Commissioners hear rabid bat report, act on other business

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a variety of business Tuesday, ranging from hearing a report of a rabid bat to amending the county's road construction plans to allow pursuit of more money for construction of a new ferry.

Health Officer Alan Melnick reported the health department staff had investigated a report of a family's encounter with a rabid bat in the Cathlamet area.

He declined to give details about the incident but said the family was from Clark County, and health staff from Wahkiakum and Clark counties worked together to determine the bat was rabid and to get treatment for the family.

"From 5 to 10 percent of the bats in Washington are rabid," he said.

To limit exposure, said interim Health and Human Services Director Sherrie McDonald, people should make sure dogs and cats are vaccinated for rabies, and make sure windows are screened.

At McDonald's recommendation, the commissioners approved an inter-local agreement with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health District for use of that county's online food handlers card training.

People may go the Tacoma-Pierce website and complete the training and testing to obtain a food handler card for $10. Of that fee, $7 would return to Wahkiakum County.

Jeanne Bennett, executive director, and Matt Sneed, director of workforce services of WorkSource visited the commission to describe their services for unemployed persons and ask what could be done in the county.

"We're not an unemployment program, were an employment program," Sneed said.

WorkSource offers job screening and training in Wahkiakum, Cowlitz and Clark counties, they said. They partner with businesses and colleges and other service providers to provide training and job skills techniques for people seeking employment.

In the most recent year, 19,011 persons took advantage of WorkSource workshops, Sneed said.

WSU Cooperative Extension Agent Carrie Backman suggested WorkSource could team with Extension and the Cathlamet Library to offer online services.

Commissioner Blair Brady suggested WorkSource take advantage of the broadband computer lines being installed for online training; one new site could be at the Grays River Valley Center, he said.

Commissioner Dan Cothren, a member of the WorkSource council, said he has seen unemployed people take advantage of the program without sincerely seeking work, but many more benefit from the training and return to work. However, in rural areas, jobs are limited, and people should consider having two jobs to make ends meet.

Commissioners also approved amendments to the county's Six Year and Annual Road Construction Programs to meet guidelines for seeking funding for construction of a new county ferry.

Commissioners also received a proposal from Board Clerk Marsha LaFarge for naming the new county ferry. The board will start soliciting names in late September and pick one after having public input.