CASINO BONGO

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03/19/2010 DEPT 21 - JUDGE CUTHBERTSON (Rm. 2-A ) Pre-Trial Mgmt Held
Confirmed 11:00 Pretrial Conference

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04/05/2010 DEPT 21 - JUDGE CUTHBERTSON (Rm. 2-A )
Confirmed 9:00 Trial

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Attended today but pretty much "much to do about nothing". At least to the non legal eye. At 11:20 Judge Cuthbertson called David Britton, attorney for the Town of Ruston, and Joan Mell, attorney for the Point Defiance Cafe and Casino into his private chambers leaving two attorneys pleading a discrimination case standing in front of the bench.
They all emerged at 11:45 and the two lawyers departed the courtroom. So: tax retaliatory, matters of law, void, procedures, effective date all put over until Monday March 22 when Judge Cuthbertson will contact attorneys involved and notify them of trial date, bench trial or jury trial. The trial is set now for April 5th but that may be moved.
You now know what I know which amounts to nothing new.
Stay tuned and I will try to update you on Monday if information is released to public.
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p.s. Town troubles with the UNICORN SPORTS BAR are brewing and we may be in for a rerun of the CASINO debacle. What's a million here a million there when you have COMMENCEMENT money to gamble with. I'm on it and will report to the end with PRRs already submitted more to come until I get to the bottom of who is behind this one.

The UNICORN case has the potential to run into the multi millions with treble damages. The Town has a five year history of harassment at the UNICORN and subsequently lost a $200 thousand dollar lawsuit settlement to a former Police Chief who was fired for disobeying an order from the Mayor. That order was to direct his officers to commit illegal acts against the UNICORN.

Defintion for BONGO: a variety of "interface widgets." Hope that clears it all up for you.

"Very interesting" as inspector Clousseau would say. Stay tuned.
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COUNCIL MEETING March 1 ,2010

Unable to attend. Here are Karen's notes from RUSTON HOME: (click below)
Council Meeting Notes: March 1, 2010

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Engineer, Jerry Morissette
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COUNCIL MEETING 2-16-2010

Missed this one too. Losing interest. Click below:
Here ar Karen's notes on council meeting.

Just biding my time waiting for trial Point Defiance Cafe and Casino v. Town of Ruston:

03/19/2010 DEPT 21 - JUDGE CUTHBERTSON (Rm. 2-A )
Confirmed 11:00 Pretrial Conference

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04/05/2010 DEPT 21 - JUDGE CUTHBERTSON (Rm. 2-A )
Confirmed 9:00 Trial

All for now.

COUNCIL MEETING 2-1-2010 updated

Town of Ruston, WA regular council meeting February 1, 2010:

(missed meeting am getting copy (CD) of meeting but it takes several days (PRR,FOIA.)

Here is a link to Karen's blog on this meeting: RUSTON COUNCIL MEETING: FEB 1, 2010

New expose was Ruston Police entering UNICORN SPORTS BAR ending up in a full scale conflagration with eight police cars and four arrests. What the pretense was is unknown and not reported but I have filed a Public Records Request (Freedom of Information Access) and will report on all details when available. They have not replaced the PRR FOIA clerk so Town response is very slow opening themselves up for new lawsuits as the legislature has been very clear on this matter.

Some background when some previous council members ran on a NO BUSINESSES IN RUSTON plank anti business campaigns started soon after they were sworn in. A police chief was fired when he refused to order his officers to harass the UNICORN and he subsequently won a $200,000 settlement V. the Town of Ruston. There was also the BALLET CLASSES lawsuit v. THE COMMENCEMENT settled for a measly $100,000 as I recall.

Another victim of the Town's anti business campaign THE POINT DEFIANCE CAFE AND CASINO's million dollar lawsuit v. the TOWN will come up for trial April 5th after a pre-trial conference March 19th. Stay tuned for reporting on this one.

Apparently the TOWN is on a lawsuit kick and needs another one to retain their high. Money seems not to be a problem as long as it is the TOWN's money. We should rename this town LAWYERVILLE as we are providing for many retirement funds. The WITNESS EXHIBIT LIST for this new adventure will be very similar to PDC&C

Remember that old song: "When will they ever learn."

My mea culpa I thought the council would settle down to the routine and have stopped going to council meetings but it appears I made a poor supposition as things are regressing so I WILL RETURN SOON with full updates for those of you that have given up on me.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Engineer, Jerry Morissette
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ASARCO CLEANUP

Asarco: The cleanup holdouts in Ruston by ROB CARSON; Staff writer of THE NEWS TRIBUNE Sunday january 24th, 2010 Tacoma, WA.

(click here):
Asarco: The cleanup holdouts in Ruston

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SERENITY IN RUSTON

Town of Ruston, WA regular council meeting Jan. 19, 2010 at 7:07 pm:

A 35 minute session. This is quite a bit different Ruston council than the last one. Civility and equanimity are the order of the day. No more diatribes, monologues they are now a thing of the past. All is serene and a down to business attitude. Getting things done is now the main priority.
Construction will start soon on the new light poles and installation of the new sewer system. Ruston has a better than most financial status due to the sale of land to the Commencement.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS - none

STAFF
Jeremy Kunkel, Police Chief
. Read a list of violations
. Police car in accident has been fixed
. Responding to a question grants are for equipment not money.
Don Torbet, Fire Chief
.Jeremy and I attended funeral for fallen officer
. Out poring of police was impressive
. New firefighters coming on board
. Involved in protecting The Commencement
. Commencement bought Knox Box and installed it one master key
. Commencement re keyed all locks for one master key at substantial cost
. Also have elevator key. Three keys for entire building.
. National average eight minutes to respond to fire
. In Ruston one minute
. State allows one minute to change clothes
. Time is from dispatch to arrival on scene minus one minute
. Ruston is under one minute so minute not deducted
Lyle - Complements both chiefs on their uniforms
. Fire chief has five stripes Police chief three stripes on sleeve

BUSINESS
Agenda item No. 1 - Ordinance 1304 Repealing Chapter 1.12 RMC (Ruston Municipal Code)
Bradley - Don't have this, two versions.
Lyle - Numbers are incorrect
Bradley/Jim motion to approve, second
David -
. Set forth entire internal Employee policy.
. This new version repeals old, gets rid of ambiguity
Jane - If we take out of Ordinance still available to public
David - Yes. like any Resolution it is available
Lyle -
. After quick review, description of employee Internet use in there
. Everything in old in new?
David - Cannot certify.
passes 5-0
Agenda item No. 2 - Ordinance 1305 - Amending RMC 19.01.110 amd RMC 1.14.050 to provide separate fee and permit review ... (first reading)
David -
. First two versions not correct, my fault.
. I added separate enforcement provision
. Building permit, apply, no no mechanism for enforcement
. Fines, jail time not enforceable
. Cost recovery only
Bruce - $10,000 due. I am playing bill collector.
Lyle - Is this a common way of doing this?
David -
. Yes, under our statute we have jurisdiction
. Cannot put off on Superior Court
. No mechanism for enforcement
Lyle - When does this go into effect
David - When fees late they are collectible
Bruce - Using short order
Jim - No court costs. If significant we cannot recover?
David - No way. Reasonable costs only. Else considered tax.

CLAIMS AND PAYROLL - passes 5-0

MAYOR'S TIME
. Sewer lines. Jerry Morissette told me construction fees are coming on us.
. Need to look at laterals, cost, how we pay.
. BIAS in process of taking over
. Taking me three weeks with Mariah's help
. Bureaucratic maze, online checking
. Costs us $50 a month, unresponsive
. Need to take a look at new bank
. Regarding Study Session - Video Imaging
. Passionate about this, need volunteers
. Cost $66,000 can knock off $15,000
. Encourage council to consider
. Rob and planners can use
. Welcome to digital world

COUNCIL TIME
Bradley -
. JJ asked for stay Point Ruston presentation until February 1 Regular Council meeting
. Moved to Columbia Bank, they bend over backwards to help
Jim-
. In Olympia every day
. Asarco settlement $188 million dollars came through
. Money is in jeopardy to be used for other purposes
. Our legislative delegation needs to protect money or will be used for other
purposes
. Please contact your legislators and ask for funds to be used for intended purposes!
Jane -
. Ongoing saga of utility tax
. Company tracks utility taxes, Washington state the worst
. Citizen called why not on bill? Will be on in February.
Lyle -
. Need ideas for Mayoral assignment on computer systems
. Contact me by email if you can help
. Jane helped out on copier
. Several items pending

At 7:42 meeting ended for 30 minute EXECUTIVE SESSION

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
Engineer, Jerry Morissette
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PEACE AND TRANQUILITY

Ruston, WA regular council meeting January 4,2010 7 pm:

Peace and tranquility reign over the Ruston Town Council after four strife filled years. The change was immediate and provides a platform for moving ahead. Call me Mr. NICE from now on. Although I may disagree on some points that seem contradictory there is no doubt the Town is now moving forward with one voice. With the major development underway Ruston is in better shape than a lot of other towns undergoing dramatic cuts. But times are tough and the future murky for the whole country. But efforts to resolve problems rather than create them is a formula for success.

This blog is relatively unimportant now that conflicts are not the mainstay. I will post a link to Karen Pickett's RUSTONHOME here. Karen's hearing is better than mine and she records each meeting for accuracy. I try more for a play by play.

AGENDA approved 4-0 as amended.
Swearing in of mayor Bruce Hopkins and council person Jane Hunt followed by the newest council person swearing in Deborah Kristovich with a huge smile. Welcome.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Sherri - Visited Mary Joyce. She is up and walking and should be home soon.
Karen - Advocates public comments on agenda items.
JJ McCamment - LID underway in Point Ruston. Locating pipes and sewers caused month delay.

BUSINESS
Agenda item #1 STREET LIGHTING - MO FESHARAKI
. Gave presentation of costs and details of three bids.
. Tacoma Electric Supply low bidder
. Saved Town $2,300 dollars. By coincidence my cost.
. Poles $930 each Fixtures $890 each.
. Shipping costs included, damage not included. Shipped FOB.
. Fixtures stored at school, poles apart.
Jane - include tops for STACK HILL? Answer Yes.
Lyle - Security storing poles outside?
Mo - Delivery in 8-10 weeks. Contractor working on conduit.
Jane - Target time to install?
Mo - Ten weeks if approved tonight.
End of presentation.
Agenda item #2 Resolution 459 ORDER STREET LIGHTS AND POLES
Bruce - Need motion which bid to accept.
Jane - Thought Tacoma Electric saved $2,300?
Bruce -
. Intent was to give us on 47 poles, fixtures.
. Now replace 10 street lights Stack Hill.
Jane - Go with DARK SKY.
Passes 5-0.
Agenda item #3 Online Bill-pay Vendor Agreements

Jim - Why four vendors?
Bruce - Just for Utility payments.
Jane -
. Impressed with BIAS organization
. Credit card use is less costly
. Check clearance only .38 cents
Bruce -
. Biggest feature is billing.
. Was done manually before
. Point of sale credit card swipe
. Building permit pay with credit card
Passes 5-0
Agenda item #4 Ordinance No. 1304 Repealing Ch. 1.12 RMC (first reading)
David -
. Sally Everding did Master Revision in 2004 put code online
. Nevertheless doing revision now
. Provisions need to be changed, redundant, contradictory need reorganizing.
. Personnel in Municipal code not good. Need to replace this.
. Will be more changes in the future.
. On rustonwa.ord click on Municipal code
First reading - no vote

CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
Jim - Need to code bills by fund.
Bruce -
. BIAS will provide that. Breakdown on percentage basis.
. Disperse phone charges by percentage to individual funds. Before all were charged to general fund.
. You can get breakdown by what you want to see.
Passes 5-0

MAYOR'S TIME
Welcome to Deborah. Truly appreciate what you are doing. Things have changed here. We now work together. As a business owner you add valuable experience. Very pleasurable, dialog open

BUILDING PERMITS
. Except for things in past we would not be in position we are today.
. Putting things in place to prevent future problems
. Notification process for building permits in process
. Have in place in January. Mariah does.
. BIAS professional services contract
. Whole internal process, including accounting function.
. If too expensive we fire them, hire outside.

COUNCIL TIME
Bradley -
. Happy new year to all.
. Congratulations to Deborah
. A better situation for everybody.
. Spoke to my banker to get better interest rate for town
. To JJ, would like revised schedule for Point Ruston. What is going on?
. Present at next council meeting Jan. 19th.
. ten (10) light fixtures left over from Stack Hill we need to sell on Craig's List.
Jim -
. Thanks to Deborah.
. We now have an august council.
Jane -
. Welcome Deborah, a good neighbor.
. Wonderful business person
. Has point of view, not bashful.
Lyle -
. Mariah, one hour bring up to date what it does (BIAS)
. Change to be beneficial
. BIAS not for large cities for small towns
. We are the smallest town to use
. Question why surveying going on in alleys?
Bruce - for sewers.
. Identify need for laterals
. Charge residents over time
. Street light construction starting soon, sewers soon after
. Fircrest does not have funding we have
Lyle - nothing
Deb -
. Thanks to all in room
. I am honored and privileged to serve
. Warm welcome means a lot to me
. Software beneficial to businesses
. Will be assigned public works and parks liaison responsibility

8:47 ADJOURN

Just a note on my disagreements:
1) DARK SKY (Ruston), v. SAFE STREETS (Tacoma). Everywhere except Ruston more lighting is encouraged. This action was the result of one persons repeated complaints. Not only running up the costs on STACK HILL but now Ruston has ten light poles to sell at a loss.
2) Mayor notifying street lights on Tacoma side of POINT RUSTON will not be acceptable for the Ruston side of POINT RUSTON. Figure that one out. Not one person currently residing in the Town of Ruston will be affected by these lights. This is senseless and emphasises why Point Ruston is building out on the Tacoma side first. That Ruston officials have this infinite knowledge that Tacoma lacks has not been explained. Obstructionism, pure and simple, running up the costs needlessly.
3)The better shape the Town of Ruston is in is due solely, 100 percent, to the COMMENCEMENT. Why not recognize this and apologize for the four year hostile campaign the town mounted against the condominiums.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Deborah Kristovich, Lyle Hardin, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Myriah Mesa
Fire Chief, Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
Electrician, Mo Fesharaki
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