Steve Klein addresses current issues impacting Yelm and vicinity and provides a meeting place for anyone with an interest in this area to provide their ideas and opinions
PVT Edwin Harold “Buddie” Vancil. Credit: Find A Grave
Marine Corps PVT Edwin Harold Vancil, 19, killed in World War II, remains unaccounted-for.
“Private Vancil was with his brothers in Charlie Company of the 2nd Tank Battalion when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
“It was November 20, 1943 (D-Day for the “Battle of Tarawa”), when young Bud – just 19 years old – perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Cemetery #17 on Betio Island – a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
“Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
“For his service and sacrifice, Bud’s family accepted the Purple Heart and Presidential Unit Citation.” Read more
Aaron Sauerhoff showing the inside of a partially completed shelter at a shop at the Port of Olympia on Feb. 25, 2021. Credit: Cody Neuenschwander, JOLT News
MSNBC’s 11th Hour with Brian Williams: McConnell would back Trump in 2024 after blaming him for riot [Ed. note: McConnell is only after one thing, abject power. He will do or say anything, and shift his stands to regain majority leadership in the Senate in 2022. Whatever it takes. Nothing else matters; not to legislate, not to build consensus in the Senate, not caring about the American public. ONLY power for himself!]
Congratulations to Councilor DePinto. This achievement is to Yelm’s benefit with Joe in city government!
From the media release:
"Joe DePinto, City Councilmember, Yelm, Washington recently received an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).
"AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for
accomplishing training in four core areas:
* Roles, responsibilities and legal requirements
* Public sector resource management
* Community planning and development
* Effective local leadership
"Those who earn the advanced certificate continue to strive for excellence by attending conferences
and trainings, serving their community, and further developing leadership skills.
"'Cities and towns around the state are continually transforming in light of changing laws and the
need to meet new challenges and opportunities,' said AWC Chief Executive Officer Peter B. King.
"Our Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership recognizes mayors and councilmembers who continue
to enhance the tools they need today to understand the legal landscape, plan for the future, manage
their resources, and foster strong relationships. The elected officials who earn this certificate
demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and a desire to bring new ideas back to their
community."
"To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, Councilmember DePinto completed more than60 hours of training credits and demonstrated community service. He is the first councilmember fromtheCity of Yelm to achieve this certification.
"Councilmember DePinto was first elected to the Yelm City Council for the 2016-2019 term and then
reelected for the 2020-2023 term. Over the years Councilmember DePinto has served on many committees
and local boards including the Yelm Public Safety Committee, Yelm Finance Committee, Yelm Public
Works Committee, Yelm Economic Development Committee, South Thurston Economic Development Initiative,
Co-Chair of the Yelm Homelessness Taskforce and as a board member of the Thurston Economic
Development Council. He has championed efforts to increase public safety, led the charge to lower
water rates and fought to increase transparency in local government.
"AWC serves its members through advocacy, education and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private,
nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's 281 cities and towns
before the state legislature,
the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. AWC also provides training, data and
publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service
Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium."
Free recycling drop off at Yelm Public Works starts March 1st.
From City Council member Joe DePinto:
“I am really excited to announce that the City of Yelm will be offering a free recycling service to folks in Yelm (and you don’t have to live inside the city limits to utilize the service). Starting next week on March 1st, you can go to Yelm’s Public Works, located at 901 NW Rhoton Rd, and drop off common recycling items such as plastic, aluminum cans and cardboard (No glass currently but for the full list look at the pic below). They will be open for drop off from Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (extended hours/days will be considered depending on demand).
“This was discussed on the Public Works Committee I sit on a few weeks ago, but officially announced [February 23] at our City Council meeting. Lemay and the City of Yelm are partnering to provide this FREE service. At no cost to the taxpayers, I am 100% behind this program which is meant to encourage waste reduction and enhance environmental sustainability.
“So if you don’t have recycling services currently, your own bin is overflowing, or you have a bunch of recyclable junk hanging around…drop it off at the Public Works recycling area starting March 1st!” #ThisIsOURTown
Yelm’s new neutral “meetup spot” where residents using online buying and trading markets can meet up to exchange goods. Yelm’s Public Safety Building exchange point has 24-hour camera surveillance with two spots reserved. Credit: Eric Rosane, Nisqually Valley News
ShakeAlert® is an earthquake early warning (EEW) system that detects significant earthquakes so quickly that alerts can reach many people before shaking arrives. ShakeAlert is not earthquake prediction, rather a ShakeAlert Message indicates that an earthquake has begun and shaking is imminent. Credit: ShakeAlert.org
From the City of Yelm:
“On Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 11 am the @waEMD and the @USGS_WA will jointly send a Wireless Emergency Alert test message to wireless devices in King, Pierce and Thurston counties. To opt in to these messages or for more information visit: https://mil.wa.gov/alerts.”