The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

Your readers may be interested to know that I am resigning from Position #3 on the Cathlamet Town Council, effective April 30, 2014.

My prior plan was to retire from Town service when my term as Mayor ended in December 2009. However, I was persuaded to return as Chairman of the Town Planning Commission for 2010-11, and then asked to run for Council for a 2012-15 term.

Returning to the Council offered an opportunity to work on four goals that I believed were important to the Town: (1) Broker peace and restore communications between the then-Administration and the Cathlamet Fire Department; (2) write a new Fire Department Ordinance that brought Town policy into conformity with state law; (3) write a comprehensive overhaul of the Town's Utility Ordinance to address accumulated inconsistencies, comply with state rules, and fund the new Wastewater Treatment Facility; and (4) overcome past resistance to responsibly harvest the Town's timber while market prices justified it. The first three are done, and the fourth is well underway.

After postponing a long-dreamt-of trip to Europe due to family obligations, civic duties, and health issues, the time has come to delay no more. The Council graciously voted to grant me a five-month leave without pay to do this. Upon reflection, I have decided it is better for the Town to recruit a replacement and move ahead. Forty-seven years of public service, including 10+ with the Town, is probably enough.

I thank the voters who supported me, as well as those who didn't, for the opportunity to serve and learn from you. I thank the many community partners, Council colleagues, and Town staff for their passion, cooperation, and loyalty.

Richard A. (Dick) Swart, Councilmember, Position #3