WEEK OF 7/2/12 MEETINGS IN REVIEW

TOM'S TALES FOR THE WEEK

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive

Monday, July 2, 2012

9:00 AM: Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Briefing

The briefing kicked off with a KMAS interview of County Commissioners. The topic was the 2013 budget.

In response to some "milk-toast" questions, Commissioners credited austerity measures for keeping the County on sound financial footing.

Spending more than you’re taking in is seldom a good idea, but at what point does hoarding more than you need become worse? The County is required to keep enough money on hand to fund normal operations for 60 days, about $3.5-$5M. Currently we have a surplus of $7.2M.

Tied to that fact is the resignation of Ms. Karen Jackson, Director of Human Resources, who will leave both her position and our fair County at the end of the month. And while the reasons are varied, Ms. Jackson’s departure speaks directly to austerity measures that have been taken too far.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

9:00 AM: Regular session of Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)

Item 8.5 Approval of Modification 2 to the Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to actively patrol the US Forest Service Lands in the Lake Cushman area.

Item 8.9 Approval of agreement with the Timberlake Community Club to provide and pay for enhanced law enforcement services in the Timberlake development on an hourly basis, up to $40,000 to be reimbursed to the county monthly.

Sometime back, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) entered into an agreement with the U.S Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, to patrol the portion of the Olympic National Forest that lies within the boundaries of Mason County. The agreement went into effect on May 25, 2012, and runs through September 30th 2012, the height of the tourist season. The original agreement authorized patrol services be provided at the hourly rate of $45.81, inclusive of wages, benefits, vehicle and administrative costs. The modified agreement allows for $15,000 in additional fees.

I was told by the Sheriff’s Office that officer(s) assigned to patrol the Olympic Park were being taken from their normal duties, such as responding to emergency calls from taxpayers. But when I asked that question at the BOCC meeting, Sheriff Salisbury said that Park Patrols will be manned by officers working “overtime", only.

Clearly, someone is tap, tap tapping around the dance floor, but it gets worse...

In a questionable program I like to call “Have Badge, Give Money”, the Sheriff’s Office found a new way of generating revenue:

The approval of Item 8.9 effectively authorizes the sale of “enhanced” policing services to the Community of Timberlakes, at $40,000 a year. Oddly, the reason given by all three Commissioners for approving the measure was – you’re going to love this -- “It works and the community wants it”.

Growing up in Brooklyn, I’m used to such “enhanced” service offers. They usually start when a guy named Big Anthony (pronounced: Ant-knee), knocks on your door and says, “You want I should stand outside and make sure no one breaks your window?”

This one’s a little less obvious, but the principal is the same.

2:00 PM: Port of Shelton Commission Meeting

Three items were on the agenda:

A. Fairgrounds – Discussion / Comments
B. Lease Renewal – Action
C. Financial Statements – Presentation

The fate of the Fairgrounds remains the hot ticket, and members of the Skookum Rotary were there to lend support. Commissioners Taylor and Wallitner, along with Dir. Dobson, want to move the Fairgrounds somewhere else on Port property, or New Jersey, whichever is farthest away. Commissioner Hupp wants it to stay where it is. Dobson, rattled off a bunch of numbers to support relocating, but the real issue is avoiding a conflict with the FAA, which wants the Fair gone and the property reverted back to aviation use by the end of 2013.

But there is something intrinsically unappealing about backing away from a fight before one is even in the offing, so it was decided to invite the FAA in for cookies, and maybe a little temperature taking.

One thing is for certain, no one wants the Fairgrounds to go away.

Next up was a five year lease renewal with Sims Vibration Laboratory. Hupp wanted to go forward month to month, citing a history of compliance issues, hinting that a long term lease may not be in the best interest of the Port. Taylor and Wallitner were all gun-ho on extending the lease, and overrode Hupp’s dissenting vote. Sims is good to go for another five.

Last up was the Port’s Financial Statement. Dobson offered up some interesting numbers, but I will have to read the whole report before commenting.

What I will say is that things have changed at the Port of Shelton; a new air of openness and public participation in the decision making process is most welcome.

I may never get used to being on the same side of an issue as Jay Hupp, but life is for learning, and mine is no different.

Have a safe 4th of July week.

Later…