Commissioners' Report

During the Wahkiakum County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, March 3, students representing the Youth Cannabis and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program (YCCTPP) announced the group will be hosting a teen movie night Thursday, March 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hope Center (320 S Third Street). The event, titled “Find Your Good,” will feature a screening of the Disney film “Zootopia 2,” as well as a taco bar, desserts, interactive games, and activities. The objective of the event is to provide a “safe gathering place for teens.” Those ages 14-18 across Wahkiakum County are invited to attend.

Following the students’ presentation, the commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Victoria Bussee to the Health & Human Services (HHS) Board, representing the Family Health Center. The commissioners also approved the appointment of Wahkiakum Superintendent Dr. Ralph Watkins, who replaced Brent Freeman as school superintendent. Wahkiakum County Emergency Technology Coordinator Beau Renfro then presented a request to the commissioners to allow him to begin the county purchasing process for a new power generator for the County Courthouse. According to Renfro, the current generator is “showing significant signs of instability.” Renfro noted the county has been awarded a grant from Washington State 911 in the amount of $40,000 to help pay for the replacement and asked for $80,000 to be taken from the County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to help pay for the replacement generator. Renfro noted only $50,000 should be needed from the $80,000. The commissioners approved the request of support, which allows Renfro to now solicit bids for the replacement of the generator.

During the commissioners’ individual reports, Commissioner Mark Letham said he had met with the IT (Information Technology) Committee and that they were looking at Microsoft licensing in the pursuit of “saving money for next year when it comes up for renewal to make sure that the licenses apply in proper order.” Letham gave his "hats off to the committee” for saving the county money.

Commissioner and Chair Dan Cothren was absent at the beginning of the meeting because he was testifying before the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) regarding upcoming timber sales. During his report, Cothren reported that two sales were put on hold until March 16. Noting there were scientists among the environmentalists protesting the timber sales, Cothren said, "I had to question some of those scientists. The timber sale we're looking at - and they're not wanting it to happen - it's a lot of hemlock…Do they understand the age? It doesn't work. Those trees that we're getting ready to try to harvest are already dying. They've all got their hemlock, most of it. Hemlock around here draws a lot of water, and water ends up going to the base of that tree....It settles in there, and that's where you get your ‘butt rot.’ Pretty quick, it escalates up the tree. I'm just a common person. I'm not a scientist, but I do cut these trees and I do see what goes on with these butts. You can't make old growth out of hemlock. It just doesn't happen. They're trying to save that, and they don't understand. It's a battle every timber sale we have. We've gotta have them.” Cothren also noted even if they do get the okay from the DNR for the sale, it will “probably go into litigation and have to go before a judge again.” Cothren said, “We can’t keep going backwards.”

Attending the meeting via Zoom, Commissioner Lee Tischer, during his individual report, expressed his frustration as well at the pushback surrounding the timber sales. "I bet 15 years ago, they never dreamt it would come to this,” said Tischer. “It's incredible that we have to fight for every sale....DNR needs to step up and voice that these trust lands are meant for our revenue. Those discussions shouldn't even be on the table."