Alumnus is Happy High School Being Modernized...

       October 14, 2007

 Letter to the Editor:

    Margit Thorvaldson’s Letter to the Editor was right on the money. It’s time that the previous administration own up to their poor money Management. Developer wishes took precedent over diligent decisions. George Livigne’s Letter to the Editor also expressed similar sentiments .
    I noted in last week’s section on School activities where comments were made regarding  the minimal parking problem that students face every day. Proposal: Mark off a reasonable section of the empty parking lot bought by the Town for a poorly conceived  “Town Square" and let the students park there. A much-needed crosswalk should also be installed in front of Jebino’s for student and citizen travel.
   Lastly, is an issue where the hilltop residents requested the Town to restrict the planned five tall light systems at the new development on the hill to only two lights, one at each corner of the block. Individual house lighting along with these two light is more than enough and will reduce light pollution as well as reduce the Town’s and the developer’s power consumption. This request was presented to Town Council several months ago and no response. The developer also agrees to this.

 Letter to the Editor:

     I read, admittedly with more than mild amusement, a recent article in the Dispatch captioned; “Water isn’t the issue any more.” It (potable water) may not in fact be an issue anymore. I think we prepared plans and made system improvements to try and resolve the matter of a shortage while I was your Interim Public Works Director.  
     Water WAS clearly one impediment to the Town’s ability to provide for growth and development.  That is, a clean and safe source for Potable supply, standby, and fire-flow.  If, or not, the Town has solved or resolved these limitations clearly depends upon how they implemented the plans for system production, storage, and distribution. Equally important is how they paid for those improvements. Did the Town fairly assess new growth and development or did it simply put the burden on the existing ratepayers?

Some Water Not So Friendly...

     The Town may be faced with an abundance of another type of water that is far from a friendly source…it is one that flows across the surface, seeps into the soils, that flows into crawl-spaces.  
     It helps to liquefy the soil from actions as simple as traffic-induced vibration to natural occurrences such as earthquakes. And when you have a lubricant between soil types, or if you have liquefaction, you have the movement of land. The world wants to be flat – gravity just does that… more simply and easily when you have water to help.
     It may be important for the people of Eatonville to consider the timing and purpose of an article  titled “Water isn’t an issue anymore” the body of which itself is really all about trying to disparage me for having raised issues and worked to resolve them in an ethical/professional way. 
     In other words, doing one of the things I am expected to do… working to insure the fire-life and health safety for “all” of the people (and properties) in Eatonville.  You need to ask yourselves; Why now? What is being planned?  What problem is looming?  What issues are under consideration or review? 
     By the way, it also takes a certain kind of coward to publish such an article without a by-line. So the question also needs to be asked: Who wrote the article, what was the source of their research, and finally, did they present their findings in a fair, professional, and consistent manner?  
     Of additional amusement is the Dispatch reference to me as; “Greg Wilder, location unknown.”  How silly of them to presume (or assume) that you folks are so lost to reality that you can’t even remember that they themselves referenced my location in that article as Okanogan County – where I’ve been since I left Eatonville!  
     I am now retired after serving the Public for over 40 years.  Disparaging me serves up no pain or harm to me personally and only amuses my imagination.  It also gives me the chance to speak up with even less constraint!  

Let's Look at the Facts..

     And since the “article” was really about discrediting me, let’s look at the real facts, the real issue relating to the actual context. It is so, the County of Okanogan (not me personally or because of any action of my own), was informed by the State Auditor that the raise they were offering me was just fine, only they should not have applied it retroactively. The County Commissioners, acting under the advice of their own attorney, were only trying to reward me for a job well done… by the way a job/project to encourage new development!  
     That salary “incentive,” by the way, remained intact until I retired at the end of last year.  And, as wonders be, I’m now providing consulting support to the Commissioners and others to help the County develop and grow!  
     Why is it that the good/professional developers have considered me a friend my career long, and all those others with less community value intent have not – well, dah!  This issue was raised by the Dispatch as a red herring and you should not be fooled by the images conjured by the blue smoke and mirrors.  You should be even more vigilant however…
     Now as to State Audits of Towns, Cities, and Counties, it may not surprise you that Eatonville and its past Mayor are admonished for matters much more serious than an inadvertent oversight by Okanogan County. 
     Spend the time to check these things out for yourselves, and in the process, just ask yourself why it is these matters were not written about by the same editorial coward.

    Letter to the Editor:

The Green Hills of Home...

      June 19, 2006

      The Green Hills of Home - a descriptive line from an old poem that sums up the picturesque look of our small town. When you drive up the northern hillside and round the curve - there it is - small town - green hills. I believe we are all experiencing a sense of loss as the rolling hills become more treeless.
       But a property owner has the right to sell or develop his land. People need affordable housing - the demand is ever there. Is it possible to meet these needs and make money without denuding the hills and covering them with crowded together houses? 
       Of course it's possible, but that would mean the developer would have to go above and beyond what is required of them by the building codes. They can still make a profit and be sensitive to the community. A developer can leave a small wedge of land natural or a tucked in corner green.
       Those in office representing us need also to share in demanding higher standards. Council members should consider setting aside some money for green belts. Ultimately it is our town council who can make a difference.
       And then there is us - we need to back our representatives when they make the hard decisions to  stand firm against the "build and run" boys with their big machines who believe vegetation is a nuisance and the only good tree is horizontal. 
       The late Fritz Guske, one the original farmers in this area, told me long ago, "We never own a piece of land, God owns the land and we are the caretakers." We need to start being better caretakers.
       If we don't do something now we'll look like Orting on a roller coaster or Yelm on a freeway. Once  the hills are stripped there is no going back. Eatonville, our home town, needs the Green Hill.

      Nancy Iams
      Eatonville

     Letter to the Editor:

     During the July 11, 2005 Council Meeting, Dr. Steve Cossalman asked this question regarding the sale of Van Eaton Park, "If that property is sold and someone starts to develop it, who's going to pay for the sewer or the water up there? Who's going to provide those services?" Mayor Bruce Rath responded, "Whoever would buy it and, whether they would want to build one house or then they pay all the costs. The town will not pay any costs." He also said that streets and sidewalks would also have to be done to comply with the Eatonville Municipal Code.
     I understand that the town is considering installation of a large water line from the water tank, down through Prospect Street and likely on through Orchard Avenue South in front of the planned development. I hope the town has arranged for these substantial costs to be paid by the developer. The existing homes in this area already have an ample water supply with existing lines. I trust the Town will not "invent" an excuse to install this new line for the developer at the taxpayer's expense. Remember-the developer knew all along that there was no water or sewer up here.

    Arlen Paranto 
    Eatonville

      Letter to the Editor:

Sound Familiar?

     by Dixie A. Walter
     February 11, 2006

    An ENN reader who has family and friends in Eatonville, but lives out of town, sent the following article from The Daily Astorian (The Daily Astorian • The North Coast's Newspaper) after reading Arlen Paranto's letter, "My Vision Two" (see below "Slides" story). 
    Considering the deep concern by many in this community about very similar situations, ENN thought you might wish to compare the circumstances in Astoria to the circumstances in Eatonville. The editorial concerning the slides was published February 9.
    The slides have prompted four separate homeowners to file tort claims against the Astoria school district. The torts also name the City of Astoria in seeking damages.

     Letter to the Editor:

My Vision...

       October 2, 2005

   Developers often  can be pretty predictable.

       For example: Well over  a month ago, the land known as Van Eaton Park was being surveyed. I thought it a bit unusual since they already surveyed the lot corners, etc.

      But after I had seen the 70’ lot size mark-offs on the street, I immediately knew what they were up to. I told several people what to expect.

      The developer (Jerry Nybo) evidently wants more houses on this property, but he can not do it with his 70’ lot plan, as the Eatonville Municipal Code [EMC] for a SF1 (single family) requires 9,600 square feet minimum.     Since these lots are only 120’ deep that would mean he would have to have at least 80’ lot sizes. 
      But if he could vacate the town’s alley separating the upper and lower parcel of land he could  pick up another 20 feet or so, allowing the narrow lots 70' x138' = 9660'.  Any vacated alleys or streets revert to the adjoining property owner.

      Of course none of this has been presented to or approved by the town council, but I am sure that it has already been discussed with certain people.

     This first hint of what is to come became known in last week's Planning Commission Meeting, when someone from the town, presented a list of streets and alleys that are planned to be vacated. All of these border the park land of Nybo's.

     No action was requested for the Planning Commission, just information purposes. Commissioner Steve Lind stated that, as a general rule, it is bad policy to vacate streets and alleys. Commissioner Steve Pruitt commented that he had hoped the town did not have any outside influence affecting land use and was not doing this to benefit a developer.

     Any bets on what the next alley vacancy request will be and it’s outcome? I hope I am wrong and will apologize if so.

      Arlen Paranto
      Eatonville

When Asked their Opinion Most Utility Customers said, "Sell to Ohop"

     by Dixie A. Walter
     My View
     November 2, 2005

     In an editorial from the hard copy paper of October 12 comes this voice of "wisdom." Under the title, "Why promise what you can't deliver?" is yet another of the endless attacks against mayoral candidate Bobbi Allison.    
     I count ten in ten weeks. The owner of the paper lists one of Allison's promises that "can't be delivered" as, "A resolution to allow voters to decide whether or not to sell the electrical utility." Like he knows for sure what voters may, or may not, decide. Or perhaps, the idea of citizens making choices doesn't appeal to him. Then he  goes on to say this is, "Another idiotic (emphasis added) idea to please a small number of potential voters - maybe a couple of Ohop Board members..."
    Asked at the candidates' forum about selling the utility to Ohop Mutual, Meridith Weilert, unopposed for a two-year council seat, flatly said, "No," and added that profits from the utility help with other expenses. It's illegal to do what she suggests. Does she know this? Probably not. Along with just about everyone else who may be on the council, Weilert is just about completely inexperienced  in governing. Who is her mentor? She evidently gets her information from people who haven't really studied the laws regulating governmental finance, either.  
     How does the hard copy publisher know the idea to sell the utility to Ohop Mutual is "idiotic?" Has he even studied the citizen's survey? It was certainly available as a public record and still is, or should be. And if he has studied the survey, why does he consider the citizen's choices "idiotic?" Below is part of the survey showing how "idiotic" the suggestion to sell the utility is "to please a small number of potential voters." You be the judge.
    At the request of the town government this survey was accomplished in a short period of time. However, at the council meeting where the results were presented, a person made a statement, not even a compelling statement, which resulted in the the study being "tabled"- where it has remained since,  even though those surveyed remain in favor of selling the utility.
    I don't even know why I should be at all surprised the voice of the citizens won't be heard. In a little over two years citizens have petitioned the council for a temporary building moratorium until the water situation could be worked out, and have petitioned the council not to sell Van Eaton Park. Those petitions have been summarily ignored. So why would anyone be surprised the survey about selling the electric utility would also be summarily ignored? 
     

  Letter to the Editor:

Regional Dump?

      January 3, 2006

     Your readers should be aware of events that could pave the way for railed-hauled garbage imports to the 304th Street landfill in Graham. In 2001, after little more than a year of operations, LRI [Land Recovery, Inc.] sold 51 percent of its controversial dump to Waste Connections, now a publicly traded company with dozens of landfills and annual revenues exceeding $600 million.
    One year ago, Waste Connections purchased a rail services company, Northwest Container Services, and announced:  “We expect this transaction to expand our share of the rail haul market in the northwest over the next several years and attract additional volumes to our landfills.”  (Sacramento Business Journal, 11/19/04).
    At about the same time, LRI affiliate Harold LeMay Enterprises purchased approximately 42 acres in Frederickson on a rail line and applied for $29 million in funding to build a “transfer station/recycling facility.” The County Council unanimously endorsed LeMay’s application on March 29, downplaying the transfer station and pitching the facility as a recycling complex.
    Pierce County Solid Waste Administrator Steve Wambach testified to the Council that the 20-year landfill capacity would not be jeopardized and that garbage could not be imported contrary to language in the county Solid Waste Management Plan. Yet he admitted last month that there is really nothing the county can do to stop waste imports, which are considered interstate commerce.
    Now LRI must obtain approval from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept (“TPCHD”) for the re-issuance of its Solid Waste Permit by February 6 to continue accepting waste at the landfill for the next 10 years. TPCHD timed the public hearings during the holidays and  gave less than a week's notice. They presented almost no information during a carefully controlled hearing at Graham-Kapowsin High School after beginning with the announcement that public questions and comments would only be answered at the end of the 30 day comment period.
   TPCHD has a long way to go to restore public confidence in the permitting process and its protection of our drinking water. 

   George Wearn
   President, CROWD
   [Concerned Residents on Waste Disposal]
   P. O. 1350
   Graham, WA 98338

  Below is a letter submitted to the Dispatch in response to their coverage
 of this important issue...

"Landfill Application gets Angry Response"

     (Re: “Landfill application gets angry response,” December, 21). Thank you for emphasizing the serious flaws in the Health Department’s public process on LRI’s landfill permit. No wonder speakers whose lives and property have been impacted by the landfill expressed their frustration, when they see that the agency supposed to be protecting them is not listening.  Given the improper short notice for a meeting set during the holidays, it is a compelling statement of the landfill’s impact that so many affected citizens did attend.
    While I appreciate mention of the joint legal defense agreement between LRI and the Health Department, its existence is no mere “claim.”  It was an exhibit cited by Judge Strombom as “relevant” in her 2001 decision that the landfill had escaped the emergency senate bill to prevent landfills over sole source aquifers.  This agreement was made between the supposed regulator and the supposedly regulated company.
    I also appreciate your mention of Mr. Wambach’s attempt to divert my questions by claiming to be insulted, and that space limits may have prevented the Dispatch from describing the substance of the important issue of waste imports that Wambach evaded.  
    Wambach previously told the County Council that the Solid Waste Management Plan “put a series of additional checks and balances into place before a landfill operator could take in waste from outside.” (videotape of 3/29/05 County Council meeting). Yet at the Graham Advisory Commission December 13 meeting, he said about imported waste, “The caveat is, there’s really nothing that we can do about that.” Government officials need to be held accountable, especially when they make inconsistent statements on important issues such as whether LRI can turn this disastrous landfill into a regional dump.

     George Wearn
     President, CROWD

   Letter to the Editor:

The "Dump" - Broken Promises and Methane Gas

        December 10, 2005

       Just a quick note to inform you and all your readers that there is a public meeting on Tuesday, December 13th at Graham-Kapowsin High School, 22100 108th Ave East, Graham from 5:00-7:30pm. Also, if that date is not
convenient, a second meeting will be held on Thursday, December 15 at the Nature Center at Snake Lake, corner of 19th Street and Tyler Street, Tacoma from 2:00-4:30 p.m.
     The Pierce County Health Department is required to hold public meetings whenever they re-issue the LRI's solid waste handling permit. As we all know they are handling a huge amount of garbage, coming from
all over. We even question if it is only Pierce County garbage, as we see the truck and trailers come from the Yelm-McKenna highway. As we also know LeMay operates garbage removal in Thurston, Lewis, Pacific and
several other counties.
     We know that in the past the Health Department has not listened to its residents, but now we are seeing all their promises broken.  The landfill site that we were never suppose to be able to view from Meridian is now a
mountain, the stench of garbage and methane fumes is detectable from within a mile radius or more and several garage trucks travel Meridian and Mountain Highway hourly.
     We can only hope that hundreds of folks turn out for this meeting.  We may not be heard, but to show our disapproval and disgust of how this landfill is being handled is a positive action.

     Thanks for listening

     Lucy McKee

  Letter to the Editor: