"The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. ... The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments they have created. ...the people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know." Public Records Act

Click on below for more information

Mason County Government
Mason County government information and services
Phone numbers for county offices: South County: 360-427-9670; North County: 360-275-4467; West County: 360-482-5269
Mailing address: 411 N 5th Street, Shelton WA 98584
Email your county commissioners:
District 1: Lynda Ring-Erickson lyndare@co.mason.wa.us
District 2: Tim Sheldon Tims@co.mason.wa.us
District 3: Ross Gallagher rossg@co.mason.wa.us (05/12/2010)

Fire District #2

-Fire District #2, Belfair; headquarters, Old Belfair Hwy. www.mcfd2.com/ Phone: 360-275-6711
Chief Beau Bakken bbakken@mcfd2.com
Administrative Assistant Nikki Madsen nmadsen@mcfd2.com
Commissioner Shelby Blackwell sblackwell@mcfd2.com
Commissioner Dan Burrus dburrus@mcfd2.com
Commissioner Dennis Hamilton dhamilton@mcfd2.com
Commissioner Kelley McIntosh kmcintosh@mcfd2.com
Commissioner Brooke Quigley bquigley@mcfd2.com (05/12/2010)

North Mason School District

-North Mason School District - 71 E Campus Drive, Belfair WA 98528 - 360-277-2300 - www.nmsd.wednet.edu/
Superintendent and Secretary to the Board
David Peterson. Office: (360)277-2300 - dpeterson@nmsd.wednet.edu
NMSD Board of Directors
http://nmsd.schoolwires.net/176810113183725967/site/default.asp?1768Nav=|&NodeID=70 (05/12/2010)

Port Districts

Constitutional authority of Port Districts
Title 53 RCW PORT DISTRICTS:
RCW 53.04.010: Port districts authorized -- Purposes -- Powers -- Public hearing. Port districts are hereby authorized to be established in the various counties of the state for the purposes of acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, development and regulation within the district of harbor improvements, rail or motor vehicle transfer and terminal facilities, water transfer and terminal facilities, air transfer and terminal facilities, or any combination of such transfer and terminal facilities, and other commercial transportation, transfer, handling, storage and terminal facilities, and industrial improvements.
Article VIII, section 8 of the Washington State Constitution authorizes the use of public funds by port districts in such manner as the legislature may prescribe for industrial development or trade promotion. "The use of public funds by port districts in such manner as may be prescribed by the legislature for industrial development or trade promotion and promotional hosting shall be deemed a public use for a public purpose, and shall not be deemed a gift within the provisions of Section 7 of this Article. [AMENDMENT 45, 1965 ex.s. Senate Joint Resolution No. 25, p 2819. Approved November 8, 1966.]"
RCW 53.08.260: Park and recreation facilities. A port district may construct, improve, maintain, and operate public park and recreation facilities when such facilities are necessary to more fully utilize boat landings, harbors, wharves and piers, air, land, and water passenger and transfer terminals, waterways, and other port facilities authorized by law pursuant to the port's comprehensive plan of harbor improvements and industrial development.
NOTES: Harbor improvement plan: RCW 53.20.010.
RCW 53.08.270: Park and recreation facilities -- Approval of other agencies. Before undertaking any such plan for the acquisition and operation of any park or recreational facility the proposed plan therefor shall be first submitted in writing to the director of the parks and recreation commission and to the governing body of any county or municipal park agency having jurisdiction in the area. The state director and/or such county or municipal park agency shall examine the port's proposed plan, and may disapprove such proposed plan if it is found to be in conflict with state or local park and recreation plans for the same area. If such proposed port plan is disapproved the port district shall not proceed further with such plan. If the state director or the governing body of the county or municipal agency does not respond in writing to the port within sixty days, it shall be deemed that approval has been granted. (05/12/2010)

Knowing the Waters--Basic Legal Guidelines for Port District Officials, by Robert F. Hauth
Table of Contents:
I. Basic powers-the distribution and exercise of governmental powers
II. Basic duties, liabilities and immunities of officers
III. Potential conflicts and ethical guidelines
IV. Prohibited uses of public funds, property or credit
V. Public works and competitive bidding requirements
VI. Sales of Port property
VII. The Open Public Meetings Act of 1971
VIII. The Open Government Act-public records-freedom of information-privacy
IX. Immunities from Tort liability X. Safeguards and precautions
Conclusion: To borrow another nautical term, the purpose of this publication is to assist port district officials to navigate a safe course and avoid certain trouble areas most frequently encountered by municipal officials. Although it is meant to be comprehensive, it does not necessarily include all statutes and regulations, or case law, that possibly may apply. Furthermore, as indicated at the outset, the law frequently changes with new enactments and interpretations; even legal interpretations may vary depending upon the facts of a particular case. Therefore, it is important to develop a healthy working relationship with the various offices and other sources of help available to you. Do not hesitate to seek information and advice, especially on legal matters. The result may make the difference between a smooth passage and a disaster; between success or failure in asserting a claim or defense, particularly when the good faith of the official may be an issue in the lawsuit.
www.washingtonports.org/downloads/knowingthewaters.pdf (05/12/2010)

Port of Allyn

-Port of Allyn--serving North Mason since 1921. www.portofallyn.com/ Phone: 360-275-2430
Administrative office: 18560 State Rt. 3, PO Box 1, Allyn WA 98524
Executive Director Bonnie Knight BKnight@PortofAllyn.com
Office Manager LeAnn Dennis LDennis@PortofAllyn.com
Commissioner (District 1) Judy Scott JScott@PortofAllyn.com
Commissioner (District 2) Jean Farmer JFarmer@PortofAllyn.com
Commissioner (District 3) Randy Neatherlin RNeatherlinpoa@yahoo.com (05/12/2010)

01/04/10: Port of Allyn meeting minutes
  (05/12/2010)

02/01/10: Port of Allyn meeting minutes
  (05/12/2010)

03/01/10: Port of Allyn meeting minutes
  (05/12/2010)

Port of Dewatto

-Port of Dewatto. www.dewattoport.com/ Phone: 360-372-2755
2501 NE Dewatto Road, Tahuya, WA 98588
Chris Phalen, Port Manager, Secretary and manager of the Dewatto River Campground - portmanager@dewattoport.com
Commission: http://www.dewattoport.com/commission.htm (05/12/2010)

Port of Dewatto Meeting Minutes
www.dewattoport.com/minutes.htm (05/12/2010)

Public Hospital District #2

02/23/10: MASON COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT #2 MEETING MINUTES
  (05/12/2010)

Sunlight Disinfects

RCW Chapter 42.30 Open public meetings act

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.30&full=true

42.30.010 Legislative declaration.
42.30.020 Definitions.
42.30.030 Meetings declared open and public.
42.30.040 Conditions to attendance not to be required.
42.30.050 Interruptions -- Procedure.
42.30.060 Ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, etc., adopted at public meetings -- Notice -- Secret voting prohibited.
42.30.070 Times and places for meetings -- Emergencies -- Exception.
42.30.075 Schedule of regular meetings -- Publication in state register -- Notice of change -- "Regular" meetings defined.
42.30.080 Special meetings.
42.30.090 Adjournments.
42.30.100 Continuances.
42.30.110 Executive sessions.
42.30.120 Violations -- Personal liability -- Penalty -- Attorney fees and costs.
42.30.130 Violations -- Mandamus or injunction.
42.30.140 Chapter controlling -- Application.
42.30.200 Governing body of recognized student association at college or university -- Chapter applicability to.
42.30.210 Assistance by attorney general.
42.30.900 Short title.
42.30.910 Construction -- 1971 ex.s. c 250.
42.30.920 Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 250.
(05/12/2010)

RCW Chapter 42.56 Public records act

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56

42.56.001 Finding, purpose.
42.56.010 Definitions.
42.56.020 Short title.
42.56.030 Construction.
42.56.040 Duty to publish procedures.
42.56.050 Invasion of privacy, when.
42.56.060 Disclaimer of public liability.
42.56.070 Documents and indexes to be made public.
42.56.080 Facilities for copying -- Availability of public records.
42.56.090 Times for inspection and copying.
42.56.100 Protection of public records -- Public access.
42.56.110 Destruction of information relating to employee misconduct.
42.56.120 Charges for copying.
42.56.130 Other provisions not superseded.
42.56.140 Public records exemptions accountability committee.
42.56.210 Certain personal and other records exempt.
42.56.230 Personal information.
42.56.240 Investigative, law enforcement, and crime victims.
42.56.250 Employment and licensing.
42.56.260 Real estate appraisals.
42.56.270 Financial, commercial, and proprietary information.
42.56.280 Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, intra-agency memorandums.
42.56.290 Agency party to controversy.
42.56.300 Archaeological sites.
42.56.310 Library records.
42.56.320 Educational information.
42.56.330 Public utilities and transportation.
42.56.335 Public utility districts and municipally owned electrical utilities -- Restrictions on access by law enforcement authorities.
42.56.340 Timeshare, condominium, etc. owner lists.
42.56.350 Health professionals.
42.56.360 Health care.
42.56.370 Domestic violence program, rape crisis center clients.
42.56.380 Agriculture and livestock.
42.56.390 Emergency or transitional housing.
42.56.400 Insurance and financial institutions.
42.56.403 Property and casualty insurance statements of actuarial opinion.
42.56.410 Employment security department records, certain purposes.
42.56.420 Security.
42.56.430 Fish and wildlife.
42.56.440 Veterans' discharge papers -- Exceptions.
42.56.450 Check cashers and sellers licensing applications.
42.56.460 Fireworks.
42.56.470 Correctional industries workers.
42.56.480 Inactive programs.
42.56.510 Duty to disclose or withhold information -- Otherwise provided.
42.56.520 Prompt responses required.
42.56.530 Review of agency denial.
42.56.540 Court protection of public records.
42.56.550 Judicial review of agency actions.
42.56.560 Application of RCW 42.56.550.
42.56.570 Explanatory pamphlet.
42.56.580 Public records officers.
42.56.590 Personal information -- Notice of security breaches.
42.56.600 Mediation communications.
42.56.610 Certain information from dairies and feedlots limited -- Rules.
42.56.900 Purpose -- 2005 c 274 §§ 402-429.
42.56.901 Part headings not law -- 2005 c 274.
42.56.902 Effective date -- 2005 c 274.
42.56.903 Effective date -- 2006 c 209.
42.56.904 Intent -- 2007 c 391.
(05/12/2010)

Sunlight Foundation--sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants
The Sunlight Foundation was founded in January 2006 with the goal of using the revolutionary power of the Internet and new information technology to enable citizens to learn more about what Congress and their elected representatives are doing, and thus help reduce corruption, ensure greater transparency and accountability by government, and foster public trust in the vital institutions of democracy. We are unique in that technology and the power of the Internet are at the core of every one of our efforts. (05/12/2010)