Commissioner says county keeping to budget
Lou Marzeles
Editor
Despite a slowdown in the county’s biggest money maker, Klickitat County is still the only county in the state operating in the black, says County Commissioner Rex Johnston.
“To my knowledge, we’re the only county not only operating in the black but also with reserves,” Johnston commented at a Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce business luncheon forum at the Glass Onion last Thursday. “Our biggest challenge is living within our means.”
Johnston said the county’s biggest revenue generator is the county landfill, but even that has been down about $300,000 in the first quarter of this year. “It’s been affected by the economy,” Johnston said. “It may come back up during the rest of the year. Or it may not.”
While the landfill has been proactive in securing commitments from areas beyond the state, a highly publicized commitment from Hawaii has not yet produced Hawaiian garbage at the landfill. “I don’t know when it will actually start shipping,” Johnston said. The problem apparently has to do with ensuring adequate safeguards for the refuse while it is in transit.
The county is firm about staying within its budget, Johnston emphasized. “A budget is a budget,” he said, “whether it’s yours, mine, the state’s, or the federal budget. You make so much money, you can afford to spend so much money. If you spend more, you go into debt, and then you have to figure out a way to pay it back. We’re not going to do that. We’re going to stay within our budget.”
Johnston said the county has been able to avoid laying off employees except those who are grant funded and whose grants are ending. The county has about 150 employees, some 50 in public works, about 50 in the sheriff’s office, and about another 50 in other offices.
Questions were raised about other possible revenue enhancements for the county, including speculation on the future of Insitu, now based principally in Bingen. “Insitu may become larger,” Johnston speculated, “if it becomes a line item with the government. It could double in size.” If it were to do so, the company would likely move to a permanent new campus, which the county hopes will remain within the county.
There were questions about the economic impact of the sprawling wind farms throughout the county. “There’s a common perception out there that the wind farms mean that the county has won the lottery,” said one questioner at the meeting.
“That’s the perception,” said Johnston, “but it’s not accurate. The wind farms will never generate as much revenue as we see from the landfill.” While property taxes on wind farms produce significant revenues and are hugely beneficial to the land owners on whose property they’re located, they don’t equate to a vast windfall fortune for the county.
Johnston reported that $3 million has been raised toward the completion of a new emergency services radio system for the county, leaving another $4 million to be acquired. “We may have to do a levy to raise the remaining sum,” he said, emphasizing the need for the radio system for safety and effective emergency services communications.
13+ Miles of Yard Sales this weekend
High Prairie’s barn full of bargains will be open again for the annual 13+ Miles of Yard Sales event this weekend. Last month High Prairie held its own annual Firehouse Sale, and now the community is once again sorting and pricing new donations, setting up the bratwurst grill, and baking pies and cookies. They’re one of the few locations on the 13+ Mile Yard Sale route that will be offering food as well as bargains. All the money from High Prairie’s Firehouse Sale and their participation in the 13+ Miles of Yard Sales event goes to support local Fire District 14 and the High Prairie Community Council.
This is the eighth year for the 13+ Miles of Yard Sales event, which links multiple yard sales in several towns on the same weekend. Maps and programs are available that show participating towns, individual yard sale addresses, and brief lists of what’s being offered. For more information, go to www.13milesofyardsales.weebly.com.
From Highway 14, turn between the gas station and the Country Cafe in Lyle onto Centerville Highway. From Highway 97, turn onto Centerville Highway about five miles south of Goldendale and follow it west.
State no-texting law goes into effect
On June 10, police agencies around the state will begin enforcing Washington’s newly-revised law restricting the use of wireless devices by drivers.
The revised law makes texting or improper cell phone use primary offenses, meaning that drivers can be pulled over for those violations alone.
The law also prohibits the use of electronic devices by younger drivers with an Intermediate Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit, with or without a hands-free device.
How will WSP enforce the changes?
“If you’re holding the phone to your ear, you’re likely to be stopped,” said Captain Chris Gundermann of the state patrol’s field operations bureau. “We will be flexible with virtually any type of headset or speakerphone device, but holding the phone itself to your ear will get our attention.”
Since 2008 the law has prohibited drivers from texting while driving, and required those talking on cell phones to use hands free devices. However, the earlier version of the law was “secondary” meaning that officers had to see a different violation in order to make the traffic stop.
Gundermann noted that those with hearing aids are exempt, as are those reporting an emergency to 9-1-1. Troopers will inquire about exemptions once the person has been pulled over.”
“No ticket is automatic. If the person has a hearing aid or is calling 9-1-1, we’ll get them quickly on their way,” he said.
Texting can be harder for troopers to spot, because the unit is normally held lower than when talking on a cell phone. Gundermann says studies show that those reading or sending a text message take their eyes off the road for up to five seconds.
“We’ll be looking for people who clearly aren’t watching the road. We’ve had a couple years to practice spotting this behavior and can usually tell when someone is texting. Sooner or later the phone comes up high enough that we can see it and make the stop.”
At the Department of Licensing, Director Liz Luce is urging parents to help with enforcement of the complete ban on electronic devices for those with intermediate licenses.
“Responsibility starts at home, so I ask parents to have a conversation with their teen drivers, because the consequences of distracted driving can be deadly,” Luce said.
Statistics have long shown that younger drivers make up a disproportionate number of those injured or killed on the highway.
“A cell phone in the car is one of the most dangerous things a teen driver can have.”
Come June 10, teen drivers with intermediate licenses aren’t permitted to use their cell phones at all, with or without a hands-free device, unless they’re reporting an emergency.”
Multiple traffic violations on an intermediate driver license can lead to suspension and even an extension of the intermediate license restrictions until the driver turns 21.
Safety experts recommend people not talk on the phone at all while driving, pointing out that the conversation itself is a distraction.
“Ideally, we would like to see all drivers save their phone conversations for later and concentrate on the road. Study after study has demonstrated that talking on the phone while driving seriously impairs your awareness and ability to react,” said Lowell Porter, executive director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
The Commission also has announced its new slogan to help people stay safe: Text, Talk, Ticket.
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