EatonvilleNews

    In a memorandum dated June 17 Public Works Director Jamieson Van Eaton cites "health reasons" as the explanation for resigning his position. Van Eaton has been a controversial figure in Eatonville since he was hired by former Mayor Harold Parnell soon after Parnell took office in January 2002. Van Eaton, who had never lived in this area, is the nephew of Parnell's wife, Jackie.
    Van Eaton, a National Guard Reservist, was called up for the Iraqi war in late January 2003; he was 56 at the time. Dressed in fatigues, Van Eaton attended a council meeting and explained that he would be gone for "a year or more." In an email to ENN he said, "We live in exciting times." But that excitement soon faded after Van Eaton arrived in Iraq.
    While in Iraq Sgt. Van Eaton asked former Mayor Parnell to intercede in his behalf and bring him home. Eventually he experienced medical complications from an operation he had four or five years earlier in which a pig valve was used to replace a valve in his heart. The rigors of Army life, plus the extreme, blistering heat in Iraq, caused Van Eaton to be returned to Ft. Lewis, where it was discovered the pig valve was leaking. He was sent by Army doctors to the University of Washington Medical Center where the valve was replaced with a new valve in early July 2003. He returned to work January 2004.
    In his resignation memorandum Van Eaton says he will end his "service to the Town...July 6, 2004." He added, "I have enjoyed working with everyone."

Senator John McCain works the crowd of military men and women as President Bush waves to others.

Interim Town Administrator Jim Mercer and Eatonville Mayor Bruce Rath paused for a photo op after Mercer was introduced to the town council Monday evening.

      A bit of town history was made Monday, May 24 when the Eatonville Town Council unanimously voted to approve Mayor Rath's hiring of Jim Mercer as the first town administrator. According to his wife, Patti, Mercer spent the past four years in the same position in "neighboring" Orting. The Mercers became proud, and happy, grandparents April 14 when Isaak Spencer made his debut. Isaak's mom and dad are Heidi and Kraig Spencer from Las Vegas. Jim and Patti have two other "kids," Ryan, 25, and Jason, 23, Gessel.
      Presently the Mercers live in Federal Way. However, Patti explained, they have a 20-acre ranch in southern Utah and intend to move there in a few months to build a home and be closer to their grandchild. In fact, little Isaak's parents intend to build a home on the acreage also.
      Jim Mercer was born and raised in Bremerton and worked managing Alaska Airlines catering department for 19 years before moving into government positions. His "beat" during that time was the Russian Far East. Wife Patti said her husband speaks "Russian, German, French and a little Italian." She added that he is also a "world class pool player." Mercer has been on a World Nine Ball Pool tour.
      Mayor Bruce Rath said Mercer will be working "flexible hours and under my direction he will be going to meetings, because I have to get back to my business."

      Chair Kirk Heinz administers the school director’s oath of office to Mr. Tim Patterson at the May 26th Eatonville School Board meeting. Background Mr. Rick Thompson, Mr. Darold Holden and not pictured, Mr.
Ralph Bell. and student representative Ms. Brandy Rinkel.

     by Superintendent Ray Arment
      May 27, 2004

The Eatonville School Board of Directors selected Mr. Tim Patterson for appointment as the Director for Director District Four, the Town of Eatonville, at the beginning of the May 26, 2004 meeting. He will serve
as an appointed member until the next school board general election in November 2005. Mr. Patterson replaces Mr. Mike Powell who resigned due to moving outside the School District boundaries.
Mr. Heinz, School Board Chair, said Mr. Patterson and the other candidate, Mr. Robert Dyke, were fully qualified to fill the vacancy and presented a difficult decision for the board. Board members said they based
their decision on a personal assessment of the skills, and background, they felt could make the current board better and deeply appreciated both community members stepping forward. Mr. Holden said he wished two
seats were available so both applicants could be invited to serve.

    Left to right: Emily Slayton, President George W. Bush, Jessica Herbrand and Kristin Fitzer. The students met the president while in Washington D. C. recently as one of ten American youth groups to receive the 2003 Presidential Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA).
    The PEYA program was established by the White House in 1071 and is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Youth from the country and U. S. territories are invited to participate in the program which is aimed at encouraging individuals, schools, summer camps, youth organizations and public interest groups to promote environmental awareness and positive community involvement. The students were inspired by Eatonville high school teacher Jim Clague
    At least one of the girls had to remove her shoes and wear flip flops for the above photo in order not to appear at tall or taller than President Bush who is described as a short man.

    Eatonville High School Salmon Enhancement Group
     Eatonville High School
     Eatonville, Washington

    The Eatonville High School Salmon Enhancement Group is made up of seven motivated young people, Jessica Herbrand, Jennifer Nordstrom, Sharon Jadin, Kristin Fitzer, Tom Mitchell, Mike Powell and Emily Slayton. These students totally immersed themselves in the water quality monitoring and watershed stewardship projects sponsored by Eatonville High School and the Washington Virtual Classroom.
   The students conducted comprehensive water quality studies on five streams that are tributaries of the Nisqually River. They published their findings in written and digital formats and entered the data into the Washington Virtual Classroom water quality database so that it could be used for further analysis.
   After completing two online classes, The Science of Northwest Salmon and Salmon Ecosystems Management, the students worked with the Nisqually Indian Tribe in their efforts to restore salmon runs in a number of the tributaries in the Nisqually River watershed. They also worked with the Nisqually Stream Stewards to restore riparian habitat by planting stream bank vegetation along streams that have been affected by agricultural activities, forest harvesting and poor land management practices.
    Last spring the Salmon Enhancement Group planned a "Stewardship of My Watershed" summit to bring the Eatonville community together to share knowledge and experiences. The seven students moderated a videoconference panel discussion on "Important Issues Concerning Wld and Native Salmon Recovery" with students from other consortium school districts. They published a written and digital report that outlines water quality trends in the Nisqually watershed over the last ten years. The Group has also made PowerPoint presentations on the watershed stewardship projects sponsored by local schools and worked with elementary students to demonstrate water quality studies and watershed conservation activities.
    The young people of the Eatonville High School Salmon Enhancement Group have shown exceptional motivation and outstanding commitment through their participation in the curriculum and the application of their knowledge to environmentally based projects that benefit the community.
     The students want to recognize Mr. James Clague, their sponsor and science teacher, who could not attend this ceremony. He has been a tremendous help to them. For more information about the project please see EATONVILLE WATER QUALITY

Waylan Jumper was sworn in by Town Attorney Bob Mack during the "Mother of all council meetings" Monday April 12. Jumper is a a graduate from Eatonville High School and has been married for 14 years to Diana Malcom Jumper. The couple have two daughters, Shelby and Riley. Jumper is a contractor who has been doing a lot of remodeling work. He thanked the council for choosing him to serve and asked for their patience in allowing him to find his way. Jumper was baptized by fire in his new position. There was a packed agenda and the meeting, which started at 6 p.m. ended at 11 p.m. The sound of Mayor Bruce Rath hitting that final gavel was a welcome sound on this night. At the end of the meeting Councimember Bobbi Allison drew laughter when she jockingly told Jumper "You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into." (photo by Dixie A. Walter)

Eatonville Town Attorney Bob Mack did the swearing in duties at the March 8 town council meeting where Mayor Pro tem Bruce Rath was chosen as mayor by a majority of the four person council.

To see the council agendas and results of council actions please click here March 8 Agendas

Eatonville Mayor Pro tem Bruce Rath sits at the mayor's desk in the Eatonville Town Hall about one hour before presiding over his first council meeting February 9. The big blue binder beside him is the Eatonville Municipal Code book...

     According to Mayor Pro tem Bruce Rath, he now occupies the Eatonville mayor's powerful, and elegant, chair because of a spur-of-the moment decision. Rath said he was driving along and suddenly decided he would run for town council. After calling wife Patty, who said, "...do what you want to..." Rath described how he took a turn and headed toward the Tacoma-Pierce County auditor's office to file for a town council position, which he won. He explained, "It wasn't no longtime dream or anything,"
     Of his decision to run, Rath pointed out, "I thought I could help, I still think I can help." As a citizen who regularly attended town council and planning commission meetings for many years, Rath stated, "I felt that some people weren't being treated fairly and I want everybody to be treated fairly and equally." He noted that he started attending the meetings years ago because, "I just wanted to learn..."
     Rath hadn't warmed his council seat when Mayor Harold Parnell changed his decision to remain mayor, and resigned the position effective March 1. Mayor Parnell, 82, is recuperating from a stroke he suffered in early September of last year. Three people have occupied the position since that time, Chelan Jarrett, Ray Harper and now Rath.
     During the first meeting in January, the council chose Rath as pro tem, and council member Bobbi Allison as alternate pro tem. Both are the newest council members and were sworn into office December 23, 2003.
     A self-made man, Bruce Rath, lives in the largest house, on the highest hill, in the town. He has been actively involved with the development of the "Rath Plat" which was *denied a final plat by the town recently. Sitting in the mayor's chair Rath spoke briefly about Mayor Parnell, "I feel bad about Harold, he gave 200 percent to the town." Rath points to the chair and says, "This is a very powerful chair," as if taken by surprise at the authority and responsibility of the mayor's position. He pats the substantial Eatonville Municipal Code on the desk and adds, "It's all in the code book, and we have to learn the laws." The mayor pro tem wants to "straighten things out." Rath notes that the "big issues are the electric and water..." The Rath Plat is now owned by Doug Randles.
     As pro tem Rath announced, at the last council meeting, that he had made the decision for the new mayor to be selected from the town council. This decision means there will be an empty seat on the town council which will need to be filled soon. The new mayor, who will serve for two years, is scheduled to be chosen by the council at the first meeting in March (Monday, March 8) unless a special meeting is called. The Eatonville Grapevine says the "smart money" is bet on Bruce Rath to be picked by the council.

     Bruce was born in Sunnyside, Washington 51 years ago. He moved to Eatonville with his parents, Mel and Lorraine, in 1962. Before moving to this area the Rath family relocated from eastern Washington to Puyallup "about 1956 or 1957." The family lived on the Mashell Prairie prior to living in town. Rath attended school and said he graduated from Eatonville High School in 1970.
    "After I got out I went to the next year's Valentine's Day dance in the old school cafeteria and met my wife Patty [Daly] at the dance." Rath adds, "We have been married 32 years. All of our kids, all boys, were born in March. Bruce is 31, Brian is 29 and Tim is 23." Bruce and Brian live in Eatonville and Tim, a graduate of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, chose to remain in Ellensburg where he's a flight instructor. Tim's proud dad said, "Timmy - Tim - me and Patty call him Timmy but he likes to be called Tim - has a degree in the science of aviation and geology."
     Rath went to work logging for Weyerhaeuser when he was 18 and worked with them for "...sixteen and a half years, until 1986. I quit in '86 because they were cutting wages." Eventually he started the Rath Company and began building roads for Weyerhaeuser. Rath Company still does work for Weyerhaeuser. Rath said he learned how to build roads by "...helping Harrison [Christian] in Morton..."
     As mayor pro tem, and probable permanent mayor, ENN asked Rath what he would say to his critics who say he has a conflict of interest involving development, critics who say he will have to recuse himself often from council meetings. Rath answered, "There are two issues where I will recuse myself. The Rath Plat and the negotiations on the water tank property." The "water tank property," called by some the "Christian-Rath Project," is owned by Rath and Harrison Christian. It is the site of the proposed new reservoir which will serve new developments, approximately 150 new houses, within the town limits.
    Patty and Bruce Rath have three grandchildren with another soon to arrive. Young Bruce and his wife Joellen (Curtis) are the parents of Skylar Joy who is four years old, and already has a road on the Rath Plat named for her. Skylar's brother is Easton who will be two February 22. Brian and Sarah's (Herbrand) little one is Kaitlan and "Haley will be born in March. It's a new generation of Raths in town."

*For more information please see "Rath Final Plat Denied...Numerous Problems Hold up Project." Rath

     Eatonville Mayor Harold Parnell has a message for his critics: "I'm staying until the last dog is hung!" This is in response to a political editorial in the local traditional paper, the Dispatch, calling for the mayor to resign and calling for a change in government. The traditional paper never attempted to interview the mayor or his wife during his recuperation from a stroke suffered in early September 2003. As of noon Saturday, there was been no effort to interview the mayor by the traditional paper.
     Mayor Parnell came home to Eatonville January 2, 2004 and immediately was snowed in. The mayor had a touch of the "bug" going around but he's recovering from that also with the help of Physician Assistant Howard Hull, who walked up the huge hill to Parnell's home to get some medications to the mayor.
     Yesterday - Friday, January 9 - was a very busy day for Mayor Parnell. Once the snow allowed travel to his hilltop home, he was visited by mayor pro tem Ray Harper and myself. And, according to his wife of over 60 years, Jackie, he's had a busy morning today. He is also expecting a visit from another council member this afternoon. The mayor's plans include attending the January 26 council meeting as the presiding officer.

     The Eatonville Town Council will meeting Monday, January 12 with two new members, Bobbi Allison and Bruce Rath, being seated for the first time. There are two meetings scheduled: A study session from 6 to 7 p.m. and the regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held at the Community Center, 305 Center St. West.
     Preliminary study session topics are A. Policy and Procedures Manual, B. Town Administrator Committee, C. Town Planner Committee.
     The preliminary agenda for the regular meeting includes: Department Head/Council Committee/Board/Commission Reports - Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department and PSIA.
     Old Business: A. Resolution 2004-C to confirm the mayor's appointment of a new planning commission member (Bob Walter), B. Public Works Update. Resolution died for lack of a second to the motion to confirm.
     New Business: A. Resolution 2004-A authorizing application for funding assistance for a youth athletics facility program (YAF) project to the interagency committee for outdoor recreation (IAC) as provided in Chapter 79A.25 RCW. Passed unanimously.
     B. Agenda Bill 2004-1 motion authorizing the execution of a contract with Gibbs & Olson to prepare biosolids (sludge) management plan for the town's wastewater treatment facility. Passed unanimously.
     C. Elect council committees to serve on electric, water, sewer, garbage, storm drain, current expense and policy and procedures manual. Details later.
     D. Resolution 2004-B repealing resolution 2003-KK and establishing new fees and charges for miscellaneous services. Passed unanimously.
     E. Agenda Bill 2003-2 motion appointing two members of the town council to participate in the selection of consultants for general engineering and planning services. Passed unanimously.
      F. Resolution 2004-D to purchase a sewer line video camera. Passed unanimously.

(photo by Bob Walter)

Left to right: Bobbi Allison, new council member, Melode Akervick, returning treasurer, Mike Gallagher, returning council member, Bruce Rath, new council member and Chelan Jarrett, mayor pro tem.

As one of her last duties while mayor pro tem, Chelan Jarrett officiated at the swearing in ceremony of two new town council members, the returning treasurer and one incumbent council member during the crowded December 22 council meeting. Council member Ray Harper will be mayor pro tem for the month of January.

Fay Williams 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, 77 years ago, the May Fete was held outside on the school campus.

     December 23, 2003
                                                            Fay Elizabeth Duke

       Eatonville paid their respects and honored Fay Williams Duke at a memorial service held at the Eatonville United Methodist Church Monday, December 22 at 1 p.m. who died December 7 at the age of 95. Fay Williams was born April 30, 1908 in Eatonville, Washington.
      She graduated from Eatonville High School in 1926 and was the school's first May Queen. Since the early 1970s the town of Eatonville annually honored her at their May Day celebrations.
      Fay attended the University of Washington, studying music. She married Arthur Duke in 1928. Fay was president of the Stella Hagen Orthopedic Guild, a charter member of the Eatonville Historical Society and a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.
     Survivors include her son, Dr. James Duke and his wife, Lucita of McMinnville, Oregon; daughter Arlene Bradford and husband Don, of Underwood, Washington; five grandsons and five great-grandchildren. Remembrances to Eatonville United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.

     by Dixie A. Walter
    December 8, 2003

     Dr. Tom Van Eaton left his Eatonville practice Friday, December 5 after 27 years of medical service to the area. Above are some of the clinic staff right before closing Friday evening. Left to right: Nurse Carla Toulouse who has worked at Dr. Tom's clinic for 23 years, Patty Rush, three years, Christy Dart, 13 years, Sandy Grossi, 23 years and Ronda Marling, seven months. Not pictured are Carol Chappell, over four years, Nurse Jo Keeney, four years, Tanya Erickson, eight years. Howard Hull and, of course, Dr. Tom who was seeing one of his last Eatonville patients when the photo was taken.
    The clinic office will remain open while the staff finish paperwork and copy charts - some of which can be seen in the photo. However, the "medical" part of the clinic is closed for the time being. A new doctor, from Good Samaritan Hospital, will begin practicing in town, hopefully by Christmas. Until the doctor arrives Eatonville will be without a physician for the first time in 100 years.
    According to the History of Tacoma Eastern Area by Jeannette Hlavin and Pearl Engle, Eatonville had five doctors before Dr. Van Eaton. They were Dr. O. A. Martiny, Dr. A. W. Bridge, Dr. C. E. Wiseman, Dr. G. A. Delaney and Dr. Don Nevitt. Or six doctors, if the shadowy figure of Dr. Ellery Fales is counted. The man was in town for a short time in 1916 and had a row with the newspaper editor. He vowed never to mention Dr. Fales again and he was lost to Eatonville history.
    Dr. Tom and his wife, Louise Ann, plan to move to Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula where he will be doctoring members of the Makah Indian Tribe. The town of Neah Bay, which is also the Makah Nation's Reservation, is the most Northwest point of the continental United States

     Among the many duties of the Eatonville Planning Commission Monday, December 1, was the election of new officers. Phil Beach, a former political science professor was chosen as commission chair, Ron "Grins" Pierce was retained as secretary and Jim King was elected vice president. Former commission chair, Steve Lind, explained he no longer wanted the position as his personal business was suffering from the number of hours he spent on planning commission business. Chair elect Beach will begin his duties in January.
       In other business, the commission voted "yes" after a public hearing concerning developer Rowland Litzenber's request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) as a prelude to building a 100-unit warehouse off Center Street. The proposed warehouse will be built on the town's shallow (approximately 44 feet), sole source critical aquifer recharge area and close to the town's wellheads and intake pipe in the Mashell River. Commissioners Beach, Bobbi Allison and Jim King voted against the CUP while Sharon Van Hoof, Mike Williams and Richard Ames voted for the CUP. This led to a tie which was broken by Chair Steve Lind who voted for the CUP which now sets the stage for confirmation, or denial, by the town council.

Mayor Harold Parnell's Health Improving Rapidly...Will Soon Start More Intense Rehab

     Eatonville Mayor Harold Parnell is impatient to get back home and to his mayoral duties. There is remarkable progress in his recovery and he keeps speeding along at full throttle. Although still paralyzed on his left side since suffering a stroke in early September, the paralysis has left his face and he can now look you in the eye while teasing you. He has pain in his left side which is a good sign. Wife Jackie said the doctors expect Parnell to regain the use of his left side. He can raise his left thumb and pretend to hitch hike and he can move his left foot to poke visitors sitting on his bed. The mayor has received so many get well cards his wife has had to take stacks of them home since there was no space left in his room.
     Mayor Parnell was evaluated recently and found to be strong enough to return to Good Samaritan Hospital November 19 to begin more strenuous rehabilitation. Parnell is determined to get busy, but said the work on his left side hurts. However, he's not complaining, just stating a fact. With an indomitable will to conquer the stroke, Parnell has never lost his sense of humor or been "down" according to his wife. During a Saturday visit this was apparent as the mayor joked and sped around Rainier Vista's corridors in a light wheelchair, while giving visitors a guided tour of the facility.
     Jackie and her husband of over 60 years said he will use an electric wheelchair when he resumes working as mayor. At present there is no date set for his return but they are optimistic because of the "amazing" rate of his progress. Mayor Parnell's mind and right side were not affected by the stroke. His handshake is strong and his sense of humor remains intact, as does his appetite. Another sign of progress, he has also graduated from two people helping him into his chair to one person helping. The mayor can do many chores by himself and can hardly wait to wield his gavel once more. At the rate he's going, that may be sooner than anyone thinks.

     Lovely Rachel Abrahams was crowned Eatonville's 32nd Daffodil Princess Wednesday, November 5 by last year's Princess Mariah Mayne. Rachel, who has attended school in town since pre-school, will graduate in 2004. She is the daughter of Mark and Nancy Abrahams. Mark is the real estate attorney in Eatonville. Asked how she felt when her name was called Princess Rachel answered, with her radiant Rachel smile, "I don't remember what I did. I asked Mom and she couldn't remember what I did or what she did either." Her Mom said, "I just looked at Mark and that's all I remember!"
     However, Rachel does recall mentioning her sister, Emily, who is attending Concordia University in Portland. Emily graduated from EHS in 2002 and is planning to become a teacher. Rachel does recall receiving the bouquet of yellow roses, explaining, "I just love flowers and I really love it when someone gives me flowers..."
    Rachel is a Running Start participant and met her boyfriend, Shawn, at Pierce College. She plans to attend either Western University or the UW, and intends to major in psychology. Then comes law school where Rachel plans to become a criminal defense attorney.
    From left to right: Master of Ceremonies John Bratholm, EHS principal Garth Steedman, Princess Rachel, hidden by flowers is former Princess Mariah Mayne, princess candidate Jennifer Song, escort Chris Roof and princess candidate Cianna Miller. Rachel's escort was Gary Baublits.

     October 26, 2003
     by Dixie A. Walter

     According to Interim Public Works Director Greg Wilder, the State Department of Health (DOH) will move Eatonville's building permit status from green to yellow in mid-December. The move is not for health reasons, rather it's because the town will not meet the December deadline for the updated Water Comprehensive Plan. For this reason the town is not in compliance with the state. Green means "full compliance, meeting DOH guidelines and conditions" Wilder said. This status change could make it more difficult to get a housing loan in Eatonville.
     These water comp plans are updated every six years and Eatonville has not been able to finish the project on time. This could have an adverse effect on buying, selling and building homes. Wilder stated he had no idea why the plan wasn't finished on time, but said "it should have been." As an interim member of the town staff Wilder began work in June. The Water Comprehensive Plan update was not his responsibility. Wilder also pointed out that if the plan had been done, the number of ERUs would have been calculated at the time. He has also arranged a year's extension with DOH on the December 2003 deadline. Now Eatonville has until mid-December 2004 to finish the project.
     This situation has the "potential for a developmental impact," Wilder stated. But added, "If we go to 'red' it doesn't mean we can't issue building permits, that becomes our risk." And the risk of town council members. Going further Wilder pointed out, "In Washington State council members can be sued individually and separately." Wilder said he was advised by one of the town's consulting engineers that lending agencies tend to examine loan applications a bit more closely when permits are flagged "yellow."
     If Eatonville continues to be out of compliance the DOH has the authority to flag the town "red." Wilder explained, "Lending agencies will look even more closely if the status is changed to 'red,' most would be very, very cautious." Wilder also noted that if ,or when, banks, loan companies, "any agency that lends money for homes," begin to look deeper into Eatonville they will quickly discover the water situation.

     Eatonville Mayor Harold Parnell continues to improve daily. He is recuperating after suffering a stroke September 4 paralyzing his left side. Several weeks ago he was able to move his left leg. Presently he is feeling pain in his left leg and shoulder according to his wife, Jackie. She also explained that he had been moved into a smaller wheelchair allowing him more mobility. Jackie said it was easier for him to "come out of the room and go back in."
    Jackie also explained that, contrary to some information trickling through the grapevine, her husband is moving forward, not backward as some seem to have heard. She said Mayor Parnell "gets better everyday and he's always had an upbeat outlook, he's never been down." And of course, he wants to "come home."
    There will be an "evaluation session" by the mayor's doctors sometime next week. Although he is having difficulty with the left side of his body, Harold's mental capacities were not affected by the stroke. He remains at Rainier Vista convalescent center in Puyallup.

Eatonville Homecoming Queen Megan Hecht and King Richie Estrada were crowned Friday, October 17 during Eatonville High School's celebration. It is believed Rickie is the first non-football player to be elected as king.
Please see Senior Court photo and game photos at Sports

October 27 - This just in...

Hi From Texas,

Just wanted to let you know that Pat Hamilton was our May King for the class of 1953 and he did not play football. Coverage was great for the King and Queen.

Mitzi Wingrove

    According to the latest Gray & Osborne, Inc. water availability report, requested by Public Works Director Greg Wilder, the town now has just 29 *ERU's (equivalent residential units) remaining. With further analysis this figure has dropped from 39 ERUs which was the last figure given the council. This means there's water available in the system to provide water hook-ups equivalent to 29 new homes and not 39 as was previously thought.    However, some business hook-ups may require water equivalent to more than one ERU.
      During the September 8 town council meeting Wilder said the numbers were likely to fall each time another study was done because each analysis is more precise. As Wilder pointed out, the town must now "establish policy as to how the remaining ERUs are distributed." He noted the policy could be on a "first come, first served basis, drawn by lottery, or by class of use - some ERUs for residential, some for commercial and some for industrial."
     Once the available ERUs are taken there will be no new water hook-ups until the system's capacity is increased and more ERUs are opened up. This could be accomplished through improvements to the complex distribution system, or through conservation methods, among other things. "But none of these is a quick fix," said Wilder. A new filtration system, upgrading the sewage treatment plant, a new water source and reservoir are needed to increase water capacity. This could take several years.
      From the Gray & Osborne report: "It should be noted that the data used represents a very short period of record for the determinations being calculated in this study...While the short time period of record would not be an appropriate basis for long-term planning,, it does present a realistic picture of water consumption and production in Eatonville...The number of existing ERUs has been calculated based upon the water consumption data provided by town staff for the period of August 1, 2002 - July 31, 2003..."
      Page nine of the "Water Availability Analysis" states, "From this analysis, the Town of Eatonville has the ability to provide service to an additional 29 ERUs (emphasis theirs). In order to serve additional ERUs beyond this number, the source production capacity of the Town's water system must be increased."
     Authors of the report are Gray & Osborne engineers John Hastig and Eric Thorberg. In a brief phone interview, late Friday, Hastig confirmed there had been a "correction" in the numbers and "additional ERUs" did not mean in addition to the 39 discussed recently. Wilder was out of the area for the weekend and could not be reached for comment.
     Technically there are 26 ERUs left in Eatonville since two have been spoken for and one is pending. The public works staff is seeking more ERUs so the number may change soon.

     *Water use equivalent to one average home. Schools and many businesses would require multiple ERUs.

With little more than a large handful of water hook-ups available, some citizens are under the impression they should hasten to town hall and reserve one or more ERUs. This is not the way ERUs are allocated. See below for a strict list of what must be accomplished before applying for a water hook-up.

1.    Completed building permit application including parcel number
2.    Three sets of building plans (blueprints) drawn to scale
3.    Foundation Plan
4.    Framing plans (floor and roof)
5.    Floor plans
6.    Cross-sections
7.    Elevations
8.    Engineering calculations
9.    Energy information sheet
10. Plot plan drawn to scale showing: building, storm drains, sewer water and electrical
       lines, driveway and easements. Along with Erosion Control Layout and placing
       (emphasis theirs).
11. Copy of contractor's license unless homeowner (homeowner is contractor)
12. $500 plan review fee required at time of submittal of plans on new buildings
       (emphasis theirs).
13.   At time of picking up permits for SFR (single family residence) school mitigation fees
        must be paid for at the school before permits will be released.

During the scheduled, nighttime power outage on Aug. 23-24, crews from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) worked by the light of their own generators to repair equipment at the Lynch Creek Substation one mile north of Eatonville, damaged as a result of a power outage July 29. The workers also cleaned insulators and performed other preventative maintenance, to help prevent future outages.

Ohop Mutual and Eatonville Power and Light crews took advantage of the 11-hour, scheduled outage to perform repairs and maintenance, both within the darkened town of Eatonville, and outside of town. Here, an Eatonville crew works on a pole in the parking lot of the Plaza Market at around midnight Saturday.

(photo by Bob Walter)
The yellow tape reads "Fire Line Do Not Cross." And the flag still flies.

      A man and woman doing laundry at Malcom's Mill Town Center laundromat Sunday Morning, June 29, saw smoke coming from the second story of Puerto Vallarta and called 911 at 8:13 a.m. The popular Mexican Restaurant in Eatonville, affectionately called "The Port," looks undamaged from the outside. However, Eatonville Fire Chief Bob Holt said it was, "A pretty decent fire, but we knocked it out pretty fast." Adding, "There was a lot of fire damage to the second floor and kitchen area." Holt explained that the fire was an accident and started in a faulty hot water heater on the second floor above the kitchen. There were no injuries.
     According to Chief Holt the 13 person crew had "no water problems" and said they used "less than 100 gallons of water," to put out the fire. Holt described the situation: "The people who reported the fire saw black smoke billowing from the top story and called 911. By the time we arrived there were a few puffs of white smoke. But when the guys got inside it was getting ready to flare again." He added, "It's like a fire gets full, then starts getting hungry again." If the fire department had not been alerted in time to "knock the fire down" the entire strip mall could have burned Holt said. He further explained that the mall is "light construction and that burns fast."
    Holt stated he thought it would be awhile before the restaurant is open again and the Pierce County Fire Marshall estimated the damage at $40,000. Regarding the possible water availability problem with Eatonville's fire flow, Holt said "People think it takes a more water than it does to put out a fire." Deputy Fire Chief Sheila Wicks tracked the minutes from the time the 911 call came in. The department was "toned at 8:13 a.m., the firefighters arrived at 8:20 a.m., had the fire under control by 8:28 a.m. and declared the fire officially out at 8:34 a.m." The town hasn't seen a business fire in recent memory.

     The South Pierce County Historical Society’s efforts to continue restoration of the Van Eaton Cabin received a big boost recently. The project has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $10,000, toward improvements such as sidewalks, access ramps, interior restoration and weatherization, to make the cabin an historic point of interest, by restoring it back to what it might have been roughly a century ago.
    The Society must submit plans for use of the funding, and on-going documentation as the project progresses. The Pierce County Department of Community Services is reviewing the eligibility requirements to be met by the project in order to assure approval by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for release of funds.
      The cabin’s interior, which has received window curtains, a wood stove and a chimney, is in need of further improvements. To prepare the cabin for regular visitation, it will have to have the cracks and holes along the eaves, beneath the gables, and around the windows and doors sealed, minimizing air infiltration. The Historical Society has accepted a weatherization proposal by local resident and restorer of antique buildings, John Carney. With help from members and other volunteers, Carney will supervise the weatherization improvements

      TACOMA, Tuesday, May 20: It took a seven man, five woman jury 48 minutes to find Lance Burch guilty of two counts of child molestation in the first degree. Burch is a "two strike offender" in a "two strike" state. Court documents state he will likely be sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. Other court documents record that Burch was sentenced, February 13, 1988, to six years in the "State Prison of the State of California" for the crime of molesting "Rhonda" and "Lelah." - crimes he admitted took place.
     The first girl is the child of his wife Pam Burch whom he married over 17 years ago. The second child was his sister. The two little girls whose disclosure of abuse put "Grandpa Burch" behind bars this time, are the biological children of Rhonda, and the grandchildren of Pam Burch, who was steadfast in her defense of her husband.
    Burch will be sentenced June 27, 2003 in Pierce County Superior Court. The first Burch child sex abuse trial in the Pierce County case ended in a mistrial. Asked what action would be taken if the second trial had the same outcome, Deputy Prosecutor Mark Lindquist emphatically said, "We'll try him again." Burch was arrested by the Eatonville police April 10, 2002 and has been in the Pierce County Jail since that time. For more information about this case please see Burch

The day after the Failure of the Eatonville School BOND and I’m asking WHY? How could a community like Eatonville let something like this happen? This is a travesty!!
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      by Dixie A. Walter
       May 21, 2003

     The $24 million Eatonville school bond has failed to pass for the second time in two months.   In a statement to ENN, Superintendent Ray Arment said, "All who care about providing our children competitive skills when
they enter the workforce are deeply saddened. All of those who care about the future of this wonderful community are saddened also."
      When asked how real and/or imminent is the possibility of actually busing high school students to the Bethel District, Arment answered, "Any school district that fails to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act is at risk of the state stepping in and providing alternate governance. If we do not have appropriate facilities to teach our children, someday Eatonville will not meet the standards and the state will be required to locate a school district who will." Arment added, "We may not lose all our schools."
    "Have we lost faculty because of the condition of our school? Yes. Principals have told me we have had candidates who are scheduled for an employment interview, come to town, look at the facilities and cancel the
interview. This occurs more often in the hard to attract areas such as math and science."
       ENN asked, "In your opinion, why did the bond fail the second time?" Arment replied, "Actually it is the ninth time in a row." Going further the superintendent lamented, "I wish the folks who voted against the bond would form a committee to develop a solution that the voters would approve." The final vote was 1,474 (52.89) approved and 1,213 (47.11) rejected the bond. A home valued at $150,000 would have paid $309 annually for improvements to the school buildings in District 404.

First Community Bank is Now Venture Bank

      OLYMPIA: First Community Bank of Washington (FCB) today announced the implementation of a major brand initiative, including a new name – Venture Bank. The initiative also includes innovative architectural remodeling of the company’s branch offices to better meet the service and convenience needs of customers.
      FCB reported record earnings and profits for 2002, and again for the first quarter of 2003, in spite of sluggish state and national economies and historically-low interest rates.
      “Our new name, signs, logo and branch designs will help us project our growth further into our key markets, and better reflect our Northwest-centric attitude toward serving customers,” said Chairman and CEO Ken F. Parsons, Sr. “Our mission, vision and values won’t change. We’re not being sold. We’re not merging. We’re as independent as our customers.” Parsons added.
       Founded in 1979 as Lacey Bank and first renamed in 1981, FCB has continued to expand, most recently with the 2002 acquisition of Harbor Bank in Gig Harbor. FCB, locally owned and independently operated, now has 21 offices in four Western Washington counties. It offers a full spectrum of financial services, including commercial, construction, residential and consumer lending deposit products and other banking services. The Bank also provides a broad range of investment services through its subsidiary, FCB Financial Services, Inc.
     “We’re very entrepreneurial and independent – an ethic that reflects our Northwest roots,” said Bank President Jon M. Jones. “Our employees are empowered to take banking beyond the ‘transaction’ – to create an exceptional experience for the customer. Our new name, Venture Bank really speaks to that ethic,” Jones added.
      New signage, logos and other materials will reflect the name Venture Bank beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2003. The transition will be seamless for customers, whose account information and related services will remain unchanged. Customers need not take any action to maintain all banking-related services under the new name.
      Venture Bank will further strengthen its presence along the I-5 corridor in 2003 with the construction of a new facility in Puyallup that will introduce many new, exciting concepts in branch banking. Work on the facility is expected to be completed in the third quarter at the Meridian and 120th site, near the South Hill Mall, a main arterial and commerce center in Pierce County.

     The Ohop Grange’s Dictionary Project is designed to provide every third grade student in the community with their own personal dictionary. According to Grange Overseer Ed Wright, “The dictionary is for the children to keep, so they can take it with them into the fourth grade and use it throughout their school career.” Secretary Mary Neilson said, “The Ohop Grange wishes to support community education by aiding third grade teachers in their goal to see all their students leave at the end of the year as good writers, active readers, and creative thinkers.”
     Activities Coordinator Linda Arment stated, “A dictionary is perhaps the first and most powerful
reference tool a child should own.” Its usefulness goes beyond the spellings, pronunciations, and definitions it lists. It is a companion for solving problems that arise as a child develops his or her reading, writing, and creative thinking abilities.
    Cleora Poorman Grange Treasurer, added, “Students benefit from an increased self-reliance and resourcefulness inspired by the maxim “look it up.” Teachers benefit by knowing their students have consistent access to a tool for homework and in class explorations. Evelyn Guske, Past Chaplain said, “The project is an opportunity for children to expand their vocabulary and for all the third graders to actually own a dictionary.”
    The Ohop Grange feels a child cannot do his or her best work without a dictionary. Children deserve the best teachers and resources. According to Master Ruth Nelson, “If we set our sights on anything less, we will be disappointed with the results.” Cleora Poorman adds children's names to personalize dictionaries.

Ron "Grins" Pierce was "released" from his position as president of the local branch of the Mormon Church during services in the newly opened church in Eatonville Sunday morning. There were approximately 130 members in attendance at the regular, weekly services, when the announcement was made. Pierce was slated to become a bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, LDS, when the Eatonville branch became a ward, anticipated to occur sometime this month. Many LDS members who attend the new church in Eatonville were caught unaware the Branch President Pierce was "released" suddenly from a position he has held for nearly four years. Pierce is an area realtor and has been a member of the Eatonville Planning Commission since his appointment by former mayor Cliff Murphy, in Sept. 2000.

       by Dixie A. Walter
      April 3, 2003

     A murderous mother and her equally murderous son were tried together. The homicidal pair were found guilty of murder in the first degree Wed. April 2 for the July 18, 1998 Kapowsin shooting death of Lisa Ann Dahm Carlson , 27. Carol Carlson, 51, and Daniel Dean Carlson, 31, killed his wife and attempted to arrange the murder scene to look like her death was the result of a robbery/rape. Daniel Carlson and Lisa Ann were separated at the time. He was worried she may divorce him and take custody of their then three-year-old twin sons.
     Although Daniel Carlson failed a polygraph test, the cold-blooded pair were not arrested until three years after the crime. Charges of first degree murder were filed in Pierce County Superior Court July 20, 2001, nearly three years to the date of Lisa Carlson's death. Their right to a speedy trial was waived twice and the jury trial didn't begin until Jan. 21, 2003. The two-month long trial, with Superior Court Judge Lisa Worswick presiding, convinced the jury to convict the now seven-year-old boy's grandmother and father. The twins currently live with the victim's sister.
     Daniel Carlson bought the murder weapon at a gun show and it was used to shoot his estranged wife three times, once in the upper body and twice in the head.
     Prosecutors will ask for life sentences. Using a gun in committing the crime adds five years to the sentence. Defense attorneys will appeal the first-degree murder conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.

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Lance Burch's retrial on charges of child sex abuse, due to begin Monday, March 31, has been rescheduled to start Monday, April 7, 2003 in Pierce County Superior Court..

     The second Lance Burch child sex abuse jury trial is scheduled to begin Monday morning March 31. Burch was arrested by the Eatonville Police April 10, 2002 and has been in the Pierce County Jail since that time. Burch waived his right to a speedy trial several times.
      Burch's first trial ended in a mistrial March 14 after one woman juror "hung" the jury saying she couldn't listen to the sometimes graphic testimony because of "issues" from her past.
     The Wheels of Justice often grind slowly. The tentatively scheduled March 31 trial date is subject to delay.

     For case background please see Burch Trial

     Eatonville Mayor Harold Parnell, 81, came home Saturday after being hospitalized Thursday, March 27. Parnell had a slight heart attack Thursday morning and was taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. The mayor suffered no damage to his heart and spent less than 48 hours at Good Sam. Several months ago Parnell experienced a similar heart problem and three stints were inserted into his artery. This time around the doctors added two more stints making a total of five.
     Parnell underwent many tests and has been given a clean bill of health by his doctors. He missed the last town council meeting Monday, March 24 due to "contagious pneumonia" for which he was being treated. The mayor and his wife, Jackie, speculated the strenuous coughing caused by the pneumonia may have brought on the heart difficulties. Town Clerk Carrielynn Loffelmacher drove"'the First Lady" to the hospital and stayed with her the entire first day - an act of kindness which was not in her job description.
      Sounding strong and in good spirits, Mayor Parnell said, "I feel good. I feel like I haven't had anything done to me." He promised to rest and stay away from the town hall for a week.

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     A series of five bomb threats have disrupted the Eatonville Middle School (EMS) for the past several weeks. According to the Eatonville police report by Chief Jim Lewis, the first threat at EMS took place Thursday, March 6. In his report Chief Lewis writes, "...Someone had written a bomb threat in pencil on the restroom stall door in a boy's restroom. The school was searched and nothing was found. Two boys said they walked into the restroom and saw another boy writing something on the wall. They described the boy's clothing to police and school staff. A classroom-by-classroom check by staff was conducted and no one matching the description was located. Because of the uniqueness of the threat it was decided, in the best interest of the students and teachers, that the school be closed. A second search was conducted much later in the day, and again nothing was found. Investigation continues."
      The decision to "lock down" the school and keep students inside alarmed many parents. Superintendent of Schools Ray Arment said the decision was made in collaboration with the police and was considered a safety precaution. Arment noted there was an instance where snipers waited outside a school in the past and they didn't want to take a chance with EMS students and teachers lives. The tragic episode he referred to happened in March 1998 at a middle school in Jonesboro, Ark. Four students and one teacher was killed and ten others wounded outside the school when a fire alarm was set off by the shooters who were 13 and 11 years old. Arment said the "language" of the first threat indicated the best course of action was to lock down the building and then send everyone home.
      There was another bomb threat at EMS Monday, March 6. The police report states this was found in the "sixth grade girl's restroom." Again the school was searched and again "nothing was found." Three more threats were found written in boys' restrooms beginning Friday, March 21. Two letters regarding the threats have been sent home to parents in the past week. Teachers suggested a plan whereby the students will not be allowed in the corridors during class. Vice-Principal Mike Auton said students will have to "take care of personal needs during passing period." And "The hallways are being more tightly supervised."
      During a conference call with Arment and Auton, the superintendent explained that 250 instructional hours were lost during just one of the threats. Five hundred and fifty students were evacuated, the school was searched and students were allowed back in the building. This took half an hour, Arment estimated.
      Auton said they are working with the police and "encouraging kids to come forward" and "two kids have admitted involvement." According to Auton one boy may be "tied" to two of the threats. Arment emphasized that bomb threats are "a felony" and parents as well as students can be held accountable. He noted that on the day the students were sent home school lunches had to be discarded, hourly employees lose pay and buses cost $3.25 per mile to take kids home. Parents of the guilty students will have to pay for the disruption and added expense the threats are creating.
      At the school board meeting Wednesday, March 26, Arment said persons implicated in the threats at the high school "are no longer in our district," and pointed out the fact that making such threats rank among one of the "highest offenses a student can commit. The offense is punishable by expulsion and could result in a trip to Remann Hall.
      Arment also explained that the threats at the middle school were written so lightly it took a flashlight to see them and he mentioned there are thousands of school bomb threats across the U. S. and no schools have been blown up. Auten and Arment said each threat is handled individually and "each time we have an event we have to make different decisions." Investigations continue.