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Wednesday, November 5, 2014 | 75 cents
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Pierce County looks to condemn Buckley property
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Landowner says the county has not offered fair value for the land
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By Ray Still
www.blscourierherald.com
Staff Writer
Election Results
Look for results online at blscourierherald.com
Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for a 50 percent chance of rain with a high near 61. Thursday also calls for rain and a high near 60. Friday looks to be partly sunny with a high of 56. Saturday is also forecasted for mostly sunny skies with a high near 57. And Sunday the rains return with a high of 55.
Monkey Isaac Rush, 1, mouse Cassie Petersen, 1, and cow Cru Dobson, 1, dressed to party in the streets of Sumner. Kids of all ages Trick-or-Treated in the city’s downtown area, visiting local businesses for candy and watching pumpkin dancers writhe and wiggle to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. More photos on page 28. Photos by Ray Still
Bonney Lake students vote on key initiatives By Ray Still Staff Writer
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The students have voted. Washington K-12 students completed their mock elections Friday on three high-profile state initiatives – I-591, I-594 and I-1351. More than 18,000 students participated in the mock elec-
tion this year. Students were able to vote online all week, and the results of the mock-election were published online last Friday. Secretary of State Kim Wyman said the mock election prepares students to be active in civic life. “The mock election is a great way to introduce students to voting and why it’s important,” Wyman said. “I hope every Washington student will gradu-
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CONTEST
Pierce County has begun the final stages in acquiring the land the county stated it needs to finish the Foothills Trail in East Pierce County. The Pierce County Council voted unanimously Oct. 21 to begin the condemnation process of the last four properties the county wants to acquire to finish the trail. According Pierce County Park Director Tony Tipton, one of the reasons for starting the condemnation process was because negotiations have stalled with
ate with the skills to fully engage in our democracy, and have the passion and commitment to do so. Voting is a key part of it.” The students voted on two gun law initiatives and one education initiative, as well as their district representative. Initiative 591, if passed, would prohibit government agencies from confiscating guns or other firearms from citizens without due process, or from requiring background checks on firearm recipients unless a uniform national standard is required. I-594 would apply currently used criminal public safety background checks by licensed
two of the four property owners. One of those landowners is Buckley resident Doug Dickson. Dickson said that he is not interested in selling his land to the county. “I moved to the county to enjoy it,” he said. “I don’t have much of a choice anymore. But if I have to sell it I need fair market value.” Condemning land is part of the eminent domain process, where a governing body can claim land for the public good – in this case, the Foothills Trail, which has been under construction for more than 25 years. The land the county
SEE CONDEMN, PAGE 5
dealers to all firearm sales and transfers if it passes. I-1351 would allocate funds to reduce class sizes and increase staff support for K-12 students, especially in high-poverty schools.
Results
Students did not pass I-591, 45.22 percent yes to 54.78 percent no. The majority of Bonney Lake students who participated in the mock elections, however, supported the initiative. Students did pass I-594 with 68.59 percent yes and 31.41 per-
SEE MOCK ELECTION, PAGE 7
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Green Edition) for Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. Count the turkeys you find in each edition. Register online at our website, facebook or any mobile tablet to play and enter the correct number of turkeys for each week’s paper. Just click on the Turkey Contest and play - That Simple! Go to: blscourierherald.com and play. (Must be 13 or older to play. See official rules online. Winning entries will be drawn on Nov. 27, 9am for 1of 4 turkeys.)
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