South Sound briefs

The Olympian | • Published September 11, 2007

Rights transfers exchange zoning rights from low-density areas to higher density areas, in effect concentrating growth and protecting open space.

Sponsors include Livable Thurston, the League of Women Voters of Thurston County and Thurston Conservation Voters.

Sponsors say transfers have worked in King County, where 91,500 acres had been protected from development as of October 2005.

Redmond also has an 11-yearold program.

Senate hires clerk from other chamber

Democrats in the state Senate reached across the Capitol to the House Chief Clerk’s Office to hire a new caucus chief of staff.

Rich Nafziger, the House chief clerk, moves into his new job Oct. 1, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said Monday in a news release.

Nafziger had served as chief clerk since October 2003.

Carolyn Busch, who was chief of staff for three legislative sessions, said last month she is leaving for a position at the University of Washington’s planning and budget division.

“I am pleased he will be bringing his experience — particularly in the areas of education and labor, which are caucus priorities — to support Senate Democrats,” Brown said.

Nafziger is a member of the Olympia School Board and serves on several committees — including the Thurston Regional Planning Commission.

First United Methodist sets tent city meeting

The First United Methodist Church of Olympia will have a neighborhood meeting to discuss its plans to bring Camp Quixote, a homeless camp, to the church beginning about Oct. 1.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church, 1224 Legion Way S.E.

South Sound comes close to heat record

Olympia almost tied a record for heat Monday and could set a record today.

The city hit 86 degrees Monday; the record of 87 was set in 1993. The normal temperature is 74.

Today, the forecast is for 85 degrees; the record of 86 was set in 1969, and the regular temperature is 73.

The heat wave is expected to end, however, dropping to the mid-70s the rest of the week.

Sea-Tac airport tied a 61-yearold record Monday, hitting 85.

The last time it was that hot on a Sept. 10 was in 1946.