Klickitat County Commissioners met yesterday. Following a public comment period, in which several people expressed concern about the problems with the Klickitat County jail, Chair Lori Zoller noted that commissioners couldn’t comment due to pending litigation, but she added this:
“It isn’t a lost subject on us, but there is a process that we have to work through, but I think the commissioners have came to a Y in the road with this situation, and we’re gonna have to start having some very quick, very hard conversations, right away.”
In the afternoon session, during an update from the County Sheriff Bob Songer, Commissioner Zoller offered Songer a chance to comment. Songer declined, citing potential lawsuits:
“I’m not gonna sit here and go into detail on that, regardless of what citizen out there wants that information. Same with the Hannah Walker case. We’ve made our decision. They got a problem with it, they can contact an attorney and go after the sheriff. Period.”
For years, the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, has paid the county $3100 annually to compact and prepare the soil in the big shed at the county fairgrounds for the home and garden show. This year, they’ve requested a waiver of that fee. At the same time, they plan to charge admission this year for the previously free event. That prompted this response from Commissioner Greg Anderson:
“I don’t know how we could give it to ’em for free, when we’re using road department staff. They paid in the past and they’re charging admittance. I’m trying to see where that would be a benefit.”
And on a positive note, Planning Director Jeff Hunter announced good news about Oregon Trail Rally, a sports car competition that is part of the national championship.
“They’re coming back again; they like being here. They’re going to use Dalles Mountain Road, Oak Flat, and, uh, Maryhill Loop Road. They’re also going to have a car show in Goldendale. They’re going to be housed at the school, so it’s a big part of Goldendale.”