Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell’s official website

Congratulations are in order for Rep, Tom Campbell’s appointment as Chair of the prestigious Environmental Health Committee in our State Capital.
“The Select Committee on Environmental Health considers issues relating to environmental risks potentially affecting human health. Such issues include environmental toxics (PBDE, lead, mercury, arsenic), mold, air pollutants, solid and hazardous waste, contaminated sediments, and food and drinking water safety,” quoting Rep. Campbell’s site.

Mr. Campbell also serves on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, which “considers a broad range of issues relating to the provision of physical and mental health care services and strategies to promote better health. Health care service issues include the licensing and regulation of health care facilities (such as hospitals, trauma care centers, and long-term care facilities) and the credentialing of health care providers (such as doctors, nurses, chiropractors, and mental health professionals).”

He also serves on House Transportation Committee, which “considers the transportation budget, revenue sources for transportation funding, and issues relating to transportation policy and transportation agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Washington State Patrol.”

We appreciate Rep. Campbell’s support of his constituents in Legislative District 2.

The Olympian states:
Campbell was right
“When it comes to credentialing, the state should set minimum standards for education, supervised training, examinations and experience. Then they should hold applicants against those minimum standards. Individuals who are completing education requirements or are getting supervised instruction should be issued temporary credentials…

A bill to that effect was introduced by Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, this year but died before coming to a final vote thanks to strong lobbying efforts by professional organizations such as the Washington Medical Association. This audit shows that Campbell was right.”

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

Kristin Blalack, Yelm Timberland Librarian has announced exciting Fall Programs for our local library, including one today:

Thursday, September 20
Gary Stroutsos, world flute master and cultural storyteller, offers a program of traditional music of the American Indian and the stories behind the songs, passed down through generations. The evening will also include new music for the Xiao and Dize Chinese Bamboo flutes seldom heard outside the walls of China. Gary performed at the library in December ’05 and was very well-received.
7-8 PM

Saturday, October 6
Digital Camera 101: Take Your Best Shot
Learn about your digital camera: explore ALL those camera dials and icons, discover hidden settings and decipher your camera manual. Make dazzling images rather than take the same old boring snapshots. Then discover how to manage all those image files once you have them on your memory card. Join photographer, artist and arts educator, Barbra Kates, for this fun and hands-on class. Be prepared to go outside.
1 – 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 15 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, October 9
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
7-8 PM

Wednesday, October 17
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelmand more. Members of the Yelm Historical Society will facilitate and videotape these sessions as a resource for present and future generations.
3 – 4:30 PM

Saturday, October 20
Digital Camera 201: Beyond Basics
Have you mastered basic digital camera skills and are now ready to use your camera more interactively? Then this workshop is for you. Become one with your camera and discover Magical Light, the art of seeing creatively and choosing between Auto and Manual. Explore the Digital Frontier with photographer, artist and arts educator, Barbra Kates, for this three-hour interactive, hands-on workshop.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate, Pre-requisite: Digital Camera 101 or equivalent.
1 – 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 20 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, October 23
Lux Aeterna: a Performance of Classical Music for the Violin
Ian Mardon presents works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardons newest composition, Lux Aeterna. Enjoy the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
7 – 8 PM

Saturday, November 10
Digital Camera 301: Beyond the Camera to the Digital Darkroom
Explore basic computer techniques for downloading photos, managing and organizing image files, manipulating images and creating slide shows using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0. This workshop is for people who own a PC and have basic computer skills. A pre-class photo assignment will be available when registering at the library.
1 – 4 PM
The workshop is limited to 20 participants. Sign-up with the library.

Tuesday, November 13
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
7-8 PM

Wednesday, November 14
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelmand more. Members of the Yelm Historical Society, Yelm Library Board Chair Steve Klein and his wife Yael will facilitate. This session will be videotaped as a resource for present and future generations.
3 – 4:30 PM

Wednesday, November 14
Planet Percussion: Music from the World
Jay Sicilia, founder of Planet Percussion Band, plays an amazing variety of instruments, bringing the rhythms of music and dance from many different parts of the world to Yelm.
7 – 8 PM

Sunday, November 18
Soar with Us: Pursue Your Dreams and Celebrate Your Abilities
Dylan Kuehl, young internationally known performer and artist with Downs Syndrome, and his teacher/mentor, Marian Lancaster, present a program of creative movement, visual art and poetry. They demonstrate the powerful potential in each of us for turning challenges and perceived limitations into wonderful accomplishments.
2 – 3:30pm

Wednesday, December 5
Our Past, Our Present: Share Your Memories on video for city archives
What are the origins of Yelm? Who are the people who have lived here? Ed Bergh, Yelm High School history teacher, will show slides and talk about how our community has evolved through time.
7 – 8 PM

Tuesday, December 11
Adult Pageturners Book Discussion Group :
Join in a discussion of Dress Your Family in Courduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.
7-8 PM

All programs above Sponsored by the Friends of the Yelm Library except Adult Pageturners.

The Yelm Planning Commission met on Monday, September 17, 2007 to review and finalize changes to Yelm’s Comprehensive Plan submitted at the August Public Hearing and in written comments due to the Commission by September 4, 2007.

Senior Planner for the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) & City of Yelm adviser Kathy McCormick opened the Comprehensive Plan changes part of the meeting with several comments her department received. One of these remarks was in reference to the Transportation Chapter of the Yelm Comprehensive Plan and is as follows:

Chapter 1.9 Highways 507/510 in Yelm designated Highways of State Significance (HSS).
Ms. McCormick stated this listing is incorrect, as she was informed by the State that Highways 507/510 in Yelm are Highways of Regional Significance (non-HSS) and are Level of Service (LOS) D mitigated. Level of service identified as level D is consistent with the regional plan.

The Planning Commission went on to debate for an extended period of time the removal of the word “acceptable” as official city policy for Highways 507/510 with these roads remaining LOS F in the urban core. They stated they did not want the appearance to seem they (& the city council) were accepting LOS F as acceptable, even though they left LOS F in the Plan. LOS F is the lowest grade possible and there is no measurement of how low that grade can go, with traffic gridlock as a result.
This writer sat there dumbfounded at this interchange since Ms. McCormick had just mentioned these roads need to be a minimum LOS D to be consistent with the requirements of the regional plan, rather than Yelm’s lower threshold of bottomless LOS F.

At the conclusion of the 1 1/2 hour discussion of the Transportation Chapter of the Comp. Plan, I asked how the Yelm Planning Commission would include LOS D in the Plan for State Highways 507/510. Ms. McCormick’s only reply was, “We do have conflict,” to which I verbally agreed. (The City of Yelm Plan’s Level of Service is F).
A pleasant surprise and rare visitor to this meeting was Mayor Ron Harding, who attended for a portion of the discussion and unfortunately left prior to the Transportation Chapter’s conclusion.

To make this simple, here is what all of this means:

With level of service (LOS) D as regional policy on the city’s Highways 507/510, Yelm is NOT consistent with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) & TRPC recommendations with its lower LOS F threshold. THIS IS THE CONFLICT.

For the city to adopt LOS D, they must reduce traffic congestion by one of two ways (or both):
1. Continuing construction of connecting and side streets. The Yelm Bypass should not be considered in this context since the construction is not funded, and even if so, is still 7 years from opening, if at all.

2. Reducing additional local traffic to these roads by no longer approving large traffic generators like housing developments and big box stores.

The Yelm Planning Commission packet (click Comprehensive Plan Update – 2007) for these changes now goes to the Yelm City Council for public comment and approval next month. Yelm City Council member Don Miller said at the July 24, 2007 Council Meeting that Highways 507/510 in Yelm fall under the jurisdiction of WSDOT and the city must surrender to them, so Yelm traffic on those roads is their issue. Mr. Miller, the City of Yelm approved and allowed a Wal-Mart to be built on Highway 507 in the Yelm city limits and I witnessed no requirement for the city to surrender to WSDOT for this project. Mayor Ron Harding said at the same meeting 67% of the traffic in Yelm originates outside of the city and this was not all the city’s issue. He told those of us in audience to write about this to our State Legislators. I did.
However, now that the State informed TRPC that Yelm Highways 507/510 under the city’s traffic plan have been improperly designated and TRPC declared the Yelm Plan in “conflict” with WSDOT and TRPC recommendations, these agencies will be hearing more about Yelm. Enough of Yelm officials dodging the traffic issue here. As I have said many times, the time has come for a multi-jurisdictional tackling of Yelm’s traffic.

To that end, the Thurston County Planning Commission public hearing for Wednesday, September 19 did not have a quorum of the Commission, so is postponed until October 3rd..
This Commission needs to hear from the Yelm community (community is defined as those that use the roads to/from Yelm) that the Yelm Comp. Plan Traffic Chapter is in “conflict” (not my word, rather TRPC’s McCormick’s) with WSDOT & TRPC recommendations. This will require Thurston County to look into the Yelm Plan’s inconsistencies.

WILL YOU PLEASE CONSIDER COMING TO THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 3RD IN THE THURSTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, BUILDING 1, ROOM 280 AT 7PM AND SPEAKING UP FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWN?

THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU!

Amy Swanson, Associate Planner for Development Services stated to me that anyone who wishes to have their comments be included as part of the public input, may do so in writing by the October 3rd meeting.

You may email them directly to her at:
swansoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

Concurrently, you may send your comments to:
Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner
Attn: Thurston Regional Planning Com. (TRPC)
2424 Heritage Ct SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502

or directly to her email: mccormk@trpc.org

Be sure to mark all comments for the Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing Oct. 3.
All comments must be received by the close of the hearing on the 3rd.

The case study by Zenith Management Consulting titled “How to Exploit Wal-Mart’s Weaknesses” shows that Wal-Mart’s “business model is not really low-price,
it is creating perceptions that prices are lower than they really are….

– Low prices matter more to consumers because they think Wal-Mart’s are so much lower.

– Consumers forgive Wal-Mart’s poor quality, service and convenience because they think Wal-Mart’s prices are so low.

-Consumers who shop at Wal-Mart become caught in a self-reinforcing loop that makes them keep shopping there.

-80-85% of Wal-Mart’s products are more expensive.

-Masters of manipulating perceptions.”

This is a very telling report and demonstrates how Wal-Mart will work to manipulate perceptions and change the framework for the business environment in a town like Yelm.

Read the full PDF of the study for yourself.

Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Photo courtesy of Yelm-based photographer Guustaaf Damave

REMEMBERING ALOUD

Our Past, Our Present:
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES

Wednesdays 3 – 4:30pm
September 19,
October 17 & November 14
Yelm Timberland Library

Elders of the community are invited to join in a conversation about their life experiences at school, on the farm, with pets, in Yelm…and more.

Members of the Yelm Historical Society will facilitate and videotape these sessions as a resource for present and future generations.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Yelm Timberland Library.

A. SHELTON FAMILY ASSISTS IN REUNITING MOTHER WITH DAUGHTERS SEPARATED BY OCEANS & 5 YEARS

“When Stella Heard moved from her native Kenya to the United States in hopes of giving her daughters a better life, she thought they’d be separated only a few months.
Five years passed.

Heard, who now lives in Shelton, reunited with daughters Georgette, 10, and Nancy, 9, Friday night [8/31]at Sea-Tac Airport. The three embraced, laughing and wiping away one another’s tears of joy. The girls are here to stay…

Mary Jo and Gordon Monten of Belfair said they made reuniting the family their mission.

Heard met the Montens through customers at Little Creek Casino, where she works as a cashier.

The customers were intrigued by Heard’s accent. When they learned she was from Kenya, they connected her to the Montens, who were headed on a medical mission just 5 miles from the girls’ home in Nairobi.

The Montens, retired teachers, agreed to take clothes and gifts to Heard’s daughters.

The Montens started a fund at Olympia Federal Savings in Belfair to raise the $6,000 needed for the girls’ airfare and expenses. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olympia also got involved, donating thousands of dollars,” quoting The Olympian.

Cheryl Nichols, a school teacher at Rainier’s Children’s of Excellence (CSE) is the daughter of the Montens.

B. NANCY BREIDENTHAL APPOINTED DEM’S PCO OF BERRY VALLEY 193
Thurston County Democrats announces that Yelm resident Nancy Breidenthal has been officially appointed as Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) of Berry Valley 193 for the Democratic Party’s Legislative District 2.

Congratulations, Nancy!! This is just terrific!

This writer and his wife will be interviewed at 2pm PDT today (Saturday, September 15) on Beyond the Ordinary KRSE internet radio live from Washington, D. C. and the Impeach Bush/Cheney March.
Beyond the Ordinary – KRSE is a Yelm, WA. based worldwide-reaching internet radio broadcasting station.

Listen Live by clicking here, then click “Listen Now.”

There will be a rally beginning at The White House at 12 noon EDT, followed by a march to The Capitol, then the radio broadcast to Yelm at 5pm EDT (2PM Yelm Time).

Abigail M. Haddock

“Emergency Manager, Abigail M. Haddock is offering classes at The Ant Preparedness School located at The Survival Center in McKenna.

Pandemic Preparedness – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers have now proven N1H5 has spread from birds to man and man to man. We are in stage three alert. Do you know how to prepare your family for a pandemic? Learn what supplies are needed to treat family members at home when social distancing is declared. Take this class now while supplies are available! $25
9/19 7-10 pm and 9/26 7-10 pm adults only
[Ed. Note: This writer and his wife are enrolled in the 9/19 class. Won’t you join us?]

Basic Water Canning – Learn how to safely can fruits, jams and pickles by participation. Now is time to can! Sept 22 10-3 pm $50 Pre-reg

Pressure Canning – Learn how to safely can meat, veggies and stews by participation. Harvest is in and ready to can! Sept 29 10-3 pm $50 Pre-reg

R U Ready? Emergency Preparedness Consulting and Training. Business Continuity, Preparedness and Canning
RUREADY2007@comcast.net 360 705-9818,” quoting the Masters’ Connection website.

Town Hall Meeting With Thurston County Commissioner Candidate

JON HALVORSON

Co-Hosted by Steve Klein and JeanMarie Christenson.

Thurston County Commissioner candidate Jon W. Halvorson

will speak and answer questions at a YELM TOWN HALL MEETING

at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2007

at Gordons Grange, 308 East Yelm Ave.

Former Lacey Mayor Halvorson has been a resident of the Thurston County 2nd Commissioner District for 32 years and has been a long time community volunteer.

Jon currently Chairs the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Board and serves on the Thurston County Medic One Council.

The seat will be on the countywide ballot in the General election of November, 2008.

WON’T YOU JOIN US TO HEAR MR. HALVORSON’S VISION FOR THE COUNTY
AND SHARE YOUR VIEWS TO UPDATE HIM ON YELM’S ISSUES?

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding
Photo from City of Yelm website

Yelm City Administrator Badger responded on September 11th to my request for information about the Yelm Economic Development Committee (EDC) as follows :

Yelm EDC Committee members:

Mayor Ron Harding
Councilmember Bob Isom
Shelly Badger, City Administrator
Grant Beck, Community Development Director
Steve Ruff, Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce President
Cecelia Jenkins, Yelm Chamber Executive Director
Michael Cade, Thurston County Economic Development Council Executive
Director
Glen Cunningham, Yelm Chamber representative
Margaret Clapp, Yelm Chamber representative

2007 meeting schedule: Bi-monthly April 13, June 8, August 10, October
12, December 14. Meetings from 8-10 in the Yelm City Hall conference
room.

Meetings are staff level meetings and are not open to the public.

Ed Note: I know Mayor Harding feels he has done his best in these appointments and I applaud the service to the city by these fine people, however where is infusion of fresh new concepts and skills by others willing to serve?

My observations & comments on September 8th still stand and even more so with Ms. Badger’s response, since Mr. Cunningham works for Ms. Clapp, as does Yelm Council member John Thompson.

City Staff, Yelm Chamber Board members & the Thurston County EDC Executive all “play in the same sand box” and there is no one to ask questions, challenge, initiate ideas and expand beyond this group’s cabal [click here for Webster’s definition of cabal.].
‘Where are citizen appointments and participation from a broad cross-section of this community?

PERHAPS, AS MENTIONED TO THIS WRITER BY MR. CUNNINGHAM, THESE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WOULD YOU OFFER YOUR TALENTS TO THE COMMUNITY IF ASKED BY MAYOR HARDING?

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE?