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Hunt
for Missing Hiker Ends in Tragedy on Rainier...
News Release
from Kevin Bacher
Public Information Officer, Mount Rainier
National Park
June 19, 2006
The search for missing hiker Jeff
Graves at Mount Rainier National Park concluded this afternoon when
his
body was found on Eagle Peak. Mr. Graves was spotted by helicopter at
about 3:00 p.m. Ground searchers
reached the location and confirmed the discovery about 4:00, and the
extrication was completed by helicopter.
Today's events brought a sad end to almost three
days of intense searching, which began on Sunday morning
after Mr.
Graves was reported overdue from a dayhike on Saturday evening. At its
peak today, the search involved sixty individuals, including twenty
ground teams and a helicopter. Poor visibility had kept the helicopter
grounded until late morning on Monday.
Based on interviews with searchers, it appears
that Mr. Graves left the trail on his descent from Eagle Peak
in a steep, heavily forested area, then lost his footing and fell about
200 feet. He came to rest at the base of a 75 degree slope, hidden by
the trees, about an eighth of a mile from the trail at an elevation of
4000 feet. (The approximate coordinates are 46.7500 degrees north,
121.7916 degrees west.) The weather at the time was cool, wet, and
foggy.
Jeff Graves was 47 years old and an engineer at the
manufacturing company Stratasys Inc. in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. His
wife, Randi, their seven-year-old son, and several other relatives were
in the park when he was found. Jeff’s mother, Ruth Graves, of
Ypsilanti, Michigan, is serving her third year as a volunteer in the
Longmire Museum and Jackson Visitor Center in the park.
The Eagle Peak Trail is a strenuous dayhike that climbs
3000 feet in 3.6 miles beginning at Longmire, in
the southwest
corner of Mount Rainier National Park. The area around the trail is
rugged, heavily forested, and intersected by numerous cliffs and
ravines.
Day-Hiker
Jeff Graves Missing at Mount Rainier...
News Release
from Kevin Bacher
Public Information Officer, Mount Rainier
National Park
360-569-6131
June 18, 2006
A search continues at Mount Rainier
National Park for Jeff Graves, 47, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite
an extensive effort today, searchers found few clues to narrow a search
that has lasted for two days.
Mr. Graves was reported missing when he did
not return from a day-hike on Eagle Peak the evening of
Saturday,
June 16. A search began at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. Forty individuals
assisted, including ten search teams and three teams from German Shepherd Search Dogs of Washington State.
Vehicles patrolled the U.S. Forest Service roads outside the south park
boundary, and rangers contacted and interviewed day-hikers who had been on the Eagle Peak trail on Saturday. A helicopter remained on standby
all day due to poor weather conditions.
The search continued at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, June 18.
Fifty-two people assisted in the search, including
fifteen ground
teams. Two volunteer dog teams from Northwest Bloodhounds Search &
Rescue tracked scent from Mr. Graves’ vehicle, parked at the
Longmire Museum. Both dogs showed interest in the drainage to the north
of the lower Eagle Peak trail; however, a ground team searching the
drainage did not find anything remarkable.
A team positioned along the roads used binoculars
to search the cliffs on the north and northwest sides of the
peak.
The weather progressively improved throughout the day, and a helicopter
from WorldWind Helicopters in Renton, Washington was able to join the
search shortly after noon. No conclusive clues were found.
Tuesday’s search will emphasize high-priority areas,
expanded search areas to the south, and aerial
searches. It is
expected to involve between fifty and sixty searchers. Additional hikers
who had been on the Eagle Peak Trail on Saturday have been identified
and will be contacted.
Jeff Graves was in the park visiting his mother, Ruth
Graves, who is now serving her third year as a
volunteer interpretive
ranger. Jeff and his wife, Randi, have a seven-year-old son.
The Eagle Peak Trail is a strenuous day-hike that climbs
3000 feet in 3.6 miles beginning at Longmire, in
the southwest
corner of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail is currently
snow-covered above 5100 feet. The search area includes rugged, heavily
forested wilderness with many cliffs and ravines. Saturday and Sunday
nights were cool with rain, fog, and low temperatures in the mid 30s.
Mr. Graves was wearing fleece and a
red Gortex jacket, and carrying a daypack.
Three Council
Positions and Three School Board Positions Open This Year...
June
7, 2007
The
Pierce County Auditor's filing deadline for town council and
school board elections closes at 4:30 p.m. June 8.
There are three council positions open: Council
Position 3 - currently held by Meridith Weilert Wright; Council
Position 4 - currently held by Bobbi Allison and Council Position 5 -
currently held by Mike Gallagher.
The Town Treasurer position is also open - currently held by
Melode Akervick. This is the only position requiring a
filing fee. This year the fee is $92.27.
There are also three positions open on the District 404 School
Board of Directors: Director District 1 - currently held by Robert
Miller; Director District 3 - currently held by Kirk Heinz and
Director District 4 - currently held by Tim Patterson.
The primary election is August
21 and the general election is November 6, 2007.
Town Council Filings...
June
8, 2007: 3:30 p.m. - Planning Commissioner Jim Valentine has filed for
Council Position 5.
Councilmember Bobbi Allison filed for Council Position 4 June 7.
June 8, 2007: 5
p.m. Planning
Commission Chair Steve Lind has filed for Council Position 3.
Citizen Brenden Pierce has also filed for Council Position 3.
Update:
The filing for elective
office in Pierce County closed at 4:30 p.m. tonight, June 8. The last
update from the Pierce County Auditor's office indicates that two
council seats are unopposed. As of 5 p.m. there were no candidates who
filed against Jim Valentine or Bobbi Allison.
According to the auditor's update Bob
Miller, Kirk Heinz and Tim Patterson are unopposed for school board.
School District Director Filings...
June
8, 2007: Bob Miller has filed for Director District 1
Kirk Heinz has filed for Director District 3
Tim Patterson has filed for Director District 4
Late
Filing for Town Treasurer...
June 15, 2007: This position
was part of the Pierce County Auditor's three day re-opening of the
filing period as no one had yet filed. Councilmember Meridith (Weilert)
Wright filed for the treasurer's position after voting yes on a
council resolution to retain the town treasurer instead of combining
the positions of town clerk/treasurer.
Olympia Couple
Killed in Logging Truck Accident...
June 1, 2007: An elderly couple from Olympia died around noon Wednesday,
May 30 in an accident on
Highway 7 (Mountain Highway) near
Eatonville. The couple, Joseph Fortune, 80, and his wife, Helen, 77 were
in a minivan and “blew” the stop sign at the intersection of the
Eatonville Cutoff and Mountain Highway. They died at the scene and had
to be cut from the twisted, mangled remains of their vehicle.
A loaded logging truck, owned by T. L. Fitzer
Hauling, was driven by Randy Fisk survived the accident but suffered
a broken rib. Fisk has been a truck driver for thirty years and worked
for Fitzer Hauling the past six years.
Logs spilled out on the highway and traffic was
detoured until about 6 p.m. Wednesday evening.
A commuter
coming
home from Tacoma to Eatonville called ENN, around 5:30 p.m. and said the
accident was terrible. At that time traffic was still being rerouted to
avoid the accident scene.
Fisk
could not avoid broad siding the minivan and no charges will be filed
against him.
Youth Connect with
Cleanup
MAY%2026,%202007%20010.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
May
26, 2007 - by Bob Walter: As a small army of helpers look on, staff
member and former youth participant Jodi Kelly hoists a seat-less bicycle
up to an unidentified helper standing in one of the huge
dumpsters at Smallwood Park Saturday. The annual clean up benefits
the Youth Connection. It was 3 p.m., and two shifts of volunteer
workers - about a dozen kids and ten adults - had worked for six
hours, helping unload yard waste, dilapidated furniture and tons of
other garbage. This work was done for donations.
Of the five dumpsters, one was for yard
waste, the other four for the truck and trailer loads of trash cleaned out of sheds, garages, homes and yards. Diane Carney (far left in
photo), Executive Director of the Youth Connection, had arranged a
bar-be-cue at mid-day with hot dogs, chips and sodas for the workers.
Carney said the spring clean-up, going on for ten or twelve years,
raised $757.25, the largest amount raised so far.
The dumpsters and disposal were again
donated by the LeMay Company, which has been providing the free,
one-day service in Eatonville and other communities for years.
Every dumpster was filled to capacity by
the end of the scheduled drop-off period - a sign of a very successful
effort. A couple of vehicles rolled in right at 3, but had to be
turned back, as there was no room for their loads.
Farewell to the Chief, Town
Mascot Accidentally Killed...
%20MAY%2018,%2007%200104070840.jpg)
(photo by Chrystal McGlone)
May 19, 2007
- by Dixie A. Walter: Sometime around February 2003 this handsome, stray
cat adopted the Eatonville Fire Department and Town Hall. The black
and white cat quickly became the official "Chief" and mascot
of EFD, and other parts of the town hall. He was given cat license
number 43 which is the call number of the department.
Chief was quickly taken to be neutered and
was given his shots. He made the town hall, and fire hall, his home
for the next four years, delighting citizens and staff alike. He was
smart and friendly, but also reserved and dignified.
Sadly, Chief was killed instantly by a truck
in front of town hall on Mother's Day, May 13. Town Clerk Chrystal
McGlone and Assistant Fire Chief, Sheila Wicks Dudley, buried him
in Sheila's yard with love and a lot of tears.
There is an empty space at town hall with
his death. Chief will be greatly missed, and mourned, by many in town
for a very, very long time.
Chief in March 2003...
%20MAY%2018,%2007%202%20crop.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
Chrystal McGlone Eulogizes Chief,
Everybody's Friend...
He was a stray that started hanging
around four years ago and we started feeding him. Then we adopted him and
had him fixed and got his shots. He kept the fire hall and town hall
rodent free.
We loved Chief very much. He had many
admirers. People paying their bills would sit down and pet him afterwards.
People passing by would notice him waiting by the door to get in, walk
up and let him in and then just carry on.
Everyone knew him. He greeted us
every morning by our cars, and ate lunch with us every afternoon.
He often slept on my lap, or on my desk, as I did my work. It was no
mistake that he came into our lives and we came into his.
He will always be a part of us.
Honey Bees
Swarm in Hilltop Neighborhood...
%20APR%2029,%2007%20008.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
Thousands of honey bees have swarmed in the Eatonville area looking
for a new home.
Lady Honey
Bees, and a Few Drones, Look Around Eatonville for New Hive...
by
Bob Walter
April 29, 2007
A
swarm of honey bees searching for a new place to hive has taken
up residence in the yard of Eatonville's
Jeffrey and Karen Bowles up near the reservoir at the south end
of town. The bees arrived Saturday, April 28, and remain there, in
a football-sized pod hanging onto a branch about seven
feet up in a small pine tree near the Bowles' house.
Bowles said
when they first landed, the bees were in a group of clusters spread
out for several feet, but
gradually formed into one as they
all moved in close to protect the queen bee. His neighbor, Eatonville
Elementary School teacher Steve Kastama, came to investigate, and
shared his knowledge of the natural history of honey bees.
This is a period in which "scouts" fly
out and try to locate good sources of nectar, then come back and
communicate
the information on what they've found to their hive-mates. Eventually,
they will fly off to a promising new place found by one of these
scouts to colonize - unless a beekeeper and escorts them to
a new location. Or they may choose to stay in the same area.
According to studies done about honey bee
swarms the scout bees do a "waggle dance" to inform the
others
in the swarm about possible places to hive. The dances are similar
to the form of communication bees use to tell others in the colony
about food sources. Scientists say once the scouts have
"discussed" their various sites, a "quorum" is
formed and "decisions" are made as to which place scouted
has the most potential. Usually, if about fifteen bees
"agree" on a new spot and enter it the rest of the swarm
will follow and a new colony is formed.
Honey bees swarm for various reasons,
sometimes the previous hive has become overcrowded or a new queen
flies out and is followed by her workers, all female. Studies indicate
the death of the older queen is not a reason to swarm. Bees in swarms
don't tend to be aggressive, apparently because they do not yet have a
hive to defend
Honey Bees are
Disappearing "Rapidly"
.
It is
interesting to see these bees in Eatonville, when on the larger
scene, amateur and professional bee
keepers in the U.S and
Europe have witnessed a rapid decline in their colony sizes
this past year. Craig Mackintosh, writing about the collapse of honey
bee colonies for Celsiam, April 13 states,
"...accumulating reports tell us
that the problem is not constrained to the U. S. alone - but that, to
one degree or another, empty hives are becoming common in Germany,
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Poland, and now possibly
the U.K. Canada, so far, seems unsure if they have the problem or not.
We've now also had unconfirmed reports from Brazil" Some reports
estimate that one in every three bites of food we eat has been
pollinated by honey bees.
A report to Congress by the Congressional
Research Service dated March 26, 2007 says, "Honey bees are
the most economically valuable pollinators of agricultural crops
worldwide...bee pollination is involved in about one-third of the U.
S. diet, and contributes to the production of a wide range of fruits,
vegetables, tree nuts, forage crops and other specialty crops. The
monetary value of honey bees as commercial pollinators in the United
States is estimated at about $15 billion annually.
Bees
are vitally important pollinators of many fruit and vegetable crops
upon which humans depend, so there
is a growing concern about
the mystery of what has been termed the "colony collapse disorder
(CDD)." Are the bees dying in the fields? Becoming disoriented?
Succumbing to mites, temperature extremes or the stress of being
transported? Some theorize cell phone towers may interfere with the
bees ability to find their hives. Anywhere from 30 percent to 70
percent of bees in hives have disappeared, in come cases, leaving hive
boxes completely empty. Meanwhile, scientists continue to search for
the answer to the question, why?
Can You Find
the Queen?
%20%20APR%2029,%2007%20010.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
Thousands of translucent, silver wings quiver in the light as the
queen's workers protect her. Most humans
can't find her, but those bees surrounding her, keeping her warm
and safe, know exactly where she is. The queen communicates by
emitting a pheromone which her workers respond to with complete
devotion.
The Bowles' were going to contact a local
beekeeper who might want this swarm. Experts recommend you
don't
worry if a swarm is in your yard, they often stay only a few hours or
days before moving on. The bees are unlikely to sting. They have eaten
well before they swarm and being well fed their ability to sting is
hampered. However, it is always wise to keep your distance,
especially if you have an allergy to bee stings. A bee keeper should
be contacted if you want the bees away from you.
Fishing Season
at Kids Pond
Photos and Story by Bob
Walter...
%20APR%2028,%2007%20015.jpg)
April 29, 2007: A young boy proudly hoists his catch. For many
Eatonville families, opening day of fishing
season means
going across the Mashell River to the Kids' Pond, and
trying your luck for some great kids' prizes at the Fishing Derby
put on by the Eatonville Lions Club. There were bicycles, fishing
rods and sleeping bags given away each hour to the top fisherkids.
In addition to the prizes awarded, the
Lions served piping hot coffee, hot chocolate and hotcakes to an
appreciative
crowd. Parks lead Bill Adkins, who assisted with the stocking the
pond, said a string of cars followed him into Smallwood Park when he
unlocked the gate at 5:45 a.m., and hadn't stopped by 9:30 a.m.
Looks
Like Spiderman was Here...
%20APR%2028,%2007%20013.jpg)
It took some careful casting and
reeling in this crowd. Trout lines bobbed and floated one after
the other
toward the center of the pond. Parents
and grandparents, brothers and sisters, everyone was helping the
young ones with fishing techniques in this annual
ritual.
Most were having a good time, fishing,
eating, visiting and mentoring. One male adult, however, was heard
to
angrily chastise his excited novice for almost
letting the catch flop back into the water. To a few, this is
serious business, no foolin' around. But to most, its just a good
time.
Girls on Horses Paint a
Pretty Picture...
It may have been opening day of fishing season, but for
these girls, it was a morning to ride their horses to
Smallwood Park for some exercise and play. On the left is Charlie,
on Beau, and on the right is Janessa, on Zoe.
Though they look like they could be related, these horses
were acquired at different times from different
sources, said
Charlie. The horses were jumping the cottonwood logs lying along the
park road. Later they could be seen galloping through the
trees along the road behind the kids' pond. Most of those along
the shore didn't even seem to notice.
Beautiful
Beau...
%20%20APR%2028,%2007%20005.jpg)
Beau, in
braided mane, cuts a fine profile as Janessa looks on.
HAPPY
Spring!
%20APR%205,%2007%20013.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)


 
Meet Chelsea
Newkirk,
Eatonville's 81st May Queen
%20A%20PR%207,%2007%20009.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
April 9, 2007: Eatonville High School Senior lovely Chelsea
Newkirk, 17, was selected as May Queen last
week from a field of
over twenty candidates. Chelsea is the daughter of Phil and Dawn
Newkirk and attended Weyerhaeuser Elementary School. Her mother, Dawn,
owns Dawn's Floral and Gifts located at 100 Washington Avenue North.
Blaine McNichol, 17, was chosen eighty
first May King. Brian is the son of former Eatonville Police
Sergeant
Rex McNichol and Bonnie. Rex
left the Eatonville Police Department last November to work for the
Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
May Day festivities will be held Friday,
May 4 at Eatonville High School.


 
Mountain Wears a
"Hat"
%20APR%202,%2007%20DSCN0137.jpg)
(photo by Debi Hamilton)
This photo of Mount Rainier was taken last month by Debi Hamilton
who works in the Eatonville School District Office. To the left is
a glimpse of South Hall, part of the high school which is due for
renovation. Debi says, about the mountain, "I cannot imagine
living somewhere I can not watch her. I feel blessed some days when I
look out my window to gaze upon such beauty."
New Fire Chief
Named...
%20MAR%2026,%2007%20002.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
March 26, 2007: During the
March 26 council meeting Mayor Tommy Smallwood introduced "new
interim
fire chief Josh Wikander."
Smallwood praised Wikander for his "leadership skills."
Wikander lives just out of the town limits with his wife, Teckla and
their two young sons, Wade, six and Ladd, three-years-old.
Wikander is the son of John and Sandy
Wikander and is a home town man. He graduated from Eatonville
High
School in 1993, and joined the Eatonville Volunteer Fire Department in
1992 while still a student. Wikander works for Randles Sand and
Gravel. When introduced by Mayor Smallwood Wikander, a friendly young
man who is quick to smile, simply said, "I'm proud to serve." He
replaces long-time chief Bob Holt who resigned recently.
Eatonville Regional 
Trail Plan
Launch
of Planning Project to Create a Trail Plan for the Town of Eatonville
with Regional Connections to Surrounding Communities, Areas and
Attractions
from
Town Planner, Nick Bond
February 17, 2007
The Town of Eatonville is beginning a planning project to develop a trail
plan for Eatonville with regional
connections
to Mount Rainier National Park, surrounding cities, existing trails,
and other nearby destinations and attractions.
The ultimate goal of the project is to create a plan that will describe
the community vision for such a trail network including proposed
routes; type of use; design concepts; potential management and
operation needs; partnerships; likely funding sources; and
recommendations for implementation.
To help facilitate the process, the
Town of Eatonville successfully applied for assistance from the
Rivers,
Trails, and Conservation Assistance program of the
National Park Service. ‘Rivers and Trails’ is a program of the
National Park Service that provides non-financial grants of planning
assistance to communities working to protect local open space
resources and enhance close to home connections to recreation and
nature.
The Mayor of Eatonville, Tom Smallwood,
had this to say about the project, “A trail network emanating
from
Eatonville will provide many health, recreation, and economic benefits
to residents and visitors to Eatonville and throughout the Upper
Nisqually Valley.”
The National Park Service and the Town of Eatonville will be
working with an advisory committee consisting of representatives from
other public agencies and interested community members to develop the
trail plan.
A public involvement component will be a key feature of the planning
project. This will be
accomplished in the following ways:
·
Consultation
with an advisory committee during preparation of the plan
·
Newsletters
will be prepared and distributed by regular mail, email, and posted on
the Town of Eatonville website
·
A
public open-house will be convened half way through the project to
display and discuss preliminary maps, ideas, and concepts
·
A
public meeting will be convened to release the draft plan
·
The
draft plan will be available for public review and comment for
30-days.
For more information, or to have your name placed on the mailing list,
please contact Nick Bond, Eatonville Town
Planner, at 360.832.3361.
Donations Being Accepted for June
Potter and Family...
February 22, 2007
"Friends and Neighbors of June
Potter and Her Family" are accepting donations to help ease the
financial
burden of laying to rest Brenda Potter who was killed
Saturday, February 17 in a motorcycle accident near Eatonville on
Highway 161. June lives in Eatonville on Washington Avenue.
Donations may be dropped off at Venture Bank, 121
Washington Avenue North or The Holly Hut, 129
Washington Avenue North.
Holly Hut owner Nancy Iames says they will be collecting donations for
about two weeks.
Brenda was riding on the back of her father,
Chuck's, bike when he lost control and slid into an oncoming
pickup
truck near Ohop Valley Road East. The father is currently in critical
conditions, in a coma at Tacoma General Hospital.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash Near Ohop
Valley Road Saturday
February 18, 2007
Brenda
A. Potter, 36, from Roy was killed Saturday afternoon when a
motorcycle driven by her father
smashed into a Ford pickup truck near Ohop Valley Road East on
Highway 161. The father, Chuck Potter, 62, from Graham, was
critically injured and, at last report, was on life support. The
accident happened about 4:30 p.m., in daylight, as the father and
daughter followed another motorcyclist through the dangerous Ohop
Valley curves.
The motorcyclists were heading north, were
driving recklessly through traffic and passing on blind curves
according to witnesses. The Graham man lost control of his bike and
crashed into the pickup which was southbound, killing his daughter
who was riding with him. The pickup driver wasn't injured.
The other motorcycle driver was booked at
the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide. It is
believed alcohol is implicated in the deadly crash.
Revitalization
Moving Ahead
"Ball Park"
Costs Close to Ten Million Dollars... %20%20JAN.%2023,%2007%20004.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
February 2, 2007: Jennifer Dvorak of Parametrix Engineering points out
traffic options to about twenty
people, less staff and consultants, who
attended the last Town Revitalization meeting recently. Once again
there was a lot of discussion about traffic flow and building a new
street between Washington Avenue North and Mashell Avenue.
Mark Spitzer of Arai Jackson Ellison
Murakami Architects told the group he had met with some members
of the LeMay family who own a large portion of property on Washington
Avenue North. Spitzer said LeMay was still cautious about some of the
revitalization proposals, but wasn't against the project.
"Ball park costs" put forward
regarding how much the revitalization might cost the town add up to
about ten
million dollars. The figures presented at the last meeting are:
New
Street
$750,000
Rainier/Larson Street
Improvements
1,800,000
North Town
Entrance
3,400,000
School
Street
550,000
Washington Avenue/Center
Street
500,000
Mashell Avenue/Center
Street
250,000
Parking
750,000
Town
Plaza
1,100,000
Retail
Plaza
800,000
$9,900,000
"North Town Entrance. " This figure of
three-million-four-hundred thousand dollars represents a change
in the entrance to Eatonville below
the high school which would require a retaining wall. Spitzer
explained this figure could be lower by half. None of the figures
are set in stone. They could go lower or higher.
The next steps for revitalization include going to various groups for
grants. To keep informed, and see what
progress is being made, please see the Revitalization Web site
Downtown
Revitalization Home Page
and follow the links to diagrams, grants and funding information.
You will also find information about the Eatonville Downtown
Development Association (EDDA).
EDDA officers are President Kirk
Heinz, Vice-President Rich Williams, Secretary Bob Williams and Treasurer
Mike Jeffries. The EDDA board meets February 6 at 6:15 p.m. in the
town hall.
For more about EDDA please see
Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws
Town Planner Requires
21 Conditions Regarding Airport Development...
%20NOV.%206,%2006%20011.jpg)
Artist's rendition of Aviator Heights Development at the
Eatonville airport, Swanson Field. The red strip down the
middle of the graphic represents hangers. The airport is
being developed by Jerry Nybo with backing by Summit
Properties.
After a three-hour special planning
commission meeting January 29, the commission, consisting of five
members, voted unanimously to approve the airport development and
send the issue to the Eatonville Town Council for final
approval.
The motion to approve the preliminary
plat was made by Commissioner Bob Schaub, who lives near the
airport. Elizabeth (Betsy) Harris, attending her first
meeting as an appointed commissioner, seconded the motion. Town
Planner, Nick Bond ,has put twenty-one conditions on the
development. The project shouldn't be approved unless all
conditions are met. To read the conditions please see
21
Airport Conditions

Meet Aubrey
Meadows...
%20FEB.%2012,%2007%20AubreyElizabeth.jpg)
from
Proud Grandmother Pam Holt
February
12, 2007
Aubrey Elizabeth Meadows
6 pounds 10 ounces 18 1/2 inches long
Born February 6, 2007
Welcomed into the world by Dave and
Lacey Meadows and big sister Katie Jean!
Very Proud Grandparents: Bob and Pam
Holt of Eatonville and Aubrey and Harriet Meadows of Yelm
Thank Heaven for little Girls!

Tony Catches the Image of
Lenticular Clouds...

(photo by Tony Sirgedas)
January
23, 2007: Tony Sirgedas preserved
"a nice stack of
lenticular clouds over Mount Rainier just
before noon," Tuesday, January 23. Lenticular clouds form at
high altitudes when stable moist air flows over mountains. This
type of cloud has been mistaken for Unidentified Flying Objects
(UFOs) which may be the reason Mount Rainier is believed by some
to be a "home" for UFOs.
Few areas of Mount Rainier National Park
are open to the public as the November flood damage repair
continues. It is estimated the park sustained $36 million in
damages. Norm Dicks, Washington's U. S. Representative is working
hard to help the national park find the money to get it back into
full operation.
Dicks, a Democrat,
is now
chairman of the House Interior appropriations subcommittee. This
committee
controls money given of many federal agencies, including the
National Park Service. So far Dicks has managed to get the
National Park Service to generate $18 million for park repairs.
Two million dollars will go toward opening roads to Olympic
National Park which were destroyed by storms.
More money needed for road repairs is
supposed to come from the Federal Highway Administration funds
for
emergency repairs on roads owned by the federal government.
Everyone hopes the park, including Paradise will be open in the
spring. The devastating floods, rock and mud slides, at Mount
Rainer came from the November 6 and 7 storm which dropped eighteen
inches of rain on the park. Repair of the park has been hampered
by winter weather.
To view Paradise at Mount Rainier Web
cam please see http://mms.nps.gov/mora/cam/paradise.jpg
New Planning Commissioner
Elizabeth (Betsy)
Harris...
%20JAN.%2029,%2007%20IMG_0104.jpg)
(photo by Arlen Paranto)
January 29, 2007- by Dixie A. Walter: Elizabeth Harris took her seat
on the Eatonville Planning
Commission during a special meeting/public
hearing about Aviator Heights, the controversial airport development.
Mayor
Tommy Smallwood said he spent forty-five minutes with Harris, found
her a very "pleasant person," and
felt she would be an asset to the commission. She has lived in
Eatonville around seven months and, according to Smallwood is a friend
of former commission chair Phil Beach. Smallwood added that Harris
moved to Eatonville to be near a relative, Jack Westerfield, and
thought she was a very "pleasant person." He also pointed
out the town is in "short supply on planning commission
people."
The planning commission, by Eatonville Municipal
Code, should consist of nine members. Prior to the appointment of
Harris the commission has only had five members for two months after
the resignation of Steve Pruitt in November 2006. Before his
resignation the commission had six members for several months.
Harris, who did not attend the meeting, lives in
town and is retired from Wachovia, a financial service. She has a BA
in social studies education from the University of
Illinois and a MBA in accounting and information services from
Emory University. Her husband was a city manager. Harris also
volunteers weekly at Mountain Community Co-op as office manager and
cashier.
After over three hours of hearing from
town staff, developer Jerry Nybo's attorney, Eatonville's new town
attorney,
commissioners and citizens,
the commission surprised no one by unanimously voting to approve the
preliminary plat application and send it on to the Eatonville Town Council
for approval or disapproval. Harris seconded Commissioner Bob Schaub's
motion to approve the plat.
Planning Commissioners attending
were: Chairman Steve Lind were: Elizabeth Harris, Jim Valentine, Bob
Schaub and Phil Beach. Commissioner Larry Frink, with an excused
absence, did not attend.
Planning
Commission Chair Welcomes
New Commissioner...
%20JAN.%2029,%2007%20IMG_0105.jpg)
(photo by Arlen Paranto)
Steve Lind, Chairman of the Eatonville Planning Commission, (with
back to audience) welcomes Elizebeth
Harris by presenting her
with the official name plate. The pair were posing for town photos.
Council Member
Voted Vice-Chair of PCRC
%20Untitled.jpg)
(2006 photo by Bob Walter)
by
Dixie A. Walter
January
19, 2007
Thursday,
January 18 the Pierce County Regional Council (PCRC) voted Mike
Lonergan, Tacoma City
Council, as
chair and Bobbi Allison, Eatonville Town Council, as vice-chair.
Allison has been attending PCRC meetings nearly six years. She began
participation while a member of the Eatonville Planning Commission,
then as an alternate and as the town's representative. Allison is
also on the PCRC sub-committee for affordable housing.
"Having Eatonville represented at the
PCRC level is a benefit to the town. We need to be present to make
ourselves
and our needs known," Allison explained. The first Eatonville
official to hold a chair position on PCRC added, "Participation
never hurts and it builds our town's respectability which has been
hurt in the past."
She is in her fourth year on the
Eatonville Town Council and served two years on the Eatonville
Planning
Commission prior to being elected to the council.
The Pierce County Regional Council
consists of elected officials from twenty-three towns, cities,
Pierce
County, and the Port of Tacoma. PCRC's responsibility is
"to ensure that the Growth Management Act requirements are
coordinated with the County and the region." For more
information please see Pierce
County Regional Council Home Page
Also during the January 18 meeting the
Buildable Lands Employment targets were passed.
Harmony Potts
to Wed
Steven Knight...
%20JAN.%2024,%2007%20lastscan.jpg)
(courtesy photo)
January
23, 2007: Harmony Marie Potts, daughter of Madeline and Larry Potts will
marry Steven Ralph
Knight Saturday, January 27 at the Pendleton
Center for Arts in Pendleton, Oregon. Harmony graduated from
Eatonville High School in 1997 and went on to the University of
Washington to get her Bachelor's Degree in English. She was also an
exchange student in Ireland, and will complete her registered nurse
studies in May. Steven is from Wallowa, Oregon.
New Owners of
Aaron's Ark
%20JAN.%2015,%2007%20003.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
January 15, 2007 - by Bob Walter: Drew and Bobett Pruitt have just
signed the papers and purchased
Aaron's
Ark Restaurant from her parents, Kim and David Babcock, who had
owned it for about 20 years. The original restaurant, built by Keith
and Delores Malcom, was called The Deli. Today, Sunday, is the
Pruitts' first day as the new owners, and they are very excited. The
young couple, wed just last September, had planned to follow job
opportunities out of town, when the Babcocks asked them if they
wanted to buy the popular restaurant. At first they hadn't really
wanted to go that direction, but after talking it over, they made
their decision to buy.
They come into it well-qualified. Drew has
a degree in Business Marketing from Azuza-Pacific University
in
southern California. Bobett, who for awhile was a Communications
major at Pacific Lutheran University, brings years of experience to
her new role, working in various capacities at the restaurant since
she was 13. She may eventually complete her course work for
her degree, but for now, there's a business to be run. And while the
two are new to business ownership, they are a formidable team.
Says Bobett, "I've known Drew since third grade. He worked
here, too, when we were in high school."
They will share the management duties and
oversee the staff of about ten employees, with Drew handling
most
of the paperwork and the night manager duties to start, and Bobett
running things during the day. There are many details to be worked
out, but as Drew says, "We're taking the first steps [in that
process] right now. Everything came together very
quickly."
Aaron's Ark is at the corner of Washington
and Center Streets, at the stoplight. Winter hours are 7:00 am
to
8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and
Saturday. Stop by and offer your congratulations to the newlywed-
new-business-owners!
Tony Captures the Comet
Photos and Story by Tony Sirgedas...

The comet first became visible Friday evening
shortly after the sun set.
January 13, 2007 - From Tony: Friday evening, January 12, the
light clouds and haze broke enough at
sunset
to allow viewing of Comet McNaught low over the western
horizon. Friday was the last day the comet will be visible in the
Northern Hemisphere as it will pass behind the sun's glare and then
be visible in the Southern Hemisphere after January 15. Officially
known as comet C/2006 P1, it was only recently discovered
August 7, 2006 by Rob McNaught who has discovered several other
comets that also bear his name. More information on the comet can be
found at
NASA
- A Bright Comet Is Coming
Awesome!

Ducks and Comet McNaught
over Kreger Lake on Friday January 12.
Town Attorney Change...
Right:
Edward Greely Hudson now advising Town of Eatonville replacing
long-time Town Attorney Robert
Mack. Hudson is with the firm of Smith Alling Lane
and Mack was also with the same firm until recently.
Who is Edward Hudson?
by
Dixie A. Walter
January 5, 2007
According
to the Smith Alling Lane Web site Hudson is a Senior Governmental
Affairs Consultant who
"advises
businesses with regard to management decisions and alternative
approaches to the resolution of legal matters." He served six
years on the Tacoma City Council and "one year as
President of the Puget Sound Council of Governments (today the Puget
Sound Regional Council...)."
Hudson also provides guidance with
modern land use policy. He is a Viet Nam veteran who served in the
Army.
He grew up in Tacoma, is married with two daughters. Wife, Dorothy
is a high school teacher. He obtained his law degree at the
University of Wisconsin in Madison and has a business degree from
the University of Washington.
The Web site reports Hudson was a member
of the Washington State China Relations Council, member and
president of the Washington State Arts Commission and chair of the
International Section of the Washington State Bar Association. In
addition he is licensed to practice law in not only in this state
but also before the federal U. S. District Court for the Western
District of Washington.
Areas of practice - business and
corporate law; business succession; collection; employment law;
environmental
and land use law; estate, probate and elder law; personal injury
law, property and real estate law.
He volunteers with the Regional
Governance Project, the Tacoma Actors Guild's Board of Directors and
Rotary's International Student Exchange Committee. Hobbies
include mountain climbing, skiing and reading.
Ed Hudson and Robert Mack
represented the town in two major cases. The first was the sale of
Van Eaton
Park which was taken to Pierce County Superior Court
by Steve Van Cleve. This case, which never went to trial, was
dismissed by Judge Sergio Armijo. Armijo's decision to dismiss was
overturned by the State Court of Appeals in November 2006. The Court
of Appeals remanded the case back to Superior Court for a jury
trial. To read the Court of Appeals decision please see
Court
of Appeals Decision .
Hudson and Mack also represented
the town against a petition for review regarding Aviator Heights
brought
in front of the Central Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.
The hearings board decision itemized a number of problems regarding
the town's "flaws and inconsistencies"
in relation to the proposed development stating the town's development
regulations were "clearly
erroneous." To read the hearings board decision please
see
Hearings
Board Decision 2006
Edward Hudson's eddress
is edhudson@smithallinglane.com
Where Did Mack Go?
Former
Town Attorney Bob Mack has joined the Tacoma Public Utilities to
lead that organization's public
affairs activities. Mark Crisson,
director of utilities appointed Mack deputy director of public
affairs effective January 1, 2007. Part of his duties include
overseeing the Public Utilities' Community/Media Services Office.
Mack worked on major land use and
utility issues, including the Growth Management Act. His background
included
advising clients on natural resource, environmental and land-use
issues. He was picked as one of the best lawyers in America for
environmental and natural resources law.
Jebinos to Open This Week
%20DEC.%2031,%2006%20011.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
January 1, 2007 - by Bob Walter:
Amidst the ambiance of Rat Pack memorabilia, colorfully-lit glass
bricks, and a starburst chandelier, a willing crowd enjoyed a $100 per
couple, prime rib or prawns dinner, and a preview of Jebino's on New Year's
Eve. When someone suggested, on short notice, to proprietors John and Tammi
Bratholm, that they host a New Year's Eve dinner, a couple of calls
were made to gauge interest. Word of mouth began to spread, calls for
reservations began coming in, and in a day or so, every table was booked.
The Bratholms were just disappointed more of their friends couldn't be
accommodated.
But they are happy the long-awaited opening of
Jebino's is finally imminent. They plan to formally open the
new
restaurant at the corner of Mashell Avenue and Carter Street in Eatonville
this Thursday, January 4, after a couple of days of practice with the new
kitchen equipment. Reservations are being taken now.
Park May Not Open
Until Spring, or Close to It...
%20NOV.%2006.jpg)
(National Park Service Photo)
December
11, 2006: Mount Rainier National Park may not be open to vehicles
until sometime in March. The
early
November floods devastated many areas of the park and now heavy snow
at Paradise is hampering efforts to repair the water system. Park Superintendent
Dave Uberuaga estimates the park will lose about $250,000 in
entrance fees by the end of the year. The damage done by Mother
Nature has reached nearly $30 million and the park has is looking at
the longest closure since World War II.
A report from the Federal Highway
Administration regarding repairs may come this week, but the
earliest
repairs probably won't begin until January. Electricity
and sewer haven't been re-established at Longmire although the
national park is awaiting approval of funding to assist the other
damages. Repairs have already eaten up $791,000 and climbing.
The park is thinking about shuttling visitors
to Longmire, giving tours of the damaged park. They are also
giving
thought to allowing hikers, snowshoers and Nordic skiers on the
Westside Road.
Some Eatonville businesses report a slowdown
of customers, but hardest hit by the park closure are the
various
small businesses in Ashford and Elbe. People are being laid off
which is always difficult, especially during the holiday. To help
keep business alive and bring people to the area the Mount Rainier
Visitor Center is promoting activities in the area. Please see Activities
Up-the-Line .
For detailed information regarding the
park closure, repair efforts and more photographs of flood damage please
see
nps.gov/mora/parknews/upload/Flood
Recovery
%20newbaby.gif)
Meet Nate Smith,
Eatonville's Newest Citizen...
%20DEC.%2012,%202006%20Nate'spics095.jpg)
December 12, 2006: Skip Smith sent the following happy announcement:
We have a new addition to the
family we would like to share.
His name is Nathaniel James Smith. Born at Good Samaritan hospital in
Puyallup on Monday, December 11, 2006 at 3:20 p.m. He weighed a
hefty 9 lbs. 2 oz. and measured 21.5" in length. He joins his two
big brother's Derrick Laclef (14) and Trevor Smith (7). His parents,
Dena Laclef and Skip Smith are very excited to bring this little
bundle of joy home to Eatonville.
Anne's
World...
%20NOV.%2023,%202006%20lastscan.jpg)
November
25, 2006 - by Dixie A. Walter: This drawing was created by my
eight-year-old granddaughter, Anne Shore at Thanksgiving. I
asked her what her world would like if she could make it any way she
wanted. Anne answered saying the sky would be pink and orange, the
grass would be blue, the trees would be different colors. Finally
she said, "I'll draw it for you," which she did.
I enjoy talking to children, their
imaginations haven't yet been limited by the same restrictions put
on adults. Grass doesn't have to be green, a tree can be purple
or blue and lots of purple birds can fly in the orange and pink sky.
Christmas
Parade 2006
Photos and Story by Bob
Walter...
%20DEC.%202,%2006%20012.jpg)
Frosty the Snowman, sandwiched between two giant snow globes, waves
to onlookers at the Christmas
Parade
in Eatonville Saturday evening. There were floats, fire engines,
horses, bright lights and candy to delight the children in the
crowd.
Mrs. and Mr.
Claus Greet the Children...
%20DEC.%202,%2006%20003.jpg)
Photographer
Cheryl snaps a photo of a girl with Santa at Keybank, with Mrs. Claus
and three elves looking
on. In the
left foreground is Dawn Newkirk, organizer of the event.
One is
Delighted...
%20DEC.%202,%2006%20008.jpg)
Kylee and Kidder Kindelspira are all smiles as they meet with Santa
Claus to discuss their Christmas wish
lists. Each child received a
candy cane and a fresh orange from Santa during their visit.
The
Organizer...
%20DEC.%202,%2006%20002.jpg)
Always ready to help the community through her creativity and hard
work, Dawn Newkirk greeted grateful
parents who brought their
children to see Santa at Keybank, making sure they all had a
memorable experience. The Greater Eatonville Chamber of
Commerce supplies oranges and candy canes for the kid's who visit
Santa.
Dawn is a longtime business woman in
Eatonville being the proprietor of Dawn's Floral and Gifts and
Jillian's.
She also worked for a very long time at Nancy Iams' Holly Hut. Dawn
is also the driving force behind Eatonville's Daffodil Float.
See The Jessica and Emily
Show at Victorian Christmas
%20AUG.%2027,%202006%20EMMALLIDOL.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
Emily
Randolph Banford of Eatonville posed with some her prizes after winning the South Hill Mall Idol
contest in the
seven through twelve age category late last summer. Emily attends
fourth grade in the Eatonville School District. Emily and Jessica Molly Steves
of Yelm are making their debut at the Victorian Country Christmas Festival. The
MC for the show is Tabitha Simolke, also from Eatonville.
Some Great Youthful
Christmas Entertainment...
from Carol Slevett
November 29, 2006
Emily Randolph Banford of Eatonville has teamed up with Jessica Molly Steves
of Yelm to create a new show
called "The Jessica and Emily
Show." Jessica is a very experienced performer
with an incredible voice. She has been performing for most of her life and is
a joy to watch. Emily has been performing for five of her eight years
and was recently chosen the South HIll Mall Jr. Idol. Emily sings and
dances and is a pretty seasoned little performer.
Tabitha Simolke, also from Eatonville, is a
talented MC who also does a little dancing and singing. The
teaming up of
a twenty-year-old and a nine-year-old makes for a very entertaining show full
of variety and incredible singing.
They will be performing at the
Victorian Country Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 3 at noon on the
Crystal Castle Stage in the Show Plex Building, now called the North
Pole for the Christmas event.
It was truly an honor to be
given a spot in this festival. Jessica, Emily and Tabitha hope that some
of the
people of Eatonville will come down and support them in their very
first show.
Eatonville
and Environs Wake to More Snow and Ice
Photos by Bob Walter...
%20NOV.%2028,%2006%20002.jpg)
November 28, 2006: Several inches of snow fell on Eatonville and
other parts of the state overnight causing dangerously icy
roads, causing closures of many businesses and making school kids happy with the
longed for "snow day." The Fantasy Lights event in
Spanaway was cancelled because of the "inclement" weather.
All Pierce County government offices opened two hours late and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
were also closed. Most of the town, county businesses, schools and
events hope to be functioning by Wednesday.
Although the temperature stayed in the
twenties in most places most of the day, some of the roads packed with
ice and snow melted enough to ensure black and sheet ice for evening
and early morning commuters.
Tale of the
Ruler...
%20NOV.%2028,%2006%20001.jpg)
At 8 a.m. the snow measured about four and a half inches,
however, some places had more and some had less. Dogs and
children enjoyed the white stuff.
Christmas
Trees Get Ready
for the Season...
%20NOV.%2028,%2006%20005.jpg)
Mother
Nature had the upper hand in decorating Christmas trees at Mel Cox's
tree farm by Barney's Corner. It was often a dreary day, but the
sun and sky occasionally fought through the snow clouds to
brighten things up.
Firefighter Bell
Honored by American Legion...
%20NOV.%2014,%202006%20011.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
November 17, 2006 - by Bob Walter: Eatonville Fire Department Lt.
Aaron Bell received the Officer of the
Year award last week from
American Legion's Mt. Tacoma Post 148, for his years of outstanding
service to the community, saving lives and property, and treating the
injured. He is pictured here with his wife, Michelle, and Eatonville
Fire Chief Bob Holt. Members of the American Legion District
Headquarters attended the Eatonville American Legion's annual
spaghetti dinner honoring Veterans and the ceremony honoring Lt. Bell.
Farewell Cake From
Council for Sgt. McNicol...
%20NOV.%2013,%2006%20111306_19091.jpg)
(cell phone photo by Councilmember Bobbi Allison)
November
15, 2006: The Eatonville Town Council took a cake break Monday, November
13 to share and enjoy a chocolate cake and to thank
Sergeant Rex McNicol for his eight years of service to town. Many of his
fellow officers, Chief Jim Lewis and Gaille Finley, attended the small
"party." McNicol said he really appreciated the opportunity to
serve in Eatonville and has enjoyed his duty here. He added, "I
love this town so much I moved my family here and I plan to die
here."
Sgt. McNicol
Leaving Eatonville Police Department
Taking a Position with Pierce
County Sheriff's Department...
%20NOV.%2012,%2006%20003.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
November 12, 2006: Sergeant Rex McNicol has been with the Eatonville
Police Dept since April 1999. He
started as a patrol officer and
was promoted to Sergeant in September 2000. McNicol was offered a
position with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and will be
leaving EPD November 19. "Sergeant McNicol has done an
outstanding job for the Town of Eatonville," said Police Chief
Jim Lewis.
The popular officer intends to remain a resident
of Eatonville, "I'm not going anywhere," he told ENN.
Santa Visits
Early...
%20NOV.%204,%2006%20039.jpg)
(photo by Bob Walter)
November 11, 2006: Scott Snyder and his older sisters, Mia and Isabelle
had a happy time with Santa during
the Cottage Merchants event
last weekend. These are the adorable children of Amy and Eric Snyder.
Santa was at Melly Rodriguez's new business Good Home Dry Cleaners and
Gifts located at 104 Washington Avenue South. The new shop features
Madame Alexander dolls and other gifts. You can also drop off your dry
cleaning and pick it up within two or three days.
Santa will also visit the shop December 2
and December 9.

Mount Rainier
Evacuated For Public Safety...
%20TahomaCreek1.jpg)
(Courtesy photo from Mount Rainier
National Park)
Tahoma Creek Monday afternoon. Rivers and creeks in Western Washington
are deluged by days of heavy,
consistent rains labeled "The
Pineapple Express." The weather forecasts call for more heavy rain
until Wednesday. By 5 p.m. emergencies had been declared in eighteen
counties.
According to news sources the
Nisqually River is expected to have a "major flood." The
Nisqually is roiling
with huge pieces of debris and trees.
Those who saw the Nisqually after Mount St. Helens erupted say the river
looks like it did at that time.
The Kernahan Bridge looked to be in danger
of going out but crews are working to save it. School
Transportation
and Maintenance Supervisor Dan Dawkins said loads of rock were being in
dumped around the bridge in a effort to keep it standing. Dawkins noted
that there was one car on the bridge at 6:30 a.m., but didn't know what
happened to it.
One source said the Lewis County end of the
bridge has some damage which is being repaired. Dawkins also
said he
watched the Nisqually River for about fifteen minutes and it was a mess
with trees and other debris racing past.
Eatonville
Police Office Supervisor and Director of Emergency Management, Gaille
Finley, reports that
the
town is "okay." She explained, "Our public works are
checking and clearing storm drains." And added, "There is no
problem with flooding currently."
Heavy Rains
Force Park Closure...
Press release
November 6, 2006 - 3:30 p.m.
A torrential storm dropped more than seven inches of rain on Mount
Rainier National Park on Sunday, with
another ten inches expected on
Monday. Park rivers are raging
bank to bank, with chocolate-colored water carrying trees, rocks, and
mud. Several park roads and
campgrounds are threatened by flooding and mudslides.
Park officials closed the main park road from the
Nisqually Entrance to Paradise and are turning people
back at the
park gate. Highway 123 is also
closed, due to a rockslide. “We
want to prevent visitors getting trapped inside the park.
The road is vulnerable to washouts in several key
places, and there is only one way out.” said superintendent
Dave
Uberagua. Park employees working
at Longmire were encouraged to leave the park while the roads are still
passable rather than finish their work day.
Gaille Finley
Discussed 911 Procedures with Seniors...
November 1, 2006
Gaille Finley, Eatonville
Police Office Supervisor and recently appointed Director of Emergency
Management spoke at the senior meal site Friday, November 3. She
explained enhanced 911, how and when to call 911, what to expect when
calling, when not to call 911, helpful hints and other pertinent
information.
Senior citizen meals are served in the
Community Center at 305 Center Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. For
in-depth information about 911 please see
911

Eatonville's Relay
For
Life 2007...
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&n
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