Change comes slowly for food service rules

Change is coming slowly to Wahkiakum County regulations covering festival food vendors and other food service, Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff said Tuesday.

Bischoff's comments came in response to questions from vendor Bob Hill, who had raised complaints about the county's regulations to the commission in June. Hill said the regulations were inconsistent and the fees more expensive than those of Cowlitz or Pacific counties. At that time, Bischoff said he would consult with groups like the county fair and the Chamber of Commerce to see what changes could be made.

Hill said Tuesday that there had been no change, and with regulations as they were, it wouldn't be worthwhile to participate in county events.

Bischoff explained that the process has been slow to start because entities have been busy with events.

He wants the regulations to be better and more consistent he said.

"It's just not going to happen by the end of the month," he said. "I can change policies internally. Fees will have to be done by these guys (county commissioners)."

Many definitions and standards come from state regulations, he added.

"As a jurisdiction, I can't be less stringent than the state," he said.

In other business, commissioners accepted a bid from Lakeside Industries to pave a stretch of the Elochoman Valley Road approximately from Duck Creek Road to the old salmon hatchery.