2007:A yearin review

2007: A year in review

Wahkiakum County residents will remember 2007 as a year of change and challenge.

In the January 4 edition of The Eagle: The year opened with the county recovering from weeks of floods and storms in December. Also, Commissioner Mark Linquist, who won re-election by a coin flip with Blair Brady, succumbed to cancer just before the year's end, and fellow Commissioners Dan Cothren and George Trott appointed Tom Doumit to fill Linquist's vacant seat on the board.

January 11--The undefeated Wahkiakum Mule boys basketball team took control of the Central League standings with a 59-51 win over Toutle Lake.

January 18--Grays River writer Robert Michael Pyle published a book of essays, Skytime in Gray's River. Cold weather made driving treacherous; five mishaps were reported January 9. Town of Cathlamet Council officials planned work projects for 2007, including refurbishing and repainting of the Greenwood water reservoir and reconstruction of Broadway Street.

January 25--Fishermen, including bald eagles, were reported out in force along Grays River. The state Department of Transportation began cleaning up slide damage on SR 4 near Stella; highway traffic was governed by a stoplight. County Public Works Director Pete Ringen announced funding was available to fix storm damage on the Elochoman Valley and Family Camp roads.

February 8--The Wahkiakum Mule wrestling team won the district tournament; Kevin O'Connor, Jared McEntire, Chris Mendez and Brady Johns won their weight classes. The Mule boys basketball team defeated Mossyrock 72-56 to win the Central League championship. Dredging started along Puget Island with spoils going into scour holes that were eroding dikes. Cathlamet officials and economic development personnel began discussing the possibility of trading town land to developers who would build and operate a new sewage treatment plant in return.

February 15--The Lower Columbia Economic Development Council presented its annual Lattie Metcalf Small Business Award to Diane and Rob Stockhouse, owners of Stockhouse Farm and Rog's Retreat on Puget Island. The Mule boys basketball team defeated Toutle Lake and Morton to notch an undefeated, 20-0 regular season. Senior players were Travis Bain, Ty Briscoe, Toby David, Branden Ferguson, Bud Hammon, Romeo Savant, Josh Gerlach, Damien Deaton and Brenden McClain.

February 22--Wahkiakum PUD commissioners gave final approval to the Western Wahkiakum Water System Expansion project, a $1.3 million project. County officials approved two subdivisions and they and fair board members began planning how to repair flood damage at the fairgrounds.

March 1--Toutle Lake upset the Mules 51-42 to win the boys district basketball title. County commissioners planned two community meetings to discuss current issues including the financial shortfall threatening the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic.

March 8--Gordon and Vera Oman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The Mule boys basketball team finished in second place at the state basketball tournament. The US Coast Guard said LNG tanker traffic would be safe on the Columbia under tight conditions.

March 15--Delayed in obtaining easements from property owners, the state DOT finally started work on the Stella rock stabilization project. H&K Construction started work on the new Cathlamet Fire Hall.

March 22--Staff cuts were proposed as a way to ease the revenue shortfall at the Cathlamet clinic. Town officials began planning a $5 increase in sewer rates to build a fund for future construction.

March 29--Wahkiakum School District personnel began analyzing a list of maintenance needs totalling $879,000.

April 1--Wahkiakum School District directors told administrators to begin planning a remodel of the high school.

April 12--Frank and Dorothy Jacobsen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. At a public meeting in Rosburg, Westend residents urged commissioners to take steps to maintain the health clinic in Cathlamet.

April 26--At a public meeting in Cathlamet, eastern Wahkiakum residents urged commissioners to cut clinic expenses before seeking taxes to pay for it.

May 3--County commissioners agreed to press Bradwood Landing for funds to cover costs of services to respond to potential emergencies at the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG plant. Commissioners and county officials cancelled the traditional free dump day as a way to cut expenses as they face a revenue decline.

May 17--Commissioners voted to eliminate the Noxious Weed Control Program as a way to cut county expenses.

May 31--Culpepper and Meriweather Circus performed in Cathlamet.

June 7--St. James Family Center announced that Carol Carver would retire as executive director after 12 years and would be replaced by Beth Hansen, manager of the Charlotte House Domestic Violence Center. Faced with widespread public opposition, county commissioners reconsidered their cut of the weed control program and just reduced expenses. Sturgeon derby raised $21,000 for scholarships in Wahkiakum and Naselle/Grays River Valley high schools. Cathlamet clinic staff suggested adding a practitioner as a means of increasing revenue.

June 14--Wallace and Ruth Kaste celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Wahkiakum County Network wins state excellence award.

June 21--Fred and Virginia Ostling celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. County commissioners ordered cuts in clinic staffing levels and restored a reduced week program.

July 5--Cathlamet teen Kristina Heiner won her fourth world championship in equestrian competition.

July 12--Dr. Richard Avalon resigned from county clinic effective September 30.

July 19--Advisory committee named for clinic, started work on finances, recruiting.

July 26--Cathlamet held Bald Eagle festival. Town started work on Broadway project. Commissioners committed to fund clinic shortfalls through 2008.

August 9--Convergence for Climate Action brought scholars, activists to fairgrounds for week of activities. Grays River Covered Bridge Festival celebrated.

August 16--Naselle Fire Department received national grant. Council learned cost of waste water plant increasing to $10.5-$16 million.

August 23--County enjoyed 99th annual county fair.

August 30--Federal Energy Regulatory Commission drafted environmental impact statement supported proposed Bradwood LNG plant. Advisory board started recruiting for clinic. Dredge filled Pancake Point scour holes. Lunar eclipse observed.

September 6--Cathlamet pharmacist Roy LaBerge retired after 40 years at Cathlamet Pharmacy.

September 20--Hancock Forest Industries pulled railroad bridge from Elochoman River. Petition led council to silence siren.

September 27--County declared emergency to repair Steamboat Slough dike. School, town discussed sale of five acres of Farm Forest for waste water treatment plant.

October 18--Community celebrated new Cathlamet fire hall, largely financed through $1 million donation from Jerry and Linda DeBriae. Council voted 3-2 again to maintain siren silence.

October 25--Ruth Doumit filed as write-in for council against incumbent David Goodroe.

November 1--Jennifer Johnson resigned as two-year Wahkiakum Chamber executive director to take Oregon job. Commissioners proposed cutting Cooperative Extension, other programs, staff to meet expected revenue decline.

November 8--The Wahkiakum Mule volleyball team finished third in district, headed to state. Walker Riley finished ninth in state cross country meet. Blair Brady defeated Tom Doumit for county commissioner, and David Goodroe escaped write-in challenge from Ruth Doumit in close election in which incorrectly marked ballots for Doumit gave Goodroe the victory. Citizens protested in front of the courthouse to restore Cooperative Extension.

November 22--Council compromised on siren, which would be sounded for fires, second call-outs. Richard Erickson, executive director of Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, announced resignation and retirement.

November 29--Ora Snyder celebrated 100th birthday. Robert Michael Pyle's Skytime over Gray's River won national literary award. Nurse practitioner Betsy Johnson joined clinic on eight month contract.

December 6---Two-day wind and rain storm hammered county, region, causing flooding and wind damage. County commissioners adopted 2008 budget that included partial funding for Cooperative Extension.

December 13--Dr. Keith Wright announced resignation from clinic effective June, 2008.

December 20--Noreen Holten resigned as Cathlamet librarian since 1979. Clatsop County commissioners okayed Bradwood Landing LNG permits, zone changes, despite planning staff opposition. Tanja Winebrenner took over as executive director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

December 27--Retired prosecutor Fred Johnson ordained as deacon in Catholic church. School district agreed to sale of five acres to town for waste water plant.