I found the following information at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.4... The concerns about the applicant having to pay for the back ground check is address in number (7) Fees charged by the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation for fingerprint-based background checks shall be paid by the department for applicants or service providers providing:.

The bottom line is...volunteers work with children, people with disabilities and cash. Absolutely NO responsible business entity would hire a stranger without checking them out first.

For a reporter to write an article without the facts is disgraceful. For those of us who work/volunteer on Washington State Parks, we know there are problems in the park system, but the Discover Pass for volunteers is not a problem. The reporter who wrote this article should be VERY ashamed.

I hope this helps.

I had always thought it was illegal to own a piranha in the US; however, before commenting I took the time to look it up...it should be, but then what makes sense to me doesn't always apply to others. This is as insane as people who own large snakes that can eat a dog, but there you have it...common sense isn't required to be a parent.

My husband and I have been volunteering a state park for the past 4 years, and are beginning our 5th year. The venue in which we work offered to pay for our finger printing. We declined, as the cost was minimal. When the Discover Pass came into effect (dumb idea in our opinion), we bought one, even though we have handicap plates on our cars and which negates the need for us to have a DP. The background check was done on both of us but we were never charged for it. We deal with recruitment of new volunteers. We have discovered that Washington State is not the only state doing the finger printing and background checks, many of states require them. Is the DP a good idea, a resounding NO, but it is a reality. The park in which we work, has provided us with a Volunteer Pass at no charge, it allows us to be on the park without a DP. It is the same size and shape as the DP but a different color. The biggest reason for the drop in volunteers is, in my opinion, the cost of fuel, the large RV’s required for long term living do not get great fuel mileage. The DP has affected the number of visitors who use the parks far more than the availability of volunteers. The FBI background check is a federal law, RCW79A.05. Furthermore, if someone wants to apply for ANY job, they must fill out an application including their SSN and proof of eligibility to work in the US. This article does not have all the facts and was poorly written.

I wouldn't paint my house that way, but I don't dislike it either. The work appears to have been done well, it is neat and clean looking. I say the city planner needs to get a life and deal with more important issues. You go Jim, what we need are more people who want to add some color and fun to the world.

I can't believe that something like this could happen, but if the story is true it obviously did happen...I hope the agents are fired, tried and sentenced to a long term in prison. This is nothing more than torture which I believe is illegal.

OMG, what an idiot!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you 1,000%, but human nature always seems to want to take sides as well as "assuming" they know what really happened. Zimmerman has issues, and dictated his approach to this situation. That seems obvious, but as you said, we do not know what really happened, and we must wait for the trial. Sadly, none of us can look inside Zimmerman's head to see what really happened. We must wait, we will get only the prosecutor and defense attorney are able to show us, which is subjective to a large degree. Forensics aside, there were only two people who were involved and could see what was happening, and one of those is dead.

Our grandson is autistic and his mother was and is extremely tiny.... never has been over weight. I also know of several other autistic children whose mothers do not even come close to being obese. Autism is on the the increase at a rapid pace. I cannot believe that obesity is the cause, but then I don't know everything.

If you get a call from one of those poop for brains groups, consistently put in the wrong option until they disconnected me after 10 minutes....

There is a lot of fat in the state as well as the federal budgets that can and should be cut. Unfortunately I doubt that I will see the genuine fat carved out of the budgets in my lifetime. The tactic used to pass the budget was sneaky and underhanded and now we have to live with the consequences. Neither side is willing to cut out all the unnecessary spending. The fat in the school budgets should be reallocated with an emphasis on the old fashioned 3 R's which left the school teaching goals many years ago. The welfare spending is out of control, welfare is NOT a right, and originally intended to be a short term 6 month payment help to get someone back on their feet. To take welfare assistance was humiliating and still should be. And the list goes on and on...