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What’s Inside Views...................................Page 6 Business.............................Page 7 Obituaries.........................Page 10 Go Green...........................Page 12 Classified...........................Page 19
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Buckley voters approve gas utility sale Puget Sound Energy will take over operation of the natural gas department By Kevin Hanson Senior Writer
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Now that Buckley voters have overwhelmingly supported the notion of selling their natural gas utility, city officials can continue the time-consuming process of hammering out final arrangements
with Puget Sound Energy. During last week’s general election, more than 85 percent of the vote went in favor of handing gas operations over to PSE. As of Friday morning, the official count was 657 for the sale with just 111 opposed. Buckley has owned and operated a natural gas system since 1957 and is one of just three cities in the state to do so, along with neighboring Enumclaw and the Kittitas County community of Ellensburg. For a variety of reasons, the city has desired to get out of the gas business and an informal survey of citi-
zens showed broad-based support. Earlier this year, the city advertised the utility for sale and PSE was the only bidder, offering $5.4 million – slightly more than Buckley had anticipated. The sale was contingent upon public approval, which came last week in landslide fashion. Now, the real work begins. Or, to be more precise, kicks into high gear. Anticipating a favorable vote, the city and PSE had done some of the early legwork necessary to complete a purchase-and-sale agreement.
“It’s a complicated process,” City Administrator Dave Schmidt said. Every aspect of the gas system has to be detailed, there’s a franchise agreement to be ironed out and easements have to be granted, for example. Additionally, Puget Sound Energy now has to get a formal blessing from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to take over the gas system. And finally, there’s the issue of current city employees who work solely with the gas system;
See SALE, Page 3
Fire levy losing, new members join councils
High School postseason action – Page 8
Weather
By Dennis Box
The forecast Wednesday calls for a 30 percent chance of rain with highs to 53 and lows near 41. The trend continues Thursday and Friday, mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Showers are predicted to continue through the weekend with highs to 49 and lows dropping into the high 30s.
Editor
The Nov. 5 general election sent a number a first time politicians into the office and said no to a levy increase for King County Fire District 28. Election results are updated daily at the King County Elections and Pierce County Auditor website. The election will be certified by he canvassing board Nov. 26. The results reported in this article are as of Friday
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End of War
The end of World War II is reflected on the front pages of the Courier-Herald from May and August 1945. Germany surrendered May 7, 1945 and the unconditional surrender was ratified May 8, V-E day. V-J day was celebrated Aug. 14, 1945. The official V-J day is Sept. 2, the date the Japanese signed the surrender document aboard the USS Missouri. Veterans Day, Nov. 11, marks the end of World War I, known as the war to end all wars. The WWI ended on the 11th month, 11th day at the 11th hour, 1918.
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Voters rejected Proposition No. 1 by 63 percent, which was a King County Fire District 28 property tax levy increase. In the race for commission Position No. 2 Angela Stubblefield was Angela Stubblefield leading Elbert Reed 55 percent to 45 percent.
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