Mayor announces Main Street advisory

Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz this week announced the appointment of a group to advise him on Main Street revitalization.

"I have called upon these people to offer me guidance, share their experience, and develop new ideas regarding business retention and new business creation in Cathlamet," he said.

Wehrfritz said the objectives are:

--Support existing business;

--Identify opportunities for new business creation with a focus on those providing goods or services to residents of Wahkiakum County;

--Support would-be business owners through mentoring;

--Lower barriers to business creation, and

--Bolster commercial activity on Main Street through grassroots marketing and branding efforts.

The effort will augment the work of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce and the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, he said.

The advisory group includes:

--John Dees, a retired marketing executive and avid pleasure boater;

--Ruth Doumit, artist, businesswoman and town council member;

--Jennifer Hanigan, local attorney and president of the Chamber of Commerce;

--Mike Heriford, local businessman;

--Chris Holmes, program manager in Wahkiakum County Human Services;

--Caroline Jennings, co-owner of Greyfields Farm and news editor of The Wahkiakum County Eagle, and

--Trinidad Medina, information system administrator, Timberlands Regional Support Network, and vice-president of the Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet.