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POTPOURRI You are visitor since 10-15-99

Summary of Sunnyside' substantive news events for Nov. 1999

Yakima Valley News will glean news items from other sources and summarize them for our readers. Click q to email YVN's vast newspaper empire. Click q for archived Potpourris.

Feds slop serious cash into Yakima County troughs SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-30-99)---The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention has kicked in $739,000 for programs aimed at stopping teen AIDS and pregnancies in Yakima County. Gettin' a little taste of federal cash are Project Change in Mabton, Toppenish and Southeast Yakima. Federal yummies also will go to the Yakima County Health District, Yakima Valley Farmworkers' Clinic, Radio KDNA, Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, Educational Service District 105's Migrant Ed. Regional office, and Washington's beloved Dept. of Social and Health Services. Yakima Valley News' unfunded message to teens "at risk" for getting sick or pregnant is "we love you, but stop screwing." You're welcome.   Local farmworkers march in Seattle's WTO funfest SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-30-99)---Members of the Sunnyside-based United Farmerworkers Union hopped a bus and appeared in the Streets of Seattle today. They believe international trade agreements should guarantee a living wage, good farmworker housing, freedom of association, right to collective bargaining, plus health and safety laws. UFW Director Lupe Gamboa spoke against exploitation of third world farmworkers. The group backhanded Washington State, especially apple growers, saying farmworkers here don't have a legal right to bargain collectively. "Where we do try to organize, we're fired," said Samuel Vallegos, Mattawa. PacificCorp, ScottishPower announce merger SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-30-99)---Today's merger between PacificCorp and Scottish Power marks a first of its kind between investor-owned power monopolies the U.S. and United Kingdom. Officials say the enlarged juice provider will still be called Pacific Power but it will have deeper pockets. What good all this will mean for ratepayers remains to be seen.   So you want to bag one in Sunnyside? Forget it. SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-29-99)---This news flash just in: It's illegal to hunt in the city. Police Chief Ed Radder said some folks are complaining that hunters have been stalking pheasants along Midvale Road. Boom boom is no-no in town. What is it about Sunnysiders and birds, anyway? "Son-of-695" to help protect state taxpayers SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---The same folks who carried the day with I-695 are gearing up for another initiative campaign. This one is designed to roll back any fee or tax hikes by governments which anticipated I-695's success. Taxes and fees would be rolled back to July 2, 1999, levels-- the day organizers submitted 514,000 voter signatures to guarantee a public vote on I-695. At this point, any new tax or fee inspirations after Jan. 1 must go before the voters. Tim Eyeman, of Mukilteo, I-695's creator, said voters were appalled when local governments began boosting tax and fees after I-695 was submitted July 2. "They basically thumbed their noses at the voters..."It's hard to keep up (with local tax and fee increases). They keep popping up like popcorn," Eyeman said. "Son" would stop such shenanigans. It would also: Cap annual valuation increases by county assessors at 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is less, with Jan 1, 1999 values as the baseline. Restore property tax exemptions for vehicles. No more vehicle seizures by counties. Allow government agencies to adjust prices--without a popular vote--of items such as liquor, wine, medicines, and college bookstores. "Son" will need 220,000 signatures by next July to get on next November's ballot. Sign it.   Pacific Power to slap 15.3% rate hike on Sunnysiders SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---Before Pacific Power planned to "get outta town", the utility monopoly got the OK from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to slap a 15.3%, $25.8-million rate hike on its captive residential power users in Washington state. Pacific Corp., which owns Pacific Power, can take pride in that thump on local rate payer noggins. The rate hike for residential users will enable the monopoly to keep its commercial and industrial users, who can switch to other power companies if they find better rates elsewhere. Residential users have no such choice. With that work out of the way, Pacific now intends to sell out to ScottishPower, and let the UK outfit take the fall for increased power rates. The info comes from Jason Eisdorfer, attorney and spokesman for the Citizens' Utility Board, an Oregon watchdog group. You sure as hell won't hear it from Richard Walje, Pacific Corp. VP, nor Ed Ulmer, PP's Lower Valley customer business manager.   State Sen. Honeyford gets surgery at SCH SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---State Sen. Jim Honeyford underwent nasal septum and sinus surgery at Sunnyside Community Hospital this week, his wife, Jerri, said today. Honeyford was back at work the day following surgery, she said. She praised the "excellent" work of Dr. Henry Gronski and hospital staff. County plans one-stop permit center SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---Yakima County intends to let the public obtain permits at one courthouse location in the future. Commission Chairman Jim Lewis says the plan will be cheaper for taxpayers and more efficient for permit seekers. Citizens reportedly will go to the center for planning and permits, plus environmental health and geographical information, Lewis said.   S'side Schools to ask voters for $1.3 million Feb. 29 SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---The school board agreed last night to ask voters to approve a $1,246,000 bond levy Feb. 29, according to local reports. Supt. Rick Cole said that, at the same time, the district can lower property taxes from $1.71 to $1.51-per $1,000 in the district. That's because the state will match a successful local levy with $2,445,000 in levy equalization funds. The district will use the money to pay off some of its debts, allowing the local property tax cut. The levy would pay for more technology, safety-security, advanced-learning, and student programs, Cole says. That's reportedly what parents want. Dollars would go for training, curriculum, staff, and equipment. Errol Brown wins 4 more years by 8 votes SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-24-99)---Errol Brown, 20-year veteran of the Sunnyside City Council, will serve another four years, according to voters. After 22 days waiting for for final results of the Nov. 22 election, the County Auditor's recount made it official. "I'm glad it's over, said Brown, 79. Brown got 860 votes to challenger Bruce Ricks' 852. Pacific Power says it's AOK for Y2K, OK? SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-23-99)---Spokesmen say Pacific Corp., the humongous public utility monopoly that owns Pacific Power and provides juice to Sunnysiders, is Y2K ready. Richard Walje, Pacific Corp. VP, indicates the outfit will "continue providing reliable electric service" right through New Year's and beyond. The next millennium should see business as usual in the electricity department. Walje didn't leave his phone number for users who might want to call him Jan. 2.   Tom Johnston opens Tom's Car Store SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-23-99)---Native son Tom Johnston has just opened Tom's Car Store at 1020 Yakima Valley Highway. The 1971 Sunnyside High grad is a veteran car salesman who wanted to be his own boss for a change. Now he is. "People work hard for their money. They deserve to get the best deal they can when they're ready to spend it on something as important as transportation," Johnson told reporters.   "Emphasis patrols" promise quick Christmas cash for state SUNNYSIDE (Monday 11-22-99)---Cops will be out in force to scan and scope in-city drivers who haven't strapped their rumps into their cars this holiday season. "A zero tolerance will be placed and violations will result in a citation," said Sunnyside police officer Melissa Rodriguez. Seatbelt fines, formerly $47, are now $68 and climbing. "Emphasis" patrols help the state mitigate I-695's effects as the state vacuums in cash from beltless motorists. Will it save lives? Nah. But Melissa is so cute when she's threatening.   County Democrats prefer "new progressive Caucasians" SUNNYSIDE (Saturday 11-20-99)---Democrats are in the field, looking for folks to act as precinct committee officers. "We have been very successful this year in our efforts to fill all 179 (Yakima County) precincts with Latino, Native American and new progressive Caucasian (I.Q. 60--ed.) PCOs...," says Yakima County Demo chief Al Marquez in the party newsletter. Marquez also heads up the county's ACLU chapter. The old non-progressive Caucasians, who hate to progress from freedom and liberty any further than we already have, evidently are passé. Democrats successfully slaughtered nearly 100 of these non progressive Caucasians at Ruby Ridge and Waco, to which the ACLU turned a blind eye. Democrat Jim Davis, Coulee City wheat rancher, will challenge Republican Doc Hastings for the Fourth District Congressional seat next November. Looks like 2000 is going to be more fun than ice hockey.   Hating Whitey and other Progressive Causes on shelves SUNNYSIDE (Saturday 11-20-99)---Spence Publishing has just released David Horowitz' latest book, Hating Whitey and other Progressive Causes. A quote: "Ideological hatred of whites is now a growth industry, boosted by 'civil rights' activists and liberal academics. These once-youthful radicals, now entrenched in positions of power and influence, peddle a warmed-over version of the Marxist creed that supported the communist empire and excuses intolerance to the point of thuggery....With staggering hypocrisy, a clique of racial warlords and academic malcontents indicts our every institution for racial oppression." For more info click q. Whitey: they hate your kids. You'd best get this book and a cup of coffee.   Democrats recruiting poll workers for 2000 SUNNYSIDE (Saturday 11-20-99)---Democrat Eric Nelsen is recruiting Democrats to act as poll workers for the 2000 election cycle. Nelsen is at (509) 945-3745. Selected poll workers will attend a training session, and be paid $75 a 6 a.m.-to-9 p.m. day "for this civic service."   Chief resigns; probe ends; acting chief takes helm SUNNYSIDE (Friday 11-19-99)---Sunnyside Police Chief Wallace Anderson has resigned following a several-month probe by paid prosecutor Gary Cuillier. Anderson, a a 29-year PD veteran, was accused of shooting a variety of protected birds, illegally discharging firearms in town, and storing low-level explosives in his office. The city will continue to pay Anderson about $5,000 a month until he formally retires after 30 years next March 20. He must clear out his desk by Dec. 3. The investigation is officially over; no charges will be filed. None of Anderson's pension or other benefits will be affected. Cuillier wrote up the settlement agreement. Ed Radder, who recently got his Captain's bars, will act as chief for the foreseeable future.   Pastor says Youth Coalition now "on track" SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 11-18-99)---Methodist Pastor Brad Beeman says the Youth Coalition is "on track" now with it's new $65,000 grant and director Carlos Maya. It will now "target" elementary and junior-high children. Highschoolers will "mentor" the other two groups. The YC has five computers up and running to help teach computer skills. Beeman is a Coalition board member.   Anciso wins; recount upcoming in Brown v Ricks SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-17-99)---Incumbent Roy Anciso has finally won the Position 5 City Council race with DeAnn Hochhalter--893 to 852. But it's incumbent Errol Brown 860 and Bruce Ricks 852 for Position 6. With such a slim margin, the county auditor will make an automatic recount. Absentee ballots have kept people on the edges of their chairs since the Nov. 2 election.   Council ponders where to whack city's 2000 budget SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-17-99)---The City Council set the hatchet on the table last night, but talks revealed no total budget cut figure. Nor were any final decisions made as councilmen discussed a string of items. One item floated was cutting the $90,000 Library contract with the Yakima Regional Library system and running a city-only facility. Another was buying back some city employee's paid-vacation time. City leaders will meet for further budget talks at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Laws & Justice Center. The public is encouraged to attend.   City probably won't hire new manager THIS millennium SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-17-99)---The city council has rejected all three of the latest candidates for Sunnyside's city manager post. The city position remained unfilled for nine months last year after Leo Fancey was ousted and before Don Hahnfeldt came on board. Hahnfeldt left after nine months. City Attorney Mark Kunkler has acted as city manager pre-and post-Hahnfeldt. Mayor Ed Prilucik said the search should begin again immediately.   Sprint payment office closes its doors SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-17-99)---Folks will have to go to the 410 Market, 1301 Yakima Valley Highway, or Valley View Market, 107 W. Lincoln Ave., to pay their monthly phone bills after Jan. 1. That's when Sprint will close it's Fifth Street customer payment office for good. Sprint reportedly is looking for two more stores to help handle the load. The telephone company will still retain some 50 employees at the Fifth Street address.   Suspicions confirmed about WA state capitol SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-17-99)---Anthony Woody, 25, newest general assignment reporter at the Sunnyside Daily News, says "Olympia is known as the Ellen Degeneres wanna-be capitol of America." He oughtta know, he's lived there. He also appreciates Sunnyside's Hispanic women. He says Sunnyside girls are prettier than Olympia's, more straightforward, and more feminine. Put 'er there, pard. If you're lucky, you'll marry a good lookin' Sunnyside girl and stay here in Little Mexico 'til your hair turns white. S'side Fire Dept. seeking Christmas donations SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-16-99)---The Sunnyside Fire Dept. wants help to make Christmas '99 a better one for the city's needy. Items of interest include stuffed animals, toys, coats, gloves, mittens, caps, overshoes, adult clothing, winter wear, and commercially canned food. Cash for the needy is always welcome and will be spent in local stores. Residents might check their closets and storage areas for clean, usable items, and drop them off at the Fire Station on Eighth Street. Donors may also call 837-3999, and someone will pick up and deliver items as well. Dept. spokesman Arlo Waggoner asks that Sunnysiders "help us help others."   Sunnyside mulls $13.3 million budget for 2000 SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-16-99)---The City Council will mull a $13.3 million city budget for 2000 as public talks begin this evening. City Finance Director Bud Schatz projects a "deficit" of $568,940 next year's Current Expense Fund--with $4,796,220 in spending and $4,227,280 in revenues. But that's just a "best guess", says Schatz. His projection includes $230,000 less in tax revenues flowing in next year from a wide variety of sources. For a gander at the current budget, click q. Navigate around and ogle this year's staff salaries, budget categories, and amounts in each category. We'll hoist up 2000's figures when we get 'em.   Yakima County approves $45.4-million budget YAKIMA (Tuesday 11-16-99)---Yakima County has approved a $45.47-million budget--whacked $2-million after I-695 passed and sales-tax revenues dipped. Cuts include $851,797 from the general fund; $341,606 from the Sheriff's office; $139,159 from the Prosecuting Attorney's office; $122,907 from dog control; $56,654 from juvenile detention ("juvie"), and $629,000 from the beloved Regional Clean Air Authority--which no longer will be county administered. The County Health District's Sunnyside office will close. The County Auditor's office will pare back three staffers. Most cutbacks come in the form of fewer employees, building rentals, and phones. To check out these offices, click on 'em. To extrapolate offices apparently unscathed by cuts, click q, and scroll down. Total budget cuts amount to a small flesh wound. Meanwhile, check what the county Treasurer is up to by clicking q. Bonnie: America founded by great men, not cowards SUNNYSIDE (Saturday 11-13-99)---Speaking on behalf of all veterans, Sunnyside's "favorite daughter', astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, said Saturday that "(Veterans) remind us that this nation was not established by cowards but by great men." Dunbar spoke before a cheering audience at the VFW Vets Day program at Mid Valley Mall. Dunbar, a 1967 graduate of Sunnyside High, lost her brother Robert to the Vietnam War in 1970. "He want to Vietnam because he thought it was the right thing to do," she said. Dr. Dunbar is no coward either--she has earned five flight medals for that many flights into space. "The freedom (veterans) fought for and preserved allowed me to do what I was able to do, she said."   Butlers give $185,000 to Sunnyside Com. Hospital SUNNYSIDE (Friday 11-12-99)---Dr. Lloyd and Gloria Butler have given $185,000 to boost Sunnyside Community Hospital's "Building for the Future" campaign goal of $1.2 million. The gift adds to others given by the Butler family, including Rex and Hilda Butler, Lloyd's parents, and Bob and Charlotte (Butler) Haney. The donations have carried the campaign over the $1-million mark. Recent large donors also include the Bliesner family, who gave $100,000. Others who would like to donate can contact Dr. P.J. Swofford, chair of the fundraising campaign, at (509) 837-3933. Library to offer filtered and unfiltered 'Net access SUNNYSIDE (Friday 11-12-99)---The Yakima Regional Library has decided to set up two classes of computers in its branches throughout Yakima County. One set will be filtered for kids whose parents disallow possible Internet access to porn. The other will be unfiltered, allowing adults and kids with parental permission access to whatever 'Net offerings they want. The move salutes the First Amendment, while deferring to County mayors who threatened to withdraw library funds if the Regional Library board didn't come up with ideas to "save the children". Sunnyside Mayor Ed Prilucik was among those mayors.   S'side War Memorial includes 1776 revolutionaries SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 11-11-99)---Was America's Revolutionary War against Britain a foreign war? Should names of those old soldiers be placed on a new Sunnyside VFW monument? Greg Schlieve, who heads up a four-year old committee supporting the monument, says "yes" to both questions. That means the names of Capt. John Martin Shuck, and Christopher Shuck Jr.--both of whom fought against the Brits in two old wars--will be placed onto the Sunnyside monument. The Shucks are ancient relatives of Dr.Jack Hale, Sunnyside optometrist and himself a veteran of foreign wars. If you want your relative's name on the memorial, contact Schlieve at (509) 882-4498 or call the VFW's Bill Ingram at (509) 837-3482.   Phone in for unemployment benefits SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 11-11-99)---Unemployed workers in Yakima and Kittitas Counties can now call toll-free at (800) 362-4636, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to make unemployment insurance claims. Spanish speakers can call (800) 360-2271 for the same service in Spanish. It's all part of the new Unemployment Claims TeleCenter system inaugurated by the state Nov. 8.   Beautification Committee plans variety of projects SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 11-11-99)---Sunnyside's Beautification Committee doesn't simply hand out monthly awards for businesses and residences who work hard to beautify their facilities, though that is very important work. The committee reportedly straightened trees along the west side pathway. By next Feb. 19, the Committee hopes to plant Ash trees near the eastside pathway. The trees grow to 40-feet in height.   Want to volunteer for a good cause? Check this SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 11-11-99)---Indications are least 15 local groups could use some volunteer help. Included are the Annie Tran Center for Grief and Loss, Lower Valley Hospice, Dept. of Social and Health Services, AmeriCorps, Red Cross, Camp Fire, Lower Valley Crisis and Support Services, Washington State Reading Corps, Income Tax Assistant Program, Senior Nutrition Program, Grandview School District Volunteer Program, and the Volunteer and Career Center of Yakima County. Call the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce at (509) 837-5939 for contact info about these groups.   Neck-and-neck council races depend on absentees SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-10-99)---As of today it was Errol Brown 850 and Bruce Ricks 846 in one city council race, with Roy Anciso 883 and DeAnn Hochhalter 823 in the other. About 548 absentee ballots remain to be counted. Remaining votes will be counted and the election will be certified by Nov. 17, according to the Yakima County Auditor. The election took place Nov. 2.   I-695 and I-601 deliver 1-2 KO to tax-and-spenders SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 11-10-99)---If the legislature had, on its own, lowered car tab fees to $30 after Referendum 49 failed last year, the state may have avoided I-695 this year, State Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside), has indicated to reporters. Honeyford reportedly believes voters liked I-695 because it says any new tax or fee must be approved by voters after Jan. 1. The tax revolt follows in the footsteps of an earlier one, I-601, which caps state spending. Thus, Washington voters have given Olympia tax-and-spenders a one-two punch even Democrats should be able to understand. Honeyford says cities, counties and the state now will need to work together--as never before--to mitigate I-695 effects. Could exorbitant property taxes be next at the guillotine? Stay tuned.   Police chief's fate up to council following report SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-9-99)---Special prosecutor Gary Cuillier does not recommend any disciplinary action be taken against Police Chief Wallace Anderson for allegedly: Shooting a hole in the ceiling of the old PD in 1981 Storing some C-4 plastic explosive in the old PD in 1995 Cuillier believes, however, it might be good to check into the chief's: Storing class C (not high) explosives in the new PD in 1998 Shooting a seagull, heron, crow, and pigeon in town--thus discharging a firearm in city limits, which is illegal. Penalty is usually a fine. The chief denies shooting the pigeon, and has already paid the feds $250 for shooting the protected heron. Moreover, he's innocent of any of the rest until he's tried in court and found guilty. Any disciplinary action will be up to the City Council, who haven't decided the chief's fate yet. The chief has been on paid administrative leave since early September.   Sherry Street questions city delinquency fees SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-9-99)---The city sends out 700 to 1,200 delinquency notices a month to folks who fail to pay their utility bills on time. For each notice, it takes $1.50, or $1,050 to $1,800. Now the fee is $10 a pop, so the city can logically take in between $7,000 and $12,000 a month. Acting City Mgr. Mark Kunkler, also city attorney, says it's legal for the city to make fee changes without a public hearing. Sherry Street, who lost a bid for city council in the primaries, reminded the council that Sunnyside hosts a lot of poverty and illiteracy. "I thought the object (of the delinquency fee increase) was to reduce the number of delinquencies", Street said. "But the word has not gotten out about this to the extent where people can make adjustments." If delinquencies don't go down, the city stands to reap its first fee bonanza starting this month. After Jan. 1, when I-695 kicks in, raising any fees will require a vote of the people.   Clean Air troops check for illegal burning in Valley SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-9-99)--- "Enforcement staff" of the Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority were in the fields this weekend, finding out who's naughty and nice. Gary Pruitt, enforcement manager, says illegal burning "is not acceptable to us or those who comply" with the regulations. Everyone with a current burn permit is required to call the Authority for "burn status" (can you burn or can't you on a given day) at (509) 574-1410 or (800) 540-6950.   Yakima County considering $45.3-million budget SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 11-9-99)---Yakima County Commissioners are considering a $45.3-million budget for 2000 that makes provisions for a $2-million revenue loss due to I-695 and a sales tax shortfall. Commissioners have conducted four public hearings about the budget in different towns, listening to elected officials, department heads and especially the public. They'll adopt next year's budget Nov. 15. Click q to get inside every Yakima County program to see what staff it's buying, for what, and the amount it's paying them. Go ahead. You might be surprised. Next year, YVN will nail down the county budget and hoist a summary of it online.