Blog-ah

Strykers Protested in Oly

Stryker equipment back from Iraq lands this week in Olympia. Expect plenty of protests. Click here for the Olympian's report.

1st Sgt Grand Marshall

The Grand Marshal this year for the Lacey Spring Fair, May 17-18 is Ist Sgt. Richard Stickell and family. Richard is a graduate of North Thurston High School. His multiple deployments include Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Deny Flight, and Iraqi Freedom. Members of the community are encouraged to participate in the parade.

This free, premier family event draws more than 15,000 people who come to enjoy great entertainment and fun for all ages.

Visit www.laceyspringfunfair.com for more information.

Legislation waives interest, penalties on business excise taxes for

This just in from the House Republican Communications Office in Olympia....

Governor Gregoire signed a bill today that will relieve military personnel serving in active combat areas of interest and penalties on their delinquent excise tax payments. Rep. Jaime Herrera, lead sponsor of House Bill 3283, accompanied the governor at the bill-signing.

“The men and women of our armed services put their lives on the line for us around the world. I think it is our responsibility to ease their burdens here at home. My bill will give business owners who are called into active duty combat one less thing to worry about,” said Herrera, R-Ridgefield. “I appreciate the bipartisan support my legislation has received throughout the process. I also want to thank the people who shared their personal stories that brought this bill to life and showed why it is needed.”

Testifying in favor of House Bill 3283 during a committee hearing in Olympia last month was Lt. Col. John Perry from Battle Ground. He is a small-business owner and a reservist called to active duty in 2004. Herrera also testified in favor of the bill.

Under current law, the state waives interest and penalties on delinquent property taxes for military personnel stationed in active combat areas. House Bill 3283 extends the same protections for business excise tax.

The state Department of Revenue currently charges interest on unpaid excise tax. It can also assess a 5 percent penalty on unpaid tax for tax returns filed late. This penalty can increase to 25 percent if taxes are unpaid for more than two months.

The 2008 legislative session concluded March 13.

Support The Troops Lights

We received this alert today...

"A picture is worth a thousand words!!!" We wish to invite our troops and their families to come visit our Xmas displays. We have about 90000-100000 lights and many displays to interest all ages. We are open from 5:00 to 10:00, no charge, a can of food for the food bank is acceptable. We urge everyone to park and walk thru the displays as there are 4 ponds, 200 fish, many things that can't be seen from the road. Also, share a cup of hot cider with us. These lights and displays are the works of the Hurst Family, 3747-107th Ave. S.W., Olympia. Phone 360-705-0754 or 360-352-1359 for more info. You take Exit 99, turn right at the stop sign onto 93rd Ave. and go approx. 1 mile to Jones Road. The only way you can turn onto Jones is to the left. Go to the end of Jones Road and you will be in awe. (If you miss Jones Road, go to the end of 93rd and make a U-turn and it is then the 1st road on the right) Please come see for yourselves and take pictures. Sincerely, Elly Hurst

Why Focus on Demonstrators?

Here's a letter we received today. We removed the name seeing we didn't ask permission to print it...but with all the ruckus in Olympia, it's worth considering...

1 Why does our media cover 50 demonstrators who are being disobedient and breaking laws but have no time to cover 400 people who pack boxes with love and support to send to our deployed troops ???????????
I know bad news sell ?????????????????? There really are good Americans out there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 Why do the protesters say "bring them home" then protest the ships that bring home the equipment that kept our troops safe in Iraq. Do they call this supporting the troops ??????????????????

Pretty screwy would we live in.

Olympian Calls For Ending War

Editor & Publisher has a report out today on The Olympian newspaper's call for bringing the troops home and calling the war unwinnable. The Olympian is owned by McClatchy newspapers which is also the CE publisher of Fort Lewis's Northwest Guardian newspaper, as well as the parent company for the News Tribune in Tacoma. Click here to see the Olympian's editorial.

Resistence Of Military Using Ports

OlyBlog offers a view from the other side of the gate - a recap on the peace movement's work to disrupt military use of the Olympia Port.

Wa Gov Lowers Flags

USA Today did a 50 state poll to see which governors lower flags when troops from their state are killed in the war.

Paper: Joint Memorials Compound Tragedy

The Olympian's Editorial Board prepared an editorial yesterday denouncing a plan at Fort Lewis to combine memorials for fallen troops.

Employers Honored For Hiring Vets

(WorkSource release) OLYMPIA – During today’s meeting of the West Olympia Rotary, Cardinal Glass, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Oil Can Henry’s were honored for their efforts to employ military veterans.

The awards were presented by Paul Trause, deputy commissioner of the Employment Security Department, as part of the agency’s Hire-A-Vet Challenge. The effort was launched more than a year ago to encourage businesses to hire National Guard and Reserve members who are returning from war.

“Our citizen soldiers are coming home and need help re-starting their careers,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee, who was out of town and not able to present the awards herself. “Washington businesses can make a difference by reaching out to recruit and hire veterans.”

Cardinal Glass employs 25 veterans in its 100-plus work force in Tumwater, including two Reservists. During the past year, the company has hired four veterans and has pledged to hire more in the future.

Sportsman’s Warehouse in Lacey employs 73 employees in its sports retail store. Since last August, the company has hired 15 veterans, representing 20 percent of its work force. Sportsman’s Warehouse also employs two Reservists and one National Guard member, of whom one Reservist is on active duty. The company has committed to hiring more veterans in the future.

Oil Can Henry’s, an automotive service business in Lacey, employs four veterans on its 20-person staff. All four veterans were hired during the past year, representing 20 percent of the company’s work force. The company also has one Reservist on active duty. Oil Can Henry’s has pledged to hire more veterans in the future.

“These companies’ commitment to veterans is truly exceptional and worthy of recognition,” said Mike Gregoire, husband of Governor Chris Gregoire and an advocate for veterans. “I strongly encourage other businesses to follow their lead.”

More than 10,000 Washington National Guard and Reserve members have been activated since Sept. 11, 2001, as part of the nation’s war on terror. Research by the Employment Security Department in early 2006 indicated that 60 percent of National Guard and Reserve members who returned from war in 2003 or 2004 did not have jobs in Washington in 2005. Of those who worked before going to war and obtained new jobs after being deactivated, most were making at least 5 percent less than they did before being deployed.

Employers who are interested in hiring veterans but don’t know where to start, as well as veterans who are looking for work, should visit their local WorkSource office or call 800-562-2308.

The Employment Security Department will organize additional events in other communities throughout 2007 to support the Hire-A-Vet Challenge and to recognize businesses that hire veterans.

WorkSource Web site: www.Go2worksource.com