In Memory of Dale Jones

I knew it would be coming and had braced myself for the news, but when Madeline called me to say that Dale had died the night before, the tears still welled up as I grieved the loss.

She asked me to help draft an obituary for the family to work on, and I was thankful for something tangible to do for them. As I wrote the details down that are the customary brief bullet points summarizing an inadequate smattering of who Dale was and what he accomplished, I reflected on the impact he had on my life and who he was to me personally.

Dale & Ken Wolfe

I always secretly thought of Dale as the King of Orting. I am honored to know many of the people who have cared for Orting throughout their lives here, but none can  compare with the deep passion I personally witnessed in Dale Jones.

My respect for Dale went far beyond his public service as an elected city official. It was everything he did behind the scenes that went unseen, without thanks and recognition, all for the love of his hometown.

Dale & Ken at Pumpkinfest

When I would stop and visit the Jones, Dale would sometimes greet me  with a grin, and sometimes with a growl, but always with concern, for Orting and for me.

I knew Dale was the person in Orting that I could count on when in need.When my husband hit an oil patch on I5 and wrecked his motorcycle, it was Dale who came to the rescue, trailer in tow, riding in like a knight on his stallion.

Dale was the first person who came to mind to call for help when I had problems after wandering off the trail along the Carbon River while on a bike ride and wondered if I'd need to be rescued while my husband was out of town.

Dale & Madeline at Harman's Party

I hope many people join me in honoring Dale and supporting his family at the graveside service for friends and family that will be held at the Orting Cemetery on Thursday, October 13,  at 11 AM, followed by a 1 PM memorial service at Edgewood Bible Church, 1720 Meridian Avenue East, in Edgewood.

Chief Drake and Dale

Following is the obituary published by Dale's daughter, Shelly Schlumpf.

Dale Jones was born January 1, 1940 and passed away October 7, 2011 after a lengthy illness at his family home in Orting.  The first baby born in Pierce County in 1940, Dale was nicknamed “Forty” by family and friends.  He attended Orting High School and Washington State University and was a proud Cardinal and Cougar.

Dale and his siblings were second generation Orting Cardinals and much like his parents, he dedicated most of his life to the Orting community in a variety of ways. 

He served as Orting’s mayor and a city council member and served on several city commissions.  Sports were always important to him and he enjoyed running the downs markers at OHS football games for over 20 years where his father helped to install the football field lights.  He was very active in the Orting Lions Club and a proud Orting High School alumni member.

Visiting in the park

Dale enjoyed being involved in community projects like Orting’s Bell Tower, The Gazebo, Orting Station and Fountain and hanging city Christmas lights and downtown event banners.  He helped with school projects, the Lions Community Sports Park and Orting’s Community Float which he drove in many of the annual Daffodil Parades.   He also volunteered at his church and helped with various construction projects.  

Dale was interested in all things “Orting”.  From flood control to police, fire and public works, transportation to economic development, he believed in celebrating Orting’s heritage while looking forward to smart growth and maintaining a quality of life for the city he loved.

A veteran teamster, during his career Dale owned and operated a trucking company serving four western states and currently owns an RV and mini storage business.  

Dale visiting at the Lions Club

Dale is survived by his wife of 51 years, Madeline, three daughters and their families:  Shelly Schlumpf, Janice and Kevin Sienkiewich and Tracy and Robert Odd; sister Muriel Wilkins, six grandchildren, Nick, Jennifer, Joseph, Carly, Ashley, Mitchell and two great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Jeanette Jones, brothers, Benjamin and Larry, sisters Billie Jean Zumbuhl and Diane Cope and son-in-law, David Schlumpf.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at the Orting Cemetery on Thursday, October 13, at 11am, followed by a 1pm memorial service at Edgewood Bible Church, 1720 Meridian Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

Dale and Madeline Jones with city officials breaking ground for the Orting Station

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Multicare Hospice or the Heart Foundation.

Sam Colorossi's Transit and Tax Perspectives

City Council member Sam Colorossi shared his perspective on yesterday's blog post with me in an email and gave permission for me to share it.

"In my mind these taxes are two very different programs with two different commitments.  First, the RTA tax, if my memory serves me right, was floated to the public many years ago for creating the taxing district to fund the RTA project in the Puget Sound Area. The measure failed at the polls.  So the members of the RTA committee studied the voting results and resubmitted the plan, only this time they gerrymandered the lines throughout all areas that voted favorably for the plan.  When they resubmitted the plan for the second vote it past and the taxing district was established.

I cannot remember if Orting was included favorably for being a part of the construction plan however I do remember seeing a rail line proposed as far south as McMillin.  So those living in Orting who voted favorably for the RTA system knew full well they would not see Orting become a local benefactor of the long range plan.  One of the taxing forms for this program is the tax on any vehicles that uses the highways system.  The tax is collected yearly based upon the value of the vehicle being licensed by the Motor Vehicle Department.

    

On the other-hand, the Pierce Transit tax is a part of the sales tax package.  Many years ago, the Orting City Council felt it would be nice to have bus service to Orting.  So they petition Pierce Transit to become a part of their taxing district.  But, first, this had to go before the citizens of Orting and be voted on.  The measure passed at the ballot and we began receiving bus service.  Not, all that smoothly, but none the less, we had service.  After several years Pierce Transit was having troubles generating enough bus traffic, to and from Orting, to pay the bills.  So, Pierce Transit cut our services in the late 1990’s. As Mayor of Orting at the time I, personally, threaten deannexation.  Pierce Transit acquiesced with a service called the “Orting Loop.”  This was a very limited, “on call service”, if you will.

Now, times have changed.  The economy is in the tank and Pierce Transit has had to make some very tough decisions.  That they have done.  They have chosen to discontinue service to Orting.  With that commitment, they have broken an agreement to provide us service especially since we voted our community into their taxing district.   We will soon have no service, so should the citizens of Orting have to pay a tax for something that we are not receiving? 

In my mind, we cannot equate the Pierce Transit tax with the RTA tax, and therefore agree with Mayor Temple’s position.  These are two different types of taxing commitments that were made over the past years."

Thanks to Sam for sharing his thoughts and the background on the issue. 

If you'd like your opinion posted on this topic or some other that effects Orting, please send me an email to jrmadison@comcast.net and please express your perspectives appropriately for family readership.

Colorossi and Transit photos from Google Images.

Tempted to put horse on Sumner train

An Orting reader responded to a Google News link that ran on my blog last week with the following email note to me regarding an exert from Orting Mayor Cheryl Temple.

"...the comment from the mayor, that we won't have bus service, does that mean that we can stop paying the RTA tax that they hit us with?  Even on my horse trailer I have to pay the RTA tax, I have been tempted to take the horse to Sumner and try to put her on the train, her vehicle pays the tax so she should be able to ride!!!"

The comment she was referring to was in a recent article in the Bellingham Herald that said, "Pierce Transit will no longer serve Orting and Buckley, and Bonney Lake and Sumner will see reductions, along with other parts of the county. In Orting, “we’re frustrated” by the loss of service, said Mayor Cheryl Temple. “Our ultimate goal is to find a way to serve the people.”

To read the entire article go to:

 http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/06/25/2076511/leaders-in-east-pierce-discuss.html#ixzz1SWTSXTaY

You can email your opinions and ideas to Mayor Temple at ctemple@cityoforting.org  or if you'd like them published here in the blog,  email them to me at jrmadison@comcast.net

Kim's On Oprah For Losing 164 LBS!

My Orting friend Kim Whitlock appeared on the Oprah show Tuesday because of her amazing 164 lb. weight loss achievement. She has kept the weight off for two years now and has found success in conquering obesity by following the principles in the book 'You On A Diet' by Drs. Oz and Roizen. Her before and after photos tell it all. The beautiful woman inside her is shining on the outside now.

We organized a viewing party at Sparpole Restaurant and Lounge for folks to gather and celebrate her great achievement. She was honored with gifts and kudos including: Flowers and balloons from her friends and former coworkers at Safeway; T shirt, water bottle and memberships to Curves from Anna Olson and Anytime Fitness from Cathy Pritchard; $115 gift certificate from Jill Gonzalez at Hair Hype; Zumba classes from Orting Mayor Cheryl Temple; a mirror disco ball from the Orting Chamber of Commerce; Arthur Murray Dance Center of Tacoma came and owner Amy Wohleb gave Kim a certificate for 12 ballroom dancing lessons. Lance, the Arthur Murray dance professional, took Kim for a spin on the dance floor to the tune of Dancing Queen.

She has been featured in newspapers, the Oprah magazine, radio, TV and websites.Congratulations Kim, on your huge achievement!