Port commissioner decides to step down

Orville Scharbach has resigned his position on the Grant County Port District 7 commission.

Scharbach, who was just elected to another six-year term last November and took his new oath of office a month ago, advised other commissioners that he was stepping down.

He told them, “it’s time.” He has been president of the board for a number of years.

Commissioners Jim Keene and Dennis Lohrman were quick to praise Scharbach for his years of service. Both Keene and Lohrman are recent additions to the port commission.

Scharbach has been a member of the port district commission for two six-year terms and was just starting his third term.

Scharbach was instrumental in saving the Banks Lake Golf Course. He advised his fellow commissioners that the port district needed to step in and take over the 18-hole course and prevent it from going under.

The port district did and continues to manage the course, the 2014 season being the third under control of the board of commissioners.

Scharbach is a longtime golfer and was owner of the Grand Coulee funeral home before it was sold and he retired.

Scharbach said he plans to do volunteer work outside at the golf course. He and the other commissioners have volunteered at the course since the port district took over management.