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
BioSmart Research Announces Break Through Cannabinoid Isolate Formulas with Potential Health Benefits
Editor’s note: I recently received a Press Release from BioSmart Research with a Yelm address. I contacted the company and spoke with CEO Renee Searle about the business and in choosing to be based in Yelm. The following is what I learned:
Renee Searle moved to Rainier, WA in 1992. Renee saw a need for job opportunities in Yelm where her offices were located. By 2008, BioSmart employed 42 people at the airport facility. In 2008 she purchased the commercial complex at the Yelm Airport where her various businesses have flourished. The recession of 2008 brought about an abrupt reduction in staff. Renee is currently looking to expand her domestic distribution opportunities from her offices at the Yelm airport using local talent and resources.
BioSmart Research is opening a CBD dispensary on August 2 at its corporate headquarters located at the Yelm Airport on Cook Rd.
BioSmart Research is a Yelm-based CBD isolate manufacturer that specializes in pain management formulas that are totally THC-free. BioSmart makes custom formulas with Hemp extracts that are known to have health benefits for those suffering from pain, anxiety, and a host of other cannabinoid deficiencies.
BioSmart’s dispensary is on the second floor of its corporate headquarters located at 18324 Cook Rd. at the Yelm airport.
The dispensary offers 38 products including tinctures, analgesic balms, vaping supplies, and skincare products. BioSmart’s professional formulas contain 7-12 times the amount of CBD and terpenes found on most internet sites, at a fraction of the price. Biosmart’s products come with a money-back guarantee.
BioSmart’s products are distributed nationwide through doctors and health care providers but are also available to the general public because there are no psychoactive ingredients in their formulas.
The dispensary will be open from 1:00 to 5:00 daily M-F starting on August 3.
The dispensary offers free counseling and samples as well as referrals to qualified physicians who specialize in cannabinoid therapies. Discounts of 30-50% are available when purchasing from the dispensary directly.
BioSmart is looking for a lab assistant and a marketing strategist for the Thurston county area. Those interested can contact Renee directly at 360-888-2893.
A group of kayakers shares space with a pair of ducks near the Hiram M. Chittenden Ballard Locks, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, under sunny skies in Seattle. Photo: AP PhotoTed S. Warren
Today marks 45 consecutive days without any measurable precipitation
June 15 was the last day with measurable precipitation. The record dry spell length of 55 days was set in 2017. That broke the previous record of 51 consecutive dry days in 1951.
Ed. note: The dry season historically begins here after July 10th. This year, the last date of any measurable rainfall was June 15. There is no rain in the forecast for the rest of July. And August is usually the driest and hottest month.
Click here for the statistics from NOAA at Olympia’s Regional Airport.Then click in the month under View Station Data.
The sun rises over downtown Boise, Idaho, through a haze of smoke from wildfires burning throughout the West – Monday, July 26, 2021. . (Darin Credit: Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP
90 degree heat today through Saturday – Take Precautions
These days are the warmest of the year annually.
What To Do During a Heat Wave
Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Eat small meals and eat more often.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Postpone outdoor games and activities.
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
Edward Snowden: The Insecurity Industry: The greatest danger to national security has become the companies that claim to protect it, This will be the future: a world of people too busy playing with their phones to notice that someone else controls them.
Glenn Kirschner, MSNBC Opinion Columnist: The FBI didn’t investigate Brett Kavanaugh. We deserve to know why.This circus of FBI mismanagement and White House underhandedness cries out for congressional inquiry.
Applications closed June 30 for LTAC funds dissemination. Credit: City of Yelm
Yelm previously cited by State Auditor for appearances of conflict of interest, which continues
Story highlights:
+ Mayor Foster allowing the Yelm Chamber’s Executive Director Line Roy, as a member of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), to vote public funding for 2 of her own Chamber events, has at minimum, the ‘perception’ of a conflict of interest, which can be every bit as damaging as a genuine conflict of interest. The Executive Director should have recused herself from voting to send public funds for her Chamber events. She voted public money for 2 of her own projects.
+ In Business Ethics 101, that is a conflict of interest, which engenders mistrust about how public tax money is handled. Mayor Foster should have intervened to stop this. As an example, two council members previously on the Chamber Board and were required to recuse themselves from council’s action items to fund Chamber requests. Additionally, according to the RCW, Mayor Foster is required to appoint “at least two [LTAC] members who are persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received under this chapter.” He has only Line Roy who qualifies, as the other rep. should have been replacedyears ago when the non-profit dissolved in which she presented. Mayor Foster also appointed Line Roy to the Salary Commission, comprised of Yelm citizens, “to set the salaries of elected officials.” There are many fine representatives of other Yelm-based non-profits for Mr. Foster to have drawn talent, instead of Ms. Roy for both the salary commission and the LTAC group.
Avoiding an appearance of a conflict of interest is not rocket science!
+ Would you agree that to request funding of the tax dissemination committee on which one serves in representing the Chamber, to vote for the Chamber’s requests, AND accept that money from the committee for the Chamber, has crossed the lines of proper business ethics?
+ Does the fact that Line Roy did not recuse herself in this situation and is running for city council, impinge on her candidacy, where serving the public’s interest must be first and foremost, not self-interest?
+Bottom line: The Chamber have every right to request and receive funding from LTAC, however 1.) and though the Chamber’s Exec. Dir. is allowed to be on the LTAC committee, 2.) and the Exec. Dir. requested funding for her own Chamber events, 3.) yet the Exec. Dir. voted on the Chamber receiving the funds, and 4.) the Exec. Dir. received that funding for the Chamber. She should have recused herself from the vote.
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– The Washington State Auditors Office issued the Accountability Audit Report for the City of Yelm on February 19, 2013. The Assistant State Auditor responded to a “hotline referral” about an appearance of a conflict of interest on Mayor Harding’s part in May, 2010.
Harding was the then-Treasurer & President-elect of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce and Mayor of Yelm who “brought a proposal to the chamber board to purchase an electronic sign” to rent to advertisers and be placed on a city-owned easement at the corner of Killion Rd. & Yelm Ave.
– From then-Nisqually Valley News Editor/Publisher Keven Graves Op-Ed of May 21, 2010: “As mayor, Harding has the potential to knowingly or unknowingly ‘grease the skids’ for the chamber in this process.”
“I believe the ‘perception’ of a conflict of interest can be every bit as damaging as a genuine conflict of interest.”
– An excerpt of the State Auditor’s results of the City of Yelm audit are as follows: Mayor Harding should have…“bent over backwards” to prevent any and all appearances of a conflict of interest about the Chamber’s electronic reader board on city-owned land. Click here
Bottom Line
This appearance of a conflict of interest has continued with Mayor Foster. He appointed Yelm Chamber Executive Director Line Roy several years ago to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) representing 1 of 2 community non-profits. She subsequently submitted applications for LTAC funding of 2 functions the Chamber sponsored or co-sponsored, receiving $8,000 and $2,500 for the Nisqually Valley BBQ Rally and the Nisqually Valley Home and Garden Show, respectively.
Mayor Foster has the Chamber’s Executive Director on this committee who recommended funding for her organization and also vote on being a recipient of that funding, which is a genuine conflict of interest. Foster has engaged in several appearances of conflict of interest, covered here extensively the last 5 years.
As the State Auditor told Harding about his Chamber overreach, Mayor Foster also should have…“bent over backwards” to prevent any and all appearances of a conflict of interest, and ensure Line Roy recused herself when the Chamber’s applications were received and discussions and voting occurred on the Chamber as a recipient.
And that Line Roy continued to participate to vote for the Chamber to receive funding indicates she has little concept and/or regard for avoiding any and all appearances of a conflict of interest.
If Line Roy does not understand this concept, then can we expect her to practice recusing herself when conflicts of interest arise for her if elected to the Yelm City Council?
Yelm’s newly elected mayor this Autumn needs to properly overhaul this committee to restore credibility and fairness in handling LTAC funds.
Joe DePinto officially holds Yelm Mayoral kick-off
Yelm city council member Joe DePinto held a formal, mayoral campaign kick-off Saturday evening, July 24th at the Nisqually Spings Farm, Yelm. Invited guests present included members of the Nisqually Tribe, friends, family, and long-time supporters. The event was catered by Yelm’s Jerk Juicy BBQ, to the delight of all.
DePinto gave an unscripted talk with a handout about his community priorities if elected:
1. Public Safety – intends to push for 2 officers on-duty at all times,
2. Work on traffic congestion bringing together WSDOT and regional leaders,
3. Focus on Yelm’s economy, working to diversify businesses here,
4. With alot of growth on the horizon here, good planning requires the supporting infrastructure needs,
5. Reiterated his advocacy for open transparency in city government.
+ Joe DePinto is the only current council member to have never missed a city council meeting or study session.
+Editor’s note: Joe DePinto has kept his word in championing his previous campaign promises since taking elective office. He has been steadfast in transparency by constantly keeping the public informed via social media. The city needs Joe’s youth, vigor, vision and joviality. The time has come to end 2 decades of dictatorial mayors who did not communicate with their own constituents – and mayors that had an extraordinary amount of staff turn-over, where transparency was a mere slogan and not practiced.
From Joe DePinto for Mayor of Yelm:
It’s official! Check out my video announcing my campaign to become the next Mayor of Yelm. #ThisIsOURTown#ThisIsOURTime.
Our town! Our time! Joe DePinto for Mayor of Yelm!
