Chamber elects board of directors

Members of the new Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce elected a new board of directors on Tuesday.

The Chamber reorganized this year as it merged with the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council. The new organization will continue to provide most of the economic development work and community projects that the separate organizations have provided.

New officers are Vice-president Jackie Lea, representing Port District 1; Treasurer Penny Paulsen; Secretary Linda Barth, Ashley Jones, representing the Town of Cathlamet; Becky Ledtke, representing the Wahkiakum County Fair; Lisa Marsyla, representing Wahkiakum County; Kayrene Gilbertsen, representing Port District 2, and at-large directors Rolly Armstrong, David Nelson, Richard Erickson, Rob Stockhouse and Bill Wilkins.

The group will select a president, and another member is expected to represent Wahkiakum PUD.

Members are preparing for the Chamber's major fund-raising event, its annual crab feed and raffle, which will be held March 12 at the Norse Hall. Tickets are on sale at the Bank of the Pacific.

Also at the Tuesday meeting:

--Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz announced the town's business revitalization committee would present the results of its recent survey at a meeting next Wednesday, 7 p.m., in the River Street Meeting Room.

Wehrfritz recommended that the Chamber appoint a committee that would address support and promotion of business.

--Stockhouse announced that the local farmers' association will present a program on gardens and small farms in March.

Guest speakers include Ed Hume, Vern Nelson, Beverly Clark and Chuck Benbrook.