SPSCC benefits from Mason's tireless work

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published October 31, 2009

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Thumbs up: Holly Mason

The South Puget Sound Community College gathered this month to honor Holly Mason, who recently retired as executive director of the college’s community foundation. Mason, who previously served as a volunteer board member and president of the foundation, has had an incredible effect on the entire college community. Her passion for the college is exceeded only by her determination to see that students of all ages, races and abilities have access to a college degree. In that regard, she created a remarkable vision for SPSCC. She spent her final days on the job meeting with college donors and others, introducing them to her successor, Cecelia Loveless — ensuring that the transition will be as smooth as possible. Mason pursued excellence relentlessly. She was not afraid to ask tough questions about the state of the foundation even when it was performing better than almost all others. She was not afraid to move away from an approach that had proven to be successful — the Harvest Moon Gala fundraising dinner, for example — because she recognized the foundation could be even more. That takes courage. Over the years, Mason helped raise thousands of dollars for scholarships that afforded hundreds of worthy students the opportunity to earn a college degree. Her ability to gather the right people to the table to raise money in the community — whether it was for the Minnaert Center for the Performing Arts or the new science building — was nothing short of remarkable. Holly Mason has earned a restful retirement after her incredible contributions to Olympia’s community college and entire South Sound community.

Thumbs down: Burglars

Olympia police have warned area business owners to take additional measures to safeguard their establishments from burglars who are using a specialized tool to remove deadbolt locks — a practice known as lock spinning. Police officials say lock spinning can be done quickly and quietly. Local burglars have targeted businesses in strip malls with deadbolts that protrude from glass doors. What a shame that business owners and residents who deadbolt their doors now have to worry that those locks can be easily penetrated. Police encourage business owners to improve their security by installing a security collar on external deadbolts. The collar spins to prevent the lock from being grasped by a tool. Anyone with information that could lead to arrests in this rash of burglaries is asked to call the Olympia Police Department’s detective division at 360-753-8400. Anonymous tips can be phoned to Crime Stoppers at 360-493-2222.

Thumbs up: Safe Halloween

The streets of South Sound will be filled with ghosts and goblins tonight. No, we’re not talking about politicians soliciting votes. It’s Halloween. Let’s have a safe celebration. Motorists must be extra vigilant — watching out for excited children dashing between cars or crossing the street without looking both ways. Parents should accompany their young children on their trick-or-treat rounds and make sure the kids are dressed in light-colored clothing. Children should carry flashlights and have glow sticks or reflective tape on their costumes so they can be seen easily. Youngsters should travel in groups. And when it’s over, parents must inspect each child’s bag of goodies to look for any dangerous items. Let’s have a fun, but safe, Halloween.

Thumbs down: Wayward pilots

Details are beginning to emerge about two pilots who let their passenger plane pass their intended Minneapolis airport landing spot by 150 miles. Air traffic controllers, other pilots and a flight attendant were unable to raise the Northwest Airlines pilots for an hour. The pilot’s initially told officials that they were having a heated argument over airline policies and did not have their radio tuned to the right frequency. They later said they were on their laptop computers going over flying schedules in violation of airline policies. The pilots passed breathalyzer tests and were apologetic. The pilot, Timothy B. Cheney of Gig Harbor, and the first officer, Richard I. Cole from Salem, Ore., have had their licenses suspended and were interviewed by National Transportation Safety Board officials this week. Aviation safety experts and other pilots were skeptical the pilots could have become so consumed with shop talk that they forgot to land an airplane carrying 144 passengers. Passengers put their lives in the hands of the cockpit crew and to think that pilots could be so careless is shocking. Increased airport security put in place after the terrorists’ hijackings are meaningless if pilots take such a cavalier attitude toward passenger safety.