SIMPSON DATA SAGA UPDATE

THE QUEST CONTINUES

Submitted to Shelton Blog by John Cox & Christine Armond
Mason County Progressive
Email sent to Linda Matthews, Simpson Lumber Environmental Coordinator:

FROM: John Cox and Christine Armond
TO: "Linda Matthews" LMatthe@simpson.com
CC: "David McEntee" dmcente@simpson.com, "Tony Enslow" tenslow@simpson.com, "Mark Goodin" mark.goodin@orcaa.org
DATE: December 14, 2011
SUBJECT: ORCAA SHELTON AIR MONITOR DATA REQUEST

Dear Ms. Matthews,

RE: Simpson Lumber's Shelton incinerator output vs. ORCAA's monitor readings

We noticed that Mark Goodin cc'd you his response to our email regarding ORCAA's air monitor and Simpson's Shelton incinerator. From that, we take it that you are the "go to" person at Simpson for this issue.

From Mark Goodin's response, our opinion, and the opinion of other community members, the chart that Tony Enslow, Simpson's Project Engineer, provided cannot be used to support valid conclusions about the efficacy of ORCAA's PM 2.5 monitor, and it's ability to measure the impact of the Simpson Shelton Incinerator's PM 2.5 emissions.

After seeing the chart, we requested more data from Mr. Enslow, and he replied that it was not available. We are again requesting that Simpson Lumber Company provide us with more data.

Specifically, we request the boiler output data for the period of 4/17/11 to the current date, in hourly increments (or smaller increments if available).

We need these data in order to attempt to come to a valid conclusion regarding the efficacy of the air monitor, and hope Simpson Lumber will cooperate with this citizen effort.

Thank you for your time.

John Cox
Christine Armond
Shelton, WA

____________________________

To date, there has been no response from Linda Matthews. However, we did receive the following message on our answering machine on 12/19/11 from Dave McEntee, Simpson, V.P., who we had cc'd a copy of our email to Ms. Matthews:

John and Christine:

This is Dave McEntee.

I got an email forwarded to me from Linda Matthews, requesting data from Simpson,

I just want to tell a little bit about that. You know, the analysis Simpson did with respect to the downtown monitoring station was a one time, early look at the station results at our boiler operation.

We went to auto response with respect to the topic, and we understand the view and we accept the view of ORCAA's that the data are not conclusive, or doesn't necessarily represent a scientific correlation.

So, end of the day, we're not continuing this analysis, and with respect to your request, do not plan on any additional efforts in this regard, so I think we're respecting ORCAA's view that they'll provide that kind of analysis.

Thanks for your interest, however.

If Simpson does take on any additional work in this regard or in any related matter, we certainly plan on sharing it.

Thanks and have a good holiday.

____________________________

OUR RESPONSE TO DAVE MCENTEE:

FROM: John Cox and Christine Armond
TO: "Dave McEntee" dmcente@simpson.com
CC: "Linda Matthews" LMatthe@simpson.com, "Mark Goodin" mark.goodin@orcaa.org
DATE: December 28. 2011
SUBJECT: SIMPSON SHELTON BOILER OUTPUT DATA REQUEST

Dear Mr. McEntee,

RE: Simpson Shelton boiler output data request

Thank you for leaving a response on our answering machine to our email to Linda Matthews.

To further clarify: we are not requesting additional Simpson analysis of data, but the raw boiler output data for the period of 4/17/11 to the current date, in at least hourly increments (the same data sent to ORCAA).

We understand that these data are sent to ORCAA semiannually, and therefore become public information. We had hoped that Simpson would cooperate with this citizen effort to ensure that the ORCAA air monitor is doing its job correctly.

As you are aware, many important decisions are based on the monitor's performance, and it would be good to know that these decisions are, in fact, valid. At this point, we have doubts. You may not have any doubts; ORCAA may not have any doubts; we, however, do.

We hope Simpson Lumber will significantly speed up the inquiry process by assisting us with this request of community interest.

Thank you.

John Cox
Christine Armond
Shelton, WA

STAY TUNED...

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

Link to previous related post "SIMPSON DATA QUESTIONED":
http://masoncountyprogressive.blogspot.com/2011/12/simpson-data-questioned.html

MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL EXCERPT

IT IS SOON TO BE A NEW YEAR

You better watch out If you've been bad,
Santa's sidekick, Krampus, is coming to town!

Port Looks to Back Away From City & County Oversight

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive

The Port of Shelton is seeking authority from Mason County Commissioners to inspect and permit septic systems located on Port property. Currently, permitting of those systems is a requirement of re-occupancy by new business tenants wishing to operate out of Sanderson Field Industrial Park.

Responsibility for inspection of those systems currently falls to the Mason County Dept. of Public Health, as it should, but Port Chair, Jay Hupp, argues the process is slow and cumbersome, and causes unnecessary delays to business proposals. At a recent briefing of County Commissioners, Mr. Hupp stated that no one was better suited to oversee septic systems on Port property than Port staff, since they would be the first to notice any system malfunction.

I would argue that transferring any regulatory oversight from a legislative body to one with no legislative authority sets a dangerous precedent for the future; in the event of a system failure, damages may not be confined to Port property which could leave the County liable for actions (or inaction) by the Port.

As is typical, the Port attempted to avoid public scrutiny of their intention (Port Commissioners did away with workshop sessions for just that reason), and tried to “fly it under the radar” (translation: do it behind the public’s back) indicating, once again, that even from bad experiences Port managers have learned nothing.

Okay, now for my 12/20/11 meeting report:

It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon, and I had just vanquished my third "Happy Meal" at the local McDonalds while trying to decide if I should attend the final Port meeting of 2011, or buy a bottle of Tequila and lay down in the middle of the road. While I never actually enjoy Port meetings, the source of today’s angst revolved around one particular item on the agenda: the swearing in of Dick Taylor as our newest Port Commissioner.

But right from the get-go Jay Hupp announced that the swearing in ceremony was not going to happen, at least not today. At first, it appeared that Mr. Taylor had the good sense and common decency to postpone the proceedings till a more appropriate time, closer to assuming his duties.

At the time, I had no idea Commissioner-elect Taylor was reacting to a letter written by outgoing Commissioner, Jack Miles, in which he cautioned that any premature swearing in of the new Commissioner would have embarrassing ceremonial consequences.

Speaking of embarrassing, I thought it appropriate to bring some transparency to the public comment period of the meeting by going on about the Port’s ongoing efforts to exempt itself from a County regulatory agency, the Department of Public Health.

It has become clear that the Port is looking to back away from City and County oversight at a time when it should be combining resources around a common goal to expand and diversify our economic base. Once again, the Port is attempting to reject precisely what it so desperately needs: municipal, cooperative interdependency.

And on that note I wish you all a most Joyous Holiday Season!

Graphic: myconfinedspace.com

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

"Krampus is a mythical creature who accompanies Saint Nicholas in various regions of the world during the Christmas season. The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for "claw" (krampen). In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by an incubus demon accompanying Saint Nicholas. Instead of giving gifts to good children, Krampus gives warnings and punishments to bad children..." Wikipedia

GOODBYE TO JACK MILES AT THE PORT

Port of Shelton Commissioner Jack Miles speaking at a Port meeting

THANK YOU JACK!

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Katherine Price Mason County Progressive

Today citizens said goodbye to Jack Miles, Port of Shelton Commissioner. At the next Port meeting we will welcome a new Port Commissioner, Dick Taylor.

Notwithstanding the fact that Commissioner-elect Dick Taylor's campaign contributors come from the faith-based, science-hating, far right wing of the Republican party, I hope that he will take into consideration whose shoes he is filling.

Dick Taylor will be replacing the ONLY local political figure who has shown an interest in protecting our air and water, and the health of our children and of our seniors.

Dick Taylor will be replacing the ONLY local political figure who had town halls and who asked his constituents what they thought.

Dick Taylor will be replacing the ONLY local political figure who stood on the street with the air-breathers and fought to keep an ADAGE out of our backyard.

Dick Taylor is our Port Commissioner now, whether we voted for him or not. Let's truly wish him well and fervently hope that he plans to represent ALL of his constituents - not just the "timber barons" and the "permitted polluters".

Let it be our intention to hold Dick Taylor to the high standard of citizen representation set by Jack Miles. Hopefully, all of our air-breathers will attend as many Port meetings as possible next year, and that we will also hold Dick to the standard set by Jack Miles...the standard that puts the health and the interests of the citizens above corporate donors' profits.

In other words, it would be nice if Dick would have some compassion for the 99%, as he represents his 1% "corporate masters".

Thank you Jack, for your six years of service to the Port of Shelton!

Keep it light...

Photo by Christine Armond

STOP BIOMASS SUBSIDIES PETITION

CHANGE.ORG

OCCUPY OLYMPIA TAKES BUILDING

Press Release submitted to Shelton Blog by Occupy Olympia Press Team

For Immediate Release

Occupy Olympia Takes Building;
Establishes the Rachel Corrie Community Center

Olympia, December 16th, 2011 -- At 1:00 am on Friday, over 200 Occupy Olympia activists marched to and occupied an abandoned building on 5th Ave to peacefully resist the eviction at the camp and to establish the Rachel Corrie Community Center. Olympians gathered at Heritage Park this evening in response to Thursday morning's notice to cease and desist camping and from that gathering the crowd rallied to open Olympia's newest community center to be run as an experiment in direct democracy.

The transition from occupying public parks to occupying private buildings is part of a broader shift throughout the national Occupy Movement. This has been partially a result of state repression at the park encampments, but more significantly it is a move to assert the permanence of this movement and the process of democratic experimentation that it has opened up.

“We see the economic crisis at root as a crisis of democracy, and thus our efforts to address the crisis must work to democratize all aspects of our political and economic lives,” said occupier David Langstaff.

The building occupation is intended to highlight the contradictions between the availability and distribution of resources in the Olympia community. For instance, while there are numerous buildings in the downtown area that have been visibly abandoned for years, 18% of people in downtown at any given time are homeless.

“All the resources that are needed to solve the problems exist, but it is our responsibility to distribute the resources in a just fashion, so we chose to empower ourselves to provide for ourselves,” stated occupier Andrew Meyer.

The state has repeatedly offered services to the people at camp, and as of yet, none have been provided. The question though is not simply shelter from the elements or access to services, but also an issue of dignity and to secure for ourselves the basic necessities of life, including, but not limited to, food, water, shelter, and medical care. Occupy Olympia stands under the slogans, “You can't evict an idea” and “another world is possible”.

occupyolympia.org

OCCUPY OLYMPIA FACING EVICTION

Press Release submitted to Shelton Blog by Occupy Olympia Media Team

For Immediate Release

Facing Midnight Eviction,
Occupy Olympia Rallies to Support Camp

Olympia, December 15, 2011 – Washington’s Department of Enterprise Services handed down an eviction notice in the early hours of Thursday morning citing “health and safety risks” at Heritage Park. Occupy Olympia protesters have held the park since October 16th, building structures, erecting tents, and providing vital social services to those in need.

The Occupy Movement manifested as a direct response to the social and economic injustices caused by a corrupt and heartless financial system. Occupy Olympia did not create the problems faced at camp. These are the same problems faced in communities around the country.

Occupier Kyle Tanner states, “It’s disappointing that the state chooses to continue to sweep the realities of budget cuts under the rug rather than face the systemic inequities.” Since the early days of the occupation, Occupy Olympia has provided the community with free medical services, food, and shelter, all of which are needs the state has failed to meet.

“While Occupy Olympia has been offering social services, it’s important to remember that the Occupy Olympia encampment is, and continues to be, a political encampment. Any attempt to discredit that would be a false representation of what the Occupy movement is all about,” states Occupier Owen Prout.

Though the future of the physical camp may be uncertain, the community that camp has built will continue to fight the atrocities committed to benefit the 1%. In response to the cease and desist letter, Occupy Olympia is planning a march at 4 p.m. and an assembly at 10 p.m. Thursday night at Heritage Park for camp defense and witness.

General Assembly meetings will still take place, with the Sunday 1 p.m. meetings held in the Capitol Rotunda. Occupy Olympia has spent the last two months supporting the Olympia community and now is the time for the community to come out in support of the camp at Occupy Olympia under the slogan, “You can’t evict an idea".

occupyolympia.org

OCCUPY BREMERTON FORECLOSURES

Excerpts from:
Another Occupy arrest
at Kitsap County foreclosure auction
By Rachel Pritchett

PORT ORCHARD — A week earlier, they used a megaphone.

(Last) Friday, seven Occupy Bremerton protesters loudly blasted a choir of whistles to call attention to their cause at the regular 10 a.m. foreclosure auction outside the Kitsap County Administration Building.

"Stop illegal foreclosures! Occupy the auction!"

Their yells pierced the frigid air. About 20 bankers, trustees and clients split into small huddles to hear auctioneers drone the long legalese of that morning's foreclosure announcements. Hand on hip, one proclaimed, "Going once, going twice, going three times." Protesters closed in to within a couple of feet from their faces, their whistle blasts and shouts carrying their message.

"The banks got bailed out! We got sold out!"

Within five minutes, a Port Orchard policeman rolled up and warned some of the protesters that they'd be arrested if they didn't stop. Soon, a second officer came. And for the second week in a row, police arrested Todd Penland, 48, of Manchester.

The group's designated arrestee walked peaceably to the police car, a look of patience and injustice on his face. The officers used restraints to bind his wrists behind him. Two cop cars and a third unmarked car circled and rolled away.

"He shouldn't lose his right to assemble!"

Also like last week, the arrest was for disorderly conduct. Penland was booked into jail and released, no payment required, all in an hour. He's to appear in Port Orchard Municipal Court on Monday.

"Shame! Shame! Shame!"

A woman drove by and honked support. Penland's mother, Phyllis Penland of Port Orchard, was holding a trembling little black dog in her lap as she propelled her wheelchair through the gathering over to a blond woman reading from foreclosure papers...

"You're conducting an illegal sale!"

Link to complete article:
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/dec/09/another-occupy-arrest-at-kitsap-county-auction/

OCCUPY OLYMPIA TO RECEIVE AWARD

Thurston Diversity Coucil 2011 Human Rights Award for
Unique Achievement to be presented to Occupy Olympia

The Thurston Diversity Council will be presenting the 2011 Human Rights Award for Unique Achievement to Occupy Olympia at a reception honoring its achievements on December 19th at the Thurston County Courthouse. The Council congratulates Occupy Olympia for its efforts to promote human rights in the community.

We in Mason County join in congratulating Occupy Olympia for its compassionate efforts, unflagging perseverance, and uplifting accomplishments!

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

Link to Occupy Olympia website:
http://occupyolympia.org/

THE 0-0-0 TAX PLAN

TEACHERS OCCUPY BUDGET CUTS

Jesse Hagopian escorted from a 11/28/11 WA State Legislature
hearing after attempting a citizen's arrest of lawmakers

Excerpts from:
Why I got arrested at the Capitol
By Jesse Hagopian

Seattle high school teacher Jesse Hagopian, a member of Social Equality Educators, describes a teachers' protest in the WA State Capitol on 11/28/11, and the inspiring response of students.

December 12, 2011

AS I was escorted by the Thurston County sheriff into my jail cell, sporting the tattered plastic sandals they exchanged for my shoes, wearing my yellow "I AM A TEACHER" T-shirt, I worried that one of the other inmates may have had a bad experience with their high school history teacher and might want to take it out on me.

But mostly, I was fretting that after going to all the trouble to raise my voice for education funding in a state legislature gone deaf, my only reward would be a cold bench, a criminal record and hundreds of dollars in fines.

I knew I hadn't done anything wrong--the police had let the real criminals who broke our economy go free--but at that moment, I doubted the wisdom of my attempt to school the Washington State Ways and Means Committee on its constitutional duty to fund education. Isolated from my colleagues, I questioned whether my actions were innovative or below standard pedagogy.

All I could think about was whether I was going to be released in time to make it back to my Garfield High School classroom the next morning, or if not, would they let me have another phone call to get a substitute.

EARLIER THAT day, I traveled to the Washington state Capitol in Olympia with members of the Social Equality Educators (SEE), a Northwest organization of rank-and-file school employees, to join hundreds of other teachers and protesters to raise our voices against $2 billion in cuts to health care and education proposed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in an emergency legislative session to cut the budget.

The state had already cut $2.7 billion from the state's education budget over the past three years. We have seen our coworkers laid off, teacher salaries cut, schools closed, classrooms swell in numbers, student transportation eliminated, counselors cut, and course offerings disappear. The new cuts would shorten the K-12 school year by a few days, saving money primarily by reducing teacher pay.

Aside from the moral turpitude of these cuts, there are legal problems. Washington state's Constitution, declares education is the "paramount duty" of the state. In February, King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick ruled the state was in violation of its constitution, writing, "The State does not provide its public schools stable and dependable ample resources to equip all children with the basic knowledge and skills mandated by this State's minimum education standards."

The State, already in violation of the highest law of the land, is now holding a meeting to plan its next crime? Our Social Equality Educators group recognized this legislative session to cut school days was, in effect, a criminal act. As Jerry Garcia once said, "Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us"...

Our first act at the Capitol was to unfurl our banner declaring the lawmakers were under arrest from the viewing balcony during the opening session of the Washington state House of Representatives. The state troopers, who apparently not having studied the Washington state constitution, mistook us for the lawbreakers and pushed us all out of the House chamber.

Not satisfied that our lesson plan had yet advanced the understanding of the legislature, the Social Equality Educators headed to the next building, where the Ways and Means Committee was meeting. Moments after legislators called the budget-slashing session to order, we declared the meeting to be an unlawful assembly, as I led the Social Equality Educators in a call-and-response "mic check":

We the educators of Washington State will not remain silent while the state legislature cuts funding to our schools. It is immoral, and it is illegal. These cuts will hurt families. These cuts will hurt kids. These cuts will hurt educators. A King County Superior Court judge has ruled these cuts are constitutionally illegal. The Constitution of Washington state reads it is the paramount duty to fully fund education. We therefore issue a citizen's arrest of this Washington state legislature.

At that point, I dug my hand into my pocket and presented a classic pair gray-plastic toy handcuffs. Waving them back and forth, I asked the legislature if they would "Kindly come with us."

As my colleagues chanted, "Fund our schools", a state trooper grabbed me, yanked my arm behind my back and asked me to come with him. I calmly informed the trooper that he had gotten the wrong guy and advised him to lock up the criminals who had broken the highest law in the state. The legislators' bewildered, caught-in-the-act expressions gave away their guilt, yet the trooper did not heed my words. I was quickly cuffed and escorted to an anteroom.

I sat back there, hands cuffed behind my back, for some time. The troopers said that escorting me though the hundreds of protesters back through the chamber "would cause a riot". I listened to the chanting inside the committee room grow louder...

BY THE time my squad car pulled away from the Capitol, with me cuffed in the back, all the adrenaline had faded, and I was much less confident of my actions. It was my first arrest experience, yet I was unsure if my symbolic act would have any effect. Further, I worried how my students and their parents would react.

The next morning, I pulled into the parking lot of Seattle's Garfield High School. As I got out of my car, a student from across the way yelled, "Free Mr. Hagopian!"

Oh no, I thought, my students know. Of course they know! What do they think? What will their parents think? As I passed the giant mural of the school mascot bulldog, it seemed to be coming after me.

But as I walked through the halls, every fist bump and "right on" made it clear the Garfield Bulldogs were going to stand by me. I almost lost my cool (I could feel my lip quiver) when one student told me had helped set up a Facebook page called "Free Mr. Hagopian", and hundreds of students had joined it that first day.

"Did you hear? We are going to walk out." One of my former students had a determined look on his face as he announced his intentions to me that afternoon. I asked him why they were going to walkout, and he shoved a pamphlet in my hand that outlined the impact of the budget cuts:

Students who want full schedules have been denied them due to a lack of teachers. Many seniors were denied a science class due to a complete lack of state science funding.

Other academic courses, such as advanced math classes, have been repeatedly cut from our school.

The removal of summer school and night school has removed resources that allowed many students to graduate on time, therefore effectively increasing the amount the state must spend on those students.

Join the movement. Spread the word. Get active.

I couldn't believe it--that is, until hundreds of students came streaming by my room with signs that read, "Fund our future!" and "No more cuts!" When there were only a few kids in my final class of the day, I realized the students had organized a mass walkout in a single day. It was later estimated that over 500 Garfield students had participated.

The next day, the whole school was buzzing. The story of the student walkout had made all the local news networks, Seattle Times and Keith Olbermann's Countdown. "We marched to City Hall, and the mayor came out and told us we were right, and to keep up the good work", one student told me.

By the weekend, the students had published an op-ed in the Seattle Times, and a picture of their rally appeared in the A section of the New York Times.

If you had any doubt that we are at the dawn of new movements for social justice in this country, consider that high school students organized this walkout in one day and have now formed an organization called Students of Washington for Change (SWaC) to help coordinate the struggle across the city and the state--including an all-city walkout against the budget cuts on Wednesday, December 14.

I have often hoped that my students would one day learn the lessons of history I had taught them--from the struggles of the abolitionists and women's rights advocates in antebellum America, to student movements against the Vietnam War and the freedom riders of the civil rights movement.

Last year, many of my students did very well on the AP U.S. history exam, but I am happy to say that now, they have actually passed the test.

Link to complete article:
http://socialistworker.org/2011/12/12/why-i-got-arrested-at-the-capitol

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

Link to Keith Olbermann's Countdown interview with Jesse Hagopian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6hJoJFi2ec

OCCUPY OLY CAMP FUTURE DISCUSSED

Press Release Submitted to Shelton Blog by Occupy Olympia Media Team

For Immediate Release

Occupy Olympia Meets with State,
Social Service Organizations, and Faith Based Groups
to Discuss Future of Camp

Olympia, December 9, 2011 – Members of Occupy Olympia met today with leaders of Olympia’s faith communities to discuss with city and state officials the increasing demands of providing vital services for Occupy Olympia’s most under served members.

Despite the fact that representatives from the city readily admit that spending money on resources for the homeless is not a core function of the city, the Department of Enterprise Services continues to threaten the stability of the community at Heritage Park. Occupy Olympia steadfastly maintains the necessity of maintaining a community that is capable of housing all who call Heritage Park home.

For two months, in addition to other political actions, Occupy Olympia has run an all-inclusive, all-volunteer social services agency in the mud -- offering heath care, conflict mediation, food, shelter, and weather-appropriate clothing to those in need. In previous correspondence with the city, Occupy Olympia was promised vital social services, yet the state reportedly has been “bending over backwards and has nothing left to offer".

One suggestion that was brought forward by Mayor-Elect Steve Buxbaum, the use of a 25 bed emergency Salvation Army shelter, is unacceptable to the Occupy community. Tim, a permanent camp resident stated, “You have a feeling of self-worth when living in the Occupy community that you don’t get from shelters because of the level of involvement and self-governance within the camp.”

Occupy Olympia, in partnership with many local organizations, is endeavoring to facilitate a situation in which the community established at Heritage Park can be preserved indefinitely. Attempts to negotiate use of an abandoned building for occupiers were met with denials and outright hostility. Further negotiations are expected in the near future.

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

Link to Occupy Olympia website: occupyolympia.org

BERNIE SANDERS: Save Our Democracy!

CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE!

SIGN THE PETITION:
http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c

SIMPSON DATA QUESTIONED

Submitted to Shelton Blog by John Cox Mason County Progressive

The above graph, provided by Simpson Lumber Company, shows boiler output vs. the PM 2.5 pollution monitor readings for the period of 4/17/2011 through 7/26/2011.

Simpson Engineer, Tony Enslow, stated that this indicates there is no correlation between the Simpson incinerator pollution (PM 2.5) output and the air pollution monitor readings for the new monitor site in downtown Shelton.

That the PM 2.5 monitor, located a few hundred yards from the incinerator, does not seem to detect any of the PM 2.5 pollution seems a bit "strange" to us. We contacted Mark Goodin at ORCAA for his opinion.

QUESTION SENT TO ORCAA:

From: John Cox
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011
To: Mark Goodin (ORCAA)
Subject: SHELTON MONITOR and SIMPSON

Dear Mr. Goodin,

I have attached a study that Tony Enslow, an engineer with Simpson, sent us per our request.

The study is comparing the Simpson incinerator output vs. the PM 2.5 levels recorded at the new air monitor location in Shelton.

The study shows, basically, no correlation and this bothers us. Why would a monitor that is situated only a few hundred yards away from a major PM 2.5 source not show any sign of detecting the pollution?

Lack of monitor sensitivity? Out of calibration? Wind?

Thanks for your time.

John Cox
Shelton, WA 98584

________________________

RESPONSE FROM ORCAA:

From: Mark Goodin
To: John Cox
CC: "Fran McNair" fran.mcnair@orcaa.org, "Robert Moody" robert.moody@orcaa.org, "Mark Moore" mark.moore@orcaa.org, "Jimmy Werner" jim.werner@orcaa.org, "Matthews, Linda" LMatthe@simpson.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011
Subject: RE: SHELTON MONITOR and SIMPSON

Dear Mr. Cox,

Thanks for forwarding the analysis tables that Mr. Enslow compiled. I believe there are conclusions that can be drawn from these results, but more general than the conclusion you came to.

One conclusion is that air quality in Shelton at the monitoring station was "Good" during the time period analyzed (April 22 - July 27, 2011). The Shelton continuous fine particulate, PM2.5, monitor is operated and maintained in accordance with the Washington State Department of Ecology Quality Assurance Plan and Procedures. The ORCAA operator reviews the hourly data on a monthly basis, requests data edits if necessary and submits operator performed quality control checks to the Ecology Quality Assurance Section for their final data validation. Therefore, we can assure you that the results are reliable.

Another conclusion is that the Simpson boiler operated during this time period and at operating levels approaching its maximum output. We know this because output of the boiler and performance of air pollution control devices are monitored continuously. This data is sent to ORCAA semiannually and reviewed. During the time period analyzed by Mr. Enslow, Simpson's boiler operated normally and there were no reports of malfunction of the electrostatic precipitator (main air pollution control device) except for a 24 minute period on May 29th, which was due to a PUD power outage.

Comparing the two data sets, it can be concluded that, for the time period analyzed, air quality was "Good" at the monitoring station in Shelton regardless of operation of the Simpson boiler. This is a general conclusion and appropriate based on the nature of the data sets. However, going beyond this general conclusion to determine whether there is a correlation or not would require a more refined statistical analysis of the data considering wind direction and speed, dispersion characteristics of the boiler stack and other influences on air quality. It does not appear these influences were considered in the analysis by Mr. Enslow based on the tables provided.

Therefore, ORCAA's conclusion is that the analysis is not detailed enough to draw any conclusions except that air quality was "Good" for the time period analyzed and that the Simpson boiler operated during this period.

If you have any other questions or would like to talk about this further, please give me a call. I would be happy to talk.

Mark V. Goodin
ORCAA Senior Engineer
(360) 539-7610
mark.goodin@orcaa.org

SHELTON BLOG NOTE:

Link to pdf documents sent by Simpson:
http://myweb.hcc.net/pkands/docs/boiler _vs_time.pdf

Simpson Contact:
Tony Enslow
Project Engineer
Simpson Lumber Company
(360) 427-4966
tenslow@simpson.com

MICHAEL MOORE: OCCUPY THE WINTER

Excerpts from:
The Winter of Our Occupation
by: Michael Moore

And now it is winter. Wall Street rejoices, hoping that the change of seasons will mean a change in our spirit, our commitment to stop them.

They couldn't be more wrong. Have they not heard of Washington and the troops at Valley Forge? The Great Flint Sit-Down Strike in the winter of 1936-37? The Michigan Wolverines crushing Ohio State in the 1950 Blizzard Bowl? When it comes to winter, it is the time historically when the people persevere and the forces of evil make their retreat!

We are not even 12 weeks old, yet Occupy Wall Street has grown so fast, so big, none of us can keep up with the hundreds of towns who have joined the movement, or the thousands of actions -- some of them just simple ones in neighborhoods, schools and organizations -- that have happened. The national conversation has been irreversibly changed. Now everyone is talking about how the 1% are getting away with all the money while the 99% struggle to make ends meet. People are no longer paralyzed by despair or apathy. Most know that now is the time to reclaim our country from the bankers, the lobbyists -- and their gofers: the members of the United States Congress and the 50 state legislatures.

And they're crazy if they think that a little climate chaos (otherwise known as winter in the 21st century) that they've helped to bring about is going to stop us.

I would like to propose to my Occupying sisters and brothers that there are many ways to keep Occupy Wall Street going through the winter months. There is perhaps no better time to move the movement indoors for a few months -- and watch it grow even bigger! (For those who have the stamina to maintain the outdoor occupations, by all means, keep it up -- and the rest of us will do our best to help you and keep you warm!)

The winter gives us an amazing opportunity to expand our actions against the captains of capitalism who have occupied our homes with their fraudulent mortgage system which has tossed millions of families out onto the curb; a cruel health care system that has told 50 million Americans "if you can't afford a doctor, go F yourself"; a student loan system that sends 22-year-olds into an immediate "debtors' prison" of working lousy jobs for which they didn't go to school but now have to take because they're in hock for tens of thousands of dollars for the next two decades; and a jobs market that keeps 25 million Americans un- or under-employed -- and much of the rest of the workers forced to accept wage cuts, health care reductions and zero job security.

But we in the Occupy Movement reject this version of the "American Dream." Instead, I suggest we shift our focus for this winter to the following actions:

OCCUPY THE WINTER
A proposal to the General Assembly of Occupy Wall Street
from Michael Moore

1. Occupy Our Homes. Sorry, banks, a roof over one's head is a human right, and you will no longer occupy our homes through foreclosure and eviction because well, you see, they are our homes, not yours. You may hold the mortgage; you don't hold the right to throw us or our neighbors out into the cold. With almost one in three home mortgages currently in foreclosure, nearing foreclosure or "underwater," the Occupy Movement must form local "Occupy Strike Forces" to create human shields when the banks come to throw people out of their homes. If the foreclosure has already happened, then we must help families move back into their foreclosed homes -- literally...

2. Occupy Your College. In nearly every other democracy on the planet, students go to college for free or almost free. Why do those countries do that? Because they know that for their society to advance, they must have an educated population. Without that, productivity, innovation and an informed electorate is stunted and everyone suffers as a result. Here's how we do it in the U.S.A.: make education one of our lowest priorities, graduate students who know little about the world or their own government or the economy, and then force them into crushing debt before they even have their first job. That way has really worked well for us, hasn't it? It's made us the world leader in … in … well, ok, we're like 27th or 34th in everything now (except war). This has to end. Students should spend this winter doing what they are already doing on dozens of campuses -- holding sit-ins, occupying the student loan office, nonviolently disrupting the university regents meetings, and pitching their tents on the administration's lawn...

3. Occupy Your Job. Let's spend the winter organizing workplaces into unions. OR, if you already have a union, demand that your leaders get off their ass and get aggressive like our grandparents did. For chrissakes, surely you know we would not have a middle class if it weren't for the strikes of the 1930s-1950s?! In three weeks we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the workers in my hometown of Flint, Michigan taking over and occupying the General Motors factories for 44 days in the dead of winter. Their actions ignited a labor movement that lifted tens of millions out of poverty and into the middle class. It's time to do it again...

4. Occupy Your Bank. This is an easy one. Just leave them. Move your checking and your credit card to a nonprofit credit union. It's safe and the decisions made there aren't based on greed. And if a bank tries to evict your neighbor, Occupy the local branch with 20 other people and call the press. Post it on the internet.

5. Occupy the Insurance Man. It's time to not only stand up for the 50 million without health insurance but to also issue a single, simple demand: The elimination of for-profit, privately-controlled health insurance companies. It is nothing short of barbaric to allow businesses to make a profit off people when they get sick. We don't allow anyone to make a profit when we need the fire department or the police. Until recently we would never allow a company to make a profit by operating in a public school. The same should be true for when you need to see a doctor or stay in the hospital. So I say it's long overdue for us to go and Occupy Humana, United Health, Cigna and even the supposed "nonprofit" Blue Crosses. An action on their lawns, in their lobbies, or at the for-profit hospitals -- this is what is needed.

So -- there are my ideas for the five places we can Occupy this winter. Help the foreclosed-upon to Occupy their homes. Occupy your college campus, especially the student loan office and the regents meetings. Occupy your job by getting everyone to sign a union card -- or by refusing to let the CEO ship your job overseas. Occupy your Chase or Citi or Bank of America branch by closing your account and moving it to a credit union. And Occupy the insurance company offices, the pharmaceutical companies' headquarters and the for-profit hospitals until the White House and Congress pass the true single-payer universal health care bill they failed to pass in 2010...

Let's Occupy the Winter! An #OWS Winter will certainly lead to a very hopeful American Spring.

Link to complete article and proposals:
http://michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/winter-our-occupation

OCCUPY SEATTLE: STOP INCINERATORS!

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Duff Badgley Mason County Progressive

RALLY & MARCH ON CAPITOL 12/3/11

Occupy Olympia balloons lift 99% banner into the sky at Capitol Campus

A crowd of around 300 gathered at the Capitol on Saturday 12/3/11

Marchers from the Occupy Olympia site arriving at the Capitol

WE THE PEOPLE!

SOLIDARITY!

Diverse groups coming together under the Occupy umbrella

Planned Parenthood advocates

The Occupy troubadours

OccupyTheCapitol.org

Fat Cat watching the activity

Fat Cat squeezing prosperity out of a worker

FAT CATS BEWARE!
We the people are closely watching you now...

WE ARE OCCUPYING EVERYWHERE!

Photos by John Cox

OCCUPYING THE HOME FRONT

DEMOCRACY AT WORK

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive

For some people the word “occupy” suggests military action, such as recent events by U.S. forces in Iraq. But the current “Occupy” movement sweeping the country is something far different, more like occupying one’s own home.

If there is a negative occupation movement taking place in our country, it is being led by a minority of Americans who control the majority of wealth. And while it is futile to enter into discussions of how such economic inequality came about, it is entirely reasonable for those on the “losing end” of that condition to take action, because the battle is not so much about money as it is about political power, and history reminds us that the greater the economic disparity the greater the threat to our democratic process.

The “Occupy” action of Nov. 28th at our state capitol galvanized many concerns in a single exhibition of democracy at work. Having participated in that action, my wife and I were encouraged by chants of “This is what Democracy looks like” and “Whose State? Our State” rising from the crowd.

Positive social change involves sacrifice and dedication, both of which were in abundance. Participants were well organized and peacefully determined. Perhaps more importantly, all age groups were well represented. A particularly poignant moment came when hundreds of educators joined the demonstration, marching, raising banners and chanting “No more cuts to education!”

Citizens from Shelton carried professionally printed signs that read “We are the 99%” on one side and “Occupy Shelton” on the other. We chanted and “Occupied” the Capitol – our Capitol - though always mindful and respectful of others.

This month marks the 220th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, and I can think of no better time to stand up for principles of equality and freedom on which our country was founded. And while the day was aimed at a better tomorrow, the undercurrent tribute was to yesterday, and to all those who fought and died to protect the very Rights being exercised.