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Keep your doors locked, even in Monte
I’d wanted to write a fun column about getting my Christmas tree and stringing up decorations for the Festival of Lights. I’ll have to save that for later.

Unfortunately, The Vidette was the victim of a burglary over the weekend, and now I’ve got to write about that. I hate being part of the news — unless it’s for something good — but it just wouldn’t do not to mention a burglary in our very own building.

Fortunately, the Montesano Police Department recovered all the stolen items the day after officers were alerted to the theft. Thank you, Monte PD.

At some point between late Friday night and early Sunday morning, some computer and photography equipment was stolen from our offices on West Marcy Avenue.

There were no signs of forced entry. When I stopped by Sunday morning to pick up a Christmas tree stand I’d left in the office during my move a couple months ago (hey, I guess I did get to write about Christmas after all), the front door was unlocked. I quickly scanned for stolen stuff and didn’t see anything missing.

I thought, “Thank goodness we’re in Montesano!” But thought wrong. As our staff trickled in Monday morning, things I believed had been taken home for the weekend or had overlooked during my initial survey turned out to be missing.

“Dang,” I mused. “And I thought Monte was a nice town.”
It figures, the one weekend I’m not practically chained at my desk is the one we get burgled.

I’ve had stuff stolen before, and it’s no fun. I’ve never had anything recovered before. It’s a shockingly pleasant surprise; almost as shocking, but in a good way instead of a pit-in-the-stomach bad way, as the realization that we’d been burgled.

While the rest of the department attended the memorial service for the four slain Lakewood police officers, Officer Shane Green was left to hold down the fort. He followed a tip that led to a suspect who confessed and returned everything.

I’m saddened that this person decided to steal. I’m heartened by his cooperation and hope some good can come from an unpleasant situation.

Leif Nesheim is the editor/general manager of The Vidette in Montesano. He can be reached at (360) 249-3311 or by e-mail at editor@thevidette.com.

Changes ahead in Montesano
MONTESANO — Tuesday marked a flurry of activity at the city council meeting: Sewer and water rates are going up, as is the ambulance fee and garbage rates; a city administrator-finance director position was created, and a new Municipal Court Judge was hired. The meeting also was the last for eight-year council member Chris Thomas, who resigned to spend more time with family. He was given a plaque.

The rate and fee increases were approved to match the increases built into the 2010 budget approved last month 4-3. Councilmen Pat Herrington, Thomas and Chris Hutchings opposed the water and sewer increases as they had the budget at the Nov. 24 meeting; Herrington and Hutchings opposed the ambulance fee hike. The base water rate is going up $1.32 per residential household each month, a 7.5 percent hike; the sewer rate is increasing $5 per montly hook-up, and the ambulance rate is increasing from $10.75 per month to $12.12.

County passes reduced budget
MONTESANO — Prior to the unanimous passage of the 2010 county budget, County Auditor Vern Spatz and District Court Judge Stephen Brown told commissioners their departments would suffer disproportionately from the cuts.

“We’ve lost 26 percent of our staff,” Spatz said, noting a similar loss throughout all departments would be 112 jobs. Since 2008, the county has reduced the total number of positions by 47, including 16 recent lay-offs, to balance the budget, budget director Rose Elway said. Many of the jobs cut have been through early retirement or unfilled vacancies.

The Auditor’s Office will be stretched thin providing required services Spatz said. Likewise, the courts will struggle with reduced staffing levels, Brown said.


More Sports

Naselle withstands late Montesano rally
MONTESANO — A furious Bulldog rally attempt from 10 points down with just over two minutes left in the game fell just short as Montesano was knocked off by Naselle 57-55 in a non-league boys basketball matchup Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.

Monte boys outlast North Beach
OYEHUT — An evenly played contest on the scoreboard came right down to the final ticks of the clock, and when the final buzzer sounded Montesano was able to come out on top 54-51 in a non-league boys basketball matchup Thursday, Dec. 3, at North Beach.

Late bucket lifts Hyak girls over Dogs
OYEHUT — North Beach outscored Montesano 13-4 during a slow third quarter for the Bulldogs, which proved to be the undoing of Monte in a 41-40 non-league girls basketball loss to the Hyaks on Thursday, Dec. 3, at North Beach.

Ecklund wins title at Emerald Ridge
SOUTH HILL — Montesano senior Michaela Ecklund captured an individual title at the Emerald Ridge Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 5, at South Hill. Ecklund edged Lilia Gudyuk of Auburn Mountainview, 3-0, in the title bout. Elma’s Sarah Taylor and Stefanie Cristelli both finished in third place in their divisions, while teammate Dusty Leslie took fourth in her division.