RUSTON IN TRANSITION

Ruston, WA regular council meeting Monday, October 19, 2009 7:00 pm:

Jim Hedrick appointed Mayor Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Bruce Hopkins.

Another donnybrook with Dan berating a fellow council member and Town Historian/blogger Karen Pickett who dared to counter some Jobs for Justice propaganda. An arsenic laden salvo aimed at the heart of the town. As their time on the council nears its end they appear to be getting edgy as their anti Point Ruston podium will fade away and we can go back to being the Ruston I knew for 75 years.

But wait a cabal write in campaign aimed at the Mayor and a citizen running unopposed. A dedicated citizen and a dedicated Mayor devoted to working for the Town's survival. Implausible yet they, the Tacoma cabal, have dedicated tireless adherents looking to oppress the small town spirit so unique to Ruston. Plausible if you don't exercise your right to GET OUT AND VOTE. MAIL IN THAT BALLOT marked to salvage what is left of Ruston.

Agenda amended to remove Item 3 Appointing Ruston Police Sergeant Jeremy Kunkel as Chief of Police for the Town of Ruston
Arguments waged back and forth but support appeared to be unanimous for this Resolution No. 456 with the major impediment being the absence of the Mayor. The Town Attorney put the Resolution on the Agenda at the request of the Mayor without realizing the Mayor would be absent. Will be presented at the next regular council meeting Monday November 2nd and passage a foregone conclusion. Passes 5-0 as amended.

STAFF REPORTS
Don Torbet, Fire Chief
Police and Fire Departments will cooperate on handing out candy to children on Halloween at the Town Hall 5-8 pm. Coffee will be provided for adults in attendance.
Fire Department volunteers will receive swine flu shots Thursday night.
Jeremy Kunkel, Police Chief
Getting darker earlier use headlights. Anytime you use windshield wipers turn lights on.
Interviewing for a full time position.
Received grant money from Department of Justice reimbursement for training
NOF means Notice of Practice

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Terry Knapp - hoped Jeremy Kunkel would be approved tonight. Been nine months since we have had a police chief in Ruston.
Dan Wombacher - owns lot on Commercial street, need flexibility. Zoning not required by Planning Commission unless substantial impact. Can us segregation to separate out. Mayor should take care of. No subdivision, not in State regulations.
Jim Wingard - objected to Dan's report titled "Environmental Issues in the Town of Ruston" previous meeting. Felt they were over the top.
Karen Pickett- Evil message (refer to previous comment) needs to be dealt with. Has great concern. Need to research issues not promote it. Need facts.EPA has soil samples, Jobs for Justice involved, area outside plant not remediated. Has pictures on website, RUSTON HOME.BLOGSPOT, of JFJ spinning out tires creating a dust cloud then getting out and taking pictures. Pictures on Karen's site show JFJ taking pictures with car running. Need to research before meeting.
Beth Torbet - Hope for EPA to be here to address issues, prioritizing properties. Why not test Point Defiance Park not just Ruston, prioritize. Dan's comments should have been cleared with EPA before being presented to Council. Many properties are lower than standards set.

BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 1297 BUDGET ANENDMENT
Bradley motion to approve, Jane second. Passes 5-0.

Agenda Item 2 - Environmental Issues in the Town of Ruston (Albertson)
Dan - Kevin Rochlin of EPA invited Nov 2nd for Study Session to begin at 6pm. Citizens for Healthy Bay to also be here. Have heavy schedule.
. talks about thalidomide.
. person who works for company suspect.
. arsenic known carcinogen
. Independent lab found 20 time state standard
. need answers from EPA
. Rochlin bring data from past
. protect residents from known hazard
. Nothing more tonight, updates only.
. no motion
. Study Session starts at 6pm
Jane - need to put in Town newsletter
Karen - I will put in newsletter
Jim - High time EPA reaches out to community.
. Own 2 houses in Town.
. What was done in community.
. EPA has not done "due diligence"

Ordinance No. 1298 International Fire Code (first reading)
David - thought already adopted. 2006 International Fire Code adopted by State of Washington. Cannot force to submit to fire inspection without warrant.

Ordinance No. 1299 Creating a new Chapter 5.10 of the Ruston Municipal Code relating to Utility Tax Rates (first reading)
David - directive from Mayor. Electric, gas, telephone. Clear statutory requirement, fixed rate.
Jane - need to change quarterly to monthly. Money to general fund. Need to not pay tax to Tacoma. Needed in Ruston.
Dan - raising utility tax rate in Ruston to Tacoma level. Will raise to max.
Jim - need fiscal statement.
Wayne - We are doing little to control sky high budget. Need to balance budget first.
Dan - need to see fiscal statement.
Jane - easy to do. Need for budget.
Jim - Don't like new taxes with no new services.
Jane - money going into funds cannot use for fire, police. Tax needs to go into general fund to use for services.
Dan - dedicated funds, cannot use money, backwards. Should not raise taxes until need shown.
Jim - we are using utility fund for street lights.
Jane - cell phone taxes do not go into a fund.
. charge on bill goes into fund
. State law states use.
. can loan money from fund with interest.
. need to get money into general fund.
. Town deficit not that great.
Dan and Wayne - erupt with laughter.
. not a handicap burden with taxes.
Dan - meeting with David and the Mayor.
David - special tax can go into general fund.
Wayne - feels sorry for people on fixed incomes.
Jim - talk to Mayor need budget recommendations.
First reading, public comments allowed next meeting.

CLAIMS AND PAYROLL - Dan abstain, Wayne no, passes 4-1.

MAYOR'S TIME absent

COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - tapes of meeting not good quality. Cannot hear Mayor and Counsel. Defective microphones?
. speaks in support of Police Sergeant Jeremy Kunkel, doing excellent job.
Bradley - two telephone calls regarding lights at Commencement.
Jim - Use 'dark sky' maintenance
Note: Stack hill now Commencement. They sure do like to keep Ruston in the dark.
Jim - regarding Resolution 456 put behind us. I support Sergeant Kunkel but the Mayor needs to be here. Need to clean this up. Jeremy has been on force for 10 years. He is highly dedicated and appreciate job he is doing.
Dan - (on high horse) I voted to resolve issue tonight. On agenda at request of Mayor. Strenuously object to council persons remarks. Revealing private conversation harmful.
. Public comment misrepresented danger of arsenic. Her and her blog have done damage and harm to reputation of the town. Note: anger with vehemence.
. Wayne Stebner had guts to say publicly we need the Tacoma Fire Department. Citizens came to meeting showing an appalling lack of civility.
. Website (now taken down) had anonymous comment accusing Wayne Stebner of having a sexual relationship with member of Tacoma Fire Department.
Note: a blockbuster statement had not heard before. Will attempt to clarify and debunk clearing the air at next meeting.
.In deposition admitted to posting anonymous comments on her blog.
Jane - I owe Sergeant Kunkel an apology. I think Jeremy has done a wonderful job. Support him 100 percent. Want Mayor to be here.
David - my fault. I put it on agenda with Mayor absent.

ADJOURN 7:59 pm

Special note: Hearings on ASARCO and fallout went on for years. Every time a new person comes into the town things get stirred up again. If this is being done to harm private development and hurt the Town it is most appalling. If this is being done out of ignorance it is even more grievous especially from a council person who should know better. This is a byproduct of shutting out the citizen's of Ruston from commenting on BUSINESS issues. A tremendous knowledge of the town sits in the audience waiting to be heard but they choose not to listen. Ignorance is bliss the old saw goes.

NOT ONE PERSON IN RUSTON HAS EVER BEEN HARMED BY ASARCO IN THE LAST 120 YEARS. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DID STUDIES ON RUSTON AND NEARBY REIDENTS FOR YEARS. I WAS BORN IN RUSTON TWO BLOCKS FROM THE PLANT ON 51ST AND SHIRLEY AND SPENT MY FORMATIVE YEARS PLAYING IN THE SO CALLED CONTAMINATED SOIL. I AM APPROACHING 76 YEARS AND HAVE YET TO SHOW ANY ILL EFFECTS. A PREVIOUS BLOG SPOKE ABOUT A RETIRED SMELTER WORKER NEARING 100 YEARS OF AGE WHO WORKED 37 YEARS IN THE FURNACE ROOM AND IS HEALTHIER AND SMARTER THAN ONE COUNCIL MEMBER.

SO FAR WE HAVE ASPERSIONS, INNUENDO, STAGED FAKE PICTURES, ACCUSATIONS, ALL UNFOUNDED. LET'S CUT TO THE CHASE. WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS. THIS SAME COUNCIL PERSON HAS IN THE PAST REFERRED TO ASARCO AS THOSE "HIDEOUS BUILDINGS". SURPRISING AS HE IS PRIVY TO THE INNERMOST HISTORY OF ASARCO, HIS FATHER-IN-LAW HAVING RETIRED FROM THE SMELTER.

TO GET TO THE TRUTH ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENTS AND NOT ONE-SIDED DIATRIBES. THIS TOWN IS UNDER ATTACK AND THE CITIZENS MUST RISE TO ITS DEFENSE.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Karen Carlisle
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki

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