K EY P ENINSULA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Vaughn, WA 98394 Permit No. 2 BOX HOLDER Focus on Health, SEE PAGES 20-25 NEWSThe voice of the Key Peninsula www.keypennews.com Vol. 35 Issue 1 • Circulation 8,500 INSIDE January 2007 Storm wreaks havoc Residents lose power for days, roads a mess By Rodika Tollefson, KP News Downed trees and power lines were a The Key Peninsula got its share of common site around disruptions when the windstorm hit in the Key Peninsula ▼ ▼ mid-December. Although some resi- after the Dec. 14-15 From Pioneer Stock, dents were fortunate to get electricity storm. Pictured here, page 27 back within 24 hours, others went crews are working without for six or more days. Downed on repairing lines at trees and power lines along with debris the junction of South were scattered all around the area Vaughn and Lackey The voice of the roads, and some people woke up in the roads on Friday, Dec. Key Peninsula — morning (if they slept at all) to find 15. See more photos Keith Stiles, themselves stranded by trees blocking on page 8. page 28 roads and driveways. On Friday, Dec. 15, 29,000 Peninsula Light customers had no power; that Photo by Frank Slater number was down to 7,000 72 hours later, according to spokesman Jonathan White. to first get the feeders back up, and liter- School’s radio station, KGHP, provided Lackey Road, Danforth and Lake ally had to reconstruct the system. outage updates every hour during the Minterwood were some of the areas that “I can’t say enough for the power line day starting on the Sunday after the were in the dark the longest. Many Key crews,” said Lakebay resident Ross storm. News Pen residents also lost telephone service Bischoff. “There will be a lot of cleanup work to Boys & Girls Club talks ............2 for several days. Some crews came from as far as Accident critically injures man 5 White said crews worked 36-hour shifts California to help. Peninsula High (See STORM, Page 19) Geoduck series ........................7 Powerline Road suit ..................10 Unique guitars stolen................11 Vaughn church sold..................12 Parks board president KP resident Holiday helpers ........................14 Volunteer Spotlight ..................17 Obituaries ................................30 tenders resignation is ‘Nurse of Out & About ............................32 “I do not believe in Family, work staying in a position the Year’ you cannot give full reasons cited attention to. That By Rodika Tollefson, KP News Sections park district cannot Peninsula Views . .4 By Rodika Tollefson, KP News afford to have a single Georganne Trandum, director of Gig Schools . .15 commissioner who Harbor-based Improving Care Through Paula DeMoss, president of the Key does not give it the DEMOSS the End of Life program, was recognized Community Works . .16 Peninsula Metropolitan Park District full attention,” in December with the Nurse of the Year Health & Fitness . .21 since its spring 2004 inception, DeMoss said in an award by the Washington Chapter of the People & Lifestyles . .27 resigned in December. She said she interview. “I have to give somewhere. I March of Dimes. Trandum, a Key had stretched herself too thin by can’t give of my career. I love both my Peninsula resident, was recognized for working two jobs, and her family life was suffering. (See DEMOSS, Page 18) (See NURSE, Page 25) 2 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News Discussions underway on Boys & Girls Club By Rodika Tollefson, KP News Gig Harbor),” Bouck said. here,” Guild said. The group will look at various options, The group is only starting to explore Representatives from several groups including locating a program at one of options, so no specific timelines have are discussing the possibility of estab- the Key Pen schools or another facility I’ve put $170,000 into been set so far. A second meeting is lishing a Boys and Girls Club of America such as the Civic Center. Such a program planned for January. Bouck believes the program on the Key Peninsula. The would probably be a satellite site or an the Gig Harbor Boys and goal is to find a short-term fix, possibly by group had its first official meeting in outreach site of the Gig Harbor Hope “Girls Club, I can do the creating a site locally or providing trans- December, spear- Center, said Boys and Girls Club of South same here. portation to Gig Harbor, as well as consid- headed by Peninsula Puget Sound COO Rick Guild. The Hope ering a long-term solution by examining School District Center, which is being planned and is — Terry Lee, Pierce County the feasibility of building. Vaughn and Superintendent Terry anticipated to open in less than two years councilman Evergreen elementary schools, Key Bouck, Boys and Girls near Henderson Bay High School, will Peninsula Middle School, Key Peninsula Club of South Puget include a Boys and Girls Club as well as a Civic Center as well as the Red Barn have Sound CEO President senior center. been named as potential locations. Gary Yazwa. Lee said his role and the role of the “We are going to have a Boys and Girls BOUCK More than a dozen county would be to help locate land, if a community at that point,” Guild said. Club close to Henderson Bay and a people were part of the facility is to be built, help with permitting The current discussion is in preliminary YMCA; it’s difficult for students to come meeting, including Pierce County and possibly some funding. stages, but the local leaders feel the from the Key Peninsula area,” Bouck Councilman Terry Lee and representa- “I’ve put $170,000 into the Gig Harbor momentum will continue. ” said. “We are exploring how we can bring tives from the Key Peninsula Civic Center, Boys and Girls Club, I can do the same “(The meeting) was a great first step,” similar services to those kids.” one of the potential locations for a here,” he said. “It’s a little more chal- Lee said, adding that the timing is right He believes a partnership with several program. lenging to do out here (because of fund- for the community because the Key agencies may provide better opportuni- “I think there are several people raising) but not so challenging that you Peninsula Community Planning Board is ties, and hopes to bring YMCA repre- wanting to work hard to make sure our don’t want to try to make it a reality.” wrapping up its work and he feels some sentatives to the table. “Right now, we’re kids on the Key Peninsula are afforded Although there have been other talks of the board members may be interested looking at how we can partner best for some of the same opportunities our kids in the past about bringing a B&G in becoming involved with an effort to the kids,” he said. “We’ll continue to in town will have when the Boys and Girls program to the Key Peninsula, “there bring youth programs to the area. talk about (possibilities) and formulate opens up and the YMCA opens up (in hasn’t been enough interest in the “We all believe there is a lot of need a plan.” in University Place, Goings said, “The of the Year Awards. The club sponsors 10. Club members say that a lot of work Republican majority has lost touch with the annual event to recognize goes into preparations and they need to BRIEFS reality and the issues that truly matter outstanding Key Peninsula community know as far in advance as possible the news to Pierce County families.” members. number of nominations so the meals A lifelong resident of Pierce County, Nominees should either live, work, or can be properly planned. Goings announces candidacy Goings has extensive public, private and own property on the Key Peninsula. The dinner will be catered by Blondie’s Pierce County Councilman Calvin community expertise, according to his Nominators are asked to provide the restaurant. Keynote speaker is Peninsula Goings (D-Puyallup) officially press release. name, telephone number, mailing School District Superintendent Terry announced his candidacy for Pierce address, and a brief statement Bouck. County executive in December. Citizen of the Year describing the volunteer activity or Send nomination letters to: KP Citizens Citing the recent decision by the nominations accepted activities of the nominee, whether for a of the Year 2006, PO Box 63, Vaughn, WA Republican-led county council to raise single accomplishment or for 98394, email them to Pat Medveckus at: their salaries and that of the executive The Key Peninsula Lions Club is prolonged contributions to the welfare [email protected], or by over 21 percent as well as to increase seeking nominations of candidates for of the KP community. call them in to Hugh McMillan at 884- sewer rates to fund a luxury golf course the 23rd annual Key Peninsula Citizens The event will take place on March 3319. To subscribe, please write, Executive editor: Rodika Tollefson Production: September Hyde, K EY P ENINSULA call or fax: Assistant editor: Chris Fitzgerald Windelena Lindsay Key Peninsula News Ad sales: Karen Hale, Charleen Day Distribution: Phil Bauer 17010 S. Vaughn Rd. Staff writers and contributors: Web master: Nancy Dardarian Linda Anderson, William C. Dietz, P.O. Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394 Hugh McMillan, Kristen Pierce, Unsolicited submissions deadline including Phone (253) 884-4699 press releases: 17th of each month Colleen Slater, Frank Slater, Irene www.keypennews.com NEWS Fax: (253) 884-4053 Torres, Mindi LaRose, Connie Renz, Email [email protected] Kristie Byrd Key Peninsula News is published monthly by the Key Peninsula Civic Center Association at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn, Washington.