FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 22, 2009
State’s largest professional organization brings 400 Realtors with ideas to stimulate real estate markets.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Nearly 400 representatives of the state’s largest professional organization, the Washington Realtors, today met with legislators to urge their support of a package of legislation designed to stimulate the state’s real estate market and the overall economy.
“Our goal today was to impress upon lawmakers that the real estate industry has to recover before the overall economy can prosper,” said the Washington Realtors 2009 president, Greg Wright, of Chelan. “The Legislature depends on the real estate industry for funding the state needs, protecting the vulnerable, supporting public schools, and providing critical roads and public infrastructure.”
Real estate excise tax revenues have generated as much as 7 percent of the state’s general fund in recent years. In 2008, though the REET generated nearly $1 billion in tax revenue, it was about 4 percent of the state’s tax collections. The decline in the real estate industry has sapped the Public Works Assistance Account and is responsible for $278 million of the drop in the state general fund.
Wright noted that commercial real estate and home sales create a ripple of economic activity through the general economy. According to the Center for Real Estate Research at Washington State University, every 1,000 home sales generates about $126 million of additional economic activity through home furnishings purchases, work with financial and real estate institutions, and other longer-term activity.
Washington State Commercial Association of Realtors President Mike Livingston, a Spokane commercial Realtor, said that the Realtor’s also would be closely monitoring legislative budget discussions to prevent the increase of existing taxes or the creation of new ones, noting that increasing citizen’s tax burden would simply further depress economic activity.
“We’re encouraging policymakers to adopt a ‘Do No Harm’ approach to legislation this year,” said Livingston. “Their first priority should be to not make things worse with new taxes and new regulations.”
Wright said that the Realtors also would work to clarify the state’s Distressed Properties Law to ensure that licensed real estate professionals will be able to help clients as they always have, regardless of their financial status. Since last spring Realtors have worked with consumer advocates, state agencies, the Attorney General and many state legislators to come up with a correction to the law that will protect vulnerable homeowners, but will revise the parts of the law that have had unintended consequences on responsible real estate professionals.
Another priority issue for the organization is climate change. Washington Realtors support lowering commuters’ CO² emissions by making homes more available and affordable near large employers. Wright said the organization would look for creative ways to address climate change without adding to the rules and regulations that increase real estate costs.
“There are real solutions to climate change that don’t limit housing availability, increase the cost of housing and hurt commercial markets,” said Wright. “We need to ensure there are a variety of home choices near our job centers and to provide the essential infrastructure cities and counties need to support those home choices.”
The Realtors’ annual two-day meeting in Olympia began Wednesday, Jan. 21, with workshops and educational opportunities at the Red Lion hotel in Olympia. Wednesday the Washington Realtors’ installed new officers at an evening banquet.
After the morning meeting today, the hundreds of attendees were bused to the Capitol grounds to discuss legislative issues that affect both residential and commercial markets.
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Washington Realtors represent approximately 170,000 homebuyers each year, and the interests of more than 2 million homeowners throughout the state. Realtors live where they work and, like their neighbors, are concerned about the quality of life in their communities. Realtors’ top public policy priority is building communities that have a strong economy, attractive housing choices, great schools and parks, safe neighborhoods, and good transportation choices.
For more information, please contact Barbara J. Lally, 360-943-3100, ext. 122.
Just realeased! Herb Baze has been Endorsed by the Washington State Assocaition of REALTORS! Herb is running for the State Representative 35th District as a Republican.
Herb was selected by the Realtors over his opponents Randy Neatherlin – Republican – Fred Finn – Democrat – Daryl Daugs – Democrat –
Is this the year the Republicans take the State Representative 35th District from the Democrat 35th District Party?
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Call Herb Baze at 360.701.4703. Richard Beckman Realty Group, LLC.
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The following Realtors are assigned to attend the County meetings.
Meetings start 9:00am 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday, 6:00pm 4th Tuesday and are held at Commission Chambers, . If there is a 5th Tuesday, Commissioners hold an information session on North Mason issues at 6:00pm in Belfair.
411 N 5th St
Jan 15 Richard
Jan 22 Rob
Jan 29 6pm Lori
Feb 5 Maria
Feb 12
Feb 19 Margie
Feb 26 6pm Alisha
March 4 Richard
March 11 Rob
March 18 Lori
March 25 6pm Maria
April 1
April 8 Margie
April 15 Alisha
April 22 6pm Richard
April 29 Belfair Meeting
May 6 Rob
May 13 Lori
May 20 Maria
May 27 6pm
June 3 Margie
June 10 Alisha
June 17 Richard
June 24 6pm Maria
City/County Commission Meeting Schedule for the Mason County Association of Realtors.
The following Realtors are assigned to attend the city meetings.
City of
Meetings Start and are held at the
525 W. Cota Street
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Jan 22 (Tuesday)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kristy
Feb 4Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Roxanne
Feb 19 (Tuesday)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rob
March 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
March 17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sarah
April 7 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lori
April 21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kristy
May 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
May 19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Roxanne
June 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sarah
June 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lori
Herb Baze has over 130 supports for the 35th District legislator. Randy Neatherlin is the other Republican running. Randy Neatherlin and Herb baze. Two republicans running for the Wasington State Representative 35th District Herb Baze & Randy Neatherlin.
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DRAFT MEETING AGENDA
Commission Chambers – 9:00 a.m.
411 North Fifth Street, Shelton WA 98584
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007
Note: There will be no November 13th, 2007 meeting
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
4.2 News Release – GIS Day 2007. Staff: Charlie Butros
4.3 Green Star Awards. Staff: Charlie Butros
4.4 Staff Appreciation. Staff: Greg Hering
4.5 News Release – Mason County Parks. Staff: John Keates
4.6 Announcement of bid for the McLane Cove Bridge project has been awarded to Five
Rivers Construction Inc. of Longview, WA in the amount of $4,409,500.76. Staff:
Charlie Butros
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input (5 minutes per person, 15 minutes time limit)
If you wish to address the Commission, raise your hand to be recognized by the Chair. When you
have been recognized, please step up to the microphone and give your name and address before
your comments. The Mason County Commission is committed to maintaining a meeting atmosphere
of mutual respect and speakers are encouraged to honor this principle. (An individual may request to
address the Board at a later time on the agenda by contacting the Clerk of the Board at least 24 hours prior to
the meeting.)
6. Adoption of Agenda
Items appearing on the agenda after “Item 9. Public Hearingsâ€, may be acted upon before 9:30 a.m.
7. Approval of Minutes – regular meeting minutes for October 23, 2007 and briefing
minutes for the week of September 24, 2007.
8. Approval of Consent Agenda: All items listed under the “Consent Agenda†are
considered to be routine by the Commission and will be enacted by one motion unless a
Commissioner or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the
Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
8.1 Approval to set a public hearing on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. to
consider a revised 2008 Environmental Health Fee schedule.
8.2 Approval of contract 0763-28777 between the Washington State Department of
Social and Health Services with the Mason County Public Health Department in
the amount of $8,025 for the linking of Medicaid eligible children to Medicaid
medical services.
8.3 Approval of contract 019EM-07-071 between Thurston County Emergency
Management and Mason County Public Health Department to provide $20,000 to
develop a Medical Reserve Corps in Mason County.
8.4 Approval to set a public hearing on November 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. to consider
supplemental appropriations to the 2007 Budget for the Combined Utilities
Administration Fund in the amount of $43,153, the Rustlewood Sewer & Water
Fund in the amount of $800,000, and the Belfair Wastewater & Water
Reclamation Fund in the amount of $4,000,000, and to also consider a Budget
Transfer from the Ending Fund Balance in the Current Expense Fund to the
Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $9,500.
8.5 Approval of the professional services agreement with Assured Home Health and
Hospice in the amount of $19,893 for the HIV/ADIS Case Management.
8.6 Approval of a resolution for an interfund loan from the Real Estate Excise Tax
(REET 2) Fund to the Rustlewood Sewer & Water Utility Fund in the amount of
$800,000. This loan will be for one year at 4.96% and will be used for interim
financing.
8.7 Approval of a resolution for an interfund loan from the Rural County Sales & Use
Tax (.09) Fund to the Belfair Wastewater & Water Reclamation Utility Fund in
the amount of $800,000. This loan will be for one year at 4.96% and will be
used for interim financing.
8.8 Approval of a resolution to establish the new Belfair Wastewater & Water
Reclamation Utility Fund 413-000-000.
8.9 Approval of Veterans Assistance Fund applications for: Kelly Joe Green – food
$50.00; Wayne W. Kallio Jr. – utilities $400.00 and food $200.00 and Orville
Roberts – food $300.00 for a total of $950.00 as recommended by the Veterans’
Assistance Screening Committee.
8.10 Approval for the Equipment Rental & Revolving Fund Manager to call for bids to
furnish Mason County with one new Kubota L39 Utility Tractor with Backhoe and
Loader for the Department of Utilities and Waste Management. Date and time
of opening to be November 21, 2007 at 9:00 am.
8.11 Approval to authorize the ER&R Manager to surplus the certain listed vehicles
and computer equipment and authorize the ER&R Manager to dispose of them at
the Washington State Surplus Sale.
8.12 Approval to accept the two $75,000 Local Government Stormwater Grants from
the Department of Ecology for stormwater management and water quality
protection in Oakland Bay and Annas Bay Shellfish Protection Districts and allow
the Director of Public Works to sign both grant agreements.
8.13 Approval to accept the $130,000 Flood Control Assistance Account Program
(FCAAP) grant from the Department of Ecology, sign the Local Government
Agreement, and have the money deposited into the Skokomish Flood Control
Zone District Fund for the Skokomish River Corps of Engineers General
Investigation (GI) Study.
8.14 Approval for Public Works to award the Small Works Project for County Road
Project 1873, Bear Creek Dewatto culvert replacement project, for the precasting
of slab girders to Wilbert Precast Manufacturing in the amount of
$76,594.80.
8.15 Approval to enter into a contract for professional services between Outlook
Writing & Design and Mason County for the production of a newsletter to be
distributed county-wide. The cost is not to exceed $1,100 not including printing
or postage fees.
8.16 Approval to set a public hearing on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. to
review the request by Clint and Kelly Shumaker to rezone one parcel totaling
1.20 acres in the Belfair Urban Growth Area, from Residential 3 zone to Mixed
Use zone; and possible change of the Belfair Urban Growth Area Zoning Map.
8.17 Approval of Warrants
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant #s 130769-131272 $1,199,981.32
Salary Clearing Fund Warrant #s 171841-172349 $1,487,698.00
8.18 Approval to set a public hearing on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, 9:30 a.m. to
consider adopting the Shelton Urban Growth Area Subarea Plan.
8.19 Approval of the resolution authorizing the road closure on Grapeview Loop Road
(County Road Number 96140) between approximate M.P. 2.45 to 2.55 for
construction of the McLane Cove Bridge starting 8 a.m. on Monday, November
26, 2007 until Friday, July 24, 2008.
8.20 Approval to award the bid for the Latimers Landing Project to Quigg Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $891,038.25
9. 9:30 a.m. Public Hearings and Items Set for a Certain Time
9.1 Public hearing to consider changes to the Hearing Examiner fees. Staff: Bob
Fink
NOTE: This was approved
9.2 Public hearing to consider revised rates for the Rustlewood Water System. Staff:
Tom Moore
NOTE: This was tabled until December 11, 2007 to provide time for a public meeting.
MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING AGENDA
NOVEMBER 6, 2007 – PAGE 3
10. Other Business (Department Heads and Elected Officials)
11. Board’s Reports and Calendar
12. Adjournment
City of
Meetings Start at 2:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month and at 6:00pm the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month and are held at the
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Oct 8              2pm    Kristy
Oct 15             6pm    Dinah
Oct 22            2pm     Richard
Nov 5              6pm    Roxanne
Nov 12            2pm    Kristy
Nov 19            6pm    Dinah
Nov 26            2pm    Maria
Dec 3               6pm    Richard
Dec 10            2pm    Kristy
Dec 17             6pm    Roxanne
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Mason
Meetings start 9:00am except the 4th Tuesday of the Month when meetings start at 6:00pm. If there is a 5th Tuesday, Commissioners hold an information session on North Mason issues at 6:00pm in Belfair
Â
Oct 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kristy
Oct 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lori
Oct 23   6:00pm         Rob
Oct 30Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Belfair Meeting (Rob?)
Nov 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kristy
Nov 13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Margie
Nov 20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lori
Nov 27  6:00pm        Maria
Dec 4Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lori
Dec 11 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Richard
Dec 18Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Margie
Dec 25th                      Christmas
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Note: When you attend your scheduled meeting we request that you please post a blog and report about the significant discussions that may have happened during the meeting. For instructions on how to post this blog please email Richard Beckman at richard@washingtonrealestateresource.com. If there is nothing to report then please post the meetings agenda and your contact info. Just in case anyone has any questions.
The Shelton Area Regional Water & Wastewater Projects “Golden Shovel” Ground Breaking celebration was held August 16th. This event marked the beginning of the Shelton Regional Water & Waste Water Plant and Pipeline. Congressman Norm Dicks, Mayor Tarrant, and representatives from the Washington State Correction Center and Washington State Patrol participated in the dirt turning celebration.
The City of Shelton has approved construction of a new fire station at the site of the existing facility at the corner of 2nd and Franklin Streets in downtown Shelton. Anderson Boone Architects in Olympia were selected to design the new fire station preserving the historic integrity of the old fire station. Ground breaking is scheduled for late 2007.