Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Klickitat County Commissioners responded to a longstanding request to install edge striping on Snowden Road, but in order to do so, they had in good conscience to do others, as Klickitat County Engineer Seth Scaroia told commissioners.
“My suggestion, in looking at this list, if we were going to stripe that section of Snowden Road that’s being asked, we also need to stripe that portion of Bickleton Highway and Canyon Road, because they also have high accident occurrences on those segments of road.”
The list in question was one that ranked road segments in the county for the number of run-off-the-road accidents related to poor visibility in fog and other bad weather conditions. Snowden was not at the top of the list, and commissioners realized that if they striped Snowden and not road segments with higher accident rates, they could expose the county to liability if an accident happened on the other roads.
Commissioners were concerned that once begun, this would become an annual expense, because the newer stripes only last a year. They decided to go ahead because this year they had the funds. There are grants that would cover the cost of thermoplastic striping which is three times the cost but lasts five years, but the next grant cycle isn’t until 2027, and would be available until the following year. They’re hoping the regular striping available now would hold up until then.
They also planned a wastewater rate hearing for August 18 in Dallesport with a question and answer session to follow.
And Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Cranston asked for permission to increase the salary range offered to attract a new deputy prosecuting attorney.
“We’ve had a very limited number of applicants. So fr, we haven’t ben able to fill that position. At this I’d like to post for DPA 1 through 3, with the hope that opening it up to more experienced attorneys might get more applicants. We have the budget; we’re not asking or any additional funds.”
But at the same time, she reported:
“The other position that’s open in our office – public records administrator, like we have 28 applicants, definitely qualified applicants. We’re very happy with that.”