Commissioners hear Chamber report

Wahkiakum County commissioners heard a report from the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce and handled other items of business Tuesday.

Chamber Executive Director Ashley Turner said Chamber events and activities in the past year have shown success.

Membership has grown and now stands at 129 members, 115 from Wahkiakum County.

The Chamber crab feed in March was a successful fundraiser. About 65 percent of the customers were from outside the county. The Chamber will have a seating for people under age 21 next year, she said, and that should draw local families.

The fall salmon derby had 87 participants, an increase over last year, with 46 from outside the county. Turner said organizers hope to expand it next year to include Skamokawa and Westend sites.

The July Bald Eagle Day and the Labor Day weekend chili feed, which combined with the Port District 1 Wooden Boat Festival, both did very well. Bald Eagle Day drew 58 vendors, and organizers expanded the number of activities for children.

In other business, commissioners rejected a claim for damages from Puget Island resident Jim Bucklin, who said a snowplow sprayed dirt and gravel on his car and chipped the paint, causing an estimated $472.52 in damage. The damage occurred December 10, 2013, Bucklin said.

Commissioners discussed the claim and agreed that because of the time that had passed, they didn't want to pay. The claim was received by the county auditor's office on April 15, 2014.