Commissioners busy with agenda

August 16 , 2007

Wahkiakum County commissioners were busy Tuesday with a public agenda loaded with many items.

They did meet in executive sessions at least three times--once for a collective bargaining grievance hearing and also for potential litigation.

As a result of one session, they voted to accept the resignation of Dr. Richard Avalon from the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic effective September 30.

Avalon, one of two doctors at the clinic, sought release from his contract for extenuating family health reasons.

"We looked at the situation in executive session," said Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow. "We have neither the legal recourse nor the moral position to hold him to the contract."

Commissioner Tom Doumit moved to accept the resignation with regrets. He commented that Dr. Avalon has been a leader in the health of the community for 24 years.

Doumit also reported that members of the Clinic Advisory Taskforce and clinic staff had had an initial meeting with a potential new nurse practitioner.

In other business, commissioners adopted a revised ordinance claiming a portion of the state sales tax for county use in public facilities or economic development. There is no change to the rate of sales tax charged in the county.

The board also authorized Public Works Director Pete Ringen to apply for state funds to repair the foundation and paving on a half mile stretch near the end of Elochoman Valley Road.

The road is narrow, and heavy truck traffic is breaking it up, Ringen said. There are no residences in the area; the primary use is for logging industry traffic. To obtain $535,000 for the work, the county would have to match $59,500, he said.

Commissioner Dan Cothren commented that because the traffic is industrial or by hunters, the county could consider declaring the road a primitive road and using the $59,500 elsewhere.

"If we don't accept the money and keep the road, we'll spend a lot more to maintain it over the years," Ringen said.

After more discussion, commissioners agreed it would be better to do the work, which could be done over a period of years, than to reject the funds.