Newsbriefs

Councilmember

resigns

Erin Nielson has resigned his position on Grand Coulee’s city council.

Nielson was in his second four-year term and submitted a resignation letter to the city this past week. Nielson, a Bureau of Reclamation employee, stated that he has taken a job in Boise, Idaho.

EDC excited to

work with city

Economic Development Councilmember Bob Valen said last week that he was encouraged by Grand Coulee’s planning commission interest in their ideas.

He told the chamber of commerce that the EDC had been “received very well” when presenting ideas they would like to see pursued to better the city.

Efforts the EDC broached with the commission included replacing street signs and installing more attractive street lights in a 1940s style. He said state grants for funding are a possibility.

“It’s exciting to see there is an interest to get things going,” he said.

Fireworks

changes

coming for city

Electric City’s council is currently working on a new fireworks ordinance. Councilmembers indicated to City Clerk Jackie Perman that in the final version of the ordinance they would like to allow the sale of fireworks as they have in the past. The council will continue working on the ordinance in its September meeting.

Joining the

recreation effort

Debbie Bigelow, who will retire soon as Coulee Medical Center’s chief executive, plans to step into another community role — joining the Coulee Area Park and Recreation District commission.

Long-time Commissioner Phil Hansen has announced his departure and President Bob Valen said Bigelow had agreed to an appointment to fill out his term.

The hospital and the park district have worked together in the past toward the goal of building a community wellness center, an effort that was hampered before changes in the hospital district administration a couple years ago.