Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Last night’s Goldendale City Council meeting was a government version of drag racing the quarter mile – From opening Pledge of Allegiance to the closing gavel took a mere 13 minutes. For those keeping score at home, the record is held by a previous council at just 7 minutes. There were a few takeaways even in that short session.
The Goldendale Police Department recorded 348 calls for service in August, with 10 arrests, half of them for domestic violence. Chief Mike Smith said that was to be expected:
“Domestic violence was up in the month of August, which is hot weather, people staying up later and stuck in the house, or what it was, but definitely up the last two months and we’re about 2,495 calls for the year so far. So we’re well above what we used to be.”
After years of work, a public hearing on the parks plan was scheduled for the September 21st council meeting. The plan has already gone through the CEPA process which is a necessary step to have any eligibility for grants.
The parks plan was described as a tool to make the city more eligible for Recreation and Conservation grants.
And Mayor Dave Jones had good news for fans of a favorite and fast-spreading sport:
“The next time you get a chance, drive by the World War II Park. The pickleball courts are just about done. They were painting today, getting the stripes on there, so that’ll be finished up pretty soon. I know I’ve heard a lot of excitement n the community to have those operational.”
And Mayor Jones reported on attending a county commissioners workshop last Thursday regarding proposed data centers in the area and was advocating for impact fees and community benefit agreements to benefit the city.