Keep Ruston - Ruston

This is my opinion on the issue of annexation. I’ve invited Council Members Stebner and Albertson to share their views on why they support annexation. I welcome other points of view. Please send your name and opinion to kpickett22@yahoo.com.

We all know the foundation for the "Keep Ruston ~ Ruston" viewpoint. It costs less to live here. We maintain local control. We know our elected officials. We know our neighbors. We have all the benefits of a big city just a few blocks away, but have the privilege of holding onto the best of small-town America within our 5 square blocks.

It’s the rest of the building that is harder to describe. How do you describe the color of connection when a family member dies and casseroles show up on your doorstep along with much-needed hugs? How do you describe the strength of the beam that wraps itself around you when the person rushing to help in an emergency is your friend who calms with the sound their familiar voice calling your name? How can you put words to the solid warmth of the walls that hold your children safe, watching them as they skip down the street generation after generation?

There is something to a name. It’s like being part of a family; for good or for bad. The ties are deeper. The connections are stronger. You are known and you know the details of your siblings. Even though that gets uncomfortable at times, it creates safety and comfort. We have the best of rural life in a very urban setting.

We would loose too much of the good if we give up our town. As Mayor Hopkins said at the last meeting, it’s not the same just blending in one of the neighborhoods in Tacoma. And once its gone we can NEVER get it back again.

The only reason for annexation given by Council Members Stebner and Albertson is that Ruston is spending more than we took in this year. Everyone is facing deficits right now. Tacoma, Pierce County, the state, the federal government. It makes for a convenient excuse, but remember that Stebner was meeting secretly with Tacoma officials about annexation over 3 years ago. This is not a new idea for them.

Ruston has faced other budget shortfalls. The economic downturn of the 1980’s hit us harder than most. Ruston dipped into its reserves in the 1990's for a couple of years before the decision was made to sell the lots below the school building. We held on through those tough times; delaying some costs, cutting others, seeking out and getting grants, helping each other out as best we could. We can hold on again. The town has never had $3 million in reserves before. Of course we should be cautious about spending it. But we should exhaust every possible means to survive before we use our valuable time, energy and resources to “explore” annexation.

I’d like to know how much attorney/staff time and the council’s limited energy has been spent “researching” this option. Why aren’t we spending that time and energy looking for ways to survive? What about trying to increase our business base? No one has accounted for the huge impact of construction taxes, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for Point Ruston alone. What other income sources are we not accounting for? There are vacant properties the Town can still sell (not counting the park). Not only does that give the reserves a boost, but it creates taxable property. There are many, many more ideas other there. Our focus should be on finding positive solutions.

Tacoma has already said they would make Ruston residents pay directly for any infrastructure improvements needed to bring our systems up to their standards. Ruston would likely pay Tacoma’s EMS levy for a three times longer response in an emergency. Their fire department is fine, they are just further away and busy most of the time. There are no efficiencies to be gained with Tacoma. The larger system is not willing to defray any costs for us. IF we have to pay these costs, we should pay them to ourselves and keep our town.

The first and foremost duty of an elected official is to serve and sustain the community that elected them, not destroy it. This council has been given a precious gift. Citizens have begged them to treat it with the care and respect it deserves. I frankly don’t expect Council Members Stebner or Albertson to change their direction. It is up to Council Members Huson, Hedrick and Hunt to take a strong, vocal stand ~ to be a positive force for saving this town.

We need them to stop wasting money, time and energy pursing the longstanding agenda of a minority. These three need to be leaders that give us hope in our future, who think outside the box for creative ways to hold on. All the negative talk and publicity is discouraging and sends us in the wrong direction as a town. We need to hear this council majority give voice to the many who want to save Ruston, equal voice to their council peers each and every time annexation is discussed. Our four minutes a month is not adequate.

That voice has not been strong enough as yet. You may have noticed the signs showing up around town. We want to let the world know there are many, many who want to Keep Ruston ~ Ruston. So far about 70 signs are out there. There are a few more available at Don’s Market. Join us in this effort to encourage our leaders to focus on positive ways to sustain and build our town, not destroy it.

Karen