Soul Snatcher Productions ™ & Law Library ****************- Democracy Wall -***************

Pork Celebrates Graft, Corruption

Word has it the Pork’s underwriter (Enduris) wants to distance itself from the cesspool it signed onto. That’s unsurprising given the lawsuits the company is likely going to settle involving abuse of public employees, bad legal advice the Pork purchases at taxpayer expense, and the transparently self serving whitewash the insurance company serves up for itself and client. Add the ongoing litany of political posturing with which these geriatric Commissioners hope to confuse the public via false allegations, overreaching attempts to exert ‘authority’ over their political rival and fellow Commissioner for having the temerity to protect/inform the public, and their eagerness to delegate authority they do not have or are too tired to retain wherein they erroneously conceive the notion Commissioner Miles can be effectively converted from an equal to an ’employee’…well, you get a witches’ brew no profit based insurance company can long tolerate if it wants to stay in business.

The odds are simply too long in this instance. i.e. It hardly matters if a hypothetical driver is never ‘at fault’ if he/she habitually continues to be involved in accidents. The underwriter is going to hedge their bets by dropping that driver from its list of clients.

The septuagenarians, knowing they will look like the greedy, grasping, corrupt, bumbling, tired, uninspired, clueless, incoherent incompetents they are fully intend to try to resort to their familiar refrain of blaming the one Commissioner who has warned of the liability risk the Pork has been keen to court all along.

When ill fated Adage was the Pork’s main squeeze so recently, Washington State Supreme Court decisions that spelled out the fact ‘permits’ served as no shield against lawsuits seeking damages due to environmental, health, and property damage were handed out to the public and entered into public comment, only to be ignored. Now, with Terra Dittmer and Teresa Rebo seeking damages, similar local lawsuits resulting in large settlements, monetary penalties imposed on the Pork by the U.S. EPA (in 2007) for environmental violations (PCB’s), its incredible arrogance and ineptitude has given the big money boys pause. Like Adage, they don’t want to hang around to clean up the Pork’s mess! Unlike the Pork Commissioners, the insurance company has bright lawyers and actuaries. They can smell a losing hand from a distance…that’s their business.

The Pork Commissioners, on the other hand, aren’t putting their own money/assets at risk. They’re putting the public’s money and assets at risk. That’s the risk voters assume when electing feeble old men to public office to do the public’s business when they should be put out to pasture raising tomatoes or in a rest home. The health of these officials is failing. They do not have the vigor, acuity, or stamina to do their jobs…which is why they hand those responsibilities off to the Executive Pork Director. And now they’re contributing heavily to the campaign of yet another septuagenarian in poor health, Dick Taylor.

Jay Hupp can barely contain himself (in more ways than 1!) at public meetings, Tom Wallitner is one french fry away from a heart attack (see comment #1), and Dick Taylor can’t stay awake through a candidates’ forum.

Knowing the sh*t is about to hit the fan when the public learns the Pork’s insurance company wants to abandon ship, the Pork attorney sent a letter which contains the following excerpt in an effort to shift the blame:

A celebration of the ancient art of belly dancing w/exotic costumes, traditional to new age interpretations of the art form, fantastic choreography, and more fun by all than anyone is entitled to in one place at the same time. This 25 year old annual event continues to grow (w/2 stages) in this urban setting and be absolutely free. Vendors set up their wares with many fashionably exotic original costumes on display/for sale.

7-16-11 Belly Dancing Hiawatha Park West Seattle festival performers 1/18

2/18, 3/18, 4/18, 5/18, 6/18, 7/18, 8/18, 9/18, 10/18, 11/18,  

13/18, 14/18, 15/18a, 15/18b, 16/18, 17/18, 18/18      20+ Youtube alternatives.     7 youtube alternatives specs

Local business woman (Gale) wholeheartedly supports Jack Miles for reelection as Port of Shelton Commissioner.

Why Port of Shelton registered voters support Jack Miles for Commissioner

At a City of Shelton Commissioners meeting not so long ago, candidate (for Mayor) Dawn Pannell’s competence was openly questioned during the public comment period for her refusal to inform (when directly asked) what her position on additional incinerators (Simpson’s) in the downtown harbor area was. She demurred by claiming she couldn’t reveal that information since she was a sitting City Commissioner. She ignored the retort that Shelton’s City Commissioners are NOT judges, and all manner of legislators and those running for administrative positions, sitting or not, answer such questions every day when posed. Despite being put on notice she’d received bad legal advice regarding this issue, Ms. Pannell continues to stonewall the public when asked what her position on environmental pollution would be if elected as Shelton’s chief public safety official in City Hall–continuing to demonstrate her unsuitability for the position due to her incompetence on this fundamental principle of elective office and democratic principles.

Now it is revealed she is either too incompetent or disdainful to comply with election laws. All candidates must file with the PDC (public disclosure comission in Washington State) certain information even if they don’t solicit or receive a dime in contributions. Many triggers exist for the beginning of a 14-day threshold such as publicly announcing candidacy (which Ms. Pannell did long before actually filing), campaign spending, etc.  The final cut is the filing deadline, after which (or before) the 14 days to comply with the election laws begins–i.e. actually filing with the PDC whether you received any contributions or not.

As of this date, in the Shelton Mayoral race, only Mr. Gary Cronce (who has never held elective office, unlike Dawn Pannell) has done so. But he’s the same downtown businessman who claimed in yesterdays candidate forum (sponsored by KMAS) that he hadn’t heard of or knew nothing about BIOMASS!  How an issue that rocked the community could go unnoticed or without investigation by one of the city’s businessmen is incredible in its own right.

Question: Do we want incompetent boobs and/or scofflaws indifferent to election laws before they’re even out the gate holding office trusted to do the public’s business and in a manner favoring citizens rather than corporate special interests?  How can we trust a candidate (Pannell) whose abysmal track record has left the streets of Shelton in their current unsightly state, who won’t answer questions by voters on issues like protecting their health from dirty filthy anachronisms (e.g. Simpson), a corporation which tells others to ‘move over and let the Big Dog eat’ in 6-inch headlines announcing their record profits even a few years ago all accompanied by the dumping of Dioxin into city sewers and ultimately into Oakland Bay and Shelton harbor?…or Gary Cronce who feigns ignorance about ‘biomass’ (see video of his response at the candidates’ forum)…or worse, might actually BE ignorant/indifferent to it in his pursuit of overturning regulations in order to attract business no matter what the cost to residents and their children?

Then there’s the matter of the Pork of Shelton Commissioner race. Jack Miles and Mr. Avery are the only candidates in that race currently in compliance with campaign laws despite Mr. Dick Taylor’s recitation of holding elective office in the past. Mr. Taylor’s indifference/incompetence is understandable at 74 years of age. Whether he’s healthy enough to finish his term, were he elected, is open to doubt and one observer opined Dick was nodding off in the midst of the candidates’ forum last night. We already have a Pork dominated by geriatric incompetent commissioners in poor health that affects their judgment, delegation of power/responsibilities, and mental cohesion.

PDC reports issued to various candidates/entities for failure to comply, etc.

Nor did Mr. Taylor submit a candidate’s statement in a timely fashion, hence it will be missing from the ballot…another example of what to expect if he is elected as an addition to the other 2 geriatric incompetent Pork Commissioners?

Missing compliance with PDC requirements for Mayor of Shelton race

Shouldn’t our elected officials (Dawn Pannell) abide by the laws if they want to be the City’s chief elected administrative officer and Commissioner? Shouldn’t they respect transparency in government when voters seek to know their thoughts about potentially harmful/polluting industrial permit requests? Tracy Moore was the only Mayoral candidate to give a reasonably decent account of herself when it came to protecting citizens from industrial blight, Dioxin, and destruction of residents’ quality of life.

Conclusion:  3 weak candidates are running for the Mayor spot in Shelton, Dawn Pannell (a sitting commissioner presently), Gary Cronce (a downtown businessman w/no prior experience as an elected official), and Tracy Moore (24 year downtown resident w/no prior experience in political office).

Dawn Pannell refuses to answer public questions as to whether she supports yet another incinerator in Shelton, incompetently relying on bad legal advice (from the City’s attorney) that she should not answer such policy questions because of the ‘appearance of fairness’ doctrine–ignoring the obvious fact she is not running to be JUDGE, but mayor…and despite all the evidence surrounding the public of all manner of candidates for elective office in the administrative and legislative branches of government (e.g. Mayor, senator, congressman, governor, etc.) taking firm positions with respect to important public policy issues. Dawn Pannell used the same dodge when asked about environmental public safety at the KMAS sponsored candidates forum. Given the Mayor is the City’s chief elected public safety official, her stonewalling the public on this point is offensive and indicative voters should refuse to support her since she will not voice support for residents on this vital point. It’s elementary: The time to ask a candidate’s views/position is BEFORE they’re elected, NOT after! No answer?–No vote.

Gary Cronce would seem to take an extreme libertarian perspective when it comes to regulations: The less, the better. Perhaps NONE would be best of all according to his manifesto. While such seductive arguments might appeal to builders such as Mr. Cronce, it fails to address environmental issues affecting the community and our children’s health. When asked as to his views about supporting biomass based industry in Shelton (during the candidates forum), Gary retorted, “Biomass? What’s that?”, then promptly proceeded to hand the microphone to Tracy Moore.

If Mr. Cronce, having been a downtown businessman during one of the most heated and contentious debates (Adage) to confront the community in this century feigns/demonstrates ignorance on the issue, he’s either been living under a rock or is stonewalling the community before even holding elective office. Both possibilities should serve to preclude him from office despite his superior air of confidence and personal affability. Mr. Cronce has been an ardent supporter, historically, of virtually all of County Commissioner Tim Sheldon’s positions, including biomass in Mason County…despite all the historically well documented evidence of egregious misconduct on the part of the Simpson corporation(s). It would seem Gary subscribes to the notion “God helps those whom God has already helped.” If you like the industrial blight past City administrations and Simpson have brought you, then Gary’s your man.

Tracy Moore is perhaps the ‘squishiest’ of the 3 candidates for Mayor. When interviewed (by phone), she was clueless as to what branch of the government a City Commissioner belongs. Given Dawn Pannell’s ill conceived notions of refusing to reveal her opinions on public policies surrounding the Mayor’s office, such ignorance of fundamental government structure is unacceptable. A more recent interview (of her husband) revealed a waffling on whether Ms. Moore would leave her existing employment to dedicate herself full-time (if elected) to her duties as Mayor.

With respect to environmental pollution and public health/safety, Ms. Moore appeared ill informed and incredulous that a company such as Simpson would deliberately flush Dioxin into the City’s sewage treatment plant (during the 80’s) and thereby into its harbor/bay where it remains to this day at levels around 902ppt, asking “Well, they’re not STILL doing that, are they?”  That is the wrong question to be asking about a company (Simpson) who seeks to renew their permit to continue their dirty filthy anachronistic downtown operations and industrial blight…even seeking to ADD to the filth by requesting permission to build yet another incinerator in our midst.

Voters have a hard choice to make between indifference, ignorance, and incompetence. It’s like the 3 stooges are running for Mayor. Shelton deserves better.

Coming soon...to a primary ballot near you!

Pork Commissioners Jay Hupp and Tom Wallitner, along with Pork Executive Director John Dobson, have attempted to create a straw-man in their effort to confuse and divide the community with false innuendos such as antipathy toward support for a non-proprietary County Fair, ‘victimization’ of the Hansens, violation of RCW 42.23, improper use of Pork facilities, improper demeanor/deportment, assisting at least 1 Pork employee in filing a whistle blower complaint, improperly aiding that employee in seeking statutory whistle blower protection, aiding the public by disclosure to it of business, discussions, and minutes from closed door sessions the Pork claims as ‘confidential’ despite having no valid statutory claim to the same.

Pork Commissioners Hupp & Wallitner, Director Dobson glower at Chris Brotche'

Chris chastises Hupp for corruption, malfeasance, arrogance, ennui, hostility

Pork Attorney cynically calculates his fees (less service+bad advice=fatter paycheck)

The litany of Pork misconduct leading to the recall petition against Jay Hupp was and continues to be legion. Mr. Hupp is currently the most despised and hated elected official in Mason County. The depth of rancor the community holds for the Pork Chair (Hupp) is so transparent it has become visibly apparent as tension at Commissioner meetings between Jack Miles and Hupp inasmuch as Jack has refused to follow Hupp’s marching orders when they put the community at risk or effectively disenfranchise the public. For his part, Hupp has openly admitted he is there to serve business special interests, not the public. That is, in fact, what Jay Hupp’s own company sells as a service (access, shortcuts, eliminating/finessing ‘red tape’/regulations) to those companies that purchase it. His opportunities for graft, corruption, perverting democratic principles, favoritism, nepotism, and cronyism are greatly amplified by his current position as Pork Chair & Commissioner. The most recent Adage example was classic, vintage Huppsterism

Pork Chair Hupp scowls at Mr. Watson

Citizen seeks information from the Pork

Today, the abuse of the Pork Commissioners’ position can be seen in such forms as indulging the hand wringing hysterics of Rachel Hansen at public Pork meetings, deliberate unnecessary delay of fulfilling PDR requests for audio recordings of those meetings, interference with the exercise of making public comment during the designated times to do so, greasy disingenuous crocodile tears supporting the Hansens’ histrionics, the unlawful retaliatory firing of a exemplary port employee (Teresa Rebo) who had the courage to report to the Commissioners what she genuinely, in good faith, believed (and arguably was) to be misconduct on the part of Pork Executive Director John Dobson…the list goes on, but that’s the well established pattern. It’s all cut from the same warp & weave.

Pork Commissioners introduce motion effectively attacking Miles w/o notice

Hupp introduces, passes motion to deny Miles access after 4:30pm M-F

A community activist, Tom Davis, had his vehicle vandalized (tires deflated) while attending a Pork meeting. Mr. Davis was too much of a gentleman to reveal the name of the man he caught in the act. What is known is Al Frey, the Pork maintenance supervisor, parked one of its dump trucks in front of a political sign (violating the owner’s 1st Amendment rights) blocking any view of the sign located on private property. The sign was promoting certain ballot initiatives directed at the Pork including diminishing the terms of office for its Commissioners. Mr. Frey admitted he had blocked the sign because he felt it was ‘hurtful’ to the Commissioners’ feelings! Yet this is the same erstwhile boyfriend of Teresa Rebo who refused to come to her aid when she was attacked by Pork officials and ultimately unlawfully terminated in retaliation for her whistle blower complaint.

Ms. Hansen launches her tirade against the 'ungrateful' citizens of Mason County

Rachel warms to her script, recriminations

Ms Hansen expresses her 'disappointment' in the community

Pork Director Dobson nods in approval of Rachel's performance

Tom is visibly moved by Rachel's aria

Delicate phone abuser & giver of obscene gestures speaks of wounded feelings

Rachel throws herself rather than child under the bus on this occasion, blames community

Rachel tears up, flees podium & room in distress. Hupp praises her performance.

The following audio link contains the Pork Commissioners discussion (in his absence) of how to bar Jack Miles from accessing the facilities, testimony by a staffer describing Jack’s insistence on staying late to perform his duties, Chris Brotche’s articulate chastisement of the Pork, and Rachel Hansen’s (about 23 minutes in) demonizing (comparing it to a ‘rabid dog’) the community which volunteered so much hard work toward the Hansen’s proprietary enterprise. 

7-19-11 Rachel Hansen aria calls community ‘Rabid Dog’ – 23 minutes in 

Chris unsuccessfully attempts to mollify the inconsolable (always) Rachel Hansen

Al excused himself, arguing he was close to retirement. He was recognized/applauded by Pork Chair Hupp and Commissioner Wallitner for having been an outstanding employee at one meeting held during this time just as Teresa Rebo had been a year earlier.

Mason County's reporter for The Journal w/her dog outside the Pork bldg

Al, Dick, & John huddle outside after the Pork meeting

John mugs for the camera in typical Hansen fashion as Dick Taylor looks on

An embarrassed Dick Taylor tries to distance himself from his supporter

Perhaps feeling insecure in this snake pit despite the accolades, Al exclaimed during a later phone call with Pork Director John Dobson during their discussion of the ‘whitewash‘ so called ‘investigatory’ draft report acquired through the Pork’s insurance company, “You threw me under the bus you son-of-a-bitch!”  Pork Director Dobson reassured Al that he could/would have the report modified and, in fact, could modify it to say anything he chose. Mr. Dobson was unaware the conversation was on speaker phone and his remarks overheard.

$22 ticket for the fair?...you've GOT to be kidding??

At the 7-19-11 Pork meeting, Rachel Hansen took the podium to deliver a tearful, hysterical disparagement of her neighbors and local residents as ingrates for not fully appreciating her efforts to lease the Pork fairgrounds and host the fair event.  Despite baring her emotional ‘wounds/scars’ for all to see, this is the same ‘sensitive’/’delicate’ woman who later admitted abusing Teresa Rebo at the Pork during a phone call telling her, “I think you know who this is you lowlife piece of sh*t!”  The Pork Commissioners did nothing to protect the public employee when advised of this abuse, rewarding the Hansens, instead, with a contract to lease the fairgrounds property.

Rachel, after being asked if she’d uttered the abuse and admitting it in the presence of a small gathering outside the Pork meeting, then yelled the exact same obscenity at the photojournalist following up by flipping off the camera…this despite public comment by the same photojournalist explaining the rights of those taking pictures and recording the proceedings at these public events in a public venue only minutes earlier.

Photographers’ Rights

The remarks delineating 1st Amendment guarantees were compelled by Ms. Hansen’s shameless use of her small child to hide behind and attempt to manipulate coverage during the meeting, prompting a journalist to mutter, “Then leave the kid at home,” when Ms. Hansen tried to disrupt the meeting by exclaiming taking pictures of attendees was ‘inappropriate’ when a child was present. She loudly continued her objections later, after & outside the meeting, until confronted (again) with being informed she had no lawful right to insist on such demands in a public venue, that it was contrary to what had been acknowledged for years at the Pork, and she should be ashamed of using her young child as a shield to try to manipulate the proceedings while unabashedly USING her child in a vain attempt to garner sympathy. Rachel knew photos and video were taken at these meetings but deliberately brought her small child for just the purpose cited here. This particular drama queen/attention whore has a history of such histrionics familiar to those who know her best. It’s likely Pork Director Dobson foolishly considered harnessing this dysfunctional characteristic for his own purposes when he decided to enlist the Hansens in his cause.

Chris Brotche’ can be seen in one photo attempting to mollify the inconsolable (always!) Rachel Hansen after the Pork Meeting. The audio of Rachel’s tearful antipathy toward Mason County residents will be posted here when it becomes available, so check back. The ‘savior’ of the Mason County Fair wants undying gratitude on the one hand while characterizing the community as unmitigated ingrates on the other. The Hansens also want a substantial profit which Pork Director Dobson has admittedly committed himself to making an eventuality regardless of whether it passes the public’s sniff test. He argues it’s a ‘good deal’ for the Pork. But it’s an even better deal, given the length and terms of the lease, for the Hansens without factoring in sweeteners surrounding the fair itself.

Finally, in a brazen attempt to sweep aside any introspection or critical analysis of the bargain struck by pal, John Dobson, the Hansens’ ‘friends/family’ (Arthur L. Tozier) called to bully, coerce, intimidate, and harass for the purpose of censoring this publication and its editorial policies regarding that described above…a continuation of the Pork’s efforts to chill 1st Amendment coverage of its corruption and hostility to public inquiry intended to control those instruments of government citizens created to serve the people! E-mail responding to Mr. Tozier’s naked attempt to personally bully/pressure this photojournalist for having the temerity to report all the facts without apology follows:

TO: Arthur L. Tozier, Jr. (360)426-4373/(360)490-6766 401 W. Bourgault Rd. Shelton, WA. 98584

RE: Your personal phone call to my home attacking my rights as a photojournalist

Mr. Tozier,

With respect to the Hansens (John & Rachel) who you invoked as your purpose in calling, I have known you, your brother, and family going back as far as the late 70’s. I recall when your store was quite small and didn’t sell much beyond hardware as I shopped for horseshoes, farrier tools, and nails to shoe my horses. We’ve had cordial relations over the years. On numerous occasions unknown to you, I’ve argued in defense of your private property rights and against them being attenuated with excessive County bureaucracy and regulations diminishing the same. I’ve counted you as a patriot and committed farmer.

Your recent impertinent phone call attacking my fundamental liberty interests as a photojournalist, demands to know my income level from my work, and ultimatum drawing on the strength of the length of our acquaintance was disappointing.

I have taken photos of the Hansens at public Port of Shelton meetings (along with other attendees) over their objections. I have not ‘followed’ them anywhere or ‘harassed’ them. In fact, in every instance, THEY have approached/confronted me. You can find some of the photos I’ve taken (including theirs) at:

https://amicuscuria.com/wordpress/?p=2215 

as well as a video clip taken (in addition to snapshots) at the Port meeting at issue.  

You may note strong words directed at Commissioner Jay Hupp toward the tail end of that clip which can be found at:

Audio w/Rachel objecting to photos vs. photojournalist rights proclamation

Mr. Tozier, you may consider those words, at this point, directed at you along with any other citizen who attempts to intimidate, bully, challenge, or prevent the full and open exercise of those rights listed in both our State and the federal Constitution, especially the ones included in the 1st Amendment. 

It’s been said a reporter has no friends. I’ve been threatened, harassed, beaten, bullied, and even arrested for exercising my 1st Amendment rights in as lawful a manner as ever there was. It’s a right worth fighting for. I may be an old man now, but I’m still willing to defend those Constitutional rights and the principles upon which this nation was founded.

You were unwilling to engage in any kind of meaningful dialogue. Your call itself was ‘harassing’ (and intended as such) including personal remarks, impertinence, demands I not refer to you by your 1st name (no problem), and references to a ‘family’ relationship with the Hansens others in your immediate family deny. I need not seek your permission or any other person’s for taking photos in/from a public place–INCLUDING whether those photos contain children or not! I need not offer an explanation of my purpose for doing so either. And, when I feel the photos are newsworthy or of cultural/artistic interest, I *WILL* publish them, hands down, period. Thinly veiled references to the Mason County Sheriff and ‘taking pictures of children’ or the sign advertising my paralegal business will avail neither you, nor the Hansens, or anyone else anything. 

Your insulting remarks questioning my income and the legitimacy of how I structure my time was also counterproductive. Not to put too fine a point on it, but your business benefits far more from our patronage than vice versa. It always has, since the 70’s. Frankly, I’m surprised you, having experienced official failure to respect your liberties and rights, would ignore mine in such a cavalier manner.  

So be it. It is what it is. You’ve hoisted your colors, and I don’t recognize them as American. That’s a shame as I’d always previously considered you one of my countrymen. This captain’s flag consists of the stars & stripes along with the laws and principles for which it stands. Your questioning my Viet Nam era bonafides was incredibly cheeky and personal. It’s evident you know little about me and my motives. Rest assured they are resolute. The best demonstration of patriotism is respecting and abiding by this nation’s laws. I recommend you give the same your best effort. Begin by taking the time to read the Constitution (the Declaration of Independence is equally inspiring), grasp it, understand it, and put it into practice. If we don’t exercise our rights, we WILL lose them!

ps:  The Hansens would appear to be adults and in slight need of your paternalistic interference. I’m supposing they can speak for themselves, unless they’ve hired you to be their attorney? If so, please provide me your bar #. You may, of course, pick your own friends, as will I.  The Hansens aren’t among them…and for good reasons, some of which you may find on the blog [here] I referenced above. I will be posting further developments as they occur and according to what I feel is of interest to the public. I will not hand over editorial control to you or any other…bank on it.

"I may not agree w/what you say, sir, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it!" -Evelyn Beatrice Hall-

Robber Barons’ Chosen Candidate & Chart of Contributions to their surrogate

Dassie rats are squirrel-like in appearance. Their tails are hairy, but not bushy whereas the soles of their feet are distinctly bare and have pads. Their heads are noticeably flattened. The overall coloration can be a range of browns, greys, or almost black. The nose is yellowish and tends to stand out. They have no underfur. The teats are located on the sides of the torso, which allows the young to feed from the side when crammed in a narrow rock crevice.

Dassie rats are restricted to rocky outcrops in Namibia, parts of Angola and northwest South Africa. They are famous for being able to squeeze into extremely narrow crevices. This is accomplished due to their flattened skulls and flexible ribs.

Dassie rats feed primarily on grassy parts, but will sometimes eat fruits, seeds, and leaves. They have high crowned and rooted cheek teeth. Females give birth to a pair of offspring just once a year; an unusually slow reproductive rate among rodents.

Dassie rats are the only remaining members of a once diverse family that first appeared in the Oligocene of Africa. Both morphological and molecular studies suggest the closest living relatives to the dassie rats are the African cane rats in the family Thryonomyidae. These two families along with related fossil families such as Phiomyidae represented an important early radiation of rodents in Africa.

So WHAT is one (or appears to be) doing in our Vance Creek area woodshed after being caught and killed by our minature Dachshunds?  They’re supposed to be happily rock dwelling in southern Africa.  Could this body be evidence of illegal importation of alien species by local pet smugglers? Will the Vance Creek area now be overrun by an alien animal species potentially disrupting its ecological balance if an investigation and remedial measures aren’t launched?  Are they good to eat? (It was fairly large.) Do they carry diseases dangerous to residents? How did it get here? What is it? Is it, in fact, a Dassie Rat? It certainly looks like one:

UPDATE: The body was taken to the County extension agent and identified, not as an exotic alien species, but as a PACKRAT. We are well within the normal range of these animals. Maybe now we’ll locate some missing knickknacks. The creatures are part of a group known as ‘wood rats’ which are part of an even larger group known as rodents which comprise 48% of all mammalian species.

Itinerant Dassie Rat far from home?

Postmortem shots of mysterious rodent eliminated from the gene pool by guardian Dachshunds:

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Shelton, WA — In the midst of a smear campaign launched against one of the best friends the community has had in an elected official (Jack Miles) for years, it has come to light the robber barons in Mason County have far more to answer for than 20 year old traffic tickets and barking dogs. For anybody who reads the articles posted here discussing the high levels of pollution and lung disease in our community, it is well known Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor are egregious hotbeds of Dioxin contamination exceeding 902 ppt in some samples as the proximity to Simpson’s downtown operations increased.

Before Gordon Lance, a qualified expert engineer at ORCAA was contacted, the following alarming information was gleaned from a report by Tom Callis of the Daily Peninsula News:

Port Angeles Dioxin level high, just “Don’t Eat The Dirt”, says Dr. Tom Locke, after study by Ecology Department

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles, with its long history of mills, appears to have a higher level of dioxin in its soil than most communities, according to the state Department of Ecology. 

Yet, residents should not worry, said Dr. Tom Locke, health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties. 

“As long as people don’t eat the dirt, the dirt is not dangerous to them,” he said.

A recently released study by Ecology traced the sources of dioxin, a carcinogen, in 85 samples taken in Port Angeles in fall 2008. The purpose was to determine how much of the contaminate may be the responsibility of Rayonier Inc. 

Ecology is requiring Rayonier to clean up its former Port Angeles mill site. 

The study traced the chemical to several sources, including chimneys, pesticides and hog fuel boilers used by mills, including Rayonier. 

Forty of the 85 samples exceeded the cleanup level of 11 parts per trillion, an amount higher than levels found in other cities where similar studies have been done, said Connie Groven, environmental engineer with Ecology. 

The dioxin produced by hog fuel boilers turned out to be a large contributor to those levels. Once taken away, the samples exceeding the cleanup level drop to 12 and resemble results found in other studies, Groven said. 

Yet though these numbers (12ppt vs. 902ppt) are fly specks compared to the mountain of Dioxin contamination in/around Simpson’s Shelton operations, NO CLEANUP IS PLANNED for Shelton harbor and vicinity according to Washington’s Dept. of Ecology at a local information meeting held several months ago in a bald attempt to greenwash the shellfish being grown for consumption in this most toxic of filth…due primarily to the deliberate acts of a dirty filthy anachronism (i.e. Simpson) over the decades. Moving over and ‘LETTING THE BIG DOG EAT’ to gain record profits was purchased at enormous cost to taxpayers, the community’s health, our children, and the environment. The ROBBER BARONS of Mason County engaged in shocking/criminal indifference to the welfare of the community, delineated as follows:

(“Natural Resources?…in Washington State? Are you kidding? There’s plenty of resources in Washington State…if we could just get our hands on them!” -Jay Hupp- circa 2005/2006)

(“There was a problem in Mason County due to the height restrictions ordinances prohibiting the kinds of BioMass incinerators in Pacific County. So I got together with Tim [Sheldon] and we changed all that.” -Jay Hupp- at a gathering of fellow Robber Barons circa 2005/2006)

ORCAA’s Gordon Lance revealed, according to 2 Government reports, the *source* of the mountain of Dioxin contamination in Shelton Harbor and at least 2 local landfills–Simpson!  How?  Simpson flushed the Dioxin contaminated ash from the bag house of their hog fuel boiler into Shelton’s sewers and on to the sewage treatment plant (STP). This all ended up in Oakland Bay and Shelton Harbor except for what the company trucked to 2 local landfills in the County (one near Matlock) hardly designed to contain or dispose of such a potently deadly poison.

Has anything been done to hold this filthy company responsible for it’s crime against the community and environment?  Imagine what kind of criminal charges would be brought against an ordinary citizen dumping something comparably more innocuous, gasoline for instance, into the city’s sewer system? It’s not like the Robber Barons didn’t KNOW Dioxin was highly poisonous. But it was conveniently profitable to callously dump this deadly filth into the community given no penalties or adequate enforcement of public health & safety was ever imposed on the Big Dog.

WA Dept of Ecology report of where Simpson disposed of/buried the bodies

Simpson’s Weapons of Mass Destruction–National Study/Analysis

National Report: The Enemy within, its Allies, and how it kills 

Although Dr. Tom Locke (ibid) would have you believe Dioxin is harmless because it’s in the dirt and we don’t eat dirt, he ignores the fact Dioxin is bio-accumulative (concentrates as it goes up the food chain), and people DO ‘eat’/breathe dirt (dust) constantly–from thumb sucking toddlers to vegetarians. In fact, today’s humans have an average of 50x times more dioxin contamination in our bodies than our ancestors…more in a mother’s breast milk than would be allowed by law in dairy cattle milk for sale!  This smacks of arguing the cadmium in certain batteries is harmless unless you eat batteries. But we’ve known since the days of the Romans persistent poisons such as lead (etc.) can harm us even if we don’t eat aqueducts. Substances like lead, mercury, furans, dioxins, cadmium, mercury, et al are especially dangerous. That’s why we have specially designated dumps designed to handle such disproportionately dangerous poisons. It’s a bit like saying an unsecured loaded firearm won’t harm your toddler if he/she doesn’t eat it. Dr. Tom Locke’s lack of critical reasoning demonstrates he can’t be trusted with the responsibility of a public health officer and protecting the public from diseases resulting from exposure to toxins released into the environment.

Pork Commissioner Jay Hupp lusting after natural resources:

Ever wanted to join Dorothy and Toto in a trip to OZ, the magical Emerald City full of cultural amenities, colorful events, Seattle Center, street musicians/artists, free downtown bus service (sometimes with standing room only), businesses of every stripe, and an international district with memorable restaurants?

Land of OZ

Although you may live in God’s own paradise here on the Olympic Peninsula, sin is now a little closer for as little as 4 bits (each way) for seniors (including your bicycle, if you’ve got one) plus 1/2 fare on the Washington State Ferry Bremerton:Seattle run. This will buy you 7 hours of play time in the blue skyline w/the space needle before you turn into a pumpkin or miss the last Ferry that’ll get you back to Bremerton in time for the last Mason County Transit bus carrying passengers to Shelton.

The MTA synchronizes its Route #3 (Belfair:Brmerton) with the WA State Ferry schedule for Bremerton:Seattle. In addition, Route #3 synchronizes its schedule with Route #1 (Shelton:Belfair via Hwy 3) and Route #2 (Shelton:Belfair via Hwy 101, Hood Canal School, Union, Hwy 106, etc.).

MTA (Mason County Transit) Bus Routes & Schedules

MTA Route #1 (Shelton:Belfair via Hwy 3) schedule

MTA Route #2 (Shelton:Belfair via Hwy 101 & 106

MTA Route #3 (Belfair:Bremerton) schedule

WDOT Bremerton:Seattle Ferry schedule (summer, 2011)

Metro Route #16 (Ferry terminal:Seattle Center, etc.) schedule

NOTICE how although Metro and the Ferries run 7 days/wk; the MTA does not…but it does run Monday-Saturday, giving you 7 hours of Emerald City play time if you start and end in Shelton (route #1), else just over 3 hours if you use route #2 beginning to end. If someone can pick you up at the airport grocery/gas station, you can arrange for MTA’s route #1 bus to drop you off there on its final run and have your friend/spouse transport you to where you started using the route #2 bus that morning. Those who utilized the route #1 bus earlier in the day won’t be saddled with this limitation to return to their original spot of disembarkation.

(If anyone from the Skokomish Tribe is listening?…how about parity? i.e. fully matching/coordinated schedules for routes #1 & #2? This would allow reservation residents to have the same access to Seattle as Shelton residents.)

In either event, you’ll have to get an early start to enjoy the whole 7 hours in OZ–be prepared to board the first bus at ~7:00am with exact change for your fare.

Metro’s Route #16 bus leaves about every 20 minutes at that hour. The ferry will depart Bremerton at 8:45am (MTA having gotten you there ~15 minutes prior to that) and arrive in Seattle just before 10:00am (depending on conditions) with barely enough time to rush to the #16 bus stop in front of the terminal and catch it if you’re lucky, else you’ll have to wait 20 minutes for the next one.

If Seattle Center is your destination (5th & Broad), the last #16 bus from there that’ll get you back to the ferry terminal in time to catch the 5:30 run to Bremerton leaves 5th & Broad at ~5:00pm. It’s often standing room only at that hour. But you run the risk of the driver running late and missing the ferry to Bremerton that would get you back in time for the LAST MTA bus (route #3) that would connect you to route #1 and an arrival in Shelton @ ~8:05pm.

IMPORTANT (but little known) TIP: If it looks like the #16 driver is running late, THEY ARE IN RADIO COMMUNICATION with dispatch and the ferry terminal. Explain your plight, ASK THE DRIVER to call ahead and notify the ferry you will be a couple of minutes late (if true). The captain will likely delay the ferry’s departure for that length of time to accommodate you. It’ll beat sleeping under a bridge if you can’t afford a motel for the night or no one’s available to drive that distance to get you. After all, the whole point of taking the bus is to save the high cost of fuel, parking, and stress involved in driving.

The following pics (shot at the 2011 NW Folklife Festival @ Seattle Center) were gathered on Memorial Day weekend. This Festival has been happening annually for 40 years with no admission fee (though donations are much appreciated) and goes non-stop from 10-10 for 4 days (Friday-Monday) straight!

Enjoy…better yet, don’t miss it. According to 6-string electric fiddle virtuoso Geoffrey Castle (admits to playing there for the last 16 years), “There’s nothing else like it in the whole damn country!”  It *IS* the annual most colorful fun filled event in the Pacific Northwest, hands down, with 12 stages, hundreds of performers, street musicians, tasteful vendor booths, and tens of thousands of attendees. Be prepared to come on Friday/Monday to avoid some of the crowds which can be intense Saturday & Sunday.

Late afternoon on 7-5-11, a diesel powered motor-home exploded into flames, closing Hwy 101 along a wooded area just north of the entrance to the Port of Shelton (Sanderson Field). The damage to the vehicle was total along with a late model towed vehicle. Fire District 11 Chief Bruce Selleg stated the cause of the fire has yet to be determined but there were no injuries and the occupants escaped unharmed. He added the fuel tanks (in the forward  part of the vehicle) were not compromised by the fire. When asked for this information, one District 5 fire fighter erroneously opined federal HIPPA regulations prevented the district from answering such questions. His Chief (McKern) called to say better instructions on District Policy with respect to such general information would be provided.

Fire Dist. 4, 5, 6, 9 & 11 respond to emergency

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