County commission covers store, other varied issues

Wahkiakum County commissioners covered a lot of ground when they met Tuesday, discussing issues ranging from a new store to coming community activities.

Puget Island resident Kristen Lee questioned the board's commitment to researching the adverse issues that could arise from the opening of a Dollar General store in the Rosedale neighborhood.

Lee reminded the board that she had asked them two weeks ago to do the research, especially in regard to potential adverse impacts. She said she learned that the board had received a staff report the same day she spoke and that she had received that report a week later; the report identified no major issues and said the company applying for permits to build the store was meeting the county's building standards.

"This store will shut this community down," Lee said. "If you went back and did your research, you'd be aghast."

Commissioners Dan Cothren and Mike Backman said they were satisfied with the application process.

Cothren said the county has staff who applied applicable standards upon which the commission relies.

"It you don't like the store, don't go there," he said several times.

Backman said he had checked with the building department to make sure that the application received the same review any other applicant would receive, and he was satisfied with the process.

In other business:

--The board agreed to find funding to repair the roof of the fire station at Raistakka Road. Deep River resident Nick Nikkila, a member of the fire district board of commissioners, said the district lacks funds for the repair, estimated at $5,600.

Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said the board could amend the county's Capital Projects List to include the project, and commissioners asked that the amendment proceed.

--The board adopted a proclamation setting this week as amateur radio operators week, and Ron Wright, a member of the Wahkiakum Amateur Radio Club, reported that radio enthusiasts would hold their annual disaster simulation field day this weekend on the Wahkiakum High School athletic fields. Over a 24-hour period, operators will attempt to contact as many other operators as possible, and they'll try to make a satellite connection. The public is welcome to observe, he said.

--Fair board member Kay Walters reported the Clark County Society for Creative Anachronism will hold a weekend festival at the county fairgrounds.