Odds and ends on park, election

Elections

The older I get, the more fondly I think of Tevye and "The Fiddler on the Roof." He wanted so much to adhere to his traditional way of life, but life wouldn't let him. Life brought change, and he had to deal with it.

For those of us mired in a career of dealing with our state's tradition of a primary election in September and the general election in November, the new schedule, with the primary in August, is an unsettling adjustment. The election season should be heating up in August, but no, vote by mail ballots will be sent out at the end of this week.

At The Eagle, we've been trying to deal with the new schedule. We've had articles about candidates and hope voters have some good information about the candidates.

The top two candidates in each race advance to the general election no matter their party affiliation. We've provided coverage about the three candidates for sheriff. We've tried to put together coverage of the three candidates for Wahkiakum PUD commissioner, but only Esther Gregg and Dennis Reid responded to our requests for interviews. We profile them this week, and we complete our coverage of candidates for the legislature.

I had the chance to interview the three candidates for sheriff. All are good men. All sincerely want to do a good job for the residents of the county.

Because of his experience, Undersheriff Jon Dearmore seemed like the frontrunner. So far, I've seen or heard nothing to change that impression. Dearmore has the background and experience to provide the leadership we need for the department.

Queen Sally Park

I admit I was taken aback July 19 when members of the Cathlamet Town Council said, while authorizing Mayor George Wehrfritz to apply for a state grant for construction, that they wanted to review the plans and designs of the proposed Queen Sally Park and town center.

The large project envisions a community center in the ground floor of town hall, improvements to the town offices and library, a park and amphitheater in the present parking lot and vacant lot, improvements to the trail linking the area to Angle Street, a water course to handle ground water in the hillside, and use of the Pioneer Church as an activity center.

If Wehrfritz was as taken aback as I was, he didn't show it at the meeting. However, he has called a special meeting for August 2 to see a definitive vote on whether or not the council wants to proceed with the project so that no one wastes time or money on something the council doesn't support.

The town center complex came from people who think big or outside the box, to use overworked phrases. There was lots of public input. The architects worked free of charge. The result was a concept and plan for a jewel of a public facility that would add to the town's livability. I liked it, for the small towns I've seen in my travels which are doing well are those that have worked to make them attractive to people.

I would hate to see town government miss the boat of opportunity as it has done before.

Old timers may remember the water tank that once stood on a lot across Columbia Street from Erickson Park. When the town updated its water system, the old tank became surplus, and I suggested the lot be developed into a view point, for there was no other public land along the bluff to enjoy the view.

However, the council at that time decided to sell the lot at a bargain basement price to get rid of the tank. Now the lot is for sale at a view lot price, and it's getting harder for the public to enjoy that view of the river, Puget Island and the hills of Oregon. That view point is a lost opportunity.

It's okay to weigh everything, but please make sure you're working for progress instead of trying to avoid the changes that life brings. I urge the council to continue making progress on the town center concept.