Marina market gets a new name

It seems Cathlamet is becoming a destination for sailing clubs.

“We got some good news on another regatta through the Willamette Sailing Club,” Wahkiakum County Port 1 Manager Todd Souvenir told the Port 1 Board of Commissioners last Thursday.

If it works out, there could be three regattas this summer, with one in July, one in August, and another one, potentially in early May. Organizers are expected to visit in January to consider logistics.

Mackenzie Jones, the administrative assistant for the port, said that the Elochoman Marina Farmers Market was getting a new name, and would now be called the Elochoman Marina Street Market.

“Maybe that will draw more people into the market,” she said. “Not that I want to get away from the farmers part, but not having the local produce, people around really kind of…there was a lot of negative talk about it. Everybody is pretty excited about the new name.”

The event has struggled over the years to find a local farmers willing to sell fresh produce on a consistent basis.

Commissioners adopted a new rate schedule for the coming year; a 2024 budget totaling

$1,176,275; and the annual one percent property tax increase they are allowed every year.

Port 1’s property tax levy last year was $81,019.58. A one percent increase of approximately $810 brings the 2024 property tax levy to $81,829.78, which will be divided by property owners in the district.