McCleary, Elma, Oakville and Monte on absentee ballots Jan. 20 to Feb. 9

By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin
Vidette Reporter

In McCleary, if the new levy passes, it would cost about $2.93 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, expected to raise about $512,000 in 2011. The owner of a $171,000 house, reportedly the median value of a home in that area, would pay about $501. The rate for collection in 2012 would be about $3 per $1,000, projected to raise about $525,000. The owner of the house valued at $171,000 would pay about $513 the second year.

In Elma, if it passes, Elma’s levy would amount to an estimated $2.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value to be collected in both 2011 and 2012, projected to raise about $2.9 million both years. That would mean the annual cost for the owner of a $185,000 home, reportedly the median value there in 2008, would be about $535. The current levy rate is just under $2.51; rates fluctuate as property value changes. Property owners in the district are currently also paying a rate of $0.82. The total dollar amount of the new levy is about $545,370 higher than the current levy,

In back row, Montesano residents Mary and Doug Lewis, with Dale Green and Carl Hagen in the front row, listened to a presentation about the upcoming Montesano School levy Tuesday evening at the Simpson School gym. (Photo by Leif Nesheim).

In Oakville, if approved, the levy would collect about $306,400 in both 2011 and 2012. Though the ballot will indicate the cost to a homeowner would be approximately $2.68 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, it’s estimated it will actually be $2.22 per $1,000, Lorton said. The difference is because the rate wasn’t known at the time figures were submitted to the county auditor in December, as the law requires, she said. At the revised estimated rate, it cost the owner of a $159,000 home, reportedly the median home value in that area, about $353.

In Montesano, although passing the levy means property owners will pay more per $1,000 of assessed value for the maintenance and operation levy, the total school taxes will be less when it takes effect in 2011 than in 2009 because the district’s bond rate goes down this year. In 2009, the levy amount was $2.55 per thousand; total taxes were $4.81. In 2010, the levy amount is $2.58; total taxes are $4.27. In 2011, the first year the new levy will be in effect, the estimated levy amount will be $2.92 per thousand; total taxes will be $4.53. In 2012 it drops to $2.87 and $4.50 total. On the average $180,000 Montesano home, it means the total annual school tax bill will decrease from $866 to $815. If voters also approve a transportation levy to buy two new school busses, add another 14 cents per $1,000 assessed value — still less than people now pay.

Overdue books a thing of the past?

By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin
Vidette Reporter

We know that returning library books on time is the right thing to do.
But until Timberland Regional Library system’s 27 branches in five counties, including four in East Grays Harbor, began charging overdue fines last October, some patrons didn’t worry overmuch about returning library materials a little — or a lot — late. But since Oct. 1, the risk of racking up 15 cents per day per overdue book or other item is spurring patrons to return them much more expeditiously, says staff at Timberland’s Administrative Service Center in Olympia.

Montesano library associate Marlene Cedell, left, helps Sarah Sigler pay for a lost book on her son’s card. Sigler says she likely gave the book away herself with some others. (Photo by Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin)

It’s no surprise that overdue fines are a potent motivator. But they’re working even better than Timberland’s board members anticipated when considering them last spring.
“We expected that people would return the items they borrowed sooner than before, but we’re pleased and amazed at the numbers,” said Leanne Ingle, Timberland communications specialist in Olympia.
In October 2008, for example, Timberland patrons turned in 147,573 items late. Enter overdue fines, and the number dropped to less than half that last October — 65,029.

Boyer, Bowe take second

By Jerrad Kellogg
Vidette Reporter

HOQUIAM — Elma junior Brad Watson added another medal to his trophy case after nabbing an individual championship at the Hoquiam Grizzly Alumni Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday, Jan. 16, at Hoquiam Square Garden.

In addition to his 119-pound title, Watson was honored with an Outstanding Wrestler Award. Watson a returning state champion, won his title bout by pin-fall, but it took until the third round to do so.