Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Yesterday’s morning workshop session of the Klickitat County Commissioners featured a report by Association of Washington State Association of Counties lobbyist Zak Kennedy. He painted a daunting picture of the state’s financial situation:
“Our state budget is increasingly in peril. It’s getting worse. Federal dollars coming down to Washington State are definitely in jeopardy. California caved Friday. They finally pulled back a lot of their policies. Washington has not yet. Our Attorney General is doubling down. Sanctuary cities and things like that, so we’re just going to shake that stick at the feds and see how long we can hold out.”
On the positive side, Commissioner Todd Andrews noted the good working relationships between law enforcement agencies in the area and got this response from County Sheriff Bob Songer:
“I spoke with both police chiefs and they say cooperation interagency, even with tribal, has been really good.” Bob Songer replied: “Oh yeah, it’s gotta be that way. If you don’t have that cooperation, the only person that benefits is the bad guy.”
And the county prepared to say farewell to Fiscal Services Manager Jennifer Neil, who has taken another position and will be genuinely missed. Human Resources Director Robb Van Cleave summed up the feeling of many in the county:
“I just want to wish her well and thank her for everything she has done. This is just one of a lot of examples of how she’s made the information understandable and transparent and available. I’ve worked in a lot of governments and that’s rarely the case and I think she’s done a tremendous job”.