Several members of the public and county staff used the Nov. 25 public comment period to raise community priorities and make brief announcements.

Kelly Frazier, Mason County executive schools manager, announced the county’s participation in Operation Greenlight for Veterans and introduced Dan Cameron to read a proclamation designating November 2025 as a month to honor service members; county buildings and several sites were illuminated in green as part of the initiative.

Paul Wenneke, superintendent of Southside School District, described a narrow access lane at his district’s school that presents daily drop‑off safety challenges (he said the county provided a gravel pathway of roughly 500 square feet and painted crosswalks but asked the county to pave and widen the staging area to reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts). The superintendent said parental staging previously involved up to 75 vehicles at a time during COVID and is now about 30, creating 7–11 minutes of daily conflict during dismissal.

Public commenters also pressed the county on homelessness and affordable housing. Bill Hyatt urged commissioners to rethink whether assistance programs provide a sustainable “hand up” versus a “handout,” highlighted concerns about an influx of people not from Mason County, and called for greater focus on homeless veterans. Michael Siptrough urged that affordable housing be a county priority and asked the county to maintain parks and recreation to support tourism and local revenue.

Staff and community partners also announced administrative items: the Historic Preservation Commission opened the 2026 heritage grant cycle (total $16,000; awards up to $4,000; applications due 1/16/2026) and the Economic Development Council will open a Belfair office and runs a childcare access survey at masonedc.org. Solid Waste announced Christmas tree recycling and holiday facility closure times.