The County Commissioner Candidates, the Farm Bureau, and Those 'Background Noises'

 

 

Above: The October Grand Mound Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch meeting featured guest speakers Karen Rogers, above, who is running for Thurston County Commissioner Position #1; Kim Fry of the Rochester School District speaking about the charter school initiative; and Port Commissioner Jeff Davis and staff from the Port of Olympia to discuss their 2013-2025 strategic plan update.

The County Commissioner Candidates, the Farm Bureau, and Those 'Background Noises'

 By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

At a candidate forum held last week featuring all four candidates running for the Thurston County Commission, several questions and answers concerned land use, local agriculture and food security, new development, and the efforts to help local farmers diversify the marketing of their produce. Other issues were discussed (see County Commissioner Candidates Speak About Issues, October 1, 2012, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com)

The newly revised Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) was mentioned by the incumbents, Sandra Romero and Cathy Wolfe, as a successful accomplishment, as well as the county’s new Agri-Tourism Overlay District Ordinance, promoted by the current commissioners as a way the county can help farmers better promote their products.

Not all are happy, however, with either ordinance. County commissioner candidate Andrew Barkis (R), who is challenging commissioner Sandra Romero (D) for Position #2 which covers Lacey, Yelm, and Rainier mentioned at last Monday’s forum that the Farm Bureau has sued the County over the new CAO.

Karen Rogers (D), who is challenging commissioner Cathy Wolfe (D) for Position #1 which covers Olympia, Tenino and Bucoda, also has issues with the Critical Areas Ordinance and says the new Agri-Tourism ordinance is not working. Rogers just received the endorsement of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce this week.

 

There are other differences of opinion on other issues. These four candidates and these two separate, but intertwined environmentally-related county actions, and the endorsements and financial backing received by each candidate reveal what is a politically, socially, culturally, economically diverse Thurston County.

 

The county commission race is worth examining in terms of votes received in the August primary, the amount of money raised and spent by candidates, where the money is coming from, issues that may be unique to south county residents and overall commission structure and representation.

The Thurston County Farm Bureau Lawsuit

On September 24, 2012, the Thurston County Farm Bureau filed a petition for review with the Growth Management Hearings Board challenging revisions to the Critical Areas Ordinance (Ordinance 14773) which the Thurston County Commission adopted on July 24, 2012.

The petition is asking the hearings board to find that the County's ordinance is non-compliant under the State's Growth Management Act and that its provisions violate state law. It states that “the county failed to provide adequate public process, added provisions affecting agricultural uses and lands in violation of state law, attempted to define "existing" and "new" agricultural uses and then regulate both in a discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal fashion." It goes on to say that the new CAO also hindered fish and wildlife habitat and recovery efforts by imposing requirements for the management of timber and agricultural land in violation of state law.

The Thurston County Farm Bureau, an advocacy organization for farmers and ranchers in Thurston County, believes that the adverse land use effect of the ordinance serves to damage property rights and interfere with owners' reasonable use of their land. There are nine people listed on their newsletter masthead as 2012 board members, one of whom is Glen Morgan, best known for his organizing activities associated with the S.T.O.P Thurston County property rights group.

According to the press release, the Farm Bureau, local farmers and rural residents attempted to discuss various alternatives with the Thurston County Commissioners which would promote agriculture, preserve the environment, and protect property rights.

"The Commissioners dismissed efforts to develop consensus language and adopted this ordinance without allowing the pubic to comment on the final draft. We believe that the Commissioners' actions were illegal, unwise, and just plain wrong. They left us no choice except to file this appeal," said Raul De Leon, President of the Thurston County Farm Bureau in the press release.

Asked to comment on the Farm Bureau lawsuit, Commissioner Romero said yesterday, “We are confident that our ordinance will sustain a legal challenge…Since we were one of the last counties to update our ordinance, we learned from other county ordinances. We are right in line with our neighboring cities and counties who have not been challenged or who have sustained challenges. During the two plus year update, we have worked closely with the State regulatory agencies.”

Asked whether or not the lawsuit was expected, Romero added, “We expected the Farm Bureau to appeal to the Growth Board, mainly because they have threatened to do so from early on, even before the ordinance became law.”

Those ‘Backroom Noises’ in south County

Meanwhile, everyone in the room at last Wednesday’s Grand Mound Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon meeting, all 30 of them, while dining on pasta and meatballs covered with tomato sauce, green beans, salad and rolls, already seemed to know about the Farm Bureau lawsuit.

But it wasn’t county commissioner candidate Karen Rogers, who gave a brief presentation to the group about her positions on various issues, who mentioned it – it was Port of Olympia Executive Director Ed Galligan.

Galligan, there along with Port Commissioner Jeff Davis and Mike Reid, the Port’s development director, was there to sell the Port’s draft Vision 2025 Strategic Plan Update to chamber members and the south County community on its goals.

At the beginning of his presentation, after apologizing for being overdressed (Galligan was the only person in the room wearing a suit and tie), he joked about being in south County where “you know what Sandra Romero thinks of you and the Farm Bureau lawsuit,” receiving big chuckles from the audience.

What prompted this remark was that Rogers, at the end of her presentation, had just been asked by an audience member what she thought of Romero’s comment at the September Lacey Chamber of Commerce meeting, where Commissioner Sandra Romero was heard by audience members to imply that south County resident concerns “were just background noise.”  

Rogers, who was also a speaker at the Lacey Chamber candidate forum, said, “I spoke before Sandra, so I didn’t get to respond, so I was jealous of Andrew – he got in the last word!”  

The September Lacey Chamber of Commerce Forum

At the Lacey forum held September 5^th, moderated by former Lacey Chamber president Stewart Ridgeway, Ridgeway asked the candidates a series of questions. Their last formal question was, “Do you feel that the Thurston County commission represents all the opinions and values of Thurston County?”

Rogers responded first, saying, “No….and referred to several residents in south Thurston County and their issues and concerns.

Romero followed Rogers, saying, “You know, we spend a lot of time in Thurston County listening to people and you can’t please everybody – there’s become a bigger divide once the Freedom Foundation, a special interest group, got really active two years ago in Thurston County and there’s a lot of background noise coming from that sector but Lacey is a great place to do business and one of the things that we talk about at Thurston Regional Planning is where should business occur – should they occur in a sprawled out way in the county where there’s no infrastructure or should businesses occur in the cities where there is the infrastructure – the roads, the sidewalks, the sewer – all the things that help in that three legged stool that businesses need and that attracts businesses. PKMM Advanced Technological Solutions were in Lakewood and Lacey stole them.”

Challenger Andrew Barkis pounced on Romero’s comments.

“I don’t think people of this county would appreciate being called ‘background noise’. The voices of the people of this county are not background noise and the Freedom Foundation is one group, along with many other groups, both right and left, that have helped people find their voice. We may not agree all the time but at least they’ve helped them find their voice….It is concerning, there is a divide and whether it’s caused by one organization or another, any agenda is going to cause that divide. We need to work together to bring them back together for the common good of this county, to be a voice that helps them – it’s the business community, it’s the agriculture community, it’s all voices, south, north county, it doesn’t matter, we’re not going to agree on everything…. We have to find a way to make it work because after all, the people of this county are the boss.”

Asked yesterday to clarify or comment on her ‘background noises’ comment, Romero responded, “I never said, nor implied, that south County residents were 'background noise.' The comment pertained to S.T.O.P. and its campaign of misleading information, not to citizens of any part of Thurston County. The organized voice of the Freedom Foundation and the Thurston County Farm Bureau has been filled with misinformation. This misinformation has made it difficult to sort through what legitimate issues are out there and what the made up issues are. We believe we addressed the legitimate issues in our new Critical Areas Ordinance and shed light on the made up issues. Spreading misinformation does a dis-service to all our citizens.”

Meanwhile, back in Grand Mound…

At the Grand Mound Chamber of Commerce meeting, people stayed to chat with the guest speakers.

Asked by this reporter what she thought about the speakers and about her role with the chamber, Kay Crookshanks introduced herself and said, “I’m a financial planner here in Rochester. I’ve lived here 18 years – I moved from Mill Creek. I love it here. I think we’re just very underrepresented and overregulated. When you have commissioners in the county that say things like, “we’re going to make this the greenest county in the United States, that’s scary.”  Another chamber member standing nearby nodded in agreement.

“And I’ll tell you something, when you come here wearing a suit like that, (referring to Galligan) you’re either here to sell me something or coming from a funeral,” Crookshanks laughed.

Donna Weaver, a civic leader and real estate broker with DreamWeavers Real Estate in Rochester, was also asked what she thought of the day’s presentations.

“In a nutshell, I believe that people who are in power who feel justified in placing emergency ordinances which impacts thousands of families for no other reason than to fulfill their own agendas need to be replaced. Personally, I like our commissioners, but politically, I’m at complete odds with them. They feel justified and fully believe they’re doing the right thing, but they don’t consider the impact to the wage earners. Families are every bit as important as the environment.”

Asked to be specific, Weaver said she organized two Rochester Roundtable discussions with the commissioners last year to discuss local economic development issues and the difficulty and expense of getting county permits to start new businesses in existing buildings.

“Come here, let me show you.” Once outside, Weaver pointed out the buildings across the street from the Rochester School District Building on Highway 12.

“See those buildings?” said Weaver, pointing down the street. “These have been fixed up and are rented out. ‘I was told this one,’ she said, pointing straight ahead, ‘was too old to fix and has septic system issues. The building next door looked similar prior to cleaning it up – the new owner cleaned it up. So what happens? Prospective businesses walk away and go to Lewis County. They welcome small businesses with open arms and try to make it do-able. Thurston County is not nearly so welcoming to the small business owner.”

“From gophers to $2500 permits, the commissioners are turning our town into a ghost town. We’ve made progress, but I think for the most part, we’ll do better with new commissioners or at least diversify if nothing else.”

 
The County Commissioner Race By The Numbers
 

For Position #1, Cathy Wolfe received 32.62% of the vote, and Karen Rogers received 30.01%, with Ken Jones, taking 25.02% and George Barner taking 12.34%.

According to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) C-4 reports filed show that, as of August 31, Wolfe raised a total of $19,355.97 for her race and had spent $15,137.74. Rogers, during this same time period, raised a total of $21,211.01 and had spent $19,531.38.

In the primary, for Position #2, Romero received 52.62% of the vote. Barkis received 47.38% of the vote. No other challengers participated in this race.

According to the PDC, C-4 reports filed show that, as of August 31, Romero had raised a total of $32,630.42 for her race. Her expenditures totalled $23,405.38. During this same time period, Barkis had raised a total of $39,119.93 and spent a total of $30,118.39.

The next monthly campaign C-4 reports are due to the PDC on October 16 for the period of September 1 through October 15 and these numbers will have increased by thousands of dollars. Voters can view the candidate's weekly C-3 reports filed since August 31 by the candidate’s campaign treasurer.

Since August 31, Wolfe has raised $16,650; Rogers has raised $8,605.64; Romero has raised $14,435; and Barkis has raised $11,795.

In terms of overall fundraising so far, Barkis, as of the latest filed PDC reports, is in the lead with the most money raised, $50,914.93. Romero is second, with $47,065.42; Wolfe is third, with $36,005.97; and Rogers has raised the least, at $29,816.65.

Where the money has been raised is also important. During this time frame since August 31, for example, both Wolfe and Romero each received lump sums of $7,000 from the Thurston County Democratic Party. Rogers, a Democrat, did not receive an endorsement or funds from the party. Because she isn't a Republican, she has not received money from the Republican Party either. Barkis, a Republican, has not received money from the Republican Party during this time period.

The PDC doesn't keep statistics on whether campaigns have broken recordbreaking campaign finance amounts, said Jennifer Hansen of the PDC today, but the individual candidate records are searchable back to the year 2000. To go back further depends on how much database entry has been accomplished.

According to this reporter's research of PDC reports, Romero raised an amount in 2008 that stands as the second highest ever amount raised and spent for a Thurston County commission campaign to win her current position, raising $73,320.40 and spending $69,456.57 in her race against Jon Halvorson (D).

But no one tops Kevin O'Sullivan (R), who ran against Bob Macleod (D) for county commissioner, Position #3. He raised a whopping $110,461.92, and spent $99,403.07.

O'Sullivan lost the election.

Little Hollywood transcribed the quotes from the September 2012 Lacey of Chamber of Commerce event of Romero’s and Barkis’ remarks from www.tctv.net/ondemand.

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission website is www.pdc.wa.gov and is very user-friendly. They are located at 711 Capitol Way #206, (360) 753-1111 or 1-800-601-2828.

 

Above: Vacant and leased-out buildings line State Highway 12 through Grand Mound.

Port of Olympia Seeks Public Comment on Strategic Plan

 

Above: This seagull told this reporter that he has already read the Port of Olympia's Vision 2025 - Strategic Plan Update, but found it woefully lacking in detail. When asked for specifics, he said he was especially concerned about their future gull management plans.

 

"I am very upset with the Port's current method of gull eradication, but I can't go to this week's public hearings. All the meetings are indoors, and I have no access to the internet or a phone. My only method of communication is to poop on their cranes. I have done that once, and I'll do it again, in hopes the Port Commissioners will get my message," said Mr. Seagull, earlier this morning.

Port of Olympia Seeks Public Comment on Strategic Plan Update

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The Port Commission invites Thurston County citizens to provide input to the Port's draft of the Vision 2025: Strategic Plan Update 2013-2025. The draft plan is available for review on the Port website and comments will be taken until October 22. The 36 page plan features big print and several full page color pictures.

At a meeting on Wednesday of the Grand Mound Chamber of Commerce, Port staff updated chamber members on its goals and informed them of the strategic plan update and upcoming public open houses.

Port Commissioner Jeff Davis and Mike Reid, the Port’s development director, outlined the port's goals to dredge and clean up Budd Inlet, increase rail activity at the Marine Terminal by 25%, complete the revitalization of the East Bay District, develop the Swantown District, work with the City of Tumwater to generate 15 acres of commercial development and 30 acres of industrial development on Port owned Tumwater properties, increase port related direct jobs by 25%, invest in the community, increase public understanding of Port activities, and identify the Port's baseline carbon emissions and work to reduce or offset those emissions.

The public open houses are:

October 9, 5:00 -7:00 pm

*Presentation at 5:30 pm
Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Rd, Lacey

October 10, 7:00-9:00 pm

*Presentation at 7:30 PM
Airport Terminal Building, 7702 Terminal Street, Tumwater

October 11, 6:00-8:00 pm

*Presentation at 6:30 PM
The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia

Copies of the plan will be available at the open houses. The Port Commission is currently scheduled to make a decision on the plan at the November 5, 2012 Commission meeting.

For more information, go to www.portolympia.com or contact the Port at 915 Washington St NE, (360) 528-8000. 

County Commissioner Candidates Speak About Issues

Thurston County Commissioner candidates Karen Rogers, left, and Cathy Wolfe receive their instructions from George Le Masurier, publisher of The Olympian, at a candidate forum held today, sponsored by the Olympia Downtown Rotary.

 

County Commissioner Candidates Speak About Issues

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Two current Thurston County Commissioners wanting to retain their positions and their respective challengers met today for a fast-paced, speed-dating style question and answer period at an Olympia Downtown Rotary meeting held today at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. The event was moderated by George Le Masurier, publisher of The Olympian.

Commission position #1 candidate Karen Rogers (D) and incumbent Cathy Wolfe (D) sat next to each other, and Commission position #2 candidate Andrew Barkis (R) sat next to incumbent Sandra Romero (D) on the other side of the table.

After initial introductions, Le Masurier posed several questions to all candidates relating to the unopened county jail, population growth, environmental issues, the public power initiative, and more.

Each candidate had one minute to respond to each question, resulting in snappy sound bites that at times amused and frustrated the candidates. The answers here are snippets of slightly longer answers.  Although many answers lacked detail, the event provided the audience an opportunity to hear the candidates in person and gain some insight on their thoughts about the issues.  Le Masurier regularly alternated the order in which candidates answered questions, which are paraphrased.

What should be done about the Thurston County fairgrounds?

Rogers:  Rogers said the fairgrounds should stay open if the money can be found, and that the agriculture attractions should be beefed up.  She said the Agri-tourism Overlay District is not working and that she is proud of her endorsement by the Washington State Farm Bureau.

Wolfe:  Wolfe said she attended a visioning process about the future of the fairgrounds last week that generated hundreds of creative ideas.  “The fair is not mandated as a county requirement, but it is a priority to keep it open.”

Barkis:  Barkis agreed that the fair should stay open if alternative revenue sources can be found. He also said the weather is a big factor with attendance.

Romero:  Romero agreed that the fairgrounds should stay open, and said the key is to keep it open and have meetings there to generate revenue.  “The younger crowd would change the fair with updated music, and activities to become more diverse. Fish Tale Ale suggested a beer garden.”

What about the ARC? (The Accountability and Restitution Center, the formal name for the new jail that has been sitting empty for two years)

Wolfe:  “It should be open right after the first of the year.  The old jail was built in the 80’s and is draining so much money in repairs to keep it running, it’s like a rat hole - you have no idea….”

Barkis:  “It’s costing $400,000 a year in operations to operate the ARC as it sits empty.  It needs a sustainable plan - not just to open it, but years down the road….”

Romero:  “We have a plan to open it. We are not rushing it to be open just because it’s an election year….(alluded to by a candidate earlier in the conversation)….”

Rogers:  “Sheriff John Snaza told me he can’t afford to move in until two more buildings are built to house women, and the mentally ill and work release. The existing plumbing system needs repairs. He doesn’t have enough money to operate two separate jails….”

What’s the plan for a local economic recovery?

Barkis:  “We need to increase Thurston County’s tax base and be a business friendly environment. We have to take a look at road blocks to promoting that.... We have a budget surplus of $15 million but the reality is, by 2015, they are projecting a negative $6.74 million deficit…They are using their reserves…. ”

Romero:  “We are getting it up (our tax base) through rental properties. Richie Brothers left because they didn’t have enough space, but we have someone new now….” (Rogers alluded to the Richie Brothers leaving the county earlier in the conversation).

Rogers:  “We should have Great Wolf Lodge paying property taxes – there’s a million right there….”  Rogers  also said the newly adopted Critical Areas Ordinance is driving down the tax base in South County.

Wolfe:  “We need to do exactly what we have been doing – sticking to management and control in the budget to maintain financial solvency, to continue working with the EDC (Economic Development Council), to promote ag tourism and Thurston Energy retrofits and savings, and we need to continue improving the environment so businesses will want to locate here.”

The state required an updated Critical Areas Ordinance. Thurston County was the last in the state to do so. Please comment on the process.

Romero:   “It is mandated, and we were fortunate to see how we fit in with the others around us. We’re in the middle….”

Rogers:  “I have a master’s in environmental ecology. There is a tightrope that needs to be walked – the CAO has gone too far – it’s already breaking the law….”

Wolfe:  “We are protecting the environment. With the CAO, we have protected ourselves from regulations being dictated to us by federal regulations – you wait, in the next few years, you’ll see….”

Barkis:  “It didn’t need to be rewritten. The requirement is to review and revise, not to be re-written…it’s not in the middle with regard to buffer zones, we’re at the maximum.  A lawsuit by the Farm Bureau against Thurston County to the Growth Management Hearings Board is challenging its legality...it’s the beginning of many litigation.”

Should the County Commission be expanded to five members?

Rogers:   “Yes, it’s too big a county have just three. South County is crying out for representation….”

Wolfe:   “Yes, it would be more efficient and much easier. Right now, we can’t even have a conversation with each other. However, it would cost more to have more commissioners….”

Barkis: “Yes, this may be something we can all agree on. Representation is the key….”

Romero:  “Yes, at least five. Freeholders develop a county charter - and a home-rule charter would be difficult to pass...All three of us current commissioners have frozen our salaries to keep costs down….”

What is your opinion about the Thurston County PUD and Proposition #1, the power initiative?

Wolfe:   “I have no position about it. I am conflicted.  I love the idea of public power but I’m nervous – I don’t think we’re ready.  I’m worried about the lack of infrastructure, capacity and debt. I’m struggling with the issue.”

Barkis:   “I am not supportive of the public power initiative. I’m not keen on taking a private company out of business. I come from Chehalis, where we have the Chehalis PUD, and they’re great, but PSE has been doing a great job. We’d be losing a valuable corporate community partner if they went away.”

Romero:   “I have a couple of real concerns. I’m not opposed, but when I was in the Legislature, initiatives by Tim Eyman allowed us no opportunity to deliberate. We need more time to study it.”

Rogers:   “This is an issue I’ve been asked by both sides to support. I’ve stayed out of it because it’s up to the campaigns of both sides to sell their argument.  The issue is in front of the voters. From what I understand, the initiative was started because PSE wanted another rate increase and it was a way to put some market pressure on them.”

Thurston County is growing.  Please comment.

Barkis:  “Embrace it. Smart growth dictates where growth should occur – and it will occur here. It is a challenging topic….”

Romero:  “We’ve been working on this for years with Thurston County Regional Planning. We want to make sure it occurs where there is infrastructure….”

Rogers:   “Growth is going to happen, we need density. It’s how we get there. The regulatory arm needs to have farms stay in business so they won’t be tempted to sell off their property to developers.”

Wolfe:   “This is a tremendous challenge. We do not want to raise taxes to pay for growth. We have seven jurisdictions and three tribes in Thurston County. The more we can collaborate, the better.”

Should Thurston County ban plastic bags?

Romero:   “Yes, I support a ban in a manner that doesn’t compromise food safety….”

Rogers:  “I can support it, with exceptions.  For example, the Tenino Food Bank – Tenino has a huge poverty rate – has a backpack program where they use bags for food and send the backpacks home with recipients – after three returns, the backpacks get unsanitary. I’m sure we can work it out.”

Wolfe:  “Plastics are a problem, but we’re in the middle of a conversation about it. I prefer not to rush to ban them, but to raise awareness to work closer with people to not use them.”

Barkis:   “No, I don’t like the word ban. Remember a time when we didn’t want to use paper bags because they used trees? Well, that led to plastic. We’re a smart group here in Thurston County. Let us individually make that choice. Yes, they’re bad, but we know how to decide what to use.”

Regarding the boundaries between agriculture and developed areas - there needs to be a balance between both interests. Please comment.

Rogers:  “We have a trend toward locally grown food and food security now – it’s not just your traditional farms anymore. It’s becoming a mixture….”

Wolfe:  “Agriculture is an important part of our economy – there needs to be a balance. We have the Agri-tourism initiative and a working farm plan, and a farm advisory committee working on a working lands report….”

Barkis:  “An example is the USDA Workable Lands Program – agriculture is an economic driver. There’s going to be a blending….”

Romero: “When I came into office, I said I would help farmers stay in business. Now we have the Agri-Tourism ordinance – 40 people worked on this. We could be like the Fruit Loop in Oregon….”

How should Thurston County support/work with the Puget Sound Partnership and improve water quality in the South Sound?

Wolfe:  “We play a huge role.  We’ve improved Henderson Inlet so much that we’ve been able to re-open shellfish beds, now we’re starting on the Nisqually watershed, and sewering the Woodland Creek area, and we’ve improved monitoring.”

Barkis: “The Lacey, Henderson watershed areas have been difficult projects and they need to be continued. Yes, we should work with the Partnership….”

Romero: “We’re on it. Puget Sound is a treasure, it’s our jewel. They need us to all pitch in. It’s a high priority….”

Rogers: “I helped write the bill creating the Puget Sound Partnership…we need to prioritize the issues: water quality and our drinking water supply. We need to play nicely with the agencies to get the grant monies.”

In closing remarks, Rogers said she will work hard and listen.  “I go door to door year ‘round.  I want to restore public engagement.”

Wolfe said she has a “proven track record as a team worker, and I’m proud to receive five out of seven endorsements from Olympia city council members."  In what would be the forum’s only evidence of what could be called a personal attack, Wolfe added, “I’m glad to hear Karen would play nicely with the agencies because she doesn’t play nicely with those from other jurisdictions.”

Barkis said he enjoys bi-partisan support and announced that he just received the endorsement of Sheriff John Snaza.

Romero said there are huge challenges facing Thurston County, and,  “if you want to keep Thurston County on the right track, please retain me.”

Little Hollywood encourages voters to contact candidates to receive the context of their full remarks and opinions on these issues. The following information is provided on their campaign literature distributed today:

Position #1:

Karen Rogers for Thurston County Commissioner #1, 1509 5^th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 628-7052; campaign@citizensforkarenrogers.org.

The Committee to Re-Elect Cathy Wolfe, PMB 124, 120 State Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98501-8212, www.ElectCathyWolfe.com.

Position #2:

Citizens for Sandra Romero, 2023 Westlake Drive SE, Lacey, WA 98503; (360) 357-8131; romeroforcommissioner@sandraromero.com; info@sandraromero.com; www.sandraromero.com.

Andrew Barkis for County Commissioner, PO Box 7298, Olympia, WA 98507, www.andrewbarkis.org; (360) 918-5256.

Thurston County Commissioner candidates Andrew Barkis, third from the left, and Sandra Romero, right, listen to forum instructions given by George Le Masurier, publisher of The Olympian.

 

Skill Sharing Promotes Community Resiliency

Above: Tim Thetford demonstrates the efficiency of his homemade rocket stove at a day of re-skilling workshops in Olympia today.

Skill Sharing Promotes Community Resiliency

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Many excellent events were scheduled throughout the South Sound today, on what turned into a beautiful sunny day, extending summer into fall. Over 150 people chose to attend a day of interactive activities and hands-on learning held at the Quaker Meeting House in Olympia near Priest Point Park.

About 15 workshops and several on-going demonstrations centered on the idea of “re-skilling” – the learning of basic skills that were often common knowledge to our parents and grandparents.  These skills, needed to survive potentially tougher economic times, climate disruptions, and energy shortages ahead, encourage personal and community self-sufficiency.   

“This is everything I needed to know!” exclaimed Diane Grace, of Olympia, after attending the “How to Build a Rocket Stove” presentation by workshop coordinator Tim Thetford. A retired dietetic technician, Grace is a compost instructor at Sunrise Garden. She was interested in learning how to prepare food in emergencies.

“We need to know how to prepare food in an emergency (without electricity), how to heat water to cook legumes, and have a knowledge of complete nutrition in such a situation…,” said Grace.

Workshops such as learning how to make solar collectors, rocket stoves, and cold frames, beekeeping, candlemaking, cheesemaking, wild harvesting, weaving, animal husbandry in an urban environment, and bio-sand water filter demonstrations kept coordinators and participants busy all day. Several short films on these issues were also featured in a quiet side room.  Regular refreshments allowed many people to stay all day.

Throughout the day, as new people continued to arrive, many workshop coordinators patiently repeated their presentations as people milled around, ducking in and out of activities throughout the grounds. Children also had plenty to do and learn.

Seeing a diversity amongst those in attendance, the power of social media, community groups, and good, old-fashioned word of mouth were attributed as the answer to my question for people I did not recognize, when I asked them how they heard about the event. In order are their responses:

“Facebook”

“Facebook”

“At a VBC event” (Village Building Convergence)

“Email, through the TESC Crier” (the internal email system for The Evergreen State College)

“StreetBank”

“FOR” (Fellowship of Reconciliation)

“My friend Joe”

“Lisa Smith” (Smith is coordinator of Enterprise for Equity in Olympia)

“Through my Permaculture Design Certification class” (at Evergreen)

“Joseph Becker”

“Through the Quaker meeting”

“From a flyer at the Lacey library”

“A friend told me”

“FaceBook”

 

 

Above: David Wittenborn demonstrates how to make a pop and/or beer can solar collector.

David Wittenborn of Yelm provided a lesson on creating a pop and beer can solar collector. Wittenborn is new to the area, having arrived from Chicago two and a half years ago.

“I worked on Wall Street, quit that in 1998, and have been self-employed ever since,” said Wittenborn. He is now a dealer for a solar oven company and creates websites.  Later, Wittenborn announced that the solar panel he had made earlier and placed in the sun was now registering a 177 degree air output.  “It shows you what you can make with trash and found materials…there are so many ways you can make this work.  It’s not the Space Shuttle,” he told the crowd. His solar panel cost about $8 to make, he said.

 

 

Above: Scott Bishop shows the Jennings-Mapp family, Calder, 4, Athena, 12, and mom Kendra, the fine art of candlemaking.

Nearby, Scott Bishop demonstrated how to recycle the wax from used candles to create new candles. Bishop said he’s been making candles for about 20 years. “Don’t leave it in too long, it’ll melt right back off,” he cautioned Athena Jennings-Mapp, 12.  When asked by a workshop observer, Bishop did not recommend using crayons for adding color to candles. “It makes candles smoke when lit,” he said. Bishop says he gives his homemade candles to his church.

Building a money-free economy through local skill trading builds a stronger community.  Robin Lee and Joanne Lee co-coordinated a workshop featuring alternative currency models. Playing a game with workshop participants, each person described what skills they have, and what they need.  Noting hesitation, the coordinators told stories about how hard it can be for some people to think about what skills they could offer.

“We all have something to give,” said Joanne Lee, a life coach. “For example, I’m a yoga teacher, and I need someone to take pictures,” she offered.  An Evergreen student with a Canon digital camera offered her photography skills, then kept the ball rolling by saying she has about 15 large storage containers full of beautiful fabrics such as bridal silks, satins, and wool.  She said she was a seamstress and could make clothing. A man said he repairs electronics, and needs some mulch, help stripping wallpaper, and access to a lawnmower. The conversation continued, with everyone pretty excited, exchanging business cards and contact information, by the end of the workshop.

“Random exchanges – our needs can be met.  It just takes us to be active,” said Joanna Lee.

Robin Lee agreed. “Networking, meeting your neighbors, weekly street potlucks…We can come and share to be nourished in different ways and attend to individual needs.  When we exchange skills, hours for hours, we’re generating a different kind of wealth.  I feel rich when I come home to a clean house, when I can get that service that I ordinarily wouldn’t be able to afford.  I have really seen how a community is built.”

Gita Moulton, the tireless and dedicated community organizer who put countless hours into making the event successful, along with co-coordinator Susi O'Bryan, said she wants to do another re-skilling event in February, centering on crafts and cooking local foods.  

“We need to keep this going,” she said, humbly setting out more homemade refreshments and preparing yet another pot of coffee for attendees.

Several local organizations and resources encourage skill sharing and community transition building. Go to www.oly-wa.us/transitionolympia for more information.

Above: Gita Moulton made sure workshops presenters and participants had plenty of nourishment through the day today.

LOTT Seeks Community Members for Groundwater Study Group

by Janine Unsoeld

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance issued the following press release today, inviting the community to apply for a groundwater advisory group. More information about LOTT and this study can be found in past articles at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com. An article dated April 17 describes the concern expressed by LOTT Alliance board members for public involvement in the groundwater study.
 

Community Invited to Apply for Advisory Group
 

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance invites community members throughout Thurston County to apply to serve on a Community Advisory Group for a regional scientific study that will help LOTT and the community understand how to best protect local water resources while treating reclaimed water and recharging groundwater. 
 

Applications and more information about the study and the Community Advisory Group are available on the LOTT website at www.lottcleanwater.org. 

 
Applications must be received at the LOTT office no later than noon on Friday, September 14, 2012, to be eligible for consideration.  Please mail, email, deliver or fax completed applications to: Lisa Dennis-Perez, LOTT Public Communications Manager, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, 500 Adams Street NE, Olympia, WA 98501, lisadennis-perez@lottcleanwater.org, (360) 528-5719.

Community Advisory Group members will be selected and appointed by the LOTT Board of Directors through the application process. Appointments are expected to be made in late September, with the first Community Advisory Group meeting expected to be held in October.
 

Applicants do not need to have any prior knowledge or experience with wastewater or reclaimed water, although it is important that they have a general interest in the topic and a willingness to learn more.
 

In its initial phase, the Community Advisory Group will work closely with the LOTT Board of Directors and the study team to help gain an understanding of community perspectives and questions and ensure the study is designed to address community concerns.  The Community Advisory Group will also help identify effective ways to engage the public throughout the study. 

 

Mural Transforms Ugly Wall into A Piece of Art

Above: Taking advantage of the great weather, Joslyn Rose Trivett worked all day today on a mural project she initiated earlier this year. The mural is located between the two roundabouts on Olympic Way near downtown Olympia. 

By Janine Unsoeld

Earlier this year, westside neighborhood resident Joslyn Rose Trivett had an idea to beautify a dirty, mildewy retaining wall on Olympic Way, and now, her idea is becoming a reality.  

This week, Trivett is hard at work creating a mural on a 178 foot retaining wall seen by motorists, walkers, and bikers between the roundabouts near the Fourth Avenue bridge.  An area of about 700 square feet, the mural design is a muted green line of trees and plants up to six feet tall.

“I come from a crafty family so art isn’t super intimidating,” said Trivett today, as she sketched the large scale designs on the wall with colored children's chalk.

Above: Joslyn Rose Trivett sketches images on the wall this morning. She says that as she has worked on the project, she's heard frequent verbal endorsements from motorists and passersby. "It's a great feeling of support," says Trivett.

Trivett first obtained approval from the Southwest Neighborhood Association (SWONA) and the City of Olympia to solicit design contributions, choose colors, and arrange images. With the help of volunteers, she obtained supplies, cleaned, primed, and painted the wall a basic off-yellow background color.  Now she’s in the process of painting the actual images.

Today, she and helpers Mo Lally, a SWONA resident, and Trivett’s husband, Rip Heminway, filled in Trivett's sketches with such paint colors as Fun Yellow, Tansy, Parakeet, Carnelian, and Soulmate. Trivett expects to complete the project by next weekend.

As for who actually owns the wall, Trivett says she’s not exactly clear on the particulars. “I had to get permission from the city and SWONA to paint there. I asked for and received the verbal endorsement from the two adjacent homeowners. I know the city maintains the wall, painting over graffiti when it comes.” The wall will also be given a clear top coat of anti-graffiti paint. 

SWONA received a grant from the city of Olympia and about $600 of that grant is going to the mural project. Some supplies and services have been donated by area businesses – Sherwin-Williams gave the project a contractor’s discount on paint and has provided consultation.

Above: Rip Heminway helps paint the mural.

“My interest in painting the wall came from working on the adjacent Rainier Bench garden for the past three years. One time, when I was working there with Bethany Weidner, (former president of the SWONA), she said that her original vision for the spot had included a mural leading to the garden. That thought percolated in me for some time, especially as I would walk or otherwise pass that wall on Olympic Way. It seemed to be a sad, dirty wall, and out of character with the rest of the Gateway project (Seven Oars Park, the roundabouts and landscaping, the new bridge and mosaics)," says Trivett.  

"Either by chance or by influence, a design occurred to me that would match the themes of the Gateway project: images of nature transitioning to images of urban, structured environments, and using organic forms and earthy colors. This mural begins,uphill, with flowers and grasses and old growth forest and ends, downhill, with formal plantings of a neighborhood or suburb.”

“I would love to continue the project to the larger, downhill portion of the wall, creating a Phase II mural. That site would require way more preparation and maintenance. It has a huge weed problem, encroachment from both above and below. I hope that there will be energy to tackle that based on the success of Phase I. The images for Phase II would continue from Phase I, with the trees and plants integrating into more and more urban scapes.”

For more information about the project, contact Joslyn Rose Trivett at joslynrose2@gmail.com.

Above: Southwest neighborhood resident Mo Lally helps paint the mural on Olympic Way.