Commissioners discuss food permits, economic development

Wahkiakum County Health Department officials will soon contact local organizations to remind them of requirements for public food permits.

Department officials reported their plans for community education to the board of county commissioners on Tuesday.

Health department officials have wanted to impose a hard and fast deadline for temporary food permits, and commissioners had asked for a public education process before that step was taken.

Department Director Judy Bright and Environmental Health Specialist Matt Swanson presented a brochure they've made and a letter that will be sent to organizations which have had food permits in the past.

The letter points out the department's policies:

--Temporary food establishment applications are due two weeks prior to the intended date of operation. This allows staff time to schedule their work so they can make inspections.

--Late fees will apply for incomplete and untimely submissions.

--If the application is received without adequate time for review, it will be denied.

The pamphlet reviews the process and need for temporary food permits, which are designed to make sure food is safe for consumption. It outlines the process for obtaining a permit and for obtaining a food handlers' card.

In other business, members of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce reported their activities to date.

Chamber office manager Lynda Gerlach reported that the Chamber has put on Cathlamet's major summer festival, Bald Eagle Days, and it was a success.

Coming events involving the Chamber include the Northwest Steam Society in Cathlamet August 12-14 and the Downhill Corral Longboard Races August 26-28.

Chamber President Richard Erickson reported that the state Department of Commerce, which funds much local economic development activity, has had its budget severely reduced.

Local community development efforts, Erickson said, include the development of a new website for the Chamber, assisting with new business openings, working with Port 1 and the Town of Cathlamet on plans for future use to the town's old wastewater treatment site, helping recruit doctors for the local Family Health Center, working with NoaNet to connect people, businesses and governmental entities to a new fiber optic line, and so on.