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Articles written by F. Gregory Wilder


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  • Re: "City to clearcut all 34 Ferry Ave. 90-year-old maples" May 17 Star

    F. Gregory Wilder|May 24, 2023

    We have an uncountable loss for our Town. Yet again, betwixt the battle our sidewalks and our trees. That said, we can now announce, on Arbor Day, April 28th, 2023, the celebration for the destruction of two blocks of beautiful mature majestic Maples… brought down by the metaphorical axe. Kiss goodbye the savored shade, gone too are the uncountable nesting birds… the frogs and the crickets, the playful squirrels – all gone now. The budding shades of green in the spring, the bright colors in the fall, the whispers through the wind – they to...

  • Re: "Mayor subject of harassment complaint" in Dec. 19 Star

    F. Gregory Wilder|Dec 26, 2018

    I respect the electorate. Some had vetted — and others did not. And for my good reasons, I voted the minority (Gayle Swagerty) for mayor, based on my own vetting process … and she lost. After all, “it’s just an election”… and in a small community we expect changes of policy and paradigms. It’s a process — and an expected outcome. However, from that, it offers nothing until the future actions define it … and I, for one, am now redefined and very much awake! You should be too. Yes, I took the time to vet the process for both candidates: I did the...

  • Coulee Dam should not subsidize Elmer City

    F. Gregory Wilder|Oct 31, 2018

    Last week The Star published “Town now planning entire lift station to serve Elmer City.” As a short response, Coulee Dam should not subsidize Elmer City. It’s unreasonable, it’s poor strategy (with some caveats), it’s a matter of fairness, and may violate the state constitution & statutes (as a gift of funds). During the planning, design, and approvals for the new Coulee Dam wastewater treatment facility, the town took all reasonable efforts to include and involve all those impacted and involved the stakeholders — specifically, since the T...

  • Fiber survey lacking

    F. Gregory Wilder|Mar 14, 2018

    I just received the “Benefits of Fiber to the Home” (FTTH) survey included with our Coulee Dam utility bill. The “survey” reads like a poorly written grade-school student project! If Coulee Dam is truly interested in developing a broadband/fiber enterprise, the City should take the quality time and invest the funds by working with experienced consultant(s), including business, legal, and applicable engineers. How you craft the first considerations, you must understand the options, the limitations, and the strategies. One of the first and mos...

  • City's first legislation in 2018 was not needed

    F. Gregory Wilder|Feb 28, 2018

    In my last utility bill, I received a new notice of my/our garbage rate change — set for April 1st, 2018. The city did not advertise, nor include the notice, for indigent (low-income) discounts and that will impact on them too. Although we only have 32 low-income citizens, I’m certain that they count their pennies. Be it the mayor or the council quorum, adding more costs to those in need was an unnecessary demonstration of ignorance by targeting the indigent, the elderly, and the infirm. Has anyone really calculated this (in)significant imp...

  • Alternative wastewater plant study more responsible and thoughtful

    F. Gregory Wilder, Mayor, Coulee Dam|Jun 17, 2015

    As you may know, we recently included a “Wastewater Treatment Project Update” with our utility bills. To the best of my knowledge and information, it is balanced and honest. During our last Council meeting (6/10/15), former Mayor, Quincy Snow publicly referred to me as a “liar,” without any substantive facts or data to present. I don’t know where he’s coming from. The “Wastewater Project Update” was factual. The estimates of the “prior” project would have seen rates at least brought to $80 each month or even over $100. Had we not refocused by...