Commissioners busy before Thanksgiving

Sheriff Mark Howie reported that his office had exchanged their Humvee for a hard top Humvee at no cost at the November 25 meeting of the county board of commissioners.

“It kind of looks like a hatchback,” Howie said. “It’s not as military looking as the other one, and I think people realize we are using it for emergency management stuff more than anything. It’s black and will have the sheriff’s markings on it.”

Librarian Carol Blix gave a presentation and asked the commissioners to consider supporting the Cathlamet Library, as they had in 17 of the last 20 years.

“The Town of Cathlamet funds a little over 85 percent of the library budget,” Blix said, “but only 47 percent of the library card holders are town residents. Some people outside the district are disappointed when they discover there is a fee to have a card. If we could have additional funding to help out with that, it would be great. We’d be able to provide a few more services for our patrons.”

“I would like to offer $3,000 now,” said commission Chair Dan Cothren, “but I don’t know what we’re going to be able to do next year. I know it’s a good program. When you look at the numbers, I think it’s only fair that the county does something.”

Commissioner Blair Brady was less enthusiastic and suggested running a library district levy.

“Please don’t construe me as anti-library,” he said. “I’m just tight.”

Despite Brady’s hesitance, he voted to award $3,000 to the library in 2015 along with the other commissioners.

Attorney Tom Doumit revisited an agreement between the Burkhalter family and the county commissioners regarding property that borders Johnson Park, noting that the property had been conveyed to Bob and Lois Burkhalter’s grandchildren, Austin and his wife, Nicole Burkhalter.

The commissioners approved the change in the documents regarding an easement, a boundary line adjustment and a lease at Doumit’s request.

“We thank the Burkhalters for participating,” Brady said.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen gave an update on the new ferry and the work being done to get ready for it. The commissioners then approved a motion to accept bids for ferry landing modifications. The bids will be opened at 10 a.m. on December 16 and awarded at 3 p.m. the same day.

“This has been a long uphill battle to get this one ready to go,” Pete Ringen said.

Puget Island resident Jim Bucklin’s claim for damages was denied a second time. Bucklin claimed that his 2012 Mazda Van had been damaged when a county snowplow sprayed gravel and snow onto the vehicle in December 2013. The claim for $474.52 was denied the first time because there was “too much time between the date of the incident and the date you filed your claim.”

“I’d like to be on the record as saying that I’m for giving this guy his claim,” Commissioner Mike Backman said.

In other business, the commissioners voted to have the prosecutor move forward in an appeal to the supreme court over the recent biosolid decision. They also approved Toni Fest’s appointment as Johnson Park Events Coordinator.