Discussion On School Building Tonight

The Ruston Council is ringing in Christmas week a busy night tonight with discussion about the options for keeping or selling the Ruston School building. The study session for the school starts at 6 pm and the regular meeting begins at 7 pm.

The regular meeting agenda starts with "pine cone exercise" lead by Barbara Nelson, an ordinance that requires permits for digging in the town rights of ways that extend into most of our front yards, and employee medical benefits. And under state law, the council must approve the budget tonight or hold another meeting before the end of the year. It could be a long evening for our public servants and anyone who has time to attend and watch...

Santa Has Arrived!

Santa has arrived at Ruston Town Hall after an exciting, noisy escort through town by the fire department. Police officers were on hand as well to greet the kids young and old, some of whom wanted to pose with their local heroes as well as Santa.

The pick up of toys and food from front porches in town last night brought in quite a haul. We live in a very generous, kind community. Donations won't be delivered til Tuesday, so you can probably drop off more at town hall Monday if you missed the pick up!



Santa arrives with lights and sirens

Local boys pose with police and fire

Joey insists on a picture with his friend Chief Kunkel

Donations at town hall Friday

Donations at Don's Market Friday

Just some of the haul after collecting around town

Fire Department Collects Toys Today!

In case you don't faithfully read your town newsletter, late this afternoon the fire department will make their annual round to collected toys for the Salvation Army. Leave your unwrapped new gifts on your porch this afternoon and the team will be by to pick them up around 5:30 or so.

Ruston has been the largest donor in years past, so let's see if we can do that again. You can bring your gift to Don's Market or Town Hall as well. It's a great effort by our local heroes for a great cause!

Get Your Cold On!

If you are one of those crazy people who like to ring in the new year with insane antics, then the first-ever Point Defiance Polar Bear Plunge may be for you. Put on your Superman cape and make the jump at noon on New Years Day down at the marina....

Ruston School For Sale Again?

After epic political battles several years ago, the Ruston Town Council is once again considering selling the local school building. Almost 10 years ago, a previous council sold part of the school grounds for a controversial condo building and gave a long-term lease on the school itself to the developers. After two failed attempts, the condo project is in new ownership and the town has regained full control of the school building and parking lots.

At last night's council meeting, elected leaders discussed getting the building appraised and holding public meetings on the future of the building. Citing on-going maintenance and utility costs with the current budget shortfalls, the council and mayor are considering everything from moth-balling the building when the lease for the current occupant expires in January to selling the building. The mayor noted that he has told the new owners of the neighboring Commencement building that the school may be for sale.

The council tentatively set a study session to continue discussion on the issue for 6 pm on Monday, December 19th (before the regular council meeting).

Santa Came To Town (And He's Coming Back!)

Santa was able to join the festivities for the the Ruston tree lighting party last night, and will return to meet with children young and old in two weeks on December 17th at town hall at noon. Lots of neighbors braved the cold to count down the moment when Steve Taylor plugged in the lights on the big tree. Cookies, hot cider and coffee were enjoyed in front of Don's Market and Town Hall and everyone seemed to have fun ushering in the season together...

Holiday Happenings

Several holiday festivities are planned for December, so plan on joining the neighbors at these events:

• Tree Lighting: This Saturday, December 3rd at 5 pm on the corner of 51st and Winnifred; watch the ever-bigger fir tree in the center of town light up with bright colors. Refreshments and Christmas music will mingle with the faithful who brave the cold night, and maybe a visit from the big man in red.
• Holiday Festival: Ladies Workout Express will once again host a festival featuring over 14 local vendors with a wide variety of gifts to help with your holiday shopping. The fun runs from 10 am to 3 pm this Saturday, December 3rd at 4939 N. Pearl. Call (253) 752-8599 with questions.
• Santa Visit: The Ruston Fire Department brings Santa to town once again. The jolly big fella will tour town on the fire engine on Saturday, December 17th and hang out at Town Hall to greet fans from noon til 3 pm. Town Hall is located at 5117 N. Winnifred.

Tacoma Shoreline & Point Ruston

The News Tribune is reporting today (here) that Tacoma is considering an amendment to their shoreline regulations that would allow Point Ruston to build a limited number of townhouses 50 feet closer to the "ordinary high water mark" than is currently allowed. Under the proposed change, buildings can be built within 100 feet of the shoreline rather than the current 150 feet.

Ruston History Via Local Television

UPDATE, Friday 8:30 pm: The Ruston show is now available on the KBTC web page under the Full Focus listings (link here) - so you can watch it anytime you like....
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In case you missed the more humane showing of the new KBTC documentary on Ruston's history on Monday night, there is a second airing at 6:30 am tomorrow (Friday). I'll let everyone know if the show becomes available on-line.

Several local shops have the history book available or I have discount copies. Just email me if you are interested (kpickett22@yahoo.com) or stop by the Antique Sandwich Company this Sunday between 11 am and 2 pm for a book signing event.

Council Vacancy Process

According to Mike Rooney, manager of Pierce County Elections, here is how the election for Dorothy Bailey will proceed:

• Since Ms. Bailey moved out after the withdrawal period, it was too late to formally withdraw from the election.
• The county will presumably certify the election with her as the winner since she leads in the votes by a wide margin.
• If Ms. Bailey cannot take the oath of office, the council seat becomes vacant.
• The town council can use whatever process they choose to fill the vacancy, but they will be the ones to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
• The appointment will last until the next regular Ruston election in 2013 - so the appointment will be for two years, not the full 4 year term that Ms. Bailey was elected to.

I have contacted town officials to see what process they plan on using to fill the vacancy. They have run the gamut from appointing people with no public discussion to inviting anyone who is interested to apply in recent years.