For those of you new to the City, Kathy served on the City Council for 12 years prior to her 8 years as Mayor from 1993 – 2001. She was a highly respected and loved Mayor, with a wonderful sense of community and the ability to bring people together to accomplish what many thought could not be done. For those that had the privilege to work for her, she always made you feel part of something very special when you were on her team.

The memorial service for Kathy will be Saturday, April 28th at 1:00 PM at Yelm High School."

"SCHAFFER GALLERY ART & FRAME Presents local sculptor Neil Kaber April 21st 6-9PM.
Next to Buddy Bear espresso 104 Yelm Ave.
Everyone is welcome.
Come meet the artist and see his illuminated outerspace sculptures.
It will certainly be an intergallactic experience you won't forget,"
quoting Neil Kaber.

Rainier, WA based Children's School of Excellence (CSE) is one of the first schools to have a 100% enrollment with every student having a library card. Mike McGowan from the Yelm Timberland Regional Library came out to CSE to make sure everyone had a card in hand.

CSE students with Yelm Timberland Library official Mike McGowan
Photo courtesy of CSE

Aries Hygaard was interviewed with JZ Knight on KIRO 710am radio's Dave Ross on April 12, 2007 for her ward from UW, covered here on February 28, 2007.

For anyone who may have missed it, or would like to hear it again, the Dave Ross show can be downloaded from iTunes.

Simply open iTunes on your computer.

Select iTunes Store from the left column and search "710 KIRO".

You will see on the second listing "710 Kiro's Dave Ross Podcasts", click the small grey arrow.

You can then either double click on "Hour 3" to listen now,
or click the grey "Get Episode" on the right to download onto your computer
for later listening or transfer to your iPod.

OR

You can go to www.710KIRO.com to download the podcast. You will have to create a member profile to do so. From the menu on the left, choose Podcast>710 Kiro Podcasts (http://www.710kiro.com/sectional.asp?id=7912). Scroll down to DAVE ROSS SHOW HOUR 3 and select "Download this show"

Or access here
And, about the award winners.

ENJOY!!!

"Jesse Elvrom obviously likes his new pair of cleats.

Throwing the javelin in a brand new pair of spikes, the Yelm sophomore broke personal bests three consecutive times Friday [April 13], winning with a throw of 185 feet, 3 inches at the Mountain Invitational.

'I just got new shoes today,' said Elvrom, a sophomore who had been wearing football shoes. 'They work pretty good.'

Elvrom was one of four Yelm athletes to finish first, helping the Tornados take second place at the 12-team meet. Kelso won with 143 points, Yelm had 90, and Shelton was third with 76.

Anthony Stadeker, Antoine Sims and Justin George all placed first in events for Yelm," quoting The Olympian.

"The Port of Olympia Commission and its staff came to Yelm last week for the first of several planned meetings around the county.

During the meeting, Yelm City Administrator Shelly Badger and Yelm Mayor Ron Harding talked about the progress of the Yelm Prairie Rail Line project, currently held up as city officials seek funding.

The 4.5 mile rail line, which spans from Yelm to Roy, was purchased for $300,000 from Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 1999.

The line is out of use, Badger said, until an operator controls the rail and customers are lined up to use the rail.

The best way for this to happen, she said, is to connect the rail line to Tacoma Rail and possibly contract with them to operate it.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe is unlikely to operate the line because they hold an emphasis on large volumes and products, and are not designed to serve smaller lines and businesses, she said.

City officials have requested $3.5 million from the state for line construction, line refurbishment and right-of-way acquisition.

However, the State Senate and House of Representatives have each released their 2007 transportation budget with no new projects listed, Badger said.

'We are still trying other avenues to try and get funding this legislative session'"

One of these avenues is working with U.S. Congressman Adam Smith...

The rail line is needed to promote economic development in Yelm, Badger said.

'Connection is critical to development,' she said.

'If we want to get rail dependent businesses into Yelm, they need that connection,'" quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

What do you think of the City requesting $3.5 million in funds to upgrade a rail line for light-industry development?

How do you feel about City Council officials continuing to attend regional transportation meetings touting a Yelm bus/rail connection from Olympia to Tacoma when our city's streets are already choked with traffic?

It's your money, it's your town.

Going to continue the silence?

"The Yelm Parks Advisory Committee (YPAC) is seeking interested individuals to serve on their committee. Presently, there are two vacancies.
Some of the responsibilities and duties of the Yelm Parks Advisory Committee include: cooperating and coordinating with any and all departments or commissions of the City for a well rounded parks and recreation program; making recommendations to the city council regarding use of the parks and other recreational facilities to best serve the interests of the public; and carrying out any other park related projects assigned by the mayor or city council.

Any interested citizens are asked to complete the YPAC application, along with a letter of interest to: Mayor Ron Harding, Yelm City Hall, P.O. Box 479, Yelm, WA 98597 by Friday, April 13th, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.," quoting the City of Yelm website.

The seven members must be residents of the Yelm area, and are appointed by the Mayor. Living within city limits is therefore not required.

""Thurston County residents will pay about a third of a penny more in sales tax for every $1 they spend to “interrupt the cycle” of abuse and violence that leads to crime and more jail inmates — if they approve a proposal now being reviewed by government leaders countywide. If placed on the ballot and approved by voters in November, the plan, dubbed the Thurston County Family Investment Proposal, would raise $10 million annually by increasing the county sales tax from 8.4 cents per $1 to 8.7 cents per $1....

As of March 31, the response deadline set by the county, the city councils in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Rainier had sent letters of support for talks to see if they could back a November ballot measure. The Yelm City Council’s letter said its members did not support moving forward, citing concerns about uncertainties with the administration and structure of the proposed program.
[Ed. Note: HMMM! Yelm is the only city to decline so far. What did Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater & Rainier see in this plan that they approved it & Yelm did not?]

The city councils in Tenino and Bucoda did not respond by the March 31 deadline...
If Thurston County does not receive enough backing from the cities, the county commission has the authority to adopt a 0.1 percent sales-tax increase for criminal justice on its own, without voter approval," quoting The Olympian.

"After 3 years as a professional singer and actress in New York City, JessAnn Smith will return to perform her self-produced solo recital Tapas! at the new Yelm High School Auditorium for one night only to raise money for a YHS Music Scholarship. You won't want to miss it! JessAnn will be singing show tunes, art songs and operatic arias in 5 different languages as well as special pieces with YHS Alumni and current music students. Accompanying her on piano will be Dr. Eric Hung, international performer and musicologist. Proceeds from ticket sales will be awarded to a talented YHS musician to further his or her musical studies and provide opportunities in performing arts. Mark your calendar for April 18th at 7pm; tickets can be purchased at the door with any donation amount you see fit to support Yelm's student artists. YHS students get in free with ID. This concert will be enjoyable for the whole family, with a special reception in the cafeteria to follow!

JessAnn graduated from Yelm High School in 2001. She was a regular performer (and Board Member) of the Drew Harvey Theater, most well known for her starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie and Little Mary Sunshine. She then went college in Missoula, MT and received a BA in Vocal Performance with Honors. A few weeks after her 19 th birthday, JessAnn became UM's youngest graduate in over 40 years, and moved to New York City to sing, dance and act professionally..." quoitng the Yelm High School email from Joseph Lambert.

The Emergency Management Council of Thurston County & St. Martin's University announce the

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Saturday, April 14 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Martin's University Worthington Center

5300 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey

HMMM!
Senator Marilyn Rasmussen is holding a Town Hall Forum in Yelm this afternoon,
Saturday, April 7 at the Yelm Middle School from 3pm - 4:30pm.

We have seen our state legislators & Congressional Representative here at least twice a year every year for these open-to-the-public meetings.
Yet, we have not seen ANY kind of Town Hall Forum or Public Meeting from Mayor Ron Harding to engage with his electorate in the year and a quarter since talking office.

Wazzup with that?

Don't you find that odd?

AND, would this Mayor & City Council so boldly step out for their town, it's people and the future with out-of-the-box ideas like this?

"New Paltz [New York] village residents will see their property taxes slashed by fifteen percent under the 2007-2008 budget proposed by Mayor Jason West. And yet, services will continue at their current high level and the village infrastructure continue the steady improvement that has marked the last four years. “I have been able to craft a budget that not only continues delivering high quality of life, but allows village residents to reduce their tax bill,” said West. “This is the result of four years of sound fiscal management and this budget maintains my commitment to a strong financial foundation the village can continue to build upon.”

West said the budget allows the village to continue making progress improving efficiency and services, use smart planning to alleviate long standing infrastructure issues, and move forward with a commitment to environmental policies that are steadily moving the village toward a more sustainable footing," quoting the Green Party of New York State.

[Ed. Note: this story caught my eye as I went skiing near New Paltz when I lived in NYC in 1985.]

Friday, April 6 Olympia Regional Airport recorded a record high temperature of 79 degrees which broke the former 77 degree high set in 1977.

"Dr. Marvin Kunikiyo wants to practice chiropractic the way it was intended.

Kunikiyo is hoping to open his new chiropractic clinic Friday, March 30 or the following Monday.

The tag line for Kunikiyo's clinic is "Chiropractic ... the way it was meant to be practiced."...

Chiropractic care is vital for the health of the entire body, Kunikiyo said. Because the spine houses the nervous system, keeping it maintained is necessary for good health.

Without proper care, spine problems can affect the nervous system, and that in turn can harm the body, Kunikiyo said.

"(The spine is) so intimately related to nervous system," Kunikiyo said...

A Yelm resident for almost 17 years, Kunikiyo didn't actually work as a chiropractor in the area until now. He previously worked in Lacey.

"It's about time I start serving in my own community," Kunikiyo said.

Kunikiyo received his doctorate of chiropractic from the Palmer College of Chiropractic West in California. He has been practicing for 20 years.

• Classic Chiropractic is located at 35025 90th Avenue S., McKenna. To contact the clinic, call 360-400-2225,"
quoting the NVN.

The Pacific Northwest Jewelers Association, representing retail jewelers in Washington and Alaska, has announced Margarette Elie as one of the top three designers in its annual Design Competition. The competition features unique entries from top jewelry designers, from Washington and Alaska It was held during the Pacific Northwest Jewelers annual Learning Seminar and Design Contest March 11, 2007.

“Each year we are more impressed with the highly skilled and beautiful designs that come from our Pacific Northwest jewelry design contestants,” says Barbara Walker, Executive Director. “We are pleased to honor the winning contestants, and congratulate all participants on their excellent designs.”

Pacific Northwest Jewelry Association is an affiliate of Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for retail jewelers. Together, PNJ and JA provide their retail jeweler members with educational and business-building resources, while advocating high ethical and professional standards. All members of PNJ and Jewelers of America must sign and abide by the JA Code of Ethics, so that their customers can shop with confidence," quoting the Elie Jewelry Press Release.

This writer just finished a very interesting book:
COMPANY TOWNS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
highlighting how towns were formed by logging companies.
There were several paragraphs about McKenna, WA. being
practically owned by the McKenna Lumber Company.

Check it out at Yelm Timberland Library.

In breaking news today, The Olympian is reporting,
"After almost two years of uncertainty, the state Court of Appeals issued a split decision today on Thurston County's appeal of a lower court decision that ordered major changes to the county comprehensive plan.

The county, which appealed a July 2005 ruling by the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, lost on several major aspects -- including to provide more lower-density zoning in rural lands and to shrink the county's urban growth area.

The 2005 hearings board ruling was triggered by a complaint from Seattle-based land-use watchdog group Futurewise, formerly 1,000 Friends of Washington...

Fancher will brief the county board during an executive session at 2 p.m. Thursday. A public presentation will follow, he said."