Commission Briefs

Public defenders receive honors

Mason County commissioners recognized two county public defenders who have received the Washington Defender Association President’s Award at the April 23 commission meeting.

The award singles out the state’s best public defender, according to Mason County Chief Public Defender Peter Jones.

Rose Boughton was named this year’s recipient and Ron Sergi won the award in 2018, but was not recognized by the county at the time, Commissioner Randy Neatherlin said.

“This is pretty huge for Mason County public defense,” Jones said.

As a comparison, King County has one recipient of the award currently working for them, he said.

“For us to have two … is a really strong showing of the strength of Mason County’s public defense office,” Jones said.

Commissioners presented them with the “Green Star” award that’s given to employees for service to Mason County and commitment to excellence.

“We don’t give these out very often, Neatherlin said.

At a briefing, Neatherlin said Boughton has only been licensed since 2020 and “for an attorney with only four years’ experience, to win this award is virtually unprecedented.”

“It’s a pleasure working here,” Boughton told commissioners as she accepted the award.

“It’s been an honor serving Mason County,” Sergi said, taking his award.

Mason County officially protects Bigfoot

Mason County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution “declaring Mason County a sasquatch protection and refuge area” at the April 23 meeting after Grays Harbor County elementary school students wrote a letter to the commissioners asking for their help.

The class said Whatcom, Skamania, Clallam and Grays Harbor counties have Bigfoot protection laws.

“Will you be next to protect Bigfoot?” they asked.

Several students from Lincoln Elementary in Hoquium testified by Zoom about the sasquatch protection resolution.

“If we were to hunt Bigfoot, it would take away the population of them and make them even more endangered,” one student said.

“I love Bigfoot,” Commissioner Sharon Trask said.

Trask searched “diligently” for a sasquatch to invite to come in to the meeting to no avail, she said.

“I looked under every tree, in the bushes … everywhere, but I was not able to find them. There’s proof that we need to protect our sasquatch,” she said.

Trask read the resolution before the vote.

“WHEREAS, legend, sightings, purported recent findings, investigation, and recognition by various counties support the notion that Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot, Yeti, or Giant Hairy Ape) may exist; and, WHEREAS, if such a creature exists, it is not flourishing—given the very unusual event of being sighted and it is likely an endangered species and is subject to great harm and extinction if it continues to be unprotected; and, WHEREAS, Mason County desires that its citizens recognize the need to protect Sasquatch if it does truly exist; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners of Mason County hereby declare Mason County as a Sasquatch protection and refuge area of which all citizens of the County are asked to recognize and honor.”