Any Ideas?

It sits vacant, empty for years and years. A fire from a druggie in the upper apartment caused a lot of damage in July 2004. I spoke to a former owner a couple of years after the fire.
He told me the building inspector told him he would be allowed to make improvements while he repaired the damage under a grandfather system (that would not impose new building codes on the old structure). But once he had the interior stripped out, a new building inspector changed the rules and required that the remodel bring the space up to modern building codes. He felt the change was unfair, as well as more cost than he could absorb.
The building has since sold. Assessor records show Ruston Building, LLC bought it in March 2007.

Is there any role for us as a community to help get this building back on track? Is encouragement enough? Is there more the town's elected leaders could be doing? It's a tough time in the market right now, but throwing out some ideas can't hurt. It would be great to see something positive happening in this empty space.

RUSTON INSIDER

Be advised Ruston is in the big leagues in more ways than POINT RUSTON. One step forward one step back.

POINT DEFIANCE CASINO has sued the town of Ruston for $9.7 million. That is not a mistype. Check out the latest from the Tacoma Volcano here .

Hideous in more ways than one, big time rollers in the TACOMA CABAL. With the Town's money of course.

I will be posting only on RUSTON INSIDER and RUSTON LAWSUIT from hereon. Add to your favorites or add shortcut to your desktop for all the latest FROM THE FRONT ROW.

http://rustoninsider.blogspot.com/

RUSTON LAWSUIT is now available:

http://rustonlawsuit.blogspot.com/

In The News

The Tacoma Weekly ran a full article about the meeting last night, with lots more details about who said what.... read it here.

UPDATE: Thursday, 8:45 pm: The Weekly Volcano has an indepth article about Point Defiance Casino closing down its gambling. Read it here.

POINT RUSTON

FROM THE FRONT ROW: Ruston Town Council meeting 9-2-08 7 pm

Item 3 - Ordinance 1264 - Point Ruston MDP (second reading) passes 3-2 Albertson, Stebner voting no. Ruston is saved, on the map big time, despite the recalcitrants. More on the Dan and Wayne show later.

JOHN LARSON writing in the TACOMA WEEKLY here gave a synopsis of this historic Ruston council meeting that one would be hard pressed to improve upon. It is recommended reading. I will report on the Dan and Wayne show attempts to "slow down" the future of Ruston, our 102 year dream come true. I guess that surmises the difference between Wayne and Dan and the people of Ruston. We see and dream of the future they dream of the past


It was an historic evening, the air was light, the weather warm and not even a 55 minute wait for a Dan Albertson EXECUTIVE SESSION to conclude could bring down the sense of excitement. There was a sense of an epochal event of historical proportions about to take place. If you were there you will have a story to tell for the ages.

It was not all sweetness and honey. The disgruntled duo, Dan and Wayne, waged a blistering attack mostly based on baloney and buffoonery. Wayne whose wisdom never seems to advance from where it started in kindergarten started off on his favorite aphorism, building heights. Finally he was informed they were based on high water mark for the umpteenth time.. Then he expanded his knowledge base into utilities stating public was misinformed and Ruston would take "a big hit". Then, his favorite, the Marcotte Report stated there was no money available for fire or police. Wayne reimburse the town for the $70,000 you lost on the ballet lawsuit.

But the highlight, the nattering nabob of negativity, was the "hideous ghetto" comment of the apparently unbalanced Dan Albertson. He started slowly "My concern, rushing through, out of character, lack of openness, timing considerations, ex parte contacts, a litany of gobbledygook poured out of lawyer Dan. Branched off into STACK HILL was rushed with dire consequences had to be reprimanded by Hunt, Huson to stick to items on the agenda.

The duo's predisposition with building heights is unfathomable. The town sits 100 feet above the base elevation of POINT RUSTON, the low point on the Promontory is 90 feet. What is the point? Please somebody tell me what is the point. Dan says development is out of character with rest of the town. No kidding, it took a lawyer to figure that out? Lot 11A in Ruston is 94.75 feet above grade, lot 17 the Silver Cloud Hotel 91.56 feet. Some sites on the Tacoma side top 100 feet.

Then launched into personal attacks on council members with different views only to be shot down when they brought out the true facts. Although he was well advised to steer clear of Jim Hedrick. Finally winding up with a plea to SLOW DOWN. Yah, like almost three years to approve STACK HILL.

Amid the celebration a public comment called for the immediate resignation of Dan Albertson and Wayne Stebner who serve no useful purpose in Ruston except getting us into cabal lawsuits we cannot win. Please Dan and please Wayne sincerely weigh this advice coming from the wisdom of age.

Finally, congratulations to Bradley Huson who has become the elder statesman of Ruston donating his time to serve as Mayor at great cost to himself. Although Bradley went through a rough early period his devotion and willingness to serve the Town of Ruston never wavered. My hat is off to you and hopefully some of your critics on the council will benefit from your example. Kudos to Jane Hunt and Jim Hedrick for their study on the issues and their unbiased votes for progress.

WAYNE'S WORLD

Special Council meeting, Monday August 25th, 2008 7PM:

Meeting called to order Bradley Huson, Mayor pro tem. Quorum of three, Albertson, Hunt on vacation.

Item 1 - Discussion of Town Administrator

A general discussion ensued with public comments. Bradley explained need for Town Administrator, the most important thing we are doing. Part time three days a week or five days full time still to be determined. Bradley will put ad on AWC website with job title and description by the end of the week.

Jim Hedrick wanted to make sure town's interests and resources were protected. We need to stay ahead of the curve and assist the council in making better decisions with the expanded government. Jim wanted job management and construction experience. The urgency was added because the town was on its third Mayor in the last eight months.

Wayne was being Wayne and doing a Dan impersonation, informing Bradley, Mayor pro tem, this is your mess. Wayne this mess started two and one half years ago when you were elected to the council on a pro Ruston platform. We do not need a City Manager he continued as the voters have rejected a Town Administrator! Wayne the voted against a change of government away from Mayor Council form. Wayne declined to take over as Mayor pro tem.

Wayne plowed on we have no money (70,000 dollar ballet lawsuit vs. Commencement money wasted) and the Marcotte study said no new town employees according to Wayne. A public comment pointed out we could use part of the $400,000 saved on terminating the Huitt-Zollars contract. Several public comments echoed the "we are broke". The amazing turnabout, Wayne and his buddy tried to change the town charter to hire a PERMANENT Town Administrator at $100,000 a year as a cost saving measure!!! Go figure.

But other public comments pointed out we were at emergency levels because of no cohesion or planning in town policy. A part time Mayor at $500 a month is laughable in the face of major growth and expansion in the Town.

Chief Reese provided a sincere, telling comment that was moving and emphasized we are at emergency conditions. The town has a myriad of problems she continued, town staff needs direction and guidance. The Mayors, past, present and future, are overwhelmed as is the staff. Their is a need for feedback and personnel problems need to be looked at promptly. Not doing so will lead to excess costs which could be avoided

This was spoken with urgency and putting the council on notice that things are out of hand and will get worse if the council does not act soon. There is no time to waste. With a Town Administrator and full time Mayor all these problems could be alleviated and we could move forward.

Bradley closed with praise for Bob Everding for his organizing skills and list of projects he prioritized and left for the incoming mayor. Very helpful he explained with gratitude.

Adjourned 7:30 PM.

I will add my final comment those fighting the town and progress need to get on board or resign their council seats. The shameful backbiting on issues important to the town serves no useful purpose and is childish and irresponsible. It is over, we are moving forward, get over it.