Karen Carlisle has resigned effective December 1st. Karen served the Town reaching nine years on August 9th. She will be sorely missed and the knowledge of the Town which keeps the Council straight will be gone.
She would be well advised to sign a consultant contract with the Town for followup training and support for the new Clerk/Treasurer much like a former holder of that position Lorretta Prettyman did.
Karen reported she will miss the older citizens of the Town and loves her job but unfortunately can't take the nightmare anymore. The constant conflict and lack of support by Town officials has had an adverse affect on her health making this resignation necessary.
I was at the council meeting right after the CABAL took over four years ago and the harassment and intimidation started almost immediately. It started with a council person, in a very nasty manner, objecting to his correct comment put in the minutes and demanded it be changed. It was changed to falsify his statement.
Karen's job was threatened from the get go and held her position only with the backing of her Union. It is very sad that a devoted employee be subjected to this type of treatment right up to and including her last Ruston Council meeting November 16th.
They will soon discover that a treasure to the Town has been lost along with her significant knowledge of the Town's history. No more covering for the lack of past knowledge on the Council that doesn't like to listen to anyone but themselves.
Please stop by the Town Hall and wish her well. She has served this Town of Ruston diligently under very trying conditions.
Friday, November 20, 2009
MARY JOYCE
Has suffered serious injuries after a fall in her home. She was stabilized by the Ruston Volunteer Fire Department under Chief Don Torbet and is now in Tacoma General Hospital.
Mary is alert and needs all our prayers to assist in her recovery.
Mary is alert and needs all our prayers to assist in her recovery.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
ADIEU ADIEU
Ruston, WA Regular Council meeting Monday November, 16, 2009 7:00 PM
Mostly about the budget and the budget deficit reduced from $600 thousand dollars to $130 thousand dollars mostly due to coordination between Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel and Mayor Bruce Hopkins. Mayor Hopkins received many plaudits for his arduous and intense work on the budget.
Another big ticket item the last council meeting for Council Person Dan Albertson who is to be replaced immediately after vote count is verified as he was appointed to the council. Praise was forthcoming from all for his service and dedication to the Town and his high intellect. Dan at times could be controversial but no one doubted his dedication and diligence. You would be well armed to have him on your side.
Hopefully he will retain his interest in supporting the Town of Ruston and its namesake Point Ruston.
Times are changing in this small town and its future looks bright with major projects underway investing in the Town's future.
The rest was fairly mundane, this meeting starting after two study sessions:
1) METER DEPOSITS 5:30 to 6:00 PM
2) BUDGET DISCUSSION 6:00 to 7:00 PM
neither of which I attended. CDs are available at Town Hall FOIA Public Records Request required.
STAFF REPORT
Don - all firefighters inoculated against H1N1 Swine flu virus
Jeremy - on Halloween Town Hall was opened up with candy for kids coffee for adults. Fire engine was present. Their was a great turnout.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim - talked about opening up Special meetings (EPA) to allow both sides of controversial issues to be heard. Suggested a second meeting to allow all citizens, property owners in Ruston to be heard.
Sherri - Congratulations to old council. Anything new on street lights?
Edith - concerned about ever day parking. Town employees and Court attendees take up all available parking places on streets. Wants house next to Town Hall (owned by Town) to have asphalt placed on front yard to provide additional parking for Town employees.
Jeremy - Thanks to Sherri who donated teddy bears for the Town's Halloween party.
BUSINESS
Agenda item #1 - MORRISSETTE proposed amendment #1
. Congratulated Town on obtaining on receiving USDA loan in the amount of $5 million dollars.
Jim - What amount in budget?
Bruce - Haven't put in yet.
Dan - $600 thousand dollars reserve in budget. Can we borrow or use our reserve? Can we put loan proceeds in reserve fund?
Bruce - We receive loan money only when work is completed.
Jane - Need motion to amend.
Wayne - Go back to original.
passes 5-0
Agenda Item #2 - Ordinance No. 1299 - UTILITY TAX RATES (second reading)
David - Taxing electric, natural gas and telephone at maximum rate. Title 35.
Jim - Due date?
Jane -
. Adopt 1299 second reading.
. Six percent maximum allowed.
. Goes directly to general fund not to special fund.
. Not our intention to raise thousands of dollars.
. Every municipality I know of charges this rate.
Jim -
. $50 thousand dollars.
. Not enough data. Need to get credible data.
. Shortfall pays for itself.
. Bring Ruston into the 21st century.
Sideline - Jane - May respond, Bruce - strike that. Brings laughter from audience.
Note: I can't always understand my own notations so did best I could on this one. Please comment.
passes 4-1 Wayne NO.
Agenda Item #3 - Ordinance No. 1300 - AD VALOREM TAX LEVY FOR YEAR 2010 (second reading)
David - Open to public comment as this is public meeting.
Sherri - I speak for this. Takes every one's ability to raise Ruston. I support this tax.
Public comments closed.
Bradley motion to approve Ord. No. 1300 Jane second.
passes 4-1 Dan NO.
Agenda Item #4 - Ordinance No. 1301 - FIRE INSPECTIONS (second reading)
Bradley - motion to approve, Jane second.
Bradley - Unclear if this applys to home businesses?
David - Paragraph 5B Out of Home businesses exempt.
passes 4-1 Dan NO
Agenda Item #5 - Ordinance No. 1302 - RESIDENTIAL UTILITY DEPOSITS AMENDMENT - (second reading)
Motion to table this item, second.
passes 4-1 Jane NO
Agenda Item #6 - 2010 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Bruce -
. This is a followup for those not attending Special Session.
. Any input from the Council?
Wayne - You have done a great job.
Jim - Can we make changes?
Bruce -
. Not right now. Make changes on soft copy.
. Budget pressure right now Utility Tax deposit $75 to $90 thousand dollar shortfall.
. We have made tremendous strides most cuts from Police Department.
. Hope is that Point Ruston will contribute in future years.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL passes 5-0 Dan abstain
MAYOR'S TIME
. Last council meeting we had DARK SKY in mind.
. One in place corner Commercial street and Baltimore street.
. Boggling! Couldn't believe it.
Note: Looks like a medieval armor mask. Ugly. Totally unnecessary as previous light was adequate and provided for safe streets. Another run up the cost on Point Ruston $1 thousand dollars to $11 hundred dollars per pole. Muggers and burglars, car prowlers will love this. So much for SAFE STREETS.
Bruce -
. Notified Electrical Engineering to install new lights.
. Will use down Winnifred street.
. Jane - Light shines down not up.
. Talk with Mr. Cohen Thursday not good salesman.
Note: Already spends twice as much in Ruston as Tacoma and never satisfied. Why are the original lights NO PROBLEM in Tacoma? Something sinister going on here.
Bruce - No brainer.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - Nothing at this time.
Bradley -
. Thanks to Mayor and people who ran safe and sane campaign.
. No street signs.
. Thanks for service to Dan and Wayne (outgoing council members).
Jim -
. Officer Lawless honored.
. Thanks Karen for budget document bringing us to a more professional budget discussion.
. Thanks Mayor Hopkins for time invested in budget.
. CEPA timeline for appeals on Ruston side of Point Ruston has expired.
. Thanks council person Dan Albertson for his services to the Town.
. Wants to put past clashes behind them.
. Praises Dan's intellect as very good.
. Wife is due May 18th. Makes joke about baby's name.
Dan -
. As Husky fans we can come together.
. Appreciate opportunity to serve.
. I gave my best effort. Said exactly what I thought.
. Thanked Town Maintenance workers for service. They deserved raises.
. Last Special meeting with EPA and Project Manager Kevin Rochlin:
.. What he said was disappointing.
.. Residents wanted 230 ppm not 20 ppm.
.. People lobbied not true.
.. Rejected Seattle lab data.
.. Hopes next council stays on top of this.
.. Longtime residents not sufficient proof of overall risk.
.. Tempted to end my final night with:
... Nixon quote "You won't have me to kick around anymore"
... But decided on Martin Luther King's "Free at last".
. Thanks Council member Wayne Stebner for sticking to unpopular causes.
. Thanks Council person Jim Hedrick. No personal disagreements. He works hard.
. I leave with good thoughts.
Jane -
. Thanks people who voted for me.
. Want to contribute to Town.
. Thanks Dan and Wayne for their service.
. Thanks volunteers for helping us through tough times.
. Missed last meeting because of Hotel fire. Had to flee in my slippers and pajamas.
. Congratulations to newly appointed Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel.
. Thanks Mayor for arduous and tedious work on budget.
Wayne -
. Dan was appointed. His term ends this meeting.
. I was elected and have two more meetings.
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
-30-
Mostly about the budget and the budget deficit reduced from $600 thousand dollars to $130 thousand dollars mostly due to coordination between Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel and Mayor Bruce Hopkins. Mayor Hopkins received many plaudits for his arduous and intense work on the budget.
Another big ticket item the last council meeting for Council Person Dan Albertson who is to be replaced immediately after vote count is verified as he was appointed to the council. Praise was forthcoming from all for his service and dedication to the Town and his high intellect. Dan at times could be controversial but no one doubted his dedication and diligence. You would be well armed to have him on your side.
Hopefully he will retain his interest in supporting the Town of Ruston and its namesake Point Ruston.
Times are changing in this small town and its future looks bright with major projects underway investing in the Town's future.
The rest was fairly mundane, this meeting starting after two study sessions:
1) METER DEPOSITS 5:30 to 6:00 PM
2) BUDGET DISCUSSION 6:00 to 7:00 PM
neither of which I attended. CDs are available at Town Hall FOIA Public Records Request required.
STAFF REPORT
Don - all firefighters inoculated against H1N1 Swine flu virus
Jeremy - on Halloween Town Hall was opened up with candy for kids coffee for adults. Fire engine was present. Their was a great turnout.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim - talked about opening up Special meetings (EPA) to allow both sides of controversial issues to be heard. Suggested a second meeting to allow all citizens, property owners in Ruston to be heard.
Sherri - Congratulations to old council. Anything new on street lights?
Edith - concerned about ever day parking. Town employees and Court attendees take up all available parking places on streets. Wants house next to Town Hall (owned by Town) to have asphalt placed on front yard to provide additional parking for Town employees.
Jeremy - Thanks to Sherri who donated teddy bears for the Town's Halloween party.
BUSINESS
Agenda item #1 - MORRISSETTE proposed amendment #1
. Congratulated Town on obtaining on receiving USDA loan in the amount of $5 million dollars.
Jim - What amount in budget?
Bruce - Haven't put in yet.
Dan - $600 thousand dollars reserve in budget. Can we borrow or use our reserve? Can we put loan proceeds in reserve fund?
Bruce - We receive loan money only when work is completed.
Jane - Need motion to amend.
Wayne - Go back to original.
passes 5-0
Agenda Item #2 - Ordinance No. 1299 - UTILITY TAX RATES (second reading)
David - Taxing electric, natural gas and telephone at maximum rate. Title 35.
Jim - Due date?
Jane -
. Adopt 1299 second reading.
. Six percent maximum allowed.
. Goes directly to general fund not to special fund.
. Not our intention to raise thousands of dollars.
. Every municipality I know of charges this rate.
Jim -
. $50 thousand dollars.
. Not enough data. Need to get credible data.
. Shortfall pays for itself.
. Bring Ruston into the 21st century.
Sideline - Jane - May respond, Bruce - strike that. Brings laughter from audience.
Note: I can't always understand my own notations so did best I could on this one. Please comment.
passes 4-1 Wayne NO.
Agenda Item #3 - Ordinance No. 1300 - AD VALOREM TAX LEVY FOR YEAR 2010 (second reading)
David - Open to public comment as this is public meeting.
Sherri - I speak for this. Takes every one's ability to raise Ruston. I support this tax.
Public comments closed.
Bradley motion to approve Ord. No. 1300 Jane second.
passes 4-1 Dan NO.
Agenda Item #4 - Ordinance No. 1301 - FIRE INSPECTIONS (second reading)
Bradley - motion to approve, Jane second.
Bradley - Unclear if this applys to home businesses?
David - Paragraph 5B Out of Home businesses exempt.
passes 4-1 Dan NO
Agenda Item #5 - Ordinance No. 1302 - RESIDENTIAL UTILITY DEPOSITS AMENDMENT - (second reading)
Motion to table this item, second.
passes 4-1 Jane NO
Agenda Item #6 - 2010 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Bruce -
. This is a followup for those not attending Special Session.
. Any input from the Council?
Wayne - You have done a great job.
Jim - Can we make changes?
Bruce -
. Not right now. Make changes on soft copy.
. Budget pressure right now Utility Tax deposit $75 to $90 thousand dollar shortfall.
. We have made tremendous strides most cuts from Police Department.
. Hope is that Point Ruston will contribute in future years.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL passes 5-0 Dan abstain
MAYOR'S TIME
. Last council meeting we had DARK SKY in mind.
. One in place corner Commercial street and Baltimore street.
. Boggling! Couldn't believe it.
Note: Looks like a medieval armor mask. Ugly. Totally unnecessary as previous light was adequate and provided for safe streets. Another run up the cost on Point Ruston $1 thousand dollars to $11 hundred dollars per pole. Muggers and burglars, car prowlers will love this. So much for SAFE STREETS.
Bruce -
. Notified Electrical Engineering to install new lights.
. Will use down Winnifred street.
. Jane - Light shines down not up.
. Talk with Mr. Cohen Thursday not good salesman.
Note: Already spends twice as much in Ruston as Tacoma and never satisfied. Why are the original lights NO PROBLEM in Tacoma? Something sinister going on here.
Bruce - No brainer.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - Nothing at this time.
Bradley -
. Thanks to Mayor and people who ran safe and sane campaign.
. No street signs.
. Thanks for service to Dan and Wayne (outgoing council members).
Jim -
. Officer Lawless honored.
. Thanks Karen for budget document bringing us to a more professional budget discussion.
. Thanks Mayor Hopkins for time invested in budget.
. CEPA timeline for appeals on Ruston side of Point Ruston has expired.
. Thanks council person Dan Albertson for his services to the Town.
. Wants to put past clashes behind them.
. Praises Dan's intellect as very good.
. Wife is due May 18th. Makes joke about baby's name.
Dan -
. As Husky fans we can come together.
. Appreciate opportunity to serve.
. I gave my best effort. Said exactly what I thought.
. Thanked Town Maintenance workers for service. They deserved raises.
. Last Special meeting with EPA and Project Manager Kevin Rochlin:
.. What he said was disappointing.
.. Residents wanted 230 ppm not 20 ppm.
.. People lobbied not true.
.. Rejected Seattle lab data.
.. Hopes next council stays on top of this.
.. Longtime residents not sufficient proof of overall risk.
.. Tempted to end my final night with:
... Nixon quote "You won't have me to kick around anymore"
... But decided on Martin Luther King's "Free at last".
. Thanks Council member Wayne Stebner for sticking to unpopular causes.
. Thanks Council person Jim Hedrick. No personal disagreements. He works hard.
. I leave with good thoughts.
Jane -
. Thanks people who voted for me.
. Want to contribute to Town.
. Thanks Dan and Wayne for their service.
. Thanks volunteers for helping us through tough times.
. Missed last meeting because of Hotel fire. Had to flee in my slippers and pajamas.
. Congratulations to newly appointed Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel.
. Thanks Mayor for arduous and tedious work on budget.
Wayne -
. Dan was appointed. His term ends this meeting.
. I was elected and have two more meetings.
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
-30-
Friday, November 13, 2009
RUSTON TATA
Ruston regular council meeting November 2, 2009 7 pm:
Get the full skinny on Karen's blog at Ruston Meeting:
I will pass along some comments worth mentioning.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kevin - Regarding lights on Stack Hill. Lights inside still shine out. No dark sky. Need different fixtures. Need to look at.
Karen - Inappropriate place for myself and Council person Dan Albertson to air our differences. Bill Walker should not have been allowed to comment at Special meeting.
Dan - interrupts, you are OUT OF ORDER.
Karen - We need civil discourse in the Town.
Rick - Lights on Stack Hill too bright. Light pollution is serious issue.
Bruce - meeting 7:30 this morning.
Tom - Sent EMAIL to council.
Don - Two fire related ordinances need passing.
Mike Cohen - (developer stack Hill and Point Ruston) -
. Causing issues on lights in Ruston.
. Lights were approved by Town electrician.
. You have consultant.
. Have sympathy for Town of Rustons lack of staff.
. Tacoma has resources.
. We spend twice as much in Ruston for same things and still not satisfactory.
Note: Light is encouraged in other towns and cities as a safety issue, safe streets. Hard to figure these people what they want. Blackouts or further delay, increasing costs for Stack Hill. If I remember correctly the Council was happy for the new lights and the fact that Point Ruston/Stack Hill was paying for them and voted to use the same lights in the town proper. What gives here?
Remember, the previous council delayed Stack Hill two years ping ponging it back and forth between the Council, Planning Commission and Huitt-Zollars. When will Mr. Cohen's patience with the impeding efforts of the Town of Ruston run out? I will say it is overtime, past due and needs to be met head on in a court of law.
MAYOR'S TIME
. Commencement light issue.
. Unapproved lights.
. Need to put at beginning of planning stage not at the end.
. SEWERS
. Have approval on USDA loan $4.9 million dollars.
. Morrissette and Associates preparing costs.
. We have to test for arsenic when digging sewers.
. Have plan in place for what we find in dig.
. Tacoma wants new sewer agreement current expires 2013.
David - Tacoma takes over we own trunk lines.
Bruce - Point Ruston sewers owned by Ruston.
Note: I thought half of Point Ruston is in Tacoma.
. Thank you to Dan for Special meeting.
. Need to have meeting with Kevin Rochlin, EPA Project Manager, quarterly.
Note: How about a meeting with the residents and property owners in Ruston who are currently shut out of their own government.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - Praise for MO. Excellent job, proud.
Bradley - Nothing.
Jim -
. Happy with Jeremy (newly appointed Police Chief).
. USDA loan no accident, best for Town.
. Mayor expended lion's share of time worked with AWC (Association of Washington Cities).
. Bruce Hopkins is definitely the right man for the mayor's job.
Dan -
. Speed up Commencement.
. Has Point Ruston paid for our bond counsel money?
. Appearance of Kevin Rochlin, EPA.
. Not impressed by what he said.
. Goes on and on about independent lab in Seattle.
. Arsenic and lead are deadly.
. Need study in Ruston.
. People need to be very aggressive.
Note: Residents of Ruston with opposing positions not allowed to comment or testify.
So who are the people Dan refers to.
. Not enough to say "We don't know where this is coming from".
. People ingest dirt each day, every single day.
Note: yes and most have lived in the Town more than four years.
Remember WASH YOUR HANDS.
Why not have the Town spring for hand sanitizers for the Council and the Mayor. Maybe put one at the entrance too for Jobs for Justice and their adherents.
Long live Ruston and the dirt and dust which allowed me to survive healthy and strong for 75 years.
Note: CD of full meeting available in Town hall for those who want to go further than my notes. FOIA Public Records Request required
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
-30-
Get the full skinny on Karen's blog at Ruston Meeting:
I will pass along some comments worth mentioning.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kevin - Regarding lights on Stack Hill. Lights inside still shine out. No dark sky. Need different fixtures. Need to look at.
Karen - Inappropriate place for myself and Council person Dan Albertson to air our differences. Bill Walker should not have been allowed to comment at Special meeting.
Dan - interrupts, you are OUT OF ORDER.
Karen - We need civil discourse in the Town.
Rick - Lights on Stack Hill too bright. Light pollution is serious issue.
Bruce - meeting 7:30 this morning.
Tom - Sent EMAIL to council.
Don - Two fire related ordinances need passing.
Mike Cohen - (developer stack Hill and Point Ruston) -
. Causing issues on lights in Ruston.
. Lights were approved by Town electrician.
. You have consultant.
. Have sympathy for Town of Rustons lack of staff.
. Tacoma has resources.
. We spend twice as much in Ruston for same things and still not satisfactory.
Note: Light is encouraged in other towns and cities as a safety issue, safe streets. Hard to figure these people what they want. Blackouts or further delay, increasing costs for Stack Hill. If I remember correctly the Council was happy for the new lights and the fact that Point Ruston/Stack Hill was paying for them and voted to use the same lights in the town proper. What gives here?
Remember, the previous council delayed Stack Hill two years ping ponging it back and forth between the Council, Planning Commission and Huitt-Zollars. When will Mr. Cohen's patience with the impeding efforts of the Town of Ruston run out? I will say it is overtime, past due and needs to be met head on in a court of law.
MAYOR'S TIME
. Commencement light issue.
. Unapproved lights.
. Need to put at beginning of planning stage not at the end.
. SEWERS
. Have approval on USDA loan $4.9 million dollars.
. Morrissette and Associates preparing costs.
. We have to test for arsenic when digging sewers.
. Have plan in place for what we find in dig.
. Tacoma wants new sewer agreement current expires 2013.
David - Tacoma takes over we own trunk lines.
Bruce - Point Ruston sewers owned by Ruston.
Note: I thought half of Point Ruston is in Tacoma.
. Thank you to Dan for Special meeting.
. Need to have meeting with Kevin Rochlin, EPA Project Manager, quarterly.
Note: How about a meeting with the residents and property owners in Ruston who are currently shut out of their own government.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - Praise for MO. Excellent job, proud.
Bradley - Nothing.
Jim -
. Happy with Jeremy (newly appointed Police Chief).
. USDA loan no accident, best for Town.
. Mayor expended lion's share of time worked with AWC (Association of Washington Cities).
. Bruce Hopkins is definitely the right man for the mayor's job.
Dan -
. Speed up Commencement.
. Has Point Ruston paid for our bond counsel money?
. Appearance of Kevin Rochlin, EPA.
. Not impressed by what he said.
. Goes on and on about independent lab in Seattle.
. Arsenic and lead are deadly.
. Need study in Ruston.
. People need to be very aggressive.
Note: Residents of Ruston with opposing positions not allowed to comment or testify.
So who are the people Dan refers to.
. Not enough to say "We don't know where this is coming from".
. People ingest dirt each day, every single day.
Note: yes and most have lived in the Town more than four years.
Remember WASH YOUR HANDS.
Why not have the Town spring for hand sanitizers for the Council and the Mayor. Maybe put one at the entrance too for Jobs for Justice and their adherents.
Long live Ruston and the dirt and dust which allowed me to survive healthy and strong for 75 years.
Note: CD of full meeting available in Town hall for those who want to go further than my notes. FOIA Public Records Request required
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
-30-
Monday, November 9, 2009
RUSTON v. RUSTON
Part 3, Special council meeting Town of Ruston, WA Monday Nov.2, 2009 6 pm titled "Kevin Rochlin - EPA - Environmental Issues":
Rather astonishing as the ASARCO copper smelter closed in 1983 and became a superfund site. In 1993 the stack was demolished. In 2006 the site was sold to MC Construction dba POINT RUSTON. One has to wonder as to the timing 25 years later of the Tacoma Cabal dba The Town of Ruston. After exhaustive health studies with no adverse health affects discovered why bring this back to life now. One clue the two council persons primarily responsible for this juggernaut attack on Point Ruston chose not to run for office in the just completed election and will be replaced soon.
Could this be their departing salvo at the Town of Ruston itself disguised as an attack on Point Ruston and under the guise of a health epidemic? I remember attending a Citizens for a Healthy Bay meeting twenty years ago where it was disclosed arsenic had a half life but could not get a definitive date to where it would no longer have a lingering affect. These same two pro Tacoma Annexation council persons also led the effort to dismantle the Ruston Volunteer Fire Department much to the consternation of the Towns people.
Even more perplexing is why the Mayor and another council person would join in the attack on the Town. Pretty scary. One note: all are relative newcomers to the Town and may be reacting to the scare mongering techniques of Jobs for Justice and the Brotherhood of Carpenters Unions. But citizens of the Town who whole heartedly support the Town and who could provide valuable testimony to the proceedings are not allowed to testify or comment. Very peculiar, sounds like a setup to me with their minds already made up and not open to facts or contrasting view points. Very undemocratic and sadly very Ruston.
What follows is a summation of my notes although they do not contain all questions asked repetitively in order to get a different answer which was not forthcoming. Expect more of this until the new council persons are sworn in and saner minds allow two sided discussion. CD of full hour recorded meeting available at Town Hall FOIA Public Records Request required.
Wayne - as Senior council person I am in charge of this Special session and hereby pass my authority to Dan Albertson who will conduct the meeting.
Dan -
1) I understand you have a Power Point presentation how long will it take?
2) Issues I would like to see addressed:
a) Some photographic evidence outside of Point Ruston of dust clouds coming off of the property?
b) Steps taken for containment of contaminated dirt?
c) Monitoring, historical and future how accurate? Limited to Point Ruston.
Kevin -
. In 1983 ASARCO became a SUPERFUND site.
. In 1993 the STACK was demolished.
. In 2006 site was sold to MC Construction dba POINT RUSTON.
. Site and surrounding areas have been under remediation since 1987.
. Main focus has been on Ruston and North Tacoma.
. Yearly information provided. State standard for arsenic is 20 ppm (parts per million).
Dan - interrupts - Where did 20 ppm come from?
Kevin -
. 1 in 2,000 people could be affected.
. Ruston residents did not want cleanup at all.
. We look at every five years.
. Point Ruston meets EPA and Washington State standards.
. Ruston entirely cleaned up except for 3 houses where owners refused.
. EPA sampled 3,700 properties in Ruston North Tacoma cleaned up 2,300.
. Ruston Way not completed some samples contain up to 5,000 ppm.
. EPA cannot do slopes.
. Some cleanup funded with stimulus funds.
. What we do to protect public?
1- EPA is on site.
2- Dust control.
3- Temporary cap material.
4- Air monitors (3)
5- site specific action, level of contamination without adverse health.
6- Air monitors run 24 hours .02 micrograms is action level.
7- For workers 10 mcg - monitor at .05 mcg
8. Only two days from Apr 2008 to mar 2009 exceeded standard .02 mcg
9- 15 YEARS WITHOUT ADVERSE HEALTH AFFECT.
10- Other site managers - Department of Ecology, Citizens for Healthy Bay, EPA, et al.
11- Picture sent in of dust cloud was falsified. Ground contained too much water even puddles.
12- Have picture of car spinning wheels second car/person taking pictures.
13- Our sampling makes sure no re contamination occurs.
14- Our sampling ongoing long after smelter site gone.
15- Always long term problem with arsenic dust.
16- Wash hands when dirty same as swine flu.
17- What more does the Town of Ruston want?
Dan - early on all but 3 or 35 yards in Ruston not cleaned up.
Kevin - three.
Dan - Dirt in street not from yards?
Kevin - Potentially from three not cleaned up or coming from outside Ruston.
Dan - Arsenic on Point Ruston 2-300 above levels off site?
Dan - Provided testing in streets in Ruston 3-400 ppm. Dust blowing off of Point Ruston or blowing in the wind?
Kevin - Can give no credence to numbers without plan.
Dan - Lab tested 400 ppm not a guess.
Kevin -
. Will not give credence to random sample.
. ASARCO Point Ruston site not entirely cleaned up.
. We do the best job we can do on dust control.
Dan - People came down from Seattle and took samples. How much are you doing?
Kevin-
. None, cleanup is not completed.
. Sample not consistent.
. Need number of borings, value of yard.
. EPA looking for lifetime exposure.
. Random, I can not tell you where it came from or validity of.
Dan - MY SAMPLE 10 times state standard for acceptable levels of arsenic.
Kevin -
. Long standing policy of EPA to cleanup to a standard of reality.
1- 20 ppm is background number for state (non reality).
2- EPA has risk range
3- Meet first two criteria.
Dan - you have a better number than state?
Kevin - What is allowed within EPA standards is better than a standard we cannot meet.
Dan - Try to keep on Point Ruston regarding air monitors.
Kevin - Operating 99 percent of the time.
Dan - Some question as to my dust picture (hands it to Kevin). Have you seen it?
Kevin -
. Taken by people not part of site.
. Point Ruston has pictures of person taking pictures while car doing donuts in the dust.
. Sending people out to do this concerns me.
. Donut Dust picture is very suspect.
. STACK HILL I don't have authority but do anyway.
Dan - What is EPA doing to prevent re occurrence?
Kevin -
. We have license plate numbers and they have been turned over to Police.
. We are winterizing site. Hydro seeding.
. Moving as fast as I can. We use resources to water and hire temporary staff.
. I can not control other areas.
Dan - We should not have dust clouds in the streets.
Kevin - (to Dan)
. Issue is, with all due respect, there is no credence to your numbers.
. Cleanup has been going on for 15 years.
. Little evidence of contaminated dust piles.
Dan -
. Lot of dirt off of Stack Hill.
. What is your data in past, going forward of testing in streets?
. Good to see the data.
Kevin - same vehicles causing problems on top and bottom of hill.
Dan - What is your responsibility for cars. Are air monitors working?
Kevin - three monitors working.
Wayne takes over here.
Wayne - Had a meeting in 2006 and 2007 to test monitors. How far back do they go?
Kevin - 15 years back, all in operation.
Wayne - I called Department of Health and Department of Ecology. They would be doing things differently.
Kevin -
. Ecology is welcome to come in anytime they want.
. We have cleaned up to acceptable standards.
. You cannot rewrite history changing to 20 ppm instead of 230 ppm.
. All of Ruston has been remediated under current standards.
Kevin continues -
. If 20 ppm were standard we would not be anyway near cleaning up 300 square miles.
. Lower level (20 ppm) takes much longer.
. Lower level comes with higher risk standard.
. State of Washington has remediated low percentage due to 20 ppm standard relying on "warning" signs.
Wayne - Can Department of Health come in?
Kevin - Fine.
Wayne - Have alleys been cleaned?
Kevin - Dirt alleys yes, paved alleys no.
Dan - Do you have data on alleys?
Kevin - Your Town engineer has it.
Dan - When?
Kevin - Last month.
Kevin continues -
. Town Engineer has data.
. Part of our weekly meeting.
. Levels of contamination amazingly low.
Wayne - Did 100 percent of Ruston/North Tacoma require remediation?
Kevin - Not 100 percent. Further away from smelter levels went down.
Wayne - Did arsenic seep into clay?
Kevin - We had to get past hard clay to get clean back fill.
Bill Walker - (reading prepared statement/questions)
Note: Mr. Walker is currently involved in a Shoreline Permit Appeal v. Point Ruston and Town of Ruston.
. EPA's duty to protect citizens.
. EPA needs to do daily regulation.
(Hard to hear all statement/questions. Buy CD at Town Hall for complete text.)
Kevin -
. Town of Ruston no different from other sites.
. Will do whatever City Council wants.
. Town of Ruston must pay if believe it is necessary.
. Not sure what you mean (Town Council)
. We (EPA) do no oversight of people.
Adjourned 7:03 pm
NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ALLOWED. ONE OUTSPOKEN PROPONENT OF RUSTON SIDE THREATENED WITH ARREST/EXPULSION FOR TRYING TO MAKE CONTRADICTORY COMMENT COUNTERING TACOMA CABAL.
Most puzzling in the juggernaut against Point Ruston, Stack Hill and the Commencement is the Mayor, Bruce Hopkins and council person Jim Hedrick siding with the annexation twins against Ruston and condoning one sidedness. If you thought the recent election would solve the Town's "anti" development, animus problem you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Special Guest: Kevin Rochlin, Project Manager, Office of Environmental Cleanup, United States Environmental Protection Agency
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
-30-
Rather astonishing as the ASARCO copper smelter closed in 1983 and became a superfund site. In 1993 the stack was demolished. In 2006 the site was sold to MC Construction dba POINT RUSTON. One has to wonder as to the timing 25 years later of the Tacoma Cabal dba The Town of Ruston. After exhaustive health studies with no adverse health affects discovered why bring this back to life now. One clue the two council persons primarily responsible for this juggernaut attack on Point Ruston chose not to run for office in the just completed election and will be replaced soon.
Could this be their departing salvo at the Town of Ruston itself disguised as an attack on Point Ruston and under the guise of a health epidemic? I remember attending a Citizens for a Healthy Bay meeting twenty years ago where it was disclosed arsenic had a half life but could not get a definitive date to where it would no longer have a lingering affect. These same two pro Tacoma Annexation council persons also led the effort to dismantle the Ruston Volunteer Fire Department much to the consternation of the Towns people.
Even more perplexing is why the Mayor and another council person would join in the attack on the Town. Pretty scary. One note: all are relative newcomers to the Town and may be reacting to the scare mongering techniques of Jobs for Justice and the Brotherhood of Carpenters Unions. But citizens of the Town who whole heartedly support the Town and who could provide valuable testimony to the proceedings are not allowed to testify or comment. Very peculiar, sounds like a setup to me with their minds already made up and not open to facts or contrasting view points. Very undemocratic and sadly very Ruston.
What follows is a summation of my notes although they do not contain all questions asked repetitively in order to get a different answer which was not forthcoming. Expect more of this until the new council persons are sworn in and saner minds allow two sided discussion. CD of full hour recorded meeting available at Town Hall FOIA Public Records Request required.
Wayne - as Senior council person I am in charge of this Special session and hereby pass my authority to Dan Albertson who will conduct the meeting.
Dan -
1) I understand you have a Power Point presentation how long will it take?
2) Issues I would like to see addressed:
a) Some photographic evidence outside of Point Ruston of dust clouds coming off of the property?
b) Steps taken for containment of contaminated dirt?
c) Monitoring, historical and future how accurate? Limited to Point Ruston.
Kevin -
. In 1983 ASARCO became a SUPERFUND site.
. In 1993 the STACK was demolished.
. In 2006 site was sold to MC Construction dba POINT RUSTON.
. Site and surrounding areas have been under remediation since 1987.
. Main focus has been on Ruston and North Tacoma.
. Yearly information provided. State standard for arsenic is 20 ppm (parts per million).
Dan - interrupts - Where did 20 ppm come from?
Kevin -
. 1 in 2,000 people could be affected.
. Ruston residents did not want cleanup at all.
. We look at every five years.
. Point Ruston meets EPA and Washington State standards.
. Ruston entirely cleaned up except for 3 houses where owners refused.
. EPA sampled 3,700 properties in Ruston North Tacoma cleaned up 2,300.
. Ruston Way not completed some samples contain up to 5,000 ppm.
. EPA cannot do slopes.
. Some cleanup funded with stimulus funds.
. What we do to protect public?
1- EPA is on site.
2- Dust control.
3- Temporary cap material.
4- Air monitors (3)
5- site specific action, level of contamination without adverse health.
6- Air monitors run 24 hours .02 micrograms is action level.
7- For workers 10 mcg - monitor at .05 mcg
8. Only two days from Apr 2008 to mar 2009 exceeded standard .02 mcg
9- 15 YEARS WITHOUT ADVERSE HEALTH AFFECT.
10- Other site managers - Department of Ecology, Citizens for Healthy Bay, EPA, et al.
11- Picture sent in of dust cloud was falsified. Ground contained too much water even puddles.
12- Have picture of car spinning wheels second car/person taking pictures.
13- Our sampling makes sure no re contamination occurs.
14- Our sampling ongoing long after smelter site gone.
15- Always long term problem with arsenic dust.
16- Wash hands when dirty same as swine flu.
17- What more does the Town of Ruston want?
Dan - early on all but 3 or 35 yards in Ruston not cleaned up.
Kevin - three.
Dan - Dirt in street not from yards?
Kevin - Potentially from three not cleaned up or coming from outside Ruston.
Dan - Arsenic on Point Ruston 2-300 above levels off site?
Dan - Provided testing in streets in Ruston 3-400 ppm. Dust blowing off of Point Ruston or blowing in the wind?
Kevin - Can give no credence to numbers without plan.
Dan - Lab tested 400 ppm not a guess.
Kevin -
. Will not give credence to random sample.
. ASARCO Point Ruston site not entirely cleaned up.
. We do the best job we can do on dust control.
Dan - People came down from Seattle and took samples. How much are you doing?
Kevin-
. None, cleanup is not completed.
. Sample not consistent.
. Need number of borings, value of yard.
. EPA looking for lifetime exposure.
. Random, I can not tell you where it came from or validity of.
Dan - MY SAMPLE 10 times state standard for acceptable levels of arsenic.
Kevin -
. Long standing policy of EPA to cleanup to a standard of reality.
1- 20 ppm is background number for state (non reality).
2- EPA has risk range
3- Meet first two criteria.
Dan - you have a better number than state?
Kevin - What is allowed within EPA standards is better than a standard we cannot meet.
Dan - Try to keep on Point Ruston regarding air monitors.
Kevin - Operating 99 percent of the time.
Dan - Some question as to my dust picture (hands it to Kevin). Have you seen it?
Kevin -
. Taken by people not part of site.
. Point Ruston has pictures of person taking pictures while car doing donuts in the dust.
. Sending people out to do this concerns me.
. Donut Dust picture is very suspect.
. STACK HILL I don't have authority but do anyway.
Dan - What is EPA doing to prevent re occurrence?
Kevin -
. We have license plate numbers and they have been turned over to Police.
. We are winterizing site. Hydro seeding.
. Moving as fast as I can. We use resources to water and hire temporary staff.
. I can not control other areas.
Dan - We should not have dust clouds in the streets.
Kevin - (to Dan)
. Issue is, with all due respect, there is no credence to your numbers.
. Cleanup has been going on for 15 years.
. Little evidence of contaminated dust piles.
Dan -
. Lot of dirt off of Stack Hill.
. What is your data in past, going forward of testing in streets?
. Good to see the data.
Kevin - same vehicles causing problems on top and bottom of hill.
Dan - What is your responsibility for cars. Are air monitors working?
Kevin - three monitors working.
Wayne takes over here.
Wayne - Had a meeting in 2006 and 2007 to test monitors. How far back do they go?
Kevin - 15 years back, all in operation.
Wayne - I called Department of Health and Department of Ecology. They would be doing things differently.
Kevin -
. Ecology is welcome to come in anytime they want.
. We have cleaned up to acceptable standards.
. You cannot rewrite history changing to 20 ppm instead of 230 ppm.
. All of Ruston has been remediated under current standards.
Kevin continues -
. If 20 ppm were standard we would not be anyway near cleaning up 300 square miles.
. Lower level (20 ppm) takes much longer.
. Lower level comes with higher risk standard.
. State of Washington has remediated low percentage due to 20 ppm standard relying on "warning" signs.
Wayne - Can Department of Health come in?
Kevin - Fine.
Wayne - Have alleys been cleaned?
Kevin - Dirt alleys yes, paved alleys no.
Dan - Do you have data on alleys?
Kevin - Your Town engineer has it.
Dan - When?
Kevin - Last month.
Kevin continues -
. Town Engineer has data.
. Part of our weekly meeting.
. Levels of contamination amazingly low.
Wayne - Did 100 percent of Ruston/North Tacoma require remediation?
Kevin - Not 100 percent. Further away from smelter levels went down.
Wayne - Did arsenic seep into clay?
Kevin - We had to get past hard clay to get clean back fill.
Bill Walker - (reading prepared statement/questions)
Note: Mr. Walker is currently involved in a Shoreline Permit Appeal v. Point Ruston and Town of Ruston.
. EPA's duty to protect citizens.
. EPA needs to do daily regulation.
(Hard to hear all statement/questions. Buy CD at Town Hall for complete text.)
Kevin -
. Town of Ruston no different from other sites.
. Will do whatever City Council wants.
. Town of Ruston must pay if believe it is necessary.
. Not sure what you mean (Town Council)
. We (EPA) do no oversight of people.
Adjourned 7:03 pm
NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ALLOWED. ONE OUTSPOKEN PROPONENT OF RUSTON SIDE THREATENED WITH ARREST/EXPULSION FOR TRYING TO MAKE CONTRADICTORY COMMENT COUNTERING TACOMA CABAL.
Most puzzling in the juggernaut against Point Ruston, Stack Hill and the Commencement is the Mayor, Bruce Hopkins and council person Jim Hedrick siding with the annexation twins against Ruston and condoning one sidedness. If you thought the recent election would solve the Town's "anti" development, animus problem you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Special Guest: Kevin Rochlin, Project Manager, Office of Environmental Cleanup, United States Environmental Protection Agency
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
-30-
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
FRED GREER
Passed away recently. Read full obituary here.
Fred proudly served in the US Army during WWII and after an honorable discharge worked at the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) in Ruston, WA. Retiring as a Furnace Foreman in 1971.
Truly a Ruston icon. Fred died at 99 years of age.
God bless you and you leave us with the fondest of memories.
Fred proudly served in the US Army during WWII and after an honorable discharge worked at the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) in Ruston, WA. Retiring as a Furnace Foreman in 1971.
Truly a Ruston icon. Fred died at 99 years of age.
God bless you and you leave us with the fondest of memories.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
DEMAGOGUERY IN RUSTON
Ruston Special meeting November 2, 2009 6 pm cont., part two, subject:
KEVIN ROCHLIN - EPA - Environmental Issues
This meeting was pure and simple a continuation of the Tacoma cabal attacks on POINT RUSTON with adverse affects on the TOWN OF RUSTON. Why, is the unanswered question. I will attempt a line by line notes of the meeting in part three. A full tape or CD of the meeting is available at the Ruston Town Hall, public records request (FOIA) required.
Is this merely a last gasp shotgun approach to development in the Town of Ruston by outgoing council members. What I can tell you is NO COMMENTS were allowed by Ruston residents in objection to the cross examination aimed at Kevin Rochlin and the EPA. That I find rather astonishing. Answers from Kevin were accurate and precise mostly responding to repetitive questioning by Council member Dan Albertson who was not getting the answers he wanted and final gave up after half an hour and time running out on the one hour meeting to the cheers of some in the audience.
It was mostly arsenic and lead exposure that were the subject of the questioning. Not a single case of anyone being harmed by fallout from the ASARCO smelter has ever been proven. Zero, none. Lead in the soil is mostly the byproduct of many years of the use of leaded gasoline. Lead additives for older cars are still being sold. Small amounts of arsenic have been proven by studies to be beneficial. Arsenic was sprayed on apple orchards in Eastern Washington for years. A lot of money has been made off of scare mongering on this issue. The Pierce County Health Department did hair sampling on anyone who may have been affected in the in the EPA cleanup zones for five years. Nothing, zilch.
What is harmful is the fear factor being spread by opponents of POINT RUSTON and STACK HILL and the TOWN OF RUSTON. Fear, even illusory, leads to anxiety and causes heart and other health problems far greater than the residual toxic elements still existing in Ruston after the environmental yard cleanup was completed. Only three yards not reclaimed due to owner refusal. The cleanup at the smelter site is mostly completed and ongoing on Ruston Way.
One ASARCO retired employee recently reached his 100th birthday. He worked in the furnace room at the smelter for almost 40 years. I, myself, was introduced into the world at a home on the corner of 51st and Shirley, a mere two blocks from the plant and played happily in the dirt and dust during the war years when the plant operated 24/7 supporting the World War II effort in the Pacific and Europe. Over 3,500 jobs at the peak. Many retirees still live happily in the area with no ill affects from working in the copper smelter.
Almost all the main participants in the Tacoma cabal have lived in the town less than four years but apparently have come down with the hypochondria syndrome. Relax, I am nearing 76 and still play golf 2-3 times a week and take no prescriptions am in excellent health and my blood pressure rivals a younger person although attending these staged attack meetings does get me riled up. Hypocrites tend to do that. Phony fear mongering. Is it out of ignorance or contrived?
Sorry, part three will feature notes. This was a frightful experience of long ago solved issues being brought forth for no good.
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
-30-
KEVIN ROCHLIN - EPA - Environmental Issues
This meeting was pure and simple a continuation of the Tacoma cabal attacks on POINT RUSTON with adverse affects on the TOWN OF RUSTON. Why, is the unanswered question. I will attempt a line by line notes of the meeting in part three. A full tape or CD of the meeting is available at the Ruston Town Hall, public records request (FOIA) required.
Is this merely a last gasp shotgun approach to development in the Town of Ruston by outgoing council members. What I can tell you is NO COMMENTS were allowed by Ruston residents in objection to the cross examination aimed at Kevin Rochlin and the EPA. That I find rather astonishing. Answers from Kevin were accurate and precise mostly responding to repetitive questioning by Council member Dan Albertson who was not getting the answers he wanted and final gave up after half an hour and time running out on the one hour meeting to the cheers of some in the audience.
It was mostly arsenic and lead exposure that were the subject of the questioning. Not a single case of anyone being harmed by fallout from the ASARCO smelter has ever been proven. Zero, none. Lead in the soil is mostly the byproduct of many years of the use of leaded gasoline. Lead additives for older cars are still being sold. Small amounts of arsenic have been proven by studies to be beneficial. Arsenic was sprayed on apple orchards in Eastern Washington for years. A lot of money has been made off of scare mongering on this issue. The Pierce County Health Department did hair sampling on anyone who may have been affected in the in the EPA cleanup zones for five years. Nothing, zilch.
What is harmful is the fear factor being spread by opponents of POINT RUSTON and STACK HILL and the TOWN OF RUSTON. Fear, even illusory, leads to anxiety and causes heart and other health problems far greater than the residual toxic elements still existing in Ruston after the environmental yard cleanup was completed. Only three yards not reclaimed due to owner refusal. The cleanup at the smelter site is mostly completed and ongoing on Ruston Way.
One ASARCO retired employee recently reached his 100th birthday. He worked in the furnace room at the smelter for almost 40 years. I, myself, was introduced into the world at a home on the corner of 51st and Shirley, a mere two blocks from the plant and played happily in the dirt and dust during the war years when the plant operated 24/7 supporting the World War II effort in the Pacific and Europe. Over 3,500 jobs at the peak. Many retirees still live happily in the area with no ill affects from working in the copper smelter.
Almost all the main participants in the Tacoma cabal have lived in the town less than four years but apparently have come down with the hypochondria syndrome. Relax, I am nearing 76 and still play golf 2-3 times a week and take no prescriptions am in excellent health and my blood pressure rivals a younger person although attending these staged attack meetings does get me riled up. Hypocrites tend to do that. Phony fear mongering. Is it out of ignorance or contrived?
Sorry, part three will feature notes. This was a frightful experience of long ago solved issues being brought forth for no good.
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
-30-
Monday, November 2, 2009
KEVIN ROCHLIN - EPA
It was advertised: Kevin Rochlin - EPA - Environmental Issues but it was mainly the Dan and Wayne RUSTON INQUISITION. Started off with Wayne exerting his authority as senior council member to run the meeting and then passing it off to Dan.
In short, more to be added later time allocated was:
20 minutes Kevin Rochlin, EPA for PowerPoint presentation
30 minutes Dan Albertson representing the Tacoma cabal, mainly same old diatribe
10 minutes Wayne Stebner also Tacoma annexation/Fire Department expert
05 minutes Bill Walker reading prepared statement
02 minutes Jim Wingard trying to present the Ruston side, gavelled down, out of order, threatened with arrest, expulsion, but proceeded anyway.
Anyway you get the gist. This was a pre-arranged ambush of Kevin Rochlin who was more than a match for the Tacoma Boys.
Short notes:
Dan's soil samples done in Seattle lack credence.
Only three houses in Ruston not re mediated. Owners refuse.
Point Ruston arsenic level only exceeded two days in a year by .02 micro grams.
Dan/Wayne want full time inspector on site. EPA not authorized. Ruston can hire and pay for inspector full time for site.
This was a one sided fiasco for the Tacoma Boys. They came out losers on all issues.
NO COMMENTS WERE ALLOWED BY LONG TIME RUSTON RESIDENTS. NONE. How is that for open government?
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
-30-
In short, more to be added later time allocated was:
20 minutes Kevin Rochlin, EPA for PowerPoint presentation
30 minutes Dan Albertson representing the Tacoma cabal, mainly same old diatribe
10 minutes Wayne Stebner also Tacoma annexation/Fire Department expert
05 minutes Bill Walker reading prepared statement
02 minutes Jim Wingard trying to present the Ruston side, gavelled down, out of order, threatened with arrest, expulsion, but proceeded anyway.
Anyway you get the gist. This was a pre-arranged ambush of Kevin Rochlin who was more than a match for the Tacoma Boys.
Short notes:
Dan's soil samples done in Seattle lack credence.
Only three houses in Ruston not re mediated. Owners refuse.
Point Ruston arsenic level only exceeded two days in a year by .02 micro grams.
Dan/Wayne want full time inspector on site. EPA not authorized. Ruston can hire and pay for inspector full time for site.
This was a one sided fiasco for the Tacoma Boys. They came out losers on all issues.
NO COMMENTS WERE ALLOWED BY LONG TIME RUSTON RESIDENTS. NONE. How is that for open government?
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
-30-
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