Commissioners hear theft complaints

Wahkiakum County commissioners breezed their way through a brief agenda Tuesday and had time to hear complaints from Puget Island residents about troubling thefts.

Janet Thomas revisited the aftermath of a theft that occurred in February in which five people came into the barn where she kept valuable chickens. As they were taking the chickens, she tried to stop them and was beaten. One suspect has been arrested, but others remain at large as the sheriff's office continues its investigation.

Thomas expressed frustration at the lack of arrests. Twenty to 30 youth and adults are involved, she said, and she added that she is being harassed late at night.

"I can't speak for the sheriff's office," said Commissioner Dan Cothren, who also works as head of security for Hancock Forest Industries. "The best thing you can do is to install trail cameras and get some photos. You have to have pictures. You've got to do so much (in order to have an arrest)."

Thomas said she would continue to press for action and that she is contacting legislators to press for changes in laws to make juveniles more accountable for their actions.

Commissioners voted to extend the 8-ton weight limit for the ferry Oscar B.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen recommended the extension. He said he had communicated with Clatsop County Engineer Michael Summers who said work on the Westport ramp continues to be delayed by permitting issues.

"Because the Oregon work is not within our control, a date certain for lifting the weight restriction cannot be provided," Ringen told the board. "However, my current understanding is that all work in Oregon should be completed no later than July 1."

The restriction will remain in place until August 1, unless lifted earlier.

In other action,

--Commissioners approved agreements with state and federal highway agencies for funding repairs to Hungry Highway and Altoona/Pillar Rock roads, which sustained extensive damage in a rainstorm last winter.

For the Altoona/Pillar Rock repair, the agencies will completely reimburse the county for $5,104.

For Hungry Highway, the agencies are making a partial reimbursement for $43,490 of the cost; the county's share is $456.

--The board approved a recommendation from Ringen to replace the East Side road crew's 2004 Chevrolet pickup. The vehicle has traveled 171,121 miles and is having lots of electrical system issues, Ringen said.

The department has set aside enough money to purchase a replacement vehicle off the state bid list at an estimated cost of $30,000.