Public Safety Bldg., City Council Chambers
Photo credit: City of Yelm


– Editor’s Note:
Two public comments of note at the council session are asterisked below –
On the Fairpoint Building purchase, I say:
How can the public + Yelm voters provide comments/feedback from an educated perspective when the city has yet to disclose what this deal is going to cost? The first time this was on the council’s public agenda was last night with only one comment and the next session May 22 is when the council needs to vote before the May 30 deadline. Why a deadline, as this bldg. has been vacant for 6+ years and no one is in line battling the city to purchase? The city may win their battle in getting themselves new digs, yet again lose the war in the field of public relations and opinion due to lack of transparency raised so aptly by the comments of Mr. Mathis tonight.


* About the Fairpoint Telephone Building purchase proposal:
A public commenter brilliantly outlined to the Yelm City Council that the city demonstrated a lack of transparency about the phone building purchase proposal in not sharing this with the public previously [nor held a public forum]:
First Reading of Resolution No. 590
RE: Resolution authorizing the May or to finalize the purchase of real-estate.

This resolution was “continued” until the May 22 council agenda to allow the public to submit additional comments.
Click here


* About Nisqually Valley News reporter Andrew Kollar’s announced resignation:
During the Public Comment period on the council’s agenda, Nisqually Valley News reporter Andrew Kollar officially expressed his appreciation to the city and council by announcing this was the last time he would cover the council, as this is his last week at the newspaper. Kollar was hired in June 2017 after college at Central Washington University where he majored in public relations. Prior to that, he was a 2013 Yelm High School graduate. Kollar told the council he will be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to promote awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. He added he has no plans on his return to Yelm as of yet and hopes to be back at the NVN, though is aware things can change in 4-5 months while he will be away. He will be writing a bi-weekly column from the trail.

Kollar invited the council and city staff to join a fundraiser at the Yelm Prairie Hotel on Saturday, May 19, 5pm.

I wish Mr. Kollar well in his new adventures. He has done an excellent job in getting up to speed on so many local issues previously unfamiliar to him. Venturing away from Yelm and nearby CWU for several months to be out in Mother Nature will provide him an opportunity to contemplate without all of the distractions and to gain insights into many facets about life that will guide him in the future. This is a huge decision he has made which will be a turning point in his life and impact him for the rest of his life. Bravo! I am glad to hear he is mature enough to realize his post at the newspaper may not be available when he returns, as a new Editor is now at the helm and will want to transition with a new reporter as quickly as possible, I am certain.
Congratulations Andrew!