Commissioner talks timber with WA Land Commissionner

The Wahkiakum County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 18. The commissioners began the meeting approving the liquor license renewals for Skyline Golf Course and Cathlamet Mini Mart. The commissioners then voted to approve the appointment of Heath Yob to the Real Property Rights Advisory Board. Public Works Director Chuck Beyer presented the commissioners with a request to call for bids for landscape maintenance. HHS Operations Manager Duncan Cruickshank requested approval for funds for door replacements at the Elochoman Campus in building 3, which is utilized by Wahkiakum on the Move. The two exterior doors need to be replaced due to corrosion and fire code complaints, and the estimated cost is around $8,000 for both. The Wahkiakum County Ferry is due for its five-year mandatory dry dock servicing, which the Coast Guard enforces. The commissioners approved the maintenance and servicing contract with JT Marine. The dry dock is expected to occur sometime in early April.

Deputy Sheriff Gary Howell told commissioners they received several phone calls stating many Beaver Creek Rd. residents are still experiencing disconnected landlines and internet outages, which has been an ongoing issue. Some residents have experienced outages for up to two months with no resolution in sight from service providers. The Wahkiakum Sheriff’s Office, the Commissioner’s Office, and even DEM (Department of Emergency Management) have gotten involved and are trying to find a solution for residents.

This week, Commissioner Dan Cothren met with Washington State Land Commissioner Dan Upthegrove in Castle Rock, WA, to discuss Wahkiakum and its reliance on timber sales. “I felt very positive about the meeting, and [I] feel like there could be a good working relationship there,” said Cothren, who, along with Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, had an hour-long meeting with Commissioner Upthegrove. Cothren noted he looks forward to seeing how the Land Commissioner intends to stay proactive in logging and timber sales and believes he will be a cooperative force for Wahkiakum County in working through the barriers that tend to hold up timber sales and keep Wahkiakum loggers working. “I think he could be a good commissioner,” said Cothren “I look forward to working with him.”