Town Hall Filling Up

I was just at Town Hall, and the place is filling up with toys. Take note of the guy in the mayor's seat :). The toys will be donated to Toys For Tots, and non-perishable food is being collected as well. Stop by and add yours to the collection!

Tree Lighting

The lighting of the Ruston Christmas tree last night was a big success. About 50 folks from local families, fire fighters, police and local politicians gathered around the tree to count down to the moment the tree came to life. Don's Market passed out hot cocoa (sorry Beth, I'm not a good photographer), Fire Chief Torbet led the group in a Christmas hymn and many brought toys and food for the needy. Despite the cold, many stayed around over an hour visiting and wishing all a wonderful holiday season.

Remember Santa arrives on the fire engine next Saturday at 1 pm ~ and leave non-perishable food and unwrapped toys on the porch next Thursday and the fire department will pick them up before their usual training. Just be sure they are clearly labeled. Or bring them by Town Hall yourself.

* December 2009 Holiday Events *

December12
The Town of Ruston will be holding our annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony this Saturday at 5 PM (51st and Winnifred). We had a great time last year, so don’t miss out on this year’s festivities! You can also bring along any new unwrapped toys or non‐perishable food donation.

December 17
The Ruston Fire Department is teaming up with the FISH food banks and Toys For Tots for this year’s charitable outreach. We’re making it easier to donate this year, by picking up any non‐perishable food items and new unwrapped toys right from your doorstep. Just place the clearly marked items on your doorstep on December 17th and the firefighters will pick this up. You can also bring your donations to Town Hall.

December 19
We’ve just received a telegram from the North Pole that Santa will be making an appearance at Town Hall on Saturday December 19th from 1 to 3 PM. Please be sure to bring the whole family down for treats and a “wish list” meeting with Santa.

Council Meeting Quick Notes: Dec. 7, 2009

Just a couple of highlights from the meeting Monday:

• New street light purchases were approved for Highland, Winnifred and Shirley Streets. Pearl Street will be delayed so the design can be coordinated with the business district, the state (Pearl is a state highway) and Tacoma (so both sides of the street can be updated together hopefully).
• Updates from the business district were added as a regular part of the agenda.
• There was discussion about the town web site updates, imaging for all town documents, school lease obstacles, town hall capitol improvements, protecting the police with surveillance equipment on the parking lot & station, supporting a professional appearance for police and fire, Harbor Improvement funds transfer to Sewer fund, among other things.
• The food & toy drive continues and a tree lighting ceremony will be held this Saturday, December 12th at 5 pm at 51st and Winnifred.
• Former police chief Sharon Reese was in town and came to the meeting to say hello.

I'll have more details next week after I review the recording of the meeting. Be sure and join us for the tree lighting on Saturday evening at 5 pm (and bring some toys and food).

Ruston In Oil

This note came across my Facebook page today... The Washington State History Museum announced an oil painting by Orlin Coughlan (a local artist) of the Ruston area (click here to read). This 3-foot-wide 1960's painting will be on display during the Folk Art exhibit starting in February 2010.

Ruston's Shoreline Plan

Ruston's planning commission is going to look at the town's Shoreline Plan. Their first step is an informational meeting with a representative from the State Department of Ecology. Stop by on Wednesday night to hear the detail about how these regulations work and the process the planning commission will be using. More details are available on the town planners web page here...

Hardin Sworn In Tonight

Lyle Hardin, Ruston's newest council member, will be sworn in at tonight's council meeting. He replaces Dan Albertson. Because Dan was appointed to his position and Lyle was elected by the voters, Lyle assumed the seat as soon as the election was certified on November 24th.

I'm not sure what else is on the agenda for tonight. Come to the meeting yourself and see!

Ruston 21

Our sister city in Ruston, Louisiana is just about done with their long-term community planning. The advisory board will present their goals in the coming weeks. You can read more about their progress here.... It is very interesting to see the parallel issues and potential solutions.

They Listened?

The Park District took to heart what the community said about the improvements to the steep hill east of the bowl. Here is their announcement:

Bittersweet Goodbye: Opinion

Yesterday, a few of us gathered to say goodbye to Karen Carlisle. Karen has served as Ruston's Clerk-Treasurer for the last 9 years. She has worked under 7 different administrations in that time. She has seen some political firestorms and been the focus of a few of those storms herself.

I have always appreciated Karen's honesty, commitment and love for Ruston. There is no question that she gave her heart 100% to this community. She knows the budget inside and out. She knows what makes the town administration function more than the rest of the staff combined. She carries more details about this town in her head than any of us can imagine. And all that knowledge is now lost.

She has a heart of gold, but doesn't mind dishing back what is dished out to her. In other words, she didn't always play the political niceity-nice game. But even when she may have been brisk, she was always professional. There were times when she and I did not agree on issues; times when I irritated her or vise versa. But we have always been able to maintain a civil relationship.

On community celebrations, she went well beyond the call of duty. She almost single-handledly organized a town parade a few years ago. She worked tirelessly on the bridge dedication and "memories in brick" memorial. There is no question that she loved us deeply.

I don't think any of us appreciate fully all that Karen has given us over the years. She was an easy target when someone disliked the mayor she worked for. Any complaints about the town usually ended up at her feet. The political pressures on her would have driven most of us over the edge. But through each new mayor, each new round of complaints or change in political wind, she maintained her professionalism and her integrity. And above all, her love for this community never wavered.

To the naysayers, be careful what you wish for. We have lost a gem that will be hard to replace. Karen Murphy Carlisle leaves with her head held high. She leaves a community that is better because of her efforts. Many, many of us will miss her ~ and hope she finds rest and peace in her new endeavors. She's certainly earned it.

Karen