Newsletter - December 2003
Dear Cooper Point Neighbors,
We have had a productive year, and there are several
items of news that we would like you to know about.
First of all, I want to tell you that your Board
remains dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents of
Cooper Point. I know that 'quality of life' sounds like a buzz-word, and
there is really no definition for it that everyone agrees on. I can assure
you that we spend a lot of time thinking and talking about how our small
Association can influence all of the various things that make our corner of
Thurston County such a nice place to live.
One of the major accomplishments of the year is a
complete re-do of our website. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Nancy
Ronning, who volunteered her time to get the improved web site up. This site
will be changed over time to accommodate input, so if you have suggestions,
please contact us to give us your comments. There are also links to many
other local agencies and organizations that may interest you. Let's use this
web site together as a way to communicate and help each other.
We are also working to stay in close contact with both
the County and the City on land use planning issues. You may have read in
the newspaper about our continued advocacy for a park on Cooper Point. This
issue is not simple, and we have a limited ability to influence it, but we
are continuing to work on it. We may be able to help the County to get input
on the obvious questions such as the type and location of a park.
We are also participating in the discussion of the
possible sites of mussel rafts on Eld Inlet. If you are interested in this
issue, see the article submitted by the APHETI Board on our
Mussel Farms page.
Our Fire District is also continuing its planning
process, and we have one board member who is serving on the advisory
committee. The Fire District is thinking through important issued about the
location of stations, response times, and capital planning. The advisory
committee is well into its work with Captain North and the Fire Commission.
The best time to think about emergency services is when you don't need them!
Not all of the news is good. There have been some
troubling theft and vandalism issues this summer and fall. The north part of
Cooper Point has seen an increase in mail theft, and there has been a large
increase in organized vandalism and graffiti in other neighborhoods. It may
be time to organize block watch programs.
Finally, this next year is the time for the County to
perform its periodic update of the comprehensive land use plan. This
critical process - which is mandated by State law - is described in detail
in another article, Thurston County Land Use Plan. There may be no other
process that affects our 'quality of life' more than this one. We plan to
participate actively in the process. You should too.
Sincerely,
Eric Johnson, President, Cooper Point Association
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