"Seek Truth Without Fear"
 



"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."

~ George Bernard Shaw

 

Preliminary Council Agenda Monday May 12, 2008
Fire Levy Lid Lift Second Reading
 Public Hearing about Concurrency Management
 and Impact Fee?


          
May 8, 2008 

         Preliminary agendas are subject to last minute changes. Council meetings are held in  the Community Center, 305 Center Street West, regular meetings beginning at 7 p.m. 

        Included in the council packet is a "Notice of Public Hearing" regarding concurrency management, impact fees and issuance of a SEPA determination of non-significance. The notice states the council "will hold a public hearing" Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. 
             The preliminary agenda does not mention this public hearing. The notice document was buried in a very large stack of documents. It is unclear whether the council plans to hold the public hearing.

             Study Session at 6:30 p.m. No subject for this study session is given in the council packet.

           Consent Agenda: Approval of minutes from April 28

                                                                                    Payroll - 20130 through 20171 - $74, 578.88
                                                                                    Payroll - 20172 through 20194 - $2,565.25 
                                                                                    Claims -  2560                               -  $3,155.00
                                                                                    Claims                                             - $22,048.94
                                                                                                                                              
$102,309.07

             Old Business:
                 
            
A. Ordinance 2008-10 (Second Reading) authorizing the town to levy regular property taxes in excess of
the limitations of Chapter 85.55 RCW [RCW 84.55.050]; setting forth text of the ballot proposition. (Text of Ordinance 2008-10: An ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Eatonville, Washington, relating to regular property taxes; providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the Town at a special election to be held in conjunction with the state primary election on August 19, 2008, of a proposition authorizing the Town to levy regular taxes in excess of the limitations of ch. 84.55 RCW; setting forth the text of the ballot proposition; directing proper Town officials to take necessary actions; and providing for other property related matters.)

           (Text of levy ballot: "Proposition 1 - Levy Lid Lift for Fire and Emergency Services- The Town Council has adopted
Ordinance __________ concerning funding for fire and emergency services. If approved, this proposition would fund fire and emergency services, including the transition from an all-volunteer to a full-time fire department. This proposition authorizes a 2009 regular property tax increase of $3.10/$1000 assessed value. The 2009 levy amount will be used to calculate subsequent levy limits. Should this proposition be: Approved? Rejected?" To read RCW 84.55.050 (1) please see
RCW 84.55.050: Election to authorize increase in regular property tax levy . )

         To see Fire Department 2009 Levy Lid Lift Proposal by Interim Fire Chief Bud Lucas please go here
Levy Lid Lift

         New Business:

       A. Ordinance 2008-11 amending Title 02 of the Eatonville Municipal Code, firefighters per diem-compensation. (Eatonville Fire and EMS volunteers will be reimbursed for their activities via the "Point System." No volunteer firefighter or EMS worker shall receive a salary for work performed while volunteering. Volunteers transporting and assisting in an ambulance, shall be compensated at the rate of $50 per transport to the hospital and $25 for transport to meet ALS ambulances.)

       B. Ordinance 2008-12 proposed revisions to the EMC (Eatonville Municipal Code) Chapter 17.55 - concurrency management system and Chapter 17.60 - Impact fees. (Concurrency requirements in planning and development are found in the Growth Management Act. The concurrency doctrine is found in RCW 36.070A.020(12) and reads as follows: Public facilities and services - ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve development at the time development is available for occupancy without decreasing current service levels below the established minimum standards.
       Traffic impact fees: It is recommended that the traffic impact fee be set at $1,287.13 per p.m. peak hour auto trip. The application of this rate results in a traffic impact on a new detached single family residential unit to be $13,00.)

       To see the complete council packet please go to Steve Lind's site http://www.s-lind.com/cpprelim51208.PDF which includes accounts payable; check/warrant register; 2008 budget position and budget position total; April 28 minutes; concurrency management system; traffic impact fee study; firefighters per diem compensation; fire department report; power and light report and town crew report.



EHS Girl's Tennis League Results...


                                                                                                                                                (photo by MaryAnn Baker)

      May 7, 2998 - from Mary Ann Baker - Assistant Coach: Above is Kaylee Richards who placed 2nd in the singles tournament. She will be seeded into the West Central District 2A Tournament to compete for a berth to State.
     EHS girls who started on Monday: Kaylee Richards; Sheridan Lachney; Jeri Burgess - All singles; Danielle Farwell/Leia Envolsen; Michayla Reichel/Kenora Logston; Haley Hendrickson/ Julie McCloch - All doubles.
 


                                                                                                                                                      (photo by MaryAnne Baker)

    These are pictures of the girls that played on the 2nd day of the Nisqually League 2A Tournament. Above are Leia Envolsen and Dani Farwell who placed 6th in doubles. The girls will be alternates to the West Central District 2A Tournament.
    
Participating schools were, Eatonville, Fife, Foster, Steilacoom and Washington.
 



Be Kind to Animals

     The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915.  This year's recognition of kindness to animals is from May 4 to May 10.
     Some ways to be kind - report animal abuse and/or neglect; make a donation of money, pet food, volunteer time, blankets, etc. to an animal welfare organization; adopt a pet from an animal shelter or rescue group. Promote kindness where ever you can, spay/neuter your pet(s) and encourage friends and relatives to do the same. Support humane education.
 
     For more information please see Be Kind to Animals Week ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
 


School Board Meeting

     May 7, 2008

     The Eatonville School Board of Directors will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held in the Eatonville School District Board Room, 208 Lynch Street, Eatonville.
     Please see agenda
May 14 School Board Agenda

     (Publisher's Note: Eatonville School District 404 received an "immaculate" audit report April 28 according to Superintendent Ray Arment.. To see the report please go to

   School Climate Survey 

      May 9, 2008

     The Eatonville School District will be conducting a school climate survey on May 20, 21, and 23.  The survey will gather information from staff, students, parents and community patrons.  This study is helpful in future
goals and planning for the Eatonville School District.  If you are interested in contributing ideas or suggestion in the climate study, please contact the  nearest school to make an appointment.  Please respond before Friday, May
16. 2008, so we may include you in the schedule.
   
 The school is setting up time slots for people to come in person. The survey director will explain and talk to six people at a time. Then they will get a survey to fill out on paper and have a place to sit down and quietly fill out the survey. It will be very much like they did 10 years ago when Superintendent Ray Arment first came to the district.

 



Attention Elvis Fans...

     April 2, 2008

     Isabelle's Angels Relay For Life Team presents Danny Vernon's "Illusion of Elvis," Saturday May 10. There will be a dinner and show at the Eagles Hall. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society's Eatonville Relay For Life.
     For more information - prices and time  -  please see the promotional flyer
Illusions of Elvis



Emergency Animal Response, Rescue and Sheltering Summit


                                                                                                 (photo by Bob Walter)

      May 2, 2008

       Pierce County Animal Response Team is sponsoring the summit which will be held at the Emergency Operations Center Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to noon. The center is located at 2501 South 35th Street, Suite E, Tacoma (98409).
      For more information please see the fl
ier - Animal Emergency Summit



Paradise Inn to Reopen after Two-Year Renovation...


     Press release 
     May 7, 2008
 

     The historic Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen Friday, May 16 after a two-year, $22.5 million renovation.  “It will be wonderful to see this noble landmark hotel open again for park visitors,” said Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga.  Park visitors are invited to a 3:00 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony to be followed by coffee and cake in the hotel lobby.  Congressman Dave Reichert, Congressman Norm Dicks and National Park Service Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis will say a few words.  There will be tours of the Inn at 1 and  4 p.m. for those interested in learning more about the work completed during the renovation. 
     Renovation of the Paradise Inn began in May 2006 to correct structural problems that could have been catastrophic in the event of an earthquake or fire.  The building’s timber frame construction was deformed from years of heavy snow loads.  The stone fireplaces and a stone wall were unstable.  The stone rubble foundation did not provide adequate support for the building.  These problems have all been corrected.  In addition, the project replaced failing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection system components.  And the building is also now accessible to those in wheelchairs.
     Fletcher, Farr, Ayotte, based in Portland, Oregon, developed the architectural and engineering design for the project.  The construction contract was awarded to Watts-Korsmo Joint Venture.  John Korsmo Construction is based in Lakewood, Washington and Miller-Watts is based in Novato, California.  The project was completed on time and within budget.
     The Paradise Inn was constructed in 1916 and is a National Historic Landmark.  The building has a beautiful dining room and lobby, as well as 118 guest rooms, a gift shop and cafe.  The Inn is operated by Guest Services, Incorporated and will be open to overnight guests from May 16 through early October.  Further information is available at www.guestservices.com



Brianne and Mark - 2008 May Day Queen and King...


                                                                                                                                                                        (photo by Dixie A. Walter)

     May 3, 2008: May Queen Brianne Stead and King Mark Maddox reigned over the 82nd Community Day festivities May 2. This May Day fete was the first celebrated outside for decades. The weather was kind, not too warm and not too cool, and everyone had a wonderful time.
     Brianne and Mark are the 82nd May queen and king. The first royal couple were Faye Williams Duke and Bill Smith who were crowned in 1926.  Jeannette Larin Hlavin and Pearl Engel report in their History of Tacoma Eastern Area, "Community Days are dated from 1920, the program of that year being officially recognized as the First Community Day. The date was May, 7, and it rained."
     Unofficially Community Day goes back further starting as a time to clean up the school grounds in 1912-1913. "community clean-up." In the Hlavin/Engel history B. W. Lyon wrote, "The children were careless about marking, and buildings were marred, and streets and vacant lots  and much of the residents property was strewn with rubbish.
      "Something needed to be done. The boys and girls of the school cleaned up the school and grounds. We were so pleased with the results that we decided to have a clean up day and notified Mayor C. A. Nettleton that we were going to clean the marks off the town. As we went over the town, people seemed to get into the spirit of things and soon fires were sending much rubbish up in smoke. The next community clean-up had sports and a baseball game..."
     For more photos and videos please see
May Day 2008
     

Eatonville's First May Queen and First King...


                                                                                                                      (photo courtesy of Fay Duke c. 1975)

     Fay Williams (later, Duke), surrounded by the original May Day Court, is crowned as Eatonville's first May Queen by the first King, Bill Smith, in 1926. In those days gone by, 82 years ago, the "May Fete" was held outside on the school campus. 
 



Rain Garden Workshop
Columbia Crest School...

     from David Hymel
     May
2, 2008

     Please join us for a workshop and help us install a fully functioning rain garden at the Columbia Crest Elementary School.

When:  Saturday, May 31; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (The date has changed from May 10)

Where:  Columbia Crest Elementary School, 24503 SR 706 E. Ashford,  Washington 98304

What to Bring:  Work gloves, work boots, and layered, warm work clothes.  Dress for inclement weather

Food:  Work snacks and refreshments will be provided

     This is a follow on to the design workshop held in March at the Eatonville Community Center.  Volunteers will learn the correct shaping and site development procedures, soil mixing techniques and plant selection and installation.

     RSVP to David Hymel, 360.832.8148, cell 253.389.2060 dhymel@gmail.com or Sheila Wilson, cell 360.561.0203 sheila@nisquallyriver.org

 


Please Help a Homeless Pet

May 7, 2008
 

Meet Opal and Topaz...

     Opal and Topaz came to the shelter together as strays – they are probably litter mates, since both are about five years old. Opal is a spayed female, and Topaz is a neutered male.  They are very attached to each other, gentle and affectionate. Their Reference Numbers are 404761 and 404762. 
 

Meet Benji...

     Benji is a neutered male rabbit, about 1 year old.  He’s active and playful, and would make a great companion.  His Reference Number is 394266.  

(Publisher's Note: The domestic rabbit has become another "throw-away" pet in America.  Humane societies and rabbit rescue groups are often inundated with rabbits people have grown tired of, or can't keep for other reasons. One estimate is that one million rabbits are killed each year across the country, with more rabbits given to shelters, or let go, after the Easter holidays. If you are interested in adopting a rabbit as a house pet you can get get good information about these hard-to-resist pets at  House Rabbit Society Rabbit Care Guide )

      For Princess the dog's story and photo please click on "About Animals" link below.

About Animals

More Homeless Pets:

www.thehumanesociety.org

Or visit the shelter, 2608 Center Street in Tacoma



Public Comments Sought on Wonderland Trail Repair
May 15 Deadline...


                                                                                                              
(photo by Bob Walter)

      Press release
      April 15, 2008

      Read more and make comments if you wish Wonderland Trail Comments Sought

 


Police Report 

April 1 - 30, 2008

April 2 – A person turned over knives that were reportedly used in a double homicide in Tacoma. A report has been sent to Tacoma Police Department.

April 8 – This office is investigating an alleged rape that occurred at two different locations and on two different dates. 

April 9 – A 52-year-old Eatonville woman was involuntarily committed after she called Pierce County Crisis and told them she was going to kill herself. She was transported to Puget Sound Hospital for a mental evaluation.

April 19 – A 23-year-old Eatonville woman reported she had been receiving harassing text messages on  her cell phone from a 31-year-old man in New York. New York State Police were called and agreed to go to the suspect’s house and tell him to knock it off. He must have gotten the message because the victim hasn’t complained of further harassment.

April 22 – An officer was dispatched to a reported fight in the Mill Village RV Park. It turned out two women were involved in a pushing match. They were told to stay away from each other. No charges were filed.

April 22 – Someone broke out the windows in several pieces of heavy equipment parked in an area behind Hamner Springs.

April 24 – The Eatonville woman who reported she had been raped on April 8, 2008 was charged with making two false police reports. A report has been sent to the prosecutor for criminal charging.

April 30 – A 36-year-old female was involuntarily committed to Good Sam Hospital after she made threats to harm herself.

April 30 – A 37-year-old female was voluntarily committed to Good Sam Hospital after she made  threats to harm herself.

For the complete report please click on link below...

Law Enforcement 3

 



                                                                    

Mount Rainier Cam...


                                                                                                                      
(photo by F.G. Wilder)

Keep an eye on Paradise with the Mountain Rainier Cam -  http://mms.nps.gov/mora/cam/paradise.jpg



A Bird's Eye View of Our Area 2003...


                                                                                                                    (photo by Donny O'Brien)

     September 30, 2003

     On a perfect autumn day last week, local pilot Steve Van Cleve took to the air with photographer Donny O'Brien. Between the men ENN has very interesting aerial photographers for you to enjoy. Above is the mill pond and burner, all that remains at the site of the Eatonville Lumber Company which kept the town booming in the early days. The pond is home to various wildlife -  beavers and otters have been spotted in the old wetland and, of course, numerous migratory birds visit during the fall and spring months. The Van Eaton Cabin can be seen on the corner near the highway. And the town sewer "pond" is across the highway.  

                                                                                                                                                                   See More Photos



 

 

      Archives

 

 

 

Archive 2002

 

Archive 2003

 

Archive 2004

 

Archive 2005

 

Archive 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 9, 2008

Local Awarded $500,000 School District Contract - School

EHS Class of 1988 Planning 20th Reunion - School

Caribou Back on Exhibit at Trek - About Animals

May 7, 2008

Vintage Photos of High School and Gym - Vintage School Photos

May 5 Preliminary Planning Commission Agenda - Planning Commission

May 2, 2008

Wildcat Woods Dedication at Weyerhaeuser School - Wildcat Woods

Opening Day at Kid's Pond 2008 - Gone Fishin'

Council Agenda and Actions April 28 - April 28 Council Agenda

Tony Sirgedas Spring Blossoms Photo - Local Interest Page Four

April 30, 2008

My View: Town Committees Not Working - My View: Committees

April 30 School Board Agenda - April 30 School Board Meeting Agenda

Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic Now a Reality in Tacoma - New Clinic

Daffodil Parade 2008 - Local Interest Page Four

Hundreds Celebrate Western Artist Fred Oldfield's 90th Birthday - Local Interest Page Four

Superintendent Arment and Representative Jim McCune Look Over School Pool Plans - School Renovation

April 26, 2008

Pierce County Horse Summit - Horse Summit

Earth Day - Every Day - Planet in Peril

April 24, 2008

Help Prevent Child Abuse -  Local Interest Page Four

March 3 Planning Commission Minutes - Planning Commission

April 22, 2008

April 21 Planning Commission Preliminary Agenda - Planning Commission

Snow in April - Photos and Video -  Local Interest Page Four

April 21, 2008

Relay For Life Update by Event Chair Karen Woodcock - Relay 2008

More Peeks at High School Renovation - April High School Renovation

April 19, 2008

April 14 Council Agenda and Actions -  April 14 Council Agenda

Mayor Smallwood Explains it all to Us - With Video - Local Interest Page Four

Awwww Alert - Rescued Baby Bunnies - With Video - About Animals

Missing Sun Conure - $500 Reward - About Animals

Relay For Life Fundraiser at Tan & Tips - With Video - Relay 2008

April 16, 2008

Finance Committee Agenda - April 15 Finance Agenda

"Decorative" Garbage Cans Coming Soon - Local Interest Page Four

Daffodil Bike Classic - Local Interest Page Four

April 14, 2008

April 9, School Board Meeting Agenda - April 9 School Board Meeting

Meet Stuart Neiman, Political Cartoonist -  Local Interest Page Four

Hummingbird Feeding Frenzy at Tony's - About Animals

April 11, 2008

Fund Opened at Venture Bank for Deneen Doucette - Local Interest Page Four

Did Special Town Council Meeting Solve ALS Crisis? - ALS Crisis

My View: The Essence of Bruce Rath - Rath Attacks Citizen Journalist

Rain Gardens Beautify and Protect Waterways - Rain Gardens

"Seat Belts Saved Us." - Seat Belts Save Lives.

April 8, 2008

April 7 - Preliminary Planning Commission Agenda - Planning Commission

April 5, 2008

Chehalis Flood Damage Three Months Later - Chehalis Flood Damage Tour

April 3, 2008

Happy Spring 2008 - Daffodil Float Needs Donations -  Local Interest Page Three

Mill Park Townhomes -  Local Interest Page Three

Chamber Membership Application - Chamber

Lions Club Easter Breakfast -  Local Interest Page Three

Is it Spring Yet? Tony's Snow Bird Photo -  About Animals

Mysterious Moods of March -  Local Interest Page Three

March 31, 2008

March 24 Council Agenda and Actions - March 24 Council Agenda

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic Grand Opening -  About Animals

March 26, 2008

Five-Year Peace Vigil in Eatonville -  Local Interest Page Three

Easter Greetings from Mikala -  Local Interest Page Three

March 23, 2008

Missing Hiker Found Dead on Mount Rainier -  Rainier 1

Creative Computers Saves the Day for ENN -  Local Interest Page Three

Cans for the Band - School

Planning Department Update - March 10 - March 10 Update

Governor's Husband, "First Mike" Gregoire Reads to Eatonville Students - School

March 21, 2008

Planning Commission Agenda - Planning Commission

March 18, 2008

Daffodil Float Needs Donations - Local Interest Page Three

Design a Town Flag - Local Interest Page Three

March 14, 2008

My View: Interesting Conversations During Safety Committee Meeting - Indiscreet Comments

March 10 Council Agenda and Actions - March 10 Council Agenda

Take Water Filtration Photo Tour - Water Filtration Plant Photo Tour

Genealogy - Historical Society

March 13, 2008

School Board Vacancy - Position One - School

Margit Thorvaldson Letter to Editor - What Are Mayor and Council Doing to Town? - Letter to Editor

School Replacement Levy Passes Easily - School

School Renovation Update Photos - EHS Renovations

Tax Exemption Bill Heads to Governor - Local Interest Page Three

A Splash of Color to Brighten Your Day - Beautiful Hot Air Balloon -  Local Interest Page Three

March 8, 2008

My View: Advanced Life Support to be Gone April 1 - Read More: Including Mayor's Report February 25

Obituary - JoAnne "Dody" Colyer - Obituary Page Two

50th Class Reunion Photos - EHS Class of 1957 - Local Interest Page Three

March 5, 2008

March 3 Planning Commission Agenda - Planning Commission

Welcome Baby Ruby Ida Skelton - Local Interest Page Three

Elliff Brothers Help History - Old Mill Whistle -  Historical Society News

March 1, 2008

My View: One More Town Crisis - A Matter of Life or Death - My View Emergency Medical Services

Moonglow - Total Lunar Eclipse - Local Interest Page Three

February 28, 2008

Council Agenda and Actions February 25 - February 11Council Agenda

Ivan "Casey" Swanson Obituary - Obituary Page Two

February 27 School Board Meeting Agenda - February 27 School Board Agenda

February 21, 2008

February 11 Town Council Agenda and Actions - February 11Council Agenda

My Hometown Group Photo - My Home Town 

Road to Paradise Closed by Heavy Snow - Rainier 1

2008 Relay For Life Kick-Off - Relay 2008

Peninsula Spay/Neuter Project Receives $35,000 PetSmart Grant - About Animals

February 15, 2008

February 13 School Board and Consent Agendas -  February 13 Agendas

February 12, 2008

My Hometown - Eatonville - My Home Town

Tons of Snow at Mount Rainier National Park - Photos - Rainier 1

Wilcox Farms to Lay Off 130 Workers - Local Interest Page Three

February 9, 2008

Letter to Editor - Bob Homan - Please Support School Levy March 11 - School

Eagles - A Pair at Hilltop -  About Animals

Mashell River Salmon Restoration Project Wins State Award - The Water Front

February 4 Planning Commission Agenda -   Planning Commission

February 6, 2008

January 28 Council Agenda and Actions - January 28 Council

Town's Sign Ordinance Letter to Businesses - Sign Letter

Ronna Bell Named Educator of the Year by Daffodil Princess Kate McKee - School

January 30, 2008

Obituary - Frank Mettler, Jr. - Obituary Page Two

Jeffrey (Jay) Burgess Graduated from Air Force Basic Training - Local Interest Page Three

January 26, 2008

Behind the News - Animal Cruelty Case - Roca the St. Bernard's Story - Roca's Story

January 22 Planning Commission Agenda and Actions - Planning Commission

Listen to January 14 Town Council Meeting - January 14 Audio

Auditor Calls Steve Lind - Auditor and Town Finances

January 2008 High School Construction Report - January 2008 School Construction Report 

January 24, 2008

January 23 School Board Agenda -  January 23 School Board Agenda

January 21, 2008

January 14 Town Council Agenda and Actions - January 14 Council Agenda