FEBRUARY 2011 MEETING MINUTES

The meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club was called to order at 7:15 p.m. President McArthur led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard welcomed our evening’s guests, Gloria Howard, Rick Mackwell (Pat Orr’s nephew), Linda Ferguson (Sharon Darling’s sister), and guest of honor and guest speaker, Gordon James from the Skokomish Tribe. Richard introduced Gordon as past Tribe Chair, Cultural Leader and master storyteller for the Skokomish people, and then turned the meeting over to him.

Gordon told some of the history of the Skokomish people, who had nine villages around the Hood Canal area in ancient times, and how they were organized in their villages to best support all of the people, who were mostly related to each other. Gordon told about how looking back in time at how the old villages were organized helps them see how a modern community developed over time. When it came time to select a mate, they travelled to neighboring villages and spent time with their intended until such time as the marriage took place. Then the couple would live either in the husband’s or wife’s village, as was deemed best for both, as well as both villages. Harmony and balance were the goal, as well as minimizing cultural conflicts. The Skokomish people had their own language, cultural system and values that they handed down to their children. The village might have 200 people living in it, so they weren’t large groups of people. Gordon also spoke about the concept of “Indian time”, which addresses more priority than punctuality, as well as concepts of the “future”. The future can be seen as relatively short-term or long-term in scope (short term would be “do we have enough supplies to last the winter?” and long-term addresses considerations of actions taken now affecting many generations to come). Mr. James graciously took several questions and everyone seemed to enjoy his presentation very much. We thank Gordon for sharing his valuable insights into Skokomish culture and tradition.

The minutes from the December meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurer’s report from December was approved as presented. Other business will be addressed at the March meeting.

Richard circulated a sign-up sheet for all interested in helping maintain the Dalby Waterwheel. Thanks to all who signed up and expressed a willingness to help the waterwheel.

President McArthur thanked our evening’s hosts Constance Ibsen and Ed Binder, also Helen Robel, Becky Russell as well as others who lent a hand, including Richard McArthur. Many thanks to them all!

“For the good of the order” included an announcement by President McArthur that there will be a fund-raiser pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 5th from 8am - 11am at the Union Fire Hall to benefit UFD Matt Henirich’s ongoing health support.

Val Johnson reported that a representative from PUD #1 is scheduled to speak to the UTA on Wednesday regarding the hydropower possibilities for the Dalby Waterwheel. She suggested that we might want to have the same presentation perhaps at our March meeting.

Ed Binder said that PUD #1 had held a meeting a couple of weeks ago to discuss their comprehensive water plan for the future, and thought it would be good if we would host such a forum in the future.

Constance Ibsen notified the group that the Webb Hill Bio-Recycling Plant is due for re-certification and recommended that the HCIC host a public forum to discuss this issue. She mentioned that when she contacted the Department of Ecology to learn more about the re-certification process, she was amazed to learn that the Bio-Recycling Plant is a self-regulated site, and not overseen by DOE. Mr. Kyle Dorcy will be preparing and writing the report which is due in April of this year. Constance volunteered to write a letter inviting Mr. Dorcy to make a presentation to the HCIC, and will bring it to our next meeting for all to sign. Ed Binder recommended a copy be sent to the Mason County Board of Commissioners.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Johnson, Secretary

MINUTES OF JANUARY 2011 MEETING

The meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club was called to order at 7:15 p.m. President McArthur led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard led the group in singing the Happy Birthday song to our January birthday members, including Charles Johnson and Mike Jensen. The Johnsons then sang the “Birthday Dirge” to all. The minutes from the December meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurer’s report from December was approved as presented. Treasurer Johnson explained that the expenses incurred for the Dalby Waterwheel repair work during the December storm would be taken from the CD when it matures and returned to the general fund. Henry Biernacki reported that due to the December storm the water pipes were filled with rocks and sand, became clogged and needed to be repaired so that the waterwheel would once again turn. The club hired Pam Hanson’s brother, Ed Walker and his friend Tony to do the digging to free the lines, but it would be better if club members could volunteer for this type of work in the future. Val will send an email request to all members and see if a volunteer group could be formed for future emergencies. Thanks to Henry for overseeing the work to completion.

Ed Binder presented the Audit Committee Report and everyone had a chance to review the great work done by his committee, including Lola Pittard and Mike Jensen. Ed said that the financial reports done by Treasurer Johnson are the best he has seen in this club in 30 years, and that the suggestions in the report have to do not with any criticism of his work, but reflect an interest in providing continuity to future club treasurers, so that the good practices that have been developed can continue. Treasurer Johnson stated that he will draft a document that includes the recommendations that can be used by future club treasurers, and will present it to the Board of Officers for approval. It will be presented to the members at the February meeting. Many thanks to the Audit Committee for the fine work done.

Pres. McArthur reported on the Dalby Waterwheel road signs, stating that the WSDOT had planted our signs in both directions on highway 106, and that since they have been approved and placed officially, they should stay where they are from now on. WSDOT Traffic Manager Steve Bennett did mention to Richard at the end of the process that the State no longer places signs such as ours, but made an exception this time. Secretary Johnson will write thank you letters on the club’s behalf to both Tim Sheldon and to Steve Bennett for their assistance in completing the project.

Mike Jensen reported on the HCIC cabinet doors and said that he would work on them soon. He was unaware that the cabinet had been approved at the place it is occupying at the NCCU office or that the HCIC binders had already been moved there. He said the doors are ready to be installed and he was just waiting for the green light.

New Business:

We discussed and voted upon whether we wanted to have the Club’s half of the 50/50 drawing go to the Hood Canal Food Bank, or to the HCIC treasury, and the club treasury won. We then passed around the Food Bank can for members to make their contribution directly.

Richard introduced our evening’s guest, Howard Leggett, Vice President of the McReavy House Museum of Hood Canal, who gave us an update on the restoration project. The vision is for the house to be repaired to the degree that community clubs and groups can begin using it, hopefully by May of 2011, for different activities of interest to area citizens. To open by May, they need to have the PUD water connect fee paid, which is $3,500 and are asking all groups and individuals to help them with this cost. President McArthur gave Howard the standard form the club developed last year, to be filled out and returned with the requested donation shown. We can then review the request at the next meeting. All seemed to appreciate Howard’s presentation on the progress and planned activities at the McReavy House.

President McArthur thanked our evening’s host Pat Orr, as well as others who lent a hand, including Mike Jensen, Bill Viger and Richard McArthur. Many thanks to them all!

The 50/50 drawing was conducted by Mike Jensen and Gordon Barrett was the winner of the $24 pot. He asked that his winnings be donated to the Food Bank. Thanks, Gordon!

Bill Viger reported that his rain gauge showed that we had a total of 110 inches of rain in Union in 2010, which according to the records he has been keeping for the last 25 years, is 20% more rain than usual.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Johnson, Secretary