Home and Garden Show wows show organizers
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
"Fantastic!" "Awesome!" The superlatives were non-ending with a quick survey of the attendees and vendors at the first Goldendale Regional Home and Garden Show. Almost to a person, the reaction was that the event exceeded expectations.
Chair of the event, Cindy Bluemel could only say "wow!"
Vehicle counts and door prize ticket stubs were still being reconciled to get an official count, but there were clearly 2,000 or more people who attended the two day event this past weekend.
Title sponsor, Jim Allyn, of Allyn's Building Center gave much credit to the exhibitors for putting on a first-rate show.
"The quality of the exhibits was really, really good," said Allyn. "Participation by the public was great, the weather was great. Mindy (Blomquist, executive director of the Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce) did a great job. The logistics and layout worked really well."
As far as business outlook, Allyn believes we are still a ways from turning things around with people building, but he believes the event was worth the effort and that for his type of business, it attracted people who were kicking around ideas for home improvements and Allyn expects quite a bit of follow-up.
Dandy Valley's Ron Falter also commented on the professional approach by the exhibitors.
I didn't get to see everything because I was too busy, but what I saw was very professional and people took pride in their exhibits," said Falter. "I was amazed at how many people came out and enjoyed it. Many people I didn't know, asking where we were located."
Some people did see some indication of the beginnings of a housing turn-around. At All-Pro Heating and Electric, Becky Barnette said "we had at least 10 good leads of people who are building or remodeling. We were impressed with the turnout."
Justin Steen, with Right On Concrete said he lined up a couple of jobs during the first day, and the Golden Art Gallery had a good day of sales at the show.
Terry Turner with the Klickitat Valley Grain Growers said his early accounting showed about $1,000 of sales, which much exceeded his expectations. The Grain Growers have expanded their home and garden line this year and were mostly interested in getting the word out.
"My goal was to get us exposed," says Turner. "It was awesome. The displays were excellent. The turn out was excellent. It was well organized. Everyone did a really nice job."
As far as exposure, Turner was already seeing it on Monday morning. "We've had people in today who bought a little wind gadget at the show and are getting more things. Some people who were just looking at the show are here today, buying. We sold plants to people in Arlington, Toppenish and The Dalles. I like to buy plants at other places for variety and I think other people do, too," said Turner.
The show included Washington State University Master Gardeners and entertainment by Ted Vigil, John Denver tribute artist. All of those presentations drew an audience and the food vendors outside the Joan Frey fairgrounds building, also seemed to be busy both days.
The organizing committee was already thinking about next year, as they handed out evaluations to exhibitors and asked about intentions to return another year.
After collecting her thoughts, Bluemel said, "we created a buzz early. We advertised in the gorge papers and radio and through the Entertainer that covers Tri-Cities and the valley. We avoided Hood River since they were having their own celebration at the same time.
Next year's show date will be set at an upcoming committee meeting. The question of whether there will be a second annual show seems moot.
As Allyn put it, "I'm looking forward to it (next year's show). With more effort like this it could be the showcase Home and Garden show for our area."
$1 million granted for east side road fix
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Monday night, the Goldendale city council dealt with water use efficiency guidelines, a cabaret license and public comment about the proposed license fee, but the biggest news of the evening came in city administrator, Larry Bellamy's announcement that Goldendale was selected to receive a $1 million grant for street repair.
The announcement followed discussion raised by councilman Clint Baze about the need to make repairs to Garfield and Main streets. The lack of funds was cited as a hindrance to do anything at this time and some discussion was held about a temporary fix. Much of the discussion was made moot with Bellamy's news.
Garfield Street is not within the area designated by the grant, but much of Main Street is. The grant plus several other sources of funds, including money generated from the half-cent sales tax, will cover a total fix to roads bounded by Roosevelt to Wilbur, and Main Street to Collins, an area covering about 16 city blocks. It will include storm drains, curbs and sidewalks. "East Main will not be touched," according to public works director, Keith Grundei.
The job needs to be put out for bid and contract awarded by Sept. 1.
Three people commented on the proposed $20 tab fee being considered by the council, should they authorize a Transportation Benefit District (TBD). All three comments were opposed to the approach with one suggestion of an alternative way to pay for road repair. The impact of the grant on the decision to create a TBD was not addressed. The public hearing on the TBD will be held at the May 4 meeting.
The cabaret license generated some debate as councilman Tom Cuff voiced his opposition to granting the license.
"If we approve it for over here, [Golden Lanes] you know what will happen," stated Cuff. "The other people with cabaret licenses will jump right in the middle of it.. I don't think the citizens of Goldendale want it," said Cuff.
Councilman Gary Hoctor pointed out that the decision was whether to grant a cabaret license, which is something bars in town already have.
The council heard a report from Police Chief, Rick Johnson, that in his opinion the planned burlesque show was in line with the definition of a cabaret license and would not fall under the adult entertainment statutes. He also assured the council that the police department would monitor any performance to be sure it was in compliance with the ordinances.
The license was granted with all but Cuff voting yes. Cuff voted no. After the meeting, Bennie Scribner, owner of Golden Lanes said he was unsure the show would ever happen because of costume changes that Chief Johnson had indicated would be necessary to stay within the ordinance.
"Their costumes are already made since they perform in Portland. It would require them to make some changes," said Scribner. "We'll see."
Public hearing on proposed water use efficiency guidelines was also on Monday's agenda. No public comments were made. The necessity of setting water efficiency goals came with enactment of law requiring municipalities to set and monitor progress on water use goals. Some provisions were already in practice, such as collecting consumption data and having a fully metered system.
The next milestone for the city is to have water use efficiency goals by July 1 of this year, based on a public process. The goals presented at the council meeting were to reduce distribution system loss to 10 percent or less by July 1, 2010, and to reduce consumption per equivalent residential unit from 560 gallons per day to 543 gallons per day by 2015.
In other business the council authorized repairs to the gazebo in Ekone' Park and voted to transfer unused audio equipment to Goldendale school.
The council said "no" to a proposal to hire a consultant to assist with interviews and selection of a new clerk-treasurer for the city. The position is advertised to close on April 24. Councilman Steve Johnson said he thought the council could and staff could take care of that themselves..."we're not Seattle... " said Johnson. The council agreed unanimously.
Chief Johnson was given the go-ahead on purchase of the new police dog, Timber. The $7,500 and the cost of training will be covered by drug seizure funds, said Johnson.
The council went into executive session to discuss union negotiations. The next regular meeting will be May 4, 7 p.m.
School Board prepares for RIF
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
A sobering message was delivered by Goldendale Superintendent of Schools, Mark Heid, at last week's public information meeting about the school budget.
"There will be people RIFed," said Heid. RIF (Reduction In Force) notices will go out by May 15, according to Heid.
The RIF is in response to the anticipated State budget, which Heid reported would be about a $350,000 cut for Goldendale school. It could be another $100,000 if the latest attendance figures come into play, which show about a 20 student drop in attendance.
Heid reported that no single area would absorb the brunt of the cuts. Extracurricular activities will share the burden of cuts, but so will other departments. School board member, Carl Conroy said, "We consider extracurricular activity to be an extension of the classroom."
The cuts will have to involve people, explained Heid, as the budget is approximately 82 percent for personnel. Union contracts will guide decisions on who will receive the RIF notices. Heid also said they will probably RIF more than necessary, to cover unknowns, since the State budget will not be finalized until this summer. Some people who receive notice of RIF will be called back before the next school year begins.
Heid said they are also looking at ways to be more efficient. He would like to work with the SCAC conference to reduce the number of games. "We don't want one school to be offering more than another. It is better if we do this together." He also said his preference is to drop a game or two instead of eliminating a complete sport or activity.
Heid said that administration and the school board will look at a menu of options and announce their decisions, probably at the May 5 school board meeting.
Potential items from the menu were discussed at last Monday's school board meeting. Five items surfaced that the Board agreed topped the list of things that could be done, and amount to $191,300 in savings. They include shifting sports official costs to the Student Body fund, partially fill two retirement positions, elimination of a seasonal mower position, home school liaison changes and savings in on-line education.
According to Heid, administration is resistant to many cuts in teachers that would push class sizes into the 28-30 range. Currently class size ranges from 22-25 and is particularly tight in the primary school.
Another item on the menu is cutting back kindergarten to a half day, with potential savings of $100,000, but it is very low on the list, according to Heid.
These and other potential cuts are among the items that the school board will address at there May 5 meeting.
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