EOZ meeting extends written comment period
Lou Marzeles
Editor
At a county commissioners meeting Tuesday, discussion of proposed changes to the county’s Energy Overlay Zone (EOZ) continued, with one additional week for written public comment granted.
Any additional written public comment must be received at the county Planning Department by Tuesday, June 8.
There will be another commissioners meeting on the EOZ on June 29, and it is possible that final decisions on the EOZ could be made that day.
At Tuesday’s meeting, several people on each side of the sensitive EOZ issue spoke. A Yakama nation woman spoke in Yakama at the meeting. She then repeated her remarks in English. A representative for the tribe spoke on the challenges faced in preserving its cultural and historical sites by the advance of wind farms. Supporting the wind farms, Tom Svendsen spoke of the dangers of excessive set-back restrictions. He also proposed that transmission lines be placed and planned in an orderly fashion, with no duplication of lines. Other wind project supporters presented cases for an expanded economy to be enjoyed by the county as a result of increased projects and their financial impact.
Bickleton post office closed
The Bickleton post office was abruptly closed last week after a postal inspector determined that the building it was in was unsafe.
“It was closed for structural problems,” said Ernie Swanson, corporate communications specialist with the Post Office in Seattle, which has jurisdiction over Bickleton. “An engineer was sent out to Bickleton to check the building. It was determined that the structure was not safe for postal employees or the general public.”
Swanson said a search was on for a new building in Bickleton safe enough to house a post office. “We’re hoping we can open a new office there within a couple of months,” he said. In the meantime, Bickleton residents have to go to Roosevelt to get to their nearest post office.
County office candidate filing begins Monday
Candidates interested in filing for political office in Klickitat County may do so in-person in the Auditor’s office beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, June 7, through 5 p.m., Friday, June 11.
Declarations of Candidacy will also be accepted by mail through June 11.
A new option for candidates this year is being offered—filing Declarations of Candidacy on-line at http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/klickitat . This option will be available from 9 a.m., Monday, June 7, through 4 p.m., Friday, June 11. Any Declaration of Candidacy filed electronically after 4 p.m. will not be accepted. Candidates using this method will need to use a VISA or MasterCard credit or debit card (if there is a filing fee required).
County offices open for election in 2010 include: Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, County Commissioner Position/District No. 2, Sheriff, Prosecutor, Treasurer, East District Court Judge; West District Court Judge, and PUD No. 1 Commissioner Position No. 3.
A complete listing of Washington State offices is available by either calling our office or visiting the county auditor’s website.
Voters may register to vote or update their voter registration for the upcoming Primary Election through July 19 either by mail, online or by visiting the auditor’s office.
Ballots for the August 17 Primary Election will be mailed to voters on July 30. There are two remote ballot drop boxes available for voters located at the corner of S. Columbus Avenue and West Court in Goldendale and in White Salmon at 501 NE Washington Street (across from the Post Office).
For further information, contact the Elections Department at 773-4001 or (800) 583-8050.
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