|
Laura's Blog
Click here to email Laura, please put "blog post" in the reference line to have your comments posted
August 30, 2010 Say goodbye to Chamber Dave
Stop by some time today between 9 and 2 to say thanks and good luck to Dave Livingston, he is leaving the Newport Oldtown Chamber to move back to Oregon to be near family. Thanks so much Dave for all you have done for Newport and the Chamber! Best of luck, we will miss you. And welcome Luann Ryman, the new Chamber Director, stop by and meet her.
August 25, 2010 YEAH! we signed with Seattle City Light
Yesterday we signed the next 10 year contract with SCL! the last contract was for 11million dollars, and this one is for 19million! Thanks so much to everyone who helped fight the good fight!
August 23, 2010 what a great Fair weekend!
This last weekend was the Pend Oreille County Fair and what a great weekend! Super weather, great people and so much fun stuff :) What an awesome Fair, thank you so much to the Fair Board and all the volunteers who make it such a great success.
August 16, 2010 time flies when your having fun
It has been a busy week! trying to fit all the summer things we haven't gotten to into the last two weeks before school begins :) Thankfully we have had summer weather. It's a busy time at the County as well, working with Seattle City Light over contract details, interviewing for a new Public Works Director, the State Auditor is with our Auditors office as well as the primary election on the 17th. Hope to see everyone at the Fair this next weekend, enjoy the rest of summer.
August 9, 2010 a day in the history of the year
today's date is 8-9-10, August 9th of 2010 :). just a small piece of trivia for your Monday, have a great week.
August 3, 2010 Be aware of burglars
Last night at the Newport City Council meeting I learned that there have been a rash of burglaries lately, county wide. Please take some time to look at your home and car and see what you can do to discourage burglars, can you put something away, lock your doors, turn a light on? We can make it less appealing for burglars and they will look elsewhere. Be aware and call in suspicious occurrences.
July 30, 2010 Great Weekend in Pend Oreille
Wishing everyone a great summer weekend, the weather should be good, hoping for no lightning :). The Kalispel Pow Wow is this weekend, enjoy.
July 29, 2010 Seattle City Light talks progressing
On Monday the 26th Jorge Carrasco and Steve Kern met with our negotiating team and it felt more positive than anything we have done so far. SCL presented us a written offer and we will respond within two weeks. Stay posted and as soon as we can make things public, we will. We are still talking about a few details and the Seattle City Council must make final approval. Just a reality check; this is not a deal that will fix all our financial woes and that was never our intention, what we have been after with Seattle City Light is a fair and equitable agreement, not the "fix all our problems for us" deal.
July 26, 2010 It's Budget time again
Over the last several years Pend Oreille County has worked hard to reduce spending and by law, create a balanced budget. Like many of you have experienced, it's tighter this year than last and also like many of you, we here at the County are tightening our belts up. You can't stop a runaway train on a dime or you'll have a train wreck on your hands, so you slow it down. From 2007 to 2008 we cut spending increases in half, and for 2009 in half again, then in 2010 we actually reduced the budget and are planing to do the same thing again for 2011. In 2010 we were able to balance the budget with just one staff layoff, and they came back to the county when a position became vacant later. The Departments and staff worked together, all making sacrifices to reach that balanced budget and we are going to do the same again this year. We met last week to talk about how to get where we need to be with the revenues expected. We are committed as your local government to serve the citizens of Pend Oreille county and be wise stewards of the money we handle-your money, and we will do it with service to you in mind.
July 24, 2010 Beautiful Pend Oreille County
I spent three days last week in Wenatchee for a Risk Pool conference and while it is nice there, there's no place like home! This weekend I was in Ione for their Centennial Down River Days and was reminded anew of the beauty of Pend Oreille County, surely one of the most beautiful in the State. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend too.
July 19, 2010 only change is constant
On Friday we heard that our latest contact at Seattle City Light, Noel Treat, is leaving the Utility. Superintendent Jorge Carrasco called to advise us of that and set up a meeting for next Monday the 26th. After two years we are hoping to get closer to a conclusion to this agreement, stay tuned for updates.
July 12, 2010 Happy Monday
What a beautiful weekend, hope you all had a chance to visit the Lavendar Festival, it was great! What a wonderful City Park. Today will be a day for budget talks and Community Development. And Tonight is the Newport School Board meeting at 6:30.
July 9, 2010 Seattle City Light update
Our last meeting with Seattle City Light was April 27, 2010 when we met for the first time with our new contact, Noel Treat. The Pend Oreille County negotiating team (Commissioner Laura Merrill, Selkirk School Superintendent Nancy Lotze, and Gallatin Public Affairs consultant Bob Royer) met with Mr. Treat to bring him up to speed on what had occurred in the last year and a half and where we were at currently. He said he was determined to get this negotiation moving and would get back to us in two weeks. I heard that several more times as I conversed over the phone with Mr. Treat since then. Today I had a phone call from him and he said that Seattle City Light had looked over the numbers again and were about ready to get back to us, he needed to have a meeting with decision makers when he returns from vacation on July 26th and he would get back to me then. He felt it was a positive thing that they have not called for arbitration and he is still positive we can settle this soon. "Hope Springs Eternal" said Alexander Pope and I cling to the hope that we will be able to come to a mutually agreeable settlement soon. If not, we are still commenting on the FERC proceedings of Boundary Dam and continuing discussions with Legislators in regards to the law we are working under.
July 6, 2010 Please share your thoughts
I am wondering if any of your have comments on how the Executive Authority Resolution is working in the County (division of specific authority by a commissioner over a single department). We have been talking about it in session, and would appreciate your thoughts, please email me at lmerrill@pendoreille.org.
July 1, 2010 Excited about the future of Public Works
We heard from Prothman this week that we have received 24 applications for the Public Works Director position! Prothman advertised in over 9 states and in multiple venues from newpapers to professional journals. This position is crucial to the future of Public Works and with a combined budget larger than the general fund, the Commissioners felt it needed more than just our experience to determine the best fit for Pend Oreille County. Prothman will do the preliminary sort, interviews and reference checks and I am excited about the possibilities for the future.
June 29, 2010 Facilities plan
Just to give you all an update, and answer some questions; the Long Range Facilities Team, made up of employees and citizens, spent many months working on the plan to re-arrange office spaces to better accommodate the needs of the departments and serve the citizens better. Now that a plan has been forwarded to the Commissioners, an Architect was hired to confirm the plan and site the facilities for feasibility. They will check into concerns about remodeling, any mold or asbestos issues etc... They will be able to jump off the work already accomplished by the facilities team and move the plan on to the next phase-construction!
June 28, 2010 What a great place to live
I just love living here! This weekend at the Rodeo Parade when Fire crews and PUD crews noticed an upset mother bird on the lot where they were all parking-they found her nest with several eggs, and cordoned off the area so that they would be safe! It was a beautiful day and the perfect postcard of Rural America, I'm thankful to have been a part of it
June 23, 2010 Its Rodeo time!
Even though it doesn't feel much like summer, Rodeo is here and the carnival is getting set up, Yeah! Too bad there isn't an animal parade-wouldn't it be a hoot to see Elephants going down Washington Avenue :). Have a great weekend in Newport.
June 21, 2010 The first day of Summer! (please note change!)
And its raining! Oh well I'm sure someone is enjoying it. This week is busy and I wanted to let you know about a couple of meetings you may be interested in. Monday Night is Newport's City Council Meeting at 6:30pm. Also, the Commissioners will hold separate Town Hall Meetings in our districts to take comment on the proposed Development Regulations of our Comprehensive Plan (land use). The District 2 meeting is Tuesday the 22nd at the PUD building, Box Canyon Room at 6:30pm. It is open house style for one hour, please come let me know what you think. Also on Thursday we will be holding a Centennial planning meeting (Canceled). Happy Summer.
June 15, 2010 A war, really?
Due to the current economic situation and funding needed for the Milfoil program, Pend Oreille County researched the requirements for milfoil control on the River. There is no jurisdiction or authority mandating the County to be controlling milfoil on the Pend Oreille River; we have an agreement with the PUD as they do have jurisdiction and authority for milfoil on the river in their FERC license for Box Canyon Dam. We do not feel that it is a priority of government with taxpayer dollars and notified the PUD of our withdrawal from the program with a 60 day notice that the agreement required. This is just a business decision made due to the economic climate we are in, nothing personal, not a grudge and certainly not a war. The County works in many ways with the PUD and other entities in our area for the good of the citizens.
June 7, 2010 Has Spring Sprung yet?
The sun peeks out every once in a while and "hope springs eternal" or spring hope is eternally on our minds. The Graduates are free, and kids are dreaming of summer break (me too :D). There are openings on several of the County commissions and boards, check out our website sor more information and get involved with the future of our county.
May 25, 2010 Wow time really flies
Mothers Day has passed and we are into the Memorial Day holiday and Graduation, Congrats all you Grads! For so many of us, time is a rare commodity, everyone is busier and busier. Spring has been temperamental and I am anxiously awaiting summer weather. Take time to appreciate your family and friends, enjoy the suns warmth and the fragrance of the spring blooms.
March 9, 2010 latest union contract ratified
Last week the Pend Oreille County management team met with PERC (public employees relations commission) and the Information Technology Services Department and came to agreement on a 3year contract. This department is under the Commissioners and serves the technology needs for the whole County.
March 1, 2010 Spring is just around the corner
Greetings, its been awhile since I have posted. I thought no one really looked at these, yet there were comments in a blog posting about the Seattle City Light issue referring to one of my blog posts. So I will say that I have greatly appreciated the support of our citizens and Representatives of the 7th District as we have traveled this crazy road. It has been an education and an experience. We have made progress and have actual negotiations occurring. I will keep you posted, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
December 22, 2009 Merry Christmas
It has been a very busy end of the year-so much to wrap up and close out. Reflecting on the year there has been much to celebrate and also to mourn. Wishing all of you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
November 17, 2009 Think positive!
I get that line from the recent Pend Oreille Players youth production of "Willie Wonka", it was a great show! The thought rings true whether you are hoping for the golden ticket, or dealing with economic difficulties. I find having a positive attitude goes a long ways towards making it easier to handle what life tosses at you. I've heard it said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% attitude :)
I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, Laura
October 8, 2009 Wow it's Fall
Greetings everyone, hope you all had a great summer! I can hardly believe it's fall, then I see all the kids playing sports and feel the nip in the air at the Friday night football games and know its true. Thank you to the many citizens that have gotten involved in the commissions and boards the county has, your contribution helps us serve all citizens better! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather, the rustling leaves and the great new roads in our area.
August 5, 2009 It's Road work season
The dog days of summer are in full swing and kids are getting restless :). As you can tell-if you have been on the roads, the stimulus money is hitting the ground. For the Pend Oreille County Road crew, they are putting over $6 million dollars in projects on our roads, along with the Washington Department of Transportation putting around $8 million into Highway 2. Remember that the detours and stops are inconvenient now, yet the results are worth it. Thanks Road Crew for all your hard work!
July 26, 2009 The Heat is on!
Wow I can't believe it's almost August! It's been a busy month. We are still heavily involved in negotiations with Seattle City Light over the Boundary Dam impact agreement, we have our County teams working on our goals, and we are in the beginning phases of a software change for almost all of our operating functions. We have spent the last year and a half planning and researching what we need to replace and what is out there for counties. Our operating systems for the Assessor, Treasurer, Auditor and Planning are very old, DOS based systems that will not be serviced by anyone starting in 2010. In August the Assessor-Treasurer, property valuation piece will begin switch over to a new system, and we are very close to choosing the Auditor-Treasurer financial piece. It will be of great benefit to everyone working on the new systems and for our citizens when we can serve them faster and smoother. This process will take us approximately two years to be completely up and running solo, so please bear with us.
July 4, 2009 Independence Day
Today our Country celebrates Independence Day, thank you to all who fought for our freedom then, and those who continue to fight for freedom today! I wish you all a safe and fun holiday.
June 22, 2009 Seattle
This last week I visited Seattle to bring to the forefront our negotiations with Seattle City Light for the impact of Boundary Dam. I attended a City Council meeting and also the meeting for the Energy and Technology sub committee. I had personal meetings with Council members Jean Goddard who sits on the budget and the energy committees, and Bruce Harrell who is the Chair of the energy committee. Our consultant Bob Royer was with me and we were able to educate both members of our negotiation process with Seattle City Light and that since our proposal on April 28th, we have not heard back from them. I also met with Chris Endresen, the State Director for Senator Maria Cantwell to keep them up to date on the issue. We hope to have Diane and John visit also through the summer to keep Pend Oreille County in the forefront of their minds.
May 27, 2009 Action Teams formed
Not only have we finished our "adventures in administration" with consultant Stan McNutt, we have also finished our leadership pilot program with the Pacific Institute. With the grant we received (valued at over $17,000) we had 35 county staff participate in a 2 day training, and 5 follow up coaching sessions in small groups. At our final small group meeting we took our core beliefs, or goals that we had created in this process and formed four action teams. These four teams will include citizens and staff focusing on one goal each and how to implement action to reach our goals. We are all excited about these TEAM groups that will be addressing; Facilities, Budget, Communication, and Excellence in Service. If you are interested in being on a TEAM, or would like more information, please email me.
May 4, 2009 Seattle City Light Proposal
On April 28, 2009 the entire Board of County Commissioners, Prosecutor Tom Metzger and consultant Bob Royer presented our counter proposal to Seattle City Light. To see a copy of the letter, click here
April 24, 2009 Newport School Superintendent search
The Newport School District is hiring a new Superintendent and will host a community night on Monday April 27th at Stratton Elementary School at 6:30pm to invite citizens to meet and talk with the candidates for the position.
April 10, 2009 new ITS department
This week the Board of County Commissioners created the new Information Technology Services Department and appointed a director, Chad Goodhue. This department is now under the commissioners and serves all departments in the County and interfaces with many associate entities and the citizens in many unseen ways. We are excited about the advances in technology and are looking at ways to serve people better and make it easier for you to access services, information and participate in open government.
April 2, 2009 blog post discussions with citizen Derrick Knowles about Federal Land Acts(latest date on top)
3.31.09
Laura,
Thanks for the quick reply and for taking the time to look into the details regarding environmental initiatives from D.C. and Olympia like the Yellowstone to Yukon (y2y) and Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) bills that are often seen by locals as top-down, outsider ideas. While some suspicion may be justified about such initiatives, it's important to get the facts and separate conspiracy from reality. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
As a life-long E-WA resident, hunter, outdoorsman, and conservationist, I'm glad to work for a conservation group that's working on the ground locally to protect wildlife and communities. Conservation NW focuses our wildlife and forest conservation efforts on local, collaborative problem solving to find common ground with other groups, individuals, and businesses-like timber companies, recreation advocates, ranchers, elected officials, and others. While we support working with local communities to find ways to protect our local timber jobs and way of life and wildlife habitat and wilderness, we have not been actively involved in the NREPA for the same reason we opposed the Washington State y2y bill this session, because that bill and its sponsors in the WA Legislature didn't't involve and engage local communities or listen to their concerns.
There will always be legislation proposed by individuals and special interests in D.C. on just about any issue imaginable. But I think the best long-term solutions to local conservation and land management problems come when local communities are actively engaged and supportive, which is what Conservation Northwest is trying to do. For the past six years, local timber interests, conservationists, and other businesses and community leaders have been working together to protect habitat, create jobs in the woods, maintain our mill infrastructure, and improve the timber harvest practices on the Colville National Forest. More information on that effort is available on the NE WA Forestry Coalition web site at: http://www.newforestrycoalition.org/
I firmly believe we can find a way to maintain our special places and healthy wildlife populations for future generations AND have active timber management and a thriving economy.
Thanks again for the conversation on this topic. Derrick Knowles, Conservation Northwest
3.27.09
Derrick,
Thank you for your email, I appreciate your involvement. I think local involvement would be a great place to educate people on the purposes and consequences of both this act, and another federal act called the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Act. We will do our best to keep the citizens informed of the movement of the bills and if there is a process created for education and involvement,
Thanks again, Laura
3.25.09
Hello Laura,
I wanted to respond to your blog post about the y2y bill in the WA legislature and let you know that Conservation Northwest submitted a letter to legislators earlier this year opposing the legislation because there was no attempt to get local input from the communities in NE WA that would have been affected. Apparently the bill died again this year, and hopefully won't come up again next year, as efforts like this only stir up unnecessary controversy and conspiracy.
Best, Derrick Knowles Conservation Northwest
March 29, 2009 Economic Development and Tourism
Pend Oreille County is looking at Economic Development and Tourism. We have an opportunity to make changes to the function of Economic Development, our relationship with the Tri County Economic Development District and how it can partner with PORTA, the Pend Oreille County Visitors Bureau. Changes in our natural resource based economy and changes in our national economy make it vitally important for us to focus on Tourism and Business recruitment and retention. As we work through this process I would love to hear your comments, please email me. The next EDC meeting is April 15th at 8:30am in the Ione Library.
March 21, 2009 Commissioner designation of departments
In an effort to get the best efficiency administratively without having a county administrator, the Board has designated the three Commissioners to have some executive authority over some named departments. I will be over Information Services and Human Resources, Diane will be over Planning and Counseling and John will be over Public Works and Extension. We want to have better communication and accountability by having a specific point of contact.
March 13, 2009 Transportation Stimulus
Pend Oreille County has been notified that we will receive $471,000.00 dollars from the Federal Stimulus transportation dollars that have to go through the State Department. We submitted several "shovel ready projects" that had to meet State requirements, and we were advised that we will receive the $471,000.00 for a Deer Valley project that we will commence this summer. We have not heard anything on the Usk Bridge, and bridge money was separated from transportation money, so we are still contacting our State and Federal Legislators about the bridge, stay tuned.
March 7, 2009 Leadership Training
Pend Oreille County was awarded a grant for a Leadership Training program with the Pacific Institute! We had two instructors on site for two days with 35 County Elected Officials and staff in attendance. The focus was on personal leadership and accountability. It was great training that brought many people from different departments together to talk about what Pend Oreille County should look like and how we will set goals to get there. The grant, valued at over $15,000.00 is for the on site training and four Coaching follow up meetings with the attendees in a small group setting to implement what we learned and keep the excitement of the possibilities going.
February 20, 2009 Forest Service Stimulus
Federal Stimulus monies going to the Forest Service can benefit you. There will be projects put on the ground and contracts will be open for bid if you have a federal contractors registration number. Go to http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/contracting/ccr/ccr_general_info.pdf and follow the instructions listed to get on the federal registry. Then you will be prepared when this heads our way.
February 17, 2009 Wellness Program
Pend Oreille County is getting in the groove! In an effort to do our part to combat the rising cost of healthcare in our nation and our region, Pend Oreille County employees are enrolling in "Log to Live" our local Wellness Program designed to create a healthy workforce, happier employees and reduce our medical premiums by having better medical experience. We are also a part of a regional Wellness Program with "Alere", a company helping individuals deal with common diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, High blood pressure and others. Working with health coaches to learn how to manage and control these diseases.
February 02, 2009 Yukon to Yellowstone
The Washington State Senate will again look at the Yukon to Yellowstone bill (SB 5064) that may greatly impact our County. Go to www.leg.wa.gov to look up the bill and the Senators on the Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee who will hear the bill. You can write these Senators to let them know how you feel about the bill and any concerns you may have. This is a Federal level initiative that the State of Washington is connecting to, or piggybacking onto, go to www.y2y.net to read about the organization. I would also like to hear how you feel about the bill, click the link at the top of the page to email me.
January 28, 2009 first post
The first month of a new year is almost over and life in Pend Oreille County is moving along at it's normal fast speed. Many are looking forward to spring, myself included, and are cheered by the sight of the first Robin in the trees. Thankfully the daily falling of large amounts of snow has tapered off and now we just have to learn to drive in the ice "potholes".
In an effort to have more open communication and easier access to information the County has a new website and I am glad you have visited it. Please take a moment to look through the different pages and see the links to just about everything you may want to know. If there is something missing, please let us know so that we can add it.
Check back often to see news updates, calendar changes and to visit the Commissioners Blog for "just thought you might want to know" type of extras. Also our FAQ (frequently asked questions) page will have some website use tips.
Greetings and thank you for visiting my blog
For 2009 I have been appointed by the President of WSAC (Washington State Association of Counties) to sit on the Legislative Steering Committee that will meet twice a month during Legislative Session to track and support or oppose bills and also to visit and lobby the Legislature on our Countys behalf. I am also on the Eastern District Board of Directors of WSAC that focus on the unique needs of Rural Eastern Washington. I am also on the Board of Directors for our Juvenile Facility, Martin Hall, the Economic Development Council and the Tri-County Economic Development District Board. I represent Pend Oreille County on the Rural Resources Community Action Board and the Washington Counties Insurance Fund. I am honored to represent the people of Pend Oreille County, please always feel free to contact me.
|
