2018 Native Plant Festival

Renewable Energy on your Farm

Open House in Grand Mound & Rochester

Coffee with a Commissioner

Save the Date:  March 5, 2018  10:30 AM at the Rainier Senior Center

Come have coffee, snacks and visit with Gary Edwards, our local County Commissioner.  He is very knowledgeable about  many of the issues and concerns people have in our area.  Please bring your questions and come visit with Gary.

Gary is serving his first term as Thurston County Commissioner and represents the Board on the following committees:

• Area Agency on Aging
• Emergency Medical Council (Medic One)
• Fire Commissioners Association
• Law and Justice Council
• Nisqually River Council
• Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM 911) Administration Board
• Thurston Thrives Coordinating Council

To find out more about Gary Edwards, visit his page at: http://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/bocc/Pages/bio-district-2.aspx

Here's a picture of Gary - now:

Here's a picture of Gary, years ago when he visited the Senior Center for lunch, when he was a Thurston County Sheriff:

Location:    108 Michigan Street, Rainier, WA 98576  
Questions:  Ask for George Johnson(360) 446-2258  

Thank you for coming to "Coffee with a Cop"

Wonderful turnout for "Coffee with a Cop." started out with 30 people and ended up with over 40. Thank you all for supporting our local sheriffs!

Captain Gordon Phillips has been a deputy for over 27 years.  He answered questions members of our community had about fences, weapons, mail theft, how to report a tip or situation in our neighborhoods.  

He fielded questions about standards for becoming a sheriff.  The standards are high, yet there are many jobs available for people who can't pass the physical to become a deputy.  

Sheriff John Snaza shared details about the Thurston County Sheriffs Department (TCSC).  Both John and Gordon started out as reserve deputies, which is done on a volunteer basis.  You can't tell a reserve officer from a regular, paid deputy.  This is a demanding, volunteer position, so it can be very demanding on family life to be a reserve officer while working a full time job to support your family. 

• The (TCSC) serves Rainier, Bucoda, Rochester and Tenino (after hours).  
• They respond to 1600 - 1700 calls in Rainier alone every year.  
• Rainier pays yearly for the service of 2 deputies.  
• Thurston County has the same number of sheriffs as they did in 1995.
• The population has increased by over 100,000 people since 1995.
• It takes on average 
• 11 minutes and 32 seconds for a sheriff to respond to an "in progress call."
• There are only 7 sheriffs on duty in the morning, only 8 during the middle of the day to cover all of Thurston County.  This is why response time isn't instantaneous.
• The (TCSC) refunds money not spent on the cities they serve.  This year Rochester will receive a refund of $12,000 and Rainier will receive $9,000.
• There are 11 Police Academy classes every year.  The TCSD has six people waiting to go to the academy.   It is hard to recruit new deputies.
• Deputies on the TCSD are volunteers in their communities.  They are ministers, coaches and do a lot of other community service work.
• Law enforcement officers are more trustworthy than clergy.  Only one half of one percent deviate from the high standards set by their departments.

The new jail for Thurston County is open.  It was full to capacity after the second month of operation.  They have 408 beds and need 120 more beds, because violent offenders and people with mental health problems have to be in cells by themselves.  About 50% of prisoners have mental health problems, while 70% of prisoners have a drug problem.

Overflow prisoners go to jails in other counties.  Each county has different training and standards.  Thurston County no longer sends prisoners to the Nisqually jail.  The Nisqually Reservation is a Sovereign Nation and they can't be sued, but Thurston County could be sued.  The TCSD is hoping to pay for more beds in their new jail with a bond.  

A special "Thank You" to Captain Gordon Phillips, Sheriff John Snaza and everyone who attended "Coffee with a Cop" today!  We will do this again, soon!

Coffee with a Cop February 5, 2018

Coffee with a Cop:  Members from the Thurston County Sheriff's department will be at the Rainier Senior Center on February 5, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  The public is welcome to come for a free cup of coffee and snack.  This questions you have about our local community.  Coffee with a Cop brings members of the Thurston County Sheriff's Department and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. 

February 2018 Lunch Menu

Feburary 5th, at 10:30 AM member(s) from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office will be by for "Coffee with a Cop."  They will answer any questions you have about things going on in our area, as they serve coffee

There are two special things going on during lunch this month.  Since the menu is small, you'll see arrows pointing from notes to the special event and luncheons.

1. We're having a Special Valentine's Lunch of Chicken Cordon Blu, Scallop Potatoes, Pickled Beets & Chocolate Cake.  The cost of lunch will be $5.00 per pserson.  Bringh you sweetheart to lunch!
2. Potluck on February 26th.  If you don't bring a dish to our pot luch, you can join us & just pay the regular price for lunch.

Note:  Membership dues are $15.00 per year per person.  All members are welcome to attend the Senior Center board meetings, which are held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 1:00 PM.  Some of the benefits members receive are:

1. Free lunch during the week closest to their birthday.
2. Free used of teh Senior Center for private events, like memorials.  Contact Thela Stepp or Teena Scott for more information.l