Community Newsletter
Serving Jefferson County Fire District #5 No. 1 - February 2008
JCFD News / Salmon Derby /
CERT / GCC Decorated /
GCC Board / GCC Coffee /
Airlift /
Garage Sale
News Flash!
Editor Resigns!
Gardiner, Feb 14, 2008
Last week, in what had all the earmarks of a bloodless coup, Community Newsletter editor Linda Hanel offered her resignation as editor to the Gardiner Community Center Board…
Seriously, though, Linda had just seen the premier issue of the Community Newsletter successfully off to the printer, a task that had left her tired and a bit frazzled. Coupled with her position as Treasurer on the Center Board and her recent election as Commissioner on the Board of Jefferson County Fire District #5, continuing as Newsletter editor was more than her crowded plate could carry. Linda has turned editorship duties to Bob McCauley, her former ‘printer’s devil’ and part-time computer geek. Bob will be assisted by Wendell Paulson, newest Community Center Board member.
We all thank Linda for her tremendous efforts in getting the Newsletter off the ground and into print well ahead of our original schedule. We all hope that this project will continue in the spirit that she intended when it was started late last year.
Editor’s Note – by Linda Hanel
Welcome to the first edition of the Community
Newsletter. The Newsletter will be a quarterly publication of the
Gardiner Community Center that is mailed to registered voter households
of Jefferson County Fire District #5. Additional copies will be
available at the Gardiner Community Center and Discovery Bay Store. It
is intended to provide news and information concerning the Gardiner and
Discovery Bay communities as well as Jefferson County Fire District #5.
· Articles will be
timely in content (events occurring one month prior and one month after
publication).
· Articles must be
non-political and non-commercial, signed by author for publication.
· All articles and
information will be approved by the Editor and the Gardiner Community
Center Board.
· Length of articles is
limited due to space.
· We welcome articles
submitted by residents of JCFD #5.
· Deadline of two weeks
prior to publication, to be set by Editor, for submission of articles.
NO EXCEPTIONS
· Phone Editor, Linda
Hanel, for further information at 797-0050, or by mail at the Gardiner
Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
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The
Chief's Corner
JCFD # 5
Chief’s Newsletter
February 2008
Barbara Knoepfle took over for Bev Horan as Fire Commissioner at the
January meeting. At the same meeting Commissioner Randy Okerman tendered
his resignation. Herb Cook and Linda Hanel applied for the vacant
commissioner seat. The Board interviewed the two applicants and
voted to appoint Linda Hanel to the position. We want to thank
Herb and Linda both for expressing interest and being active in the
community.
The Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office has now filed 1st degree theft
and forgery charges against Christy Nelson the previous district
secretary.
Board accepted the applications of Joe D’Amico and Richard Hanel along
with reinstating Brian Iverson to active duty. Wendell and Cindy
Paulson decided that the fire service was not something they want to
pursue and they have resigned after their first class. We want to wish
them the very best!
The Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau came in and re-evaluated
the fire district for the insurance rating that is set for your
homeowners insurance. They will send a letter with their findings
within sixty days. The Bureau staff looked at various capabilities
of the fire district (training records, staffing levels, water flow,
pump, hose and hydrants testing records) to name a few. Fire
District # 5 has been accredited at a Class 8. From the
discussions I had with the evaluator I think it will remain the same.
Our agency has been blessed with an $11,000.00 donation from the
Discovery Bay Salmon Derby to purchase two M Series Zoll refurbished
defibrillators. The units are now in service in the two ambulances.
The efforts of the Salmon Derby members are very much appreciated by not
only the fire response staff but by all the citizens we serve.
The Board voted to send the two Laderal defibrillator units to a
hospital in Belize that DC Rhoads went to on a church mission’s trip.
The units were quickly put into service the first day the team arrived
at their destination.
Last summer the Discovery Bay RV Park members took up a collection just
around $1,300.00. This last month we purchased an on board thermal
imager charger for one of the engines with the funds. This
purchase will help ensure that the imager is charged up and ready for
use when the need arises. Again, the citizens of Discovery Bay/Gardiner
came through for the community and the fire response staff. Thanks to
each one of you.
Fire Districts #2 and #5 are in the process of doing a mini fire academy
that will instruct the new staff on how to safely respond in a support
role. The class is for three weekends and will end the second weekend of
February. Between the two agencies we currently have ten students
enrolled.
We have filed for a Department of Health grant of $1,500.00 that we will
use toward the purchase of radio equipment if received. We should
know by summer whether or not we were successful.
Respectfully,
Bob Wilson
Fire Chief
Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 3:00 pm
2008 Discovery Bay Salmon
Derby
by Trevor Hanson
It’s time for the 32nd Discovery Bay Salmon Derby—four decades of local
support for vital emergency response services. On Presidents' Day
weekend (16-18 February), anglers from our community and from far away
will compete for over $10,000 in cash and other prizes, including a
great $500 "Smallest Legal Salmon" prize contributed again this year by
chef and neighbor André Mercier. Many neighbors who don't even fish
still buy tickets, to help support the Fire District (and to get a
chance at the $70,000 boat drawing -- more on that below).
The Derby has long been an important feature of
our community. Every year, it generates a vital chunk of money for our
Jefferson County Volunteer Fire District #5. The Derby is an important
source of capital funds, used for equipment and training. The Derby has
never lost money, and has often come through with cash at critical
times. Most recently, $11,000 in Derby funds paid for two new
defibrillators, which Chief Bob Wilson calls "a huge improvement for our
citizens" for safety and compliance. As everyone here knows, increasing
traffic on Route 101 means more and more emergency calls...yet we get no
additional State funds after responding to such calls. It's simply a
duty for every fire department. So a spate of tourist accidents can play
havoc with budgets...and the first item to go is often needed equipment
replacement. That's where the Derby can step in.
Derby ramrod Dan Tatum observes "Gardiner is
brought together each year by the Derby. Volunteers, sponsors, and Derby
participants all combine to help us maintain our local emergency
services. Ours is the ONLY salmon derby in the state like this--many are
just club projects or money-making ventures." That's why the same
families and organizations contribute money, prizes, and time every
year. Our biggest supporters are right here in Gardiner, Discovery Bay,
and Blyn.
The first Derby was in 1973, making ours the
longest-running Derby in the State. It began when volunteer firefighters
needed to buy equipment. A Ladies' Auxiliary was formed (more recently
replaced by the Derby Committee), which worked tirelessly for years
raising funds and running the annual chuck wagon. Much has happened
since 1973, including some tough years (such as when the State closed
the salmon season--after all the Derby tickets had been printed!).
Today, in our 32nd Derby, we are seeing a great future. The new wider
fishing area, which now runs from Dungeness to Whidbey, means that boats
can launch from Port Townsend and John Wayne Marina, and it gives a
wider choice of water and fishing conditions each day (during what in
February can be dodgy weather).
This year's Derby uses "Selective Fishery": Only fish from hatcheries may be turned in (no wild fish). This is due to State rule changes, which now limit the taking of wild fish in most areas, to protect wild stocks. This change is no surprise, and is the way of the future: 77% of last year's ladder were "clipped fin" fish, including the big first and third prizes.
Whether or not you fish yourself, everybody in the area should come down
to the Awards Ceremony at 2:00 pm on Monday, 18 February. There's always
a good time, with plenty of kids, dogs, food from the chuck wagon, hats
and t-shirts, and a raffle with some great prizes. And speaking of
prizes be sure to visit our website to find out about the $70,000 boat
giveaway. Each year, the Northwest Marine Trade Association has a boat
drawing for all ticket holders in the Northwest Salmon Derby Series --
14 local salmon derbies this year. The winner is selected at the end of
the year. In the past, there have usually been about 7,000 total ticket
holders competing, which is not bad odds; but because of some changes in
the series, this year there will probably only be about HALF that many
tickets in total. So that makes REALLY good odds of winning a very
valuable prize. There's also a smaller boat that will be won by an
under-16 angler.
As always, we are grateful to all our volunteers and sponsors, and to everybody in the community, who all help make this Derby so successful. Get involved yourself! This is one of the things that makes Gardiner such a great place to live. For more details, visit our website at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com.
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Elizabeth Van Dyke
In an emergency always call 911 so law
enforcement and fire department first-responders can help you as soon as
possible.
In a disaster, the usual first-responders may be managing damage on a
large scale or isolated on blocked roads. They may not be able to
get to you for some time.
You carry a spare tire just in case, you wear a seatbelt just in case,
get prepared for a disaster... just in case. Disasters can happen
with little or no warning including prolonged power outages, roads
blocked in all directions, earthquakes, Tsunami’s, snowstorms,
wildfires, floods, chemical spills from Highway 101, terrorism and more.
In a disaster, the idea of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
is to save yourself and your family first, then go help your neighbors
without placing yourself in unnecessary danger. When the professional
first responders arrive, the CERT teams stand down.
Each person is responsible for preparing themselves and their homes for
a disaster until help can arrive. This could be two weeks or more
in the worst case scenario. It’s a good idea to stock up on food,
water, medication and first aid supplies and warm, dry clothing and
bedding. We plan for the worst and hope for the best.
CERT classes train you in disaster preparedness including the following: how to evaluate your home for safety; put out small fires; assess and treat some life-threatening injuries; perform light search and rescue; team organization; disaster psychology; and communicating during a disaster.
CERT training in Gardiner is two and a half days long. On the last half day, we stage a disaster simulation exercise. Volunteers take on realistic roles of victims and class participants get to practice their skills in a safe environment.
In a disaster, if land, cell and satellite
phones are out, Ham Radio operators can communicate directives from the
Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management to each of the five
Area Commands in Jefferson County.
Any neighborhood group outside the Gardiner area wanting to start their
own CERT should contact Bob Hamlin at the Jefferson County Department of
Emergency Management at 360-385-9368, or by e-mail at
bhamlin@co.jefferson.wa.us.
Anyone from the Gardiner area who would like to sign up for the next CERT class can contact Elizabeth Van Dyke at 360-797-0066 or drvandyke3@earthlink.net.
topCommunity Center Decorated for the Holidays
by Suzanne Rehder
On Friday, November 30, members of the Gardiner community met to transform the upstairs meeting room into a glittering greenery-filled beautifully decorated space in which to welcome all who use the center in the month of December. The call (email) went out for volunteers and 16 elves showed up to assemble and decorate the beautiful tree, hang garlands decorated with lovely golden bows, install wreaths, swags and the beautiful golden stars hanging from the ceiling. The task was made much more fun with music, wonderful cookies provided by Lee Swenson and the general feeling of holiday cooperation and spirit. The GCC Board thanks the following volunteers in this effort: Herb Cook, Linda Hanel, Jan Hintermayr, Barbara and Bob McCauley, Diane and Dennis Martin, Joyce Minty, Cindy and Wendell Paulson, Rich and Debra Quinnell, Suzanne Rehder, Lee and Dick Swenson and Elizabeth Van Dyke.
topNew Community Center Board
by Bob McCauley
On December 20th Board President Dick Swenson retired
from the Board. His years of service to the Gardiner community are
greatly appreciated and he will be sorely missed. Taking his place on
the Board is Wendell Paulson. Wendell and his wife Cindy moved here from
California and are already very active in the Gardiner community.
Following Dick Swenson’s retirement the new Board took office. President
is Dennis Martin, Vice-President is Bob McCauley, Secretary is Suzanne
Rehder, and Treasurer is Linda Hanel. Other members are George DeBruyn,
Elizabeth Van Dyke, and Wendell Paulson.
One Thousand Three Hundred Pounds....Of Coffee
by Earl Gibson
That's the calculated amount we have brewed since
1983. It started when Ted Parr (carpenter) and I were building the
Gibson home on Bachelor Road. We had a coffee break at 9:00 am and soon
neighbors came to see the progress, give us “advice” and help us empty
the coffee pot. Soon it was two pots; still is. From this simple
beginning it grew to what Dick Howe named it “The Gardiner Men's Coffee
and Card Club”. (Some of the wives let their men play poker once a
week.) We usually have 5-7 on weekdays, twice that on Saturday and as
many as 19 on one occasion. We have been honored by visits from nearly
all County Commissioners and candidates for other offices (how did they
hear of us?). On a somber note, we miss some of the late members: Bud
Nebel, Pat Dilger, Einar Forsman, Floyd Stover, Bill Anderson. Yet new
faces appear and they are most welcome. We do not have a dedicated
purpose like the Salmon Derby, or a history as long as the Tatum 4th of
July picnic, but we sort of fill in the space between and help our
neighbors. Y'all come! 8-9 am every day but Sunday.
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Airlift Northwest
Airlift Northwest was unable to attend our Community
Center Open House held late last year. We feel it is important for all
to know about this critically important resource for the community and
the North Olympic Peninsula.
Since 1982, Airlift Northwest has been the region’s premier air medical
transport service, caring for more than 55,000 patients since the
program began. Now that same commitment to quality air medical service
is available to you and your household through Airlift Northwest AirCare,
a membership service available for residents of Washington State.
Learn more…
Download their AirCare brochure for complete details and an enrollment
form. You may also visit their AirCare frequently asked questions page
to find answers to your membership questions.
e-mail: membership@airliftnw.org
Phone: Membership Services 888-835-1599
This information is provided on Airlift Northwest web site:
http://www.airliftnw.org/aircare/aircare.htm
Garage Sale – George DeBruyn
The Gardiner Community Center announces its
annual Farmer’s Market and Garage Sale on
April 26th from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. The GCC will gratefully accept
donations of saleable items for our own sale. Contact George DeBruyn at
797-7981 or
email:
georgedebruyn@earthlink.net for more information.
Community Center Happenings
Regular Events
Exercise Class, Mon, Wed, 8:30-9:30 am
Yoga Class, Tues, Thurs, 9:00-10:30 am
Community Center Board, 1st Wed, 9:30 am
Jefferson Cty Cemetery Dist #3, 1st Wed, 7:30 pm
Gardiner Garden Club, 2nd Thurs, 11 am - 3 pm
Community Center Board
President – Dennis Martin
Vice President – Bob McCauley
Secretary – Suzanne Rehder
Treasurer – Linda Hanel
Member – George DeBruyn
Member – Elizabeth Van Dyke
Member – Wendell Paulson
Publication of any article does not represent an endorsement or recommendation of either the Gardiner Community Center or the Board of Directors. We accept no liability for the content of this newsletter, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. While we endeavor to ensure that the information is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Any views, opinions or information presented are solely those of the author.