News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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The fight goes on… the debate is vitiated by empty minds and thoughtless reason(s). Elmer City argues that Coulee has taken advantage by over-charges/invoicing by violating the 1975 agreement. On the other hand, Coulee Dam has lost some of the design and operational paradigms. Both agencies have lost their compasses. “IF” Coulee Dam has taken invoicing advantages, so too is that Elmer City’s ignorance of the quarterly reviews! Both agencies have made errors. As to Coulee Dam, by its own volition in 2014, they self-audited the “agreement,” the p...
Before you cast your vote — take the time vetting. In other words, “make a careful and critical examination.” Do you “really” know about our Coulee Dam candidates? You already know about David Schmidt and Gayle Swagerty … they actually work for you and they serve us in a thoughtful way. To serve as a mayor or council member, a board or a committee member is a gift to the electorate. Some may have little or no governmental experience … that’s not important. What is important is if they stand tall with the energy, ideas, minds, AND their ethic...
I graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1962 and then off to work as a draftsman and engineer technician. I needed more, so in 1968 I enrolled in Washington State University … subsequently graduating in civil engineering & geology (BS cum laude). Still not enough, so back again to WSU… majoring in fine arts/architecture and regional planning (BA cum laude). After over 40 years of engineering, planning, city management, and architecture, I “retired.” Full circle – back home. Coulee Dam. I bought a small home, raised my son (he graduated...
Most of the Town was built over 80 years ago and we can’t expect that the infrastructure will last forever… and that includes our sidewalks. So for now, let’s skip the myriad of other issues/problems and let’s look at our sidewalks. At first, the Town just presumed that each of us “homeowner’s” would be required to individually repair the (their) sidewalks – and that was (and still is) a requirement of state statutes (laws). However, as is usually the case, assumptions and perceptions are usually interpreted as a requirement for someone els...
Relating to Coulee Dam police chiefs and officers, prior to the current administration, the “process” was relaxed and lacking under the civil service procedures. And, yes, it might be more expedient. However, Washington state law (RCW chapters 35 and 41) and case-determinations govern and/or limit certain authority under the Civil Service processes … and for good reason! As well, I value a civil service board and/or a procedure under policy. This board prohibits a mayor, council member(s), or a committee to just hire a brother or sister, a spo...
The towns of Coulee Dam and Elmer City entered an agreement in 1975 defining a set of terms and procedures to treat sewage wastes. After 40 years of arguments and misunderstandings, clearly both agencies are in an impasse. We are not a litigious agency — except but for good reason and purpose. I suppose that Elmer City feels much the same. As it is, Coulee Dam is not looking for a blame, but rather for a resolution. Through this, “we” hope that some clarity and understanding will vacate the angst and ambiguity. Our mayor, attorney, and town...
Given the current squabble about the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, I suppose I should contribute my view. To begin with, this is a “simple” process and simple project: all of our Coulee Dam sewage is “domestic”… we don’t process or treat industrial wastes, we don’t process or treat commercial fruit canning. Virtually all we do is process and treat domestic wastes… it can’t be any simpler than this! And, virtually our population hasn’t changed for decades. In 1990 our population was 1,100 AND today it still is 1,100. And, our own T...
The town has all worked for the past 10 years, grappling with ideas, thoughts, concepts, and a lot of hard work regarding the wastewater treatment facility design and implementation. The process involved an amalgamation of two mayors, a few engineers, a thought from here and a concept from there, AND we’ve come together. After looking at a number of different concepts, we adopted the Preliminary Engineering Report, which is a requirement to move forward. We’ve virtually completed the environmental processes and approved the engineering contract...
As you know, the town council directed that the Public Works Department to remove a healthy ornamental cherry tree within the town’s right-of-way. Subsequently, the mayor immediately directed that the town administration (including Public Works) take NO action, pending a review of our attorney(s) and the CDMC requirements thereto. I am suggesting that the council rescind its prior action. The town council cannot deliberately cause us to violate our own applicable code provisions. If you want to ignore/violate our code, first change the o...
Recently, The Star held a Coulee Dam forum. Three of the six candidates actually participated. We had hoped to have “actually” seen and heard and exchanged between the good, bad, and the disagreeable...with all six. It was a fair and open discussion for the three candidates. Some of the other candidates chose to present their separate issues via a letter to The Star (October 21, 2015) and I suspect that it was a pretense as a substitute for “balance?” During a campaign, the people want to know more than just silence and/or a litany of honey a...
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...
This has been a week with three defining events… the first; a Coulee Dam Town Council meeting that clearly defined my resolve to stay a course for an accessible/open government, the fair and equitable sharing of the costs for services, and the continuing commitment to representing you each with the same focus and energy as your neighbor. The second; one of those rare feel-good events that leave us with warm hearts, hope for tomorrow, and an unselfish pride… the ribbon cutting and open house for our new K-12 school. The third; a Raiders foo...
The Coulee Dam Town Council will begin budget deliberations soon. The first public budget workshop will be held during the regular council meeting on September 10th. We will be holding a series of these workshops and the first of these will focus on our water utility. You are encouraged to attend. Each of the “enterprise” funds has an effect on your family budget. What you pay for water, sewer, electricity, and garbage has its impact. If you are on a fixed income, those fees may be of more concern to you. We want to insure that our fees are...
A few years ago, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received a complaint about the Coulee Dam ambulance service. They took note of dirty and unsanitary conditions, expired medications and supplies, non-functioning or defective critical-care equipment, inaccessibility to the supplies needed to stock the ambulance, and more. The town was put on notice and required to file a compliance plan in May, 2011. The DOH closed the case the following month without taking disciplinary action because the town had corrected the deficiencies and...
The election outcome last year seated a new mayor and two new town Council members for Coulee Dam. A lot has changed in Town Hall - council meeting procedures actually encourage public participation, issues are openly and robustly discussed before council action, council minutes are clear and meaningful, the office staff is qualified AND inviting (you just know you are appreciated and welcome in town hall). The Sewer Treatment Plant project is now on hold and, and through an aggressive public process, we will be revisiting a litany of...
I am honored and humbled that the Coulee Dam electorate decided to put their faith in me as their new mayor. THANK YOU! As well, Duane Johnson and Gayle Swagerty were equally honored. Now the work (and fun) begins, crafting a more involved and open government and resolving so many more other issues, as well. And, regardless of the testy campaign rhetoric, it is also a time to honor the 16 years Mayor Snow has served us. Greg Wilder...
Duane Johnson has chosen to oppose Andy Trader in the upcoming Coulee Dam Council election. I support Duane and feel that his experience and education as a manager in the public sector will be a welcome addition. He is articulate, sensitive, and respectful. Duane graduated from Lake Roosevelt High School, went on to get a master’s degree, and adds a cultural perspective to the mix that has been too long missing! Likewise, I support Gayle Swagerty’s bid to unseat Karl Hjorten. Karl has been at the center of, and instrumental in, shoving the ove...
As the general election nears, I’m more than ever intent on a community dialogue. I know of many changes that need to be made based upon over 40 years’ of experience in municipal government … those things that make us more efficient, accessible, responsible, and responsive. There are the equally important things you want changed and addressed and I want to be your agent for that change. You already know how you are treated by Town Hall; that’s an obvious given for most of us. You already know how decisions are made that impact your lives a...
I was both honored and humbled by the overwhelming support I received in the Coulee Dam primary election. Thank you all for taking the time to vote… and for thinking of me in the process! I believe that your support anticipates (maybe demands) meaningful change AND I can promise you a difference. If I’m elected this fall, my first acts and efforts will be to remove the obstacles blocking change … you will notice almost immediately a shift toward a more open, flexible, and service-oriented organization. You will be encouraged to attend (and...
The Star and the Spokesman Review recently published a news article and an editorial regarding Mayor Snow’s embarrassing position and belief paradigm regarding the public’s right to access the town’s records and documents. As it is, Snow considers and has openly stated, that (some) requests to review public records are harassment of the town and its officials. However, the preamble to the state’s Public Records Act differs. To wit: “The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delega...
A time long past, I was the contract city administrator for a small town in Oregon. Weekly, my young son (Joshua) and I would make the round trip journey from Seattle to Eugene … sometimes driving — sometimes on the Amtrak commuter train. I remember one of those trips more than the others. Joshua was jabbering without stop. A bit about this, some about that, more about nothing, less about anything … insistent and persistent chatter. Those of you parents that know your child, know my point! Then in the mix of gibberish I caught the words, “Papa...
The Star published a story on May 29th, 2013 with the headline “Town votes for smaller sewer plant project.” Nothing could be further from the truth… in fact the town council, with one “no” (Bob Poch), knowingly voted for a project that will cost more, considerably more, than the already expensive “repair” to the old plant. Do not be duped… the town council voted for the first “phase” of a project estimated to cost well over $6 million. The town’s engineer (Gray & Osborne) clearly defined the two “phases” and the requirements for the full proje...
The town of Coulee Dam is facing a lot of issues with the sewer plant, huge increases in utility rates, the impacts of a new school, needed improvements to our parks, sidewalks, and roads. We need a better and growing relationship with our local sister-cities, the USBR, the Park Service, the School District and the Tribes. Our local demographic is changing — the times are changing. We need the public’s involvement to help with thoughts, ideas and energy. We expect that our Town Council meetings will give us an opportunity to participate. We...
About three months ago, the Coulee Dam Town Council was presented with a petition signed by hundreds. Two of the items on that petition were a roll-back of the burdensome sewer rates and a demand for the town to look at alternative solutions for the project. As one councilman (Ben Alling) put it, “How about rather than roll back the rates, we just use the new money to pay for the Alternatives Analysis.” And the council went on to stop the project for 90 days so that alternative technologies and/or locations could be explored and evaluated. The...
My first meeting with Guillermo Guzman was for my son’s parent-teacher (Spanish) conference. The second time I met with him was this Sunday past - at the Okanogan County jail. Mr. Guzman and I have exchanged emails from time-to-time regarding Joshua’s progress, expectations, and such… but otherwise I did not know him and I am less for that. Things have all changed now… for him, for my child, for your children. Yesterday I read the Star article about the (Mr. Guzman’s) arrest, chatted with a few friends and my son… particularly my son. I was...
