BOCC Meeting - June 15

What a meeting yesterday. All three commissioners were at the meeting. Both KMAS and the Shelton Mason Journal provided media coverage. Not only was there no parking when I arrived, there was no seat in the commissioners' chambers. I sat outside in the lobby with several other citizens as we watched on television. It was very difficult to hear especially when Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson spoke. Here's what I heard and understood.

1. A local businessman, whose name I didn't catch, gave an impassioned plea to the BOCC to not close the Skateboard Park pointing out that they'd save only $7500. By closing the Skateboard Park the county could actually see unintended consequences such as increased crime. He asked the county to work with the Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce to gather donations to keep the park open. Lynda asked the Director of Parks to consult with him about what other options exist

2. Craig Watson presented for the record a recent report with scientific information from the American Heart Association (AHA). He read a portion of this report into the record. The AHA conclusion is that particulate matter is linked to cardiovascular disease. ADAGE will emit 380,000 tons of particulate matter. Craig highlighted that 96 tons of the particulate matter is very small particulate matter which is most serious for our health.

3. Al Brotche asked each of the commissioners where they stood on putting ADAGE before the people in the November election as an advisory ballot issue. He said incorrect information has been put out on what an advisory ballot would cost. For the Port it would be less than $600 not the $7500 to $10,000 reported last week. For the county it would cost less than $1100. Al was respectful, well-prepared, articulate and definitely had their attention. In two years I've never seen our county commissioners more prepared for a question coming before them. They must have had a heads up that this was coming. Al asked each one of them, "Can you support an advisory ballot?" Here's what I caught.

Lynda - she wants to see language that would set a particulate matter level and then would restrict all activities above a certain level. Then she said something about drawing a parallel to the Marlboro Man. I'm hoping you readers can help with the Marlboro Man. That didn't make sense to me. As I said the audio was very poor. I did hear her very clearly state that she took an oath to uphold the laws of the state and county and that's what she plans to do.

Ross - there's nothing to discuss because there is no permit application right now. He's conferred with the Prosecutor and doesn't want to risk a law suit for the county. For example if someone wanted build a car wash at Taylor Town then would we want him to stop that? Some are saying he's not exercising leadership but he can't take a stand until the permit application has been received. His hands are tied right now.

Tim - there's a lot of misinformation out there by people who are opposed to ADAGE. It's not an incinerator. It's a bio powered energy plant. The county didn't take an advisory ballot for Walmart or Manke Gravel Pit. No need for an advisory ballot on ADAGE. He will not support a public vote on bringing ADAGE to Mason County. The basic problem here is there is a lack of good information. We need an educated discussion. He repeated there will be no public vote on this issue.

(Mason County, I can't help myself, I must editorialize a bit here. To Tim I must say - I told you so. I have repeatedly encouraged a dialogue between the commissioners and the public. An ADAGE forum doesn't count. We don't want to hear just their public relations folks telling us "don't worry be happy".)

Lynda - then came back to Al tasking him with providing a list of everything exceeding the ADAGE level of output. She'd like to see this list. (Since when did our commissioners start tasking the citizens? Is that okay, Mason County?)

Al just ignored her and went on to say that he was disappointed with them that there would be no advisory ballot.

4. Richard Curtis stood to support the advisory ballot.

5. Bob Stone stood in opposition to bringing ADAGE to Mason County.

6. Annette McGee urged them to hold an advisory ballot. She advised Ross that he'd better listen to the people.

More citizens wanted to speak but Ross wouldn't let them because he said the 15 minutes for public comment was up. The commissioners time is so precious that our elected officials can't go over the 15 minutes allotted. What's up with that?

Sorry to not get this posted in a more timely manner but I was in Belfair all day with the League of Women Voters Mason County. The League held a public forum last night to give an update on the Study of the Mason County Budget. I didn't get in until 930 pm and was exhausted.

Linda, Ross and Tim listen to parts of a report on particulate matter from the American Heart Association



Mason County Auditor Al Brotche asks for an advisory vote on ADAGE in front of a standing room only crowd

AHA report goes into the minutes

Annette McGee speaks at county commissioner meeting

Photographs (c) Shawnie Whelan

Great pictures, Shawnie.