2020 - Year in Review

Editor's Note: This annual look back at the year just completed will be made in installments over the next several weeks.

–Charlotte Baker

JANUARY

2). The Shepherd Foundation has awarded the Pomeroy School District a total of $28,247.08, as well as an additional $6,000 for two other purposes, announced Superintendent Rachel Gwinn.

The long-standing Giving Tree Program blessed over 80 local kids through the generosity of local shoppers and cash donations.

The Special Hospital Levy for $860,000 will run again in April, 2020.

During 2019 legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee request of $750,000 was included in the 2019-21 operating budget to study the possibility of breaching and removing the four lower Snake River dams, which includes Lower Granite Dam. Representatives Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) and Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) both oppose the idea and ask local voters to contribute their voices to the Stakeholder Engagement Report comments.

The Port of Garfield opened four bids for the broadband construction contract at a special meeting December 19. The lowest bid from MLC Spokane, Wash., was approved.

9). High School freshman Lane Shawley returned from his first Junior World Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, held December 3-11, 2019, without a win.

Garfield County Public Works is bracing for the potential loss of $132,000 in gas tax revenues for 2020 and will minimize the level of snow removal service, maintaining strict compliance with snow-plow policies. Since I-976 passage, reorganization of funding from gas taxes has put pressure on the county to revise typical area management.

The Garfield County Commissioners approved the 2020 budget and will open bids for a new roller for the County Roads Department.

16). Fire District Commissioners accepted the resignation of Fire Chief Kris Darby in an emergency meeting held December 31, 2019, according to Commissioner Aaron Stallcop. Kyle Pearson was appointed interim Fire Chief.

What of the Dogs? Sue Nelson is concerned about the ordinance banning dogs from all city property. She pointed out that pets are allowed in most state parks, if leashed, and Nelson feels that most of the problems locally are caused by out-of-town people stopping and letting their pets out to run free and relieve themselves without cleaning up messes.

County Engineer/Public Works Director Grant Morgan, presented a letter to be signed and sent to the Washington State Transportation Commission opposing the proposed Road Usage Charge (RUC) to the Garfield County Commissioners during the regular meeting January 6, 2020. Copies of the letter will also be forwarded to Governor Jay Inslee, Stat Representatives Jake Fey, 27th-D, Mary Dye, 9th-R Joe Schmick 9th-R, Senators Steve Hobbs, 44th-D, Mark Schoesler, 9th-R and Secretary of Transportation, Roger Miller. The commissioners, also plan to forward the same information to other counties.

23). Bob Johnson who has decided to retire at the end of his term in 2020, so a few changes in committee assignments have been made.

The Garfield County Health Foundation fund of the Blue Mountain Community Foundation invites applications for grants to improve the health of residents of Pomeroy and Garfield County.

Rachel Anderson, representing Pomeroy Assist, met with the Garfield County Commissioners January 13, to request money for the operation of the emergency public housing facility.

The Garfield County Fire District held meeting on January 14 was the first held after the abrupt departure of the Fire Chief, Kris Darby, and with a new Commissioner, Aaron Stallcop, on board. Interims Kyle Pearson as Fire Chief and DeeDee Weymouth as the District Secretary have been installed until the board of commissioners appoint a successor.

30). The Shepherd Foundation reaches $6,000,000 in grants given. The Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation has been granting money for the betterment of community, education and societal enrichment to surrounding area organizations since 1996.

Former employee of the main Street business, Fruh's Repair, Steve Krouse, has recently bought the machine shop, succeeding Ed Fruh upon his retirement on December 31, 2019 and is open for business.

Port approves new contract. Construction of the broadband fiber system is set to begin in February, weather permitting.

Garfield County Fair in the works. David Ruark Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum (EWAM) presented an update. New officers for the group are Krey Miller, president, Dennis Watson, vice-president, and Jay Franks, secretary. Spring Farming Days for 2020 will be on April 4 and 5and the windmill should be done by then.

FEBRUARY

6). President Donald Trump speaks at the ceremony before signing the United States-Mexico-Canda Agreement (USMCA). President Trump signing copies of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMXA) just before talking with Rep. Mary Dye R-Pomeroy, 9th.

Garfield County Sheriff gained a new deputy when Kurt Miller graduated from the law enforcement academy in Spokane, December 13, 2019.

School Board approves Larry Wilson Memorial. The high school Wolf, Dixon, Teagan, 2019-2020 FFA officers, Tyson Steele, and Westelle Scoggin, Nayely Larios, Alyssa accompanied by FFA Advisor, Kyle Kimble addressed the school board at the regular monthly meeting January 27, to request a memorial in honor of Larry Wilson, former Pomeroy High School Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor.

13). Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD Board of Commissioners decides to proceed with Allevant contract, for training and marketing services to enhance the swing bed portion of the hospital for the use of long-term transitional care patients.

Ambulance Memorial Fund is restructured. The members of the Garfield County Ambulance Memorial Fund (GCMF) advisory board met Monday, February 3, 2020, to discuss a proposal to move the fund management under the umbrella of the Garfield County Health Foundation (GCHF) Fund.

The Garfield Ambulance Memorial Fund (GAMF) has joined the Garfield County Health Foundation Fund (GCHFF) at the Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF).

County Considers Demo Derby for 2020 Fair. Pat Bly, Demo Derby promoter, met with the Garfield County Commissioners Monday, January 27, 2020, to make a presentation and ask for permission to conduct car races and a demolition derby on Saturday night of the 2020 Garfield County Fair.

Martha Lanman, Garfield County Health District Administrator, addressed Garfield County Commissioners, of changes. The Southeast Washington Accountable Communities of Health (SEWAACH) met and elected two representatives from each county included in the association, Asotin,

Garfield and Columbia counties.

The Garfield County Fire District Board of Commissioners to finalize the plan for advertising for a new Fire Chief.

The Pomeroy Jr. High Wrestling team traveled to Lewiston to wrestle at the Jenifer Tournament. Three Jr. Hi. Wrestlers Walker Flynn, Kyzer Herres, Ethan Prevost win gold.

20). A cougar was recently sighted in Pomeroy at Heaton Gulch by Terry Brandon on February 4. Growing predator problem and limited control has people concerned.

Survey will open grant doors. Jack Peasley of the Southeastern Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) told the Council he met with Michelle Bly of RD&H Engineering regarding an earlier Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) survey. According to the survey the city is currently ineligible to receive a wide variety of grants.

27). The Pomeroy Lady Pirates captured another District 9 Championship with a 50-39 win over Oakesdale, and are headed to regionals. Team members Heidi Heytvelt, Alyssa Wolf, Chase Caruso, McKenzie Watko, Kendall Dixon Maddy Dixon, Keely Maves, Maya Kowatsch, Jillian Herres, Emma Severs, Sydney Watko, Head Coach Tai Bye, and Assistant Coaches Gena Severson and Brock Ledgerwood.

The Governor and State Legislators pushing for removal of Snake River Dams. Port Director Diana Ruchert reported during the recent Port of Garfield (Port) meeting February 18, which as a representative of the Port, she and the commissioners are still actively opposing the removal of the Lower Snake River Dams by attending meetings and working with other Ports in sending a response to the Governor's study.

County Engineer and Public Works Director, Grant Morgan, presented a February 2020 flood damage estimate totaling $212,650 within Garfield County.

Pomeroy's 170-lb. Braedyn White finished sixth at the Mat Classic last weekend in Tacoma, winning three matches and losing three matches.

Garfield County Transportation Director Rachel Anderson and Jeff Ruchert, Manager of the Garfield County Transportation Authority (GCTA), announced that they have received the new cutaway bus.