Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
Severin Harris Fischer, left, and Allie Gingerich, center, were provided cool refreshments to the community during one hot Monday in July recently. One local resident and our very own Washington State Representative Mary Dye, stopped by to quench her parched throat after a meeting with the County Commissioners. "When I finished the meeting with the commissioners, I saw the lemonade stand across the street and stopped by for a popsicle," Dye said. "I like to support young entrepreneurs."
POMEROY–One fine sunny Monday, Severin Harris Fisher, son of Nichola and Paul Fisher of New York, and grandson of local resident Connie and Jim Harris; and Allie Gingerich, daughter of Kent and Lacey Gingerich and granddaughter of Lisa and Brad Gingerich, found a worthwhile purpose for one long, hot day of summer. They opened a lemonade stand outside of the Pomeroy Pharmacy and Meyers Hardware stores on Main Street.
The two young aspiring entrepreneurs decided to provide a service to the community while making a bit of monetary value. Once the spoils have been divided, they will cover the cost of locally sourced ingredients, donate a portion of the proceeds to their respective churches, and save a bit for the entry fee for the Pomeroy Market next year.
To celebrate a successful day, grandmothers Connie Harris and Lisa Gingerich planned to take the two young entrepreneurs swimming.
Lucky for local resident and Washington State Representative Mary Dye, (R-9-Pomeroy) the youngsters' beverage stand was nearby after a hot meeting and discussion with the Garfield County Commissioners about a proposal to place wind turbines on 60,000 acres in Garfield County.
Dye's concern is how relevant this low-power-value wind generation program will be financially and logistically for Garfield County in the future.
"Will it be worth destroying not only the sight-scape of the area, but the integrity of the soil, water usage, tax base loss, and loss of revenue for the school and the effect to the overall community?" Dye asked in an interview with the East Washingtonian.
She referenced data and information of the losses experienced by nearby Columbia County, for its school districts, and other public resources. Construction drawbacks Dye mentioned included a well in the Lind community, the water used by contractors for dust control, and how it was depleted to the point it may never recover.
"Is it worth the financial gain of a few now, to the losses it will instigate for the community in the future?" Dye asked.
"Windmills is another method of massive shift of money," said Dye. "It is a massive land use change which will significantly impact the area. Our forests are federally protected and last frontier land in the State. What is the offset?" There are many questions left to be answered.
After the meeting, Dye spied the lemonade stand across the street from the courthouse and decided to enjoy a cool refreshment. "I chose a popsicle," she said. "I like to support young entrepreneurs." It was a welcome treat.
