County OK's radio upgrade

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday authorized the start of a major upgrade of the county's emergency radio services and heard reports and comments on issues ranging from floods to medical services.

Responding to a mandate from the Federal Communications Commission, the county and others across the country are switching their radio systems from broadband to narrowband width. The switch must be completed by January 1, 2013.

In 2008, county fire chiefs commissioned a consultant to study the county's radio system and make recommendations. The consultant made a variety of recommendations that included improvements to equipment sites and upgrading radios, repeaters and other equipment at an estimated cost of $260,207.81.

Jon Dearmore, undersheriff, and Beau Renfro, fire departments' representative, presented the board the plan for the upgrades Tuesday. They recommended the board approve the first of eight phases.

The first phase is upgrading repeater facilities on KM Mountain and at Wendt Elementary School at a cost of $22,667.81. Work will include replacing damaged doors, repairing or replacing other damaged or work equipment such as heaters, constructing a building to house an emergency power generator, and installing perimeter fencing.

Renfro reported that three local contractors had responded to a request for price quotations, and H&K Construction was the low bidder.

The board also authorized Renfro to call for bids on the second phase, to complete grounding of the two repeater sites.

In other business, Dian Cooper, executive director of the Family Health Center, reported the organization had successfully started operations in the former Wahkiakum Family Health Clinic.

The health center took over the clinic at the start of the year.

"We saw patients yesterday (Monday)," she said. "There were some glitches, but we'll have them worked out by the end of next week.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the community."

She added that three Wahkiakum residents, Tom Doumit, Health and Human Services Administrator Judy Bright, and Bernadette Goodroe, have been added to the health center's board of directors.

Commissioners voted to meet in executive session January 21, 9 a.m., with representatives of NorthernStar Natural Gas to negotiate an agreement to provide certain security services for the corporation's proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Bradwood, Ore. The session is closed under state law allowing closed sessions to discuss matters of national security as tankers and plants are considered targets for terrorists.

Puget Island resident Mike Lewis reported seeing a television news report in which officials from the city of Boston were trying to end LNG shipments along their waterfront, which has had a receiving terminal for many years.

"It goes to show you how things change after you get one of these," he said.

In response to a question from another Puget Island resident, Frans Eykel, commissioners said they would take minutes of the session. A retired petroleum industry executive had recommended this step as a means of documenting any commitments that might be made.

Rosburg resident Raven Webb told the board tidal flooding had flooded over Kandoll Road on January 1. She commented that work done by non-governmental entities in the area since 2004 had created flooding problems, and she demanded the county take steps to fix the problems. It appears Commissioners Lisa Marsyla and Dan Cothren and the press are in league with the non-governmental entities, she said.

"This is an imposed disaster, not a natural disaster," she said. "I ask that this genocide of our community be stopped. It has gone on far too long."

Marsyla replied that since she joined the board a year ago, she has brought parties together to analyze the situation and look for solutions. The group will meet again soon to go over its data.

Cothren remarked that he had made efforts to intervene on Webb's behalf.

"I've worked to help you," he said, "but you bought in a flood plain, and it's going to flood."

Health department officials reported there seems to be a lull in influenza outbreaks. The initial H1N1 (swine) flu wave has passed, and there hasn't yet been another wave or a new wave of seasonal flu.

"Flu seasons are notoriously unpredictable," said Jennifer Vines, public health officer. "We'll have to wait and see."

The health officers said they have plenty of H1N1 vaccine, and they urge the public to be vaccinated for both varieties of flu. Persons may call the county health department to schedule an appointment for a vaccination.