Writer defends food bank proposal

To The Eagle:

While I realize that coming from Houston might incline James Reed to shoot from the hip (“Town needs care in entering contracts” / March 7, 2013), now that he has settled in Cathlamet it might behoove him to get his facts straight before ‘firing off’ a letter To The Eagle.

After scourging the Town Council for a contract that they haven’t even entered into, Mr. Reed goes on to lecture us on how a contract should be constructed to be in the best public interest. Unfortunately, town attorney Heidi Heywood is still drafting a land lease agreement that has not been presented to anyone as yet. I, for one, have confidence that Heidi is capable of covering all of Mr. Reed’s concerns, and more.

It’s unfortunate that James Reed views Erickson Park as only nearby grassland for walks. I, on the other hand, realize that the Town Park has tremendous potential to become far more popular to greater, year-round use if only we could provide facilities that would be attractive to all citizens. Being a tennis player, I agree with Mayor George that covering one of the tennis courts would allow greater use of that facility for more than just a few months in summer and early autumn.

Several features of the proposed food bank facility at Erickson Park lend themselves to that greater, year-round use. The Demonstration Kitchen, sponsored and managed by WSU Extension, would offer to educate many heads-of-households about nutrition and best food preparation/preservation methods. With the Community Garden less than a ‘stone’s throw’ away, produce from that garden will be made immediately available to the Demonstration Kitchen and shoppers at the food bank.

The preliminary design for the food bank includes a picnic deck facing the tennis courts and Community Garden, partially shaded by the existing cedar trees, for clients and the citizens in general to sit and enjoy a light meal; that being a great asset to those who find walking to the existing picnic shelter too difficult for senior legs.

Council member Ruth Doumit has suggested having one exterior face of the new building made available for community art. Given the vast number of accomplished artists, and budding artists, in our community, this seems like a great place to show off our local talents.

The opposite, interior side of that public art display would be an ideal location for educational displays of posters, food events and menu suggestions. We all need to realize that although many of us learned to cook from family at home when we were younger, not everyone has had that privilege.

Some residents need to make up for lost opportunities, and that’s where a food bank that serves the largest number of Wahkiakum residents, along with a WSU Extension Demonstration Kitchen, serves a valuable public interest; and placed right where a building once stood that some of our children and grandchildren once attended pre-kindergarten.

Craig Brown

Cathlamet