Grays River Grange #124

Term Limits for the Supreme Court: Life Tenure Reconsidered

By Steven G. Calabresi & James Lindgren

In June 2005, at the end of its October 2004 Term, the U.S. Supreme Court's nine members had served together for almost eleven years, longer than any other group of nine Justices in the nation's history. Although the average tenure of a Supreme Court Justice from 1789 through 1970 was 14.9 years, for those Justices who have retired since 1970, the average tenure has jumped to 26.1 years. Because of the long tenure of recent members of the Court, there were no vacancies on the high Court from 1994 to the middle of 2005. We believe the American constitutional rule granting life tenure to Supreme Court Justices is fundamentally flawed, resulting now in Justices remaining on the Court for longer periods and to a later age than ever before in American history. 

Installations of Officers is January 24th!

Grange Meeting Tonight

6:45 Dinner

7:30 Installation of Officers

President's January Message

Happy New Year & Thanks For All The Help Last Year!

Grays River Grange is looking forward to 2012 as another productive year. The big project in 2011 was obtaining the property next door. 

A very special mention goes to Long Beach Grangers Ray & Barbara Milner who, through their caring spirit, helped us get the project off the ground.

Another special mention is Stan Sorenson - who came forward with a deep sense of caring and community pride.

Thank you to all in the community that helped us raise over $12,000 for the rehabilitation of the lot.

Rod & Darlene Ammer, Norman & Myrtle Anderson, Nina Berg, Norm & Joyce Bolton/Rosburg Store, Jack & Linda Brawn, Kyle Burkhalter, Susan & Gary Burkhalter, Robert & Lois Burkhalter, Pearle Burns, Campbell Group, Verle Chamberlain, Gloria Clark, Edward Downs, Beth Dunham, Carol Ervest, Marie Fauver, Marilyn Gudmundsen, Joe & Josephine Gilbert, Linda & Leon Gollersrud, Esther Gregg, J. Johnson, William Karwoski , Diane Maki, Irene Martin, Mike & Diane Matthews, Donald Matthies, Sue Mitchell, Ray & Barbara Milner, Krist & Darbury Novoselic, Peninsula Sanitation, Robert & Thea Pyle, Anita Raistakka , Don Raistakka, Retired Public Employees, Robinson Brother Construction (RBS), Roland & Lori Scott, Lenore Sorenson, Stan & Darlene Sorenson, Mary Steller, Dan & Clair Stephan, Rayonier , Mike Swanson Realty, Dean Takko, Terry & Kim Tarabochia, Poul & Zenaida Toftemark, Wahkiakum West, David & Gail Wahlstrom , Beverly Wallace, Vern Waterman, Dan & Tari Zimmerman

The Rise of the Republican Party

Master's Station #5

By Krist Novoselic

The Republican Party was founded in 1854 at a time when the issue of slavery was becoming ever more contentious. The party shared many policy goals with the Whigs. As Whigs were falling into disarray over slavery, Republicans, who clearly opposed it, spoke to Northern abolitionists. This led to the South’s secession and Civil War. Republican policy regarding a strong federal government dovetailed into the war effort.

Images From 2011 Christmas Party

   

National Grange December Message

Appelo To Be Honored For Years Of Port Service

Carlton Appelo will be honored for more than 40 years of service to Wahkiakum Port District. 2 on Sunday.

Carlton is a former Grays River Grange Master. He has served on the board since the port district was created in 1967.
Appelo, 89, was recognized as the state's longest serving port commissioner this year at the 100th anniversary of the Washington Association of Public Ports.
Port District 2 is to honor Appelo's years of service to the community by making him an emeritus member of the port board. Appelo still is chief executive officer of the Wahkiakum Telephone Co. and is our area's chief historian.

The celebration will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 in our hall.

(Image: Past Master Carlton Appelo, Cliff Danielson & ladies in Stockhom Sweden.

GRANGE -- Grassroots, Nonpartisan Advocacy

Due to the tumultuous times that led to the creation of the Grange in 1867, our by-laws dictate that our organization abstain from supporting candidates along the very lines that divided the country and led to the succession of the confederate states.  The divisions in our country created by this war, as well as union divisions, took years to heal and we strongly believe that national policy must be established through debate, but in collaboration and unity.

There are currently Granges operating in 37 states; representing more than 200,000 members throughout rural America. Grange Halls house pillars of rural communities, dedicated to preserving vibrant and competitive hometowns where their citizens have access to the same quality education, health care and technologies as their urban counterparts.

Our policies at the National Grange are born from the local and state Granges across the country. Legislative proposals, called resolutions, are brought forth by members and debated by State Granges. Those that pass at the state level are brought before the National Grange Convention and debated, with passing resolutions becoming National Grange Policy, available in our Journal of Proceedings and Legislative Policy Books. Policy at the National Grange is developed by membership and implemented by staff in a truly grassroots fashion.

The Grange is committed to an issue-based grassroots mechanism which allows us to support civic leaders based on policy rather than local politics. Although we do not support individual candidates, we strongly encourage our membership to engage in local politics and elections that can better the communities they serve. We open our Grange Halls for candidate debates, issue forums and other civic meetings and strongly believe that voting and participation in our governing systems is a civic responsibility.