K EY P ENINSULA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Vaughn, WA 98394 Permit No. 2 BOX HOLDER ▼ A big happy Time for Romance, family, SEE SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE NEWSThe voice of the Key Peninsula SEE PAGE 27 www.keypennews.com Vol. 35 Issue 2 • Circulation 8,400 INSIDE Sen. Derek Kilmer goes to Olympia February 2007 By William C. Dietz, KP News The win was part of what pundits called impose tougher penalties on sex a “Democratic sweep,” as Democrats offenders. When the state Legislature reconvened expanded their majority in Olympia, and However, while it’s likely that issues on Jan. 8, the 26th Legislative District’s Kilmer defeated his Republican rival Jim were critical to the way the race turned Derek Kilmer reported for duty. Not to Hines by an overwhelming margin. An out, so was the amount of money that the House of Representatives, where he outcome that would seem to suggest that each candidate had to spend. Kilmer, served one term, but to the Senate, voters preferred Kilmer’s focus on issues who was on the receiving end of approxi- where Democrat Kilmer filled the slot like economic development, small busi- mately 1,800 donations, raised upwards vacated by Republican Bob Oke when he ness, healthcare and education to Hines’ ▼ ▼ chose to retire. promises to limit tax increases, and (See KILMER, Page 24) Healing powers, page 28 Ice canoeing on Vaughn Bay Aquaculture ▼ Laughter at concerns reach KPMS, page 15 legislative level Editor’s note: This article is part of a series examining issues regarding geoduck farming. See related article on page 33. To read previous articles in the series, visit www.keypennews.com. News Hospital design ........................6 By Chris Fitzgerald, KP News FD-16 statistics........................8 Toll recommendations ..............9 The battle for acceptable compromise Unsung hero ............................13 between the commercial geoduck Moreland’s Auto sold................20 industry and environmental groups began on a small, local scale last spring. From pioneer stock ..................29 Today, less than a year later, controversy Local artists at TCC ................30 over growing methods, and lack of Volunteer Spotlight ..................19 adequate scientific study to provide a Obituaries ................................31 solid ecological footing for this relatively Out & About ............................36 Photo courtesy Judy Mills new aquaculture has reached beyond “Panes of ice” on the Mills’ beach on Vaughn Bay. interim regulations sought by Pierce County. Sections By Colleen Slater, KP News red canoe, and found the ice to be Rep. Pat Lantz of the 26th Legislative about a quarter-inch thick. District introduced House Bill 1547, Peninsula Views . 4 Mackenzie and Kelson Mills, 8 and They pushed through the icy “Examining Geoduck Aquaculture Schools . .10 10 respectively, experienced a unique covering, and the noise sounded “like Techniques and Practices,” on Jan. 19. It Community Works . .18 adventure with their parents on Jan. at the North Pole,” Kelson said. “We proposes to amend existing shellfish 12, the second day of “a sheet of ice” had to yell to be able to talk,” he said. regulations in Puget Sound (RCW Business . .20 on Vaughn Bay. “It sounded like metal grinding 79.135.110), calling for a minimum of Politics . .23 Dad Matthew Mills suggested the against metal,” Mackenzie added. eight specific studies through the sea People & Lifestyles . .25 outing, and with the kids jumping up “When we paddled, the waves went grant program at the University of Arts & Recreation . .30 and down with excitement, mom Lisa (See ICE, Page 34) joined in. They paddled out in their (See GEODUCK, Page 32) 2 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News Rescue unit fully equipped By Hugh McMillan, KP News tripod to lift patients and objects from confined spaces.” The Key Peninsula Fire Department FD-16 Capt. Hal’ Wolverton said, “At recently acquired new “Res-Q-Jacks,” emergency accident scenes, we often which, according to Division Chief find vehicles that are partially over- Chuck West, is the last addition needed turned or perilously canted off road- to consider “the new rescue vehicle ways, which poses problems, endan- complete and equipped to handle most gering firefighters’ safety in the process all emergencies.” of rescuing entrapped persons. One of Purchased in 2005, the rescue unit the most dangerous such positions is carries the “Jaws of Life,” which are when a vehicle is on its side. The poten- preplumbed and ready to operate tial for injury to extrication teams is through an onboard “Power Take Off” increased due to the unstable nature of (PTO) generator. It also carries a the vehicle and terrain.” breathing-air refill station capable of The “Res-Q-Jack” is a multipurpose refilling “Self Contained Breathing vehicle stabilization tool that can be Apparatus” (SCBA) for prolonged quickly deployed to add stability to an Photo by Hugh McMillan emergency operations, which means unstable situation. “The tool allows us Key Peninsula firefighter/EMT Zach Johnson explains the use of the department’s newly personnel do not need to return to the to provide medical attention to patient acquired Res-Q-Jacks at a recent training session. fire station for refills. The unit also needs much more rapidly and with carries equipment for high angle and more safety,” he said. command vehicle and are in the process water tender. The proposed 2,500- confined space rescue. The department first purchased four of installing radios and emergency gallon tender will replace one of an “To fully outfit the rig for the tough new fire engines and the equipment to lighting,” West said. “The new aging fleet of water tenders purchased job ahead, the new “Res-Q-Jack” can be outfit them as a result of the fire truck command unit should be ready in early in the 1980s, West said. used to stabilize and lift large objects, levy’s passage three years ago, followed 2007.” The district hopes to have the new such as motor vehicles, on most surfaces by the rescue unit and miscellaneous The last of the money made available water tender in operation in the begin- and grades,” West said. “It is quite versa- equipment. by the levy, which will expire in 2007, ning of 2008, when the last of the levy tile and can also be configured as a “We recently purchased a new will be used to purchase a much-needed money is collected. enforcement officer for Pierce County. KPMPD recruiting to general election, held in November The withdrawal ends a long-running fill vacancy 2007. BRIEFS dispute between Pierce County’s The position is open to all residents of news Department of Planning and Land The Key Peninsula Metro Park the Key Peninsula. Interested individ- Services, and Hostetler (as first reported District is seeking candidates to fill a uals may submit a resume and cover Brookside restaurant sold in KP News in September 2005). The board seat vacated by Paula DeMoss, letter to KPMPD, Position #3, P.O. Box county maintained that Hostetler lacked who resigned in December. The park 70, Lakebay WA 98349. For information, The New Brookside Restaurant was the permits necessary to operate herring district will accept resumes until Feb. 7, email [email protected], bought in January by Steve Skibbs, the pens that have since been dismantled, at 5 p.m. Commissioners will interview or call 884-9240. owner of two real estate offices in the while the marina operator claimed to candidates on Feb. 12, during a study Commissioners meet every second area. He is joint owner of the Key have legal nonconforming rights, which, session scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., with Center Windermere with Joyce Tovey, had they been declared valid, would appoint an individual during the a study session preceding the meeting at who owns the building itself. Tovey have enabled the herring pen operation regular scheduled meeting that will 6:30 p.m. when necessary, at the declined to comment. Agents at the Key to continue, over objections from some follow at 7:30 p.m. The appointed Volunteer Park annex. The meetings Center real estate office could not of the local residents. commissioner will serve until the next are open to the public. confirm rumors the Brookside would be turned into a Windermere office. Skibbs declined to return calls, despite several To subscribe, please write, Executive editor: Rodika Tollefson Production: September Hyde, attempts to reach him for comment. K EY P ENINSULA call or fax: Assistant editor: Chris Fitzgerald Windelena Lindsay According to his agent, Allison Skibbs, Key Peninsula News Ad sales: Karen Hale, Charleen Day Distribution: Phil Bauer 17010 S. Vaughn Rd. Staff writers and contributors: Web master: Nancy Dardarian the building’s intended use is “several Linda Anderson, William C. Dietz, P.O. Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394 Hugh McMillan, Kristen Pierce, Unsolicited submissions deadline including months out.” 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, Herring pens appeal 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. Copyright 2007 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic withdrawn contents in any manner without permission is prohibited. Annual subscriptions (12 issues) are available for $20.00 and are mailed first class. Copies are mailed presort standard to residents and post office box holders of the Key Peninsula. Single copies are available at the newspaper office in the basement of the Civic Center annex and at various distribution points located on the Key Peninsula. Approximately 18,000 people live in the distribution area.