Letters to the Editor

A thank you to groundskeepers

Editor, the Journal,

The Shelton Memorial Park is nice all year but it was especially nice this Memorial Day weekend.

Thank you to the groundskeepers and everyone who keeps it up.

Florence Wood, Shelton

Informative article

Editor, the Journal,

I finished reading Jan Parker’s great historical article about “Professor Loop” in the April 25th Journal.

As a kid growing up in Shelton, we knew little about him except that he was some kind of early Shelton legend and that Loop Field was named after him!

What an inspiring life he lived and in such difficult times! We owe great credit to Mrs. Reed for hiring him a school superintendent on the spot during his first visit to Shelton.

I want to thank Jan for this fascinating story of early Shelton history. In the future when I’m in town and in the vicinity of Loop Field, I know I will be reflecting and remembering how great people like Professor Loop and Mrs. Reed helped pave the way for the Shelton we all would know and love later in our lives.

Roy Skagen, Mill Creek

Editor’s note: The only limit on letters to the editor is regarding national and international politics.

Boring opinions

Editor, the Journal,

I am extremely disappointed in your newspaper. The editorial page has become very boring. Controversy is needed. You put too many limits on the editorials. Name calling was never needed but opinions never hurt anybody.

Let the people speak!

Gordon Keller, Shelton

Assessor’s math

Editor, the Journal,

Is the Assessor stealing $500 a year from you?

I was shocked by my 2024 property tax valuation. Over the last five years my valuation increased 260 percent. Consequently, for the first time in over 30 years of paying property taxes in Mason County, I appealed my 2024 valuation. In my investigation, I learned that the assessor is likely overcharging many of us by more than $500 per year. The assessor is using gross sales prices of sold properties to establish our “true and fair property values”. The gross sales price includes the cost of selling these houses such as realtor fees, excise taxes, appraisal fees, sales tax (new houses), and sales preparation costs. Zillow estimates these costs to average 15 percent of the gross sales price. Thus, the “selling cost” is $75K for a $500K house. At a current tax rate of $7.77 per thousand assessed value, the assessor is billing us an extra $580 per year for the selling costs of comparable properties. In my specific case, I learned the assessor used falsified records that overstated the size of my house and the date my house was constructed. The comparable properties used to establish my valuation were newly constructed view homes. My house is 6 years old and does not have a view. I provided six different ways to establish the valuation of my house including alternate comparable sold properties in the neighborhood that better represent my house. All facts presented were discounted by the assessor’s office and the Board of Equalization upheld the assessor’s valuation. Apparently, facts do not matter to the Assessor. I will be appealing to the state. And I will be holding the Assessor accountable the next time I vote. You should too.

Wayne Gripp, Allyn

Post office parking rules needed

Editor, the Journal,

Parking in front of Post Office

1. Stop the all-day parking for Post Office customers.

2. Stop the restaurant’s parking.

3. Post ½ hour parking signs for Post Office customers only.

Randy Parker, Shelton

Why Pride is important

Editor, the Journal,

Dear Neighbors,

Inclusion and equity are not only moral imperatives, but also, they are crucial drivers of economic development. As we head into the month of June, the City of Shelton will renew its commitment to recognize the equality of all by proclaiming June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. With this spirit of community, I invite all of you (all y’all!) to support the recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month for the City of Shelton and all of Mason County.

A community that embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive environment is more attractive to businesses, investors, and talent. Supporting equal rights for all sends a powerful message that Mason County is a welcoming place where everyone can thrive. This inclusivity enables us to attract a diverse workforce, foster innovations, and drive economic growth.

Research consistently shows that diverse and inclusive workplaces are more productive and more profitable. Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion tend to outperform their peers, experience higher employee satisfaction, and attract top talent. By supporting LGBTQ+ rights and promoting an inclusive community, we are positioning Mason County as a forward-thinking and competitive region for growth.

By championing inclusivity, we make Mason County an appealing destination for businesses who are increasingly seeking locations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Moreover, supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to social justice and equity. The Pride proclamation reflects our values as a community and helps build a positive reputation.

Simply put, inclusivity is good for business. It is essential for the well-being of the community. When all residents feel valued and respected, we are positively liberated and positively motivated to build a stronger, more cohesive community. This sense of belonging leads to greater civic engagement, volunteerism, and a vibrant local economy.

Please help our community move in the direction of inclusion, promote opportunities for all, and open up every avenue to celebrate the content of our individual characters.

Peace, Love, & Justice.

Miguel Gutierrez, Shelton

Hirschi responds

Editor, the Journal,

Subject: Response to “Advice for district critic,” dated May 30, 2024

Ms. Bourgault, for the record I soon regretted voting (along with the other four school board members) to hire Alex Apostle. Consequently, after he had been on board for six months, I resigned as I realized that the folks in Montana were right. I could also see that the four newly elected board members were going to go along with the new superintendent’s grandiose plans.

School boards have one employee – the superintendent. The board had nothing to do with the change in principals at the high school.

To underscore, I left the school board December 2015 when the cash reserve was quite healthy. Seven years later the school district started borrowing money from the County Treasurer in order to pay their monthly expenses. Now the challenge is balancing revenues and expenditures. This responsibility rests with more than the assistant superintendent. The five members of the school board and the superintendent must be held to account.

Brenda Hirschi, Shelton