4/12/11 Meeting of County Commissioners

TIMber SHELDON VS. BIG GUNS LINGLE

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis

Uptown's got its hustlers, downtown's got its bums, but Mason County has big Jerry Lingle, and he’s a well-meaning son-of-a-gun…or so we thought.

Here’s what happened:

That loud thud you heard at about 9:45 AM last Tuesday was Tim Sheldon throwing Big Guns, Jerry Lingle, to the Chamber floor at the regular meeting of Mason County Commissioners.

The incident occurred during a vote on agenda item (8.5), wherein the Shelton-Mason Economic Development Council, headed up by Matt Matayoshi requested a doubling of last year’s funding, from $34,000 to $68,000 per year, for years 2011, 2012 and 2013, a total of $204,000.

Given the EDC’s dismal failure to bring the Adage biomass facility to our community; and given the EDC’s failure to support the Shelton Hills Development Proposal; and given the EDC’s incestuous relationship with all things Port, one might think Mr. Matayoshi’s hands might be too busy tying a bag over his head to extend them into the public trough.

But shame has no name in our fair County and there he was, begging for additional funding, albeit a bit less confident since Adage slipped like a thief into the night, failing even to attend the monthly Chamber of Commerce Meeting they had sponsored (the first time that has happened in the Chamber’s history).

And when a Port-based business owner and a tribe representative rose to speak in support of the increase, one could not resist tipping their hat to Commissioner Tim Sheldon, who also sits on the tribal council, and to Jay Hupp, Port of Shelton Commission Chair; with full acknowledgment to an incestuous political system that is alive and well, and don’t you forget it.

I, and one other, rose in opposition to the funding increase, recounting the EDC’s recent failures and lack of support for proposals that would better serve our community than incinerators, race-tracks and prisons. But when it came time for Commissioner Comments, Jerry appeared to take exception to my point of view, implying the matter was deserving of something more than a “personal” objection. But if you read the guide to would-be speakers in the County’s own website, that is exactly what the public is advised to do; make it personal. So for the benefit of those Commissioners who apparently don’t read their own website I provide the following excerpt:

BE UNIQUE – Tell how this issue affects you, your family, your business or your neighborhood. The more personal, the better.

Commissioner Lingle did, however, admit to entering into the proposed EDC funding issue with some trepidation, stating that these were tough financial times for the County and a doubling of contribution gave him pause.

But Commissioner Sheldon countered with a long and windy tribute to the EDC and its Executive Director; convincing, as always. And it was at this point in the proceedings the audience noticed Commissioner Lingle’s foot making its way slowly but surely up to his mouth. But before anyone could jump from their seat and yell “No Jerry, no; it’s a trap!”, he moved to support the full increase for two of the three requested years; and all but Commissioner Lingle averted their eyes as the trap sprung shut. Because when it came time for Commissioner Ring-Erickson to cast her vote, she voiced a loud and resounding, "Nay"; and it was at that exact moment the people of Mason County heard a resounding thud coming from the Commission Chambers.

So now County residents are stuck with two years of supporting a private corporation, at twice the previous price. A corporation aimed at, if history is any indication, promoting race-tracks, bigger prisons and biomass polluters.

All of which leaves me to believe the people of Mason County will be singing a different kind of story now that Big Guns hit the floor.