News & Announcements

In case you don't religiously read your town newsletter each month, here are some tidbits from the December letter I found interesting:

• Bradley Huson's long service to Ruston has ended, at least in an official capacity. Bradley served on the planning commission, town council and even as mayor for a brief time.
• Dorothy Bailey was elected to Huson council seat, but has since moved to Chicago. She resigned her seat and the town is accepting applications for the open position through the end of January. This will be a two year appointment until the next regular election in 2013. Ruston residents are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume to town hall.  This is a very important service to our community and I hope the council will have many well qualified applicants to choose from.
• The dry weather in December allowed the sewer contractor to get a bit more work done than expected, but now that the rains have hit they will likely finish up the current work and stop until spring.
• The town managed to end the year while holding onto $3.5 million in their surplus account (mostly from The Commencement project sale several years ago). The mayor noted that the new year still presents many challenges.
• The fire department will be offering free CPR classes in late January. Their goal is to have every resident certified in the procedure.
• The police department reminds everyone to be careful about putting the boxes from your snazzy new holiday gifts out in the alley. They can become advertisements to wandering thieves about the best place to target.

Leroy "Buck" Linke: 1924-2011

Buck Linke was once a common face around Ruston. He lived on Winnifred Street in an old house that still stands in sharp contrast to the new home next door. He worked for the town, seen here driving the shiny new garbage truck in 1958. He was retired by the time I met him, but he was always full of stories. Despite his rough edges, he had a twinkle in his eye and quick smile. Rest in peace, Buck...  You can view his obituary via this link here...

Enjoy The Season

We are blessed to have a world-class zoo on our door step with a spectacular holiday display. It's worth fighting the crowds, so be sure to stop in this season at Point Defiance Zoolights celebration!

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...