Happenings on the
Hilltop…
(Weippe news)
Eva Griffin 435-4051
Judy O'Brien 435-4870
fibermomma@wildblue.net
CPR/Pediatric Class
American Heart Association Pediatric First Aide class will be taught in Weippe on Saturday, May 17. Class will start at 8 a.m. in the basement of the Discovery Center. A CPR class will be taught that afternoon starting at 1 p.m. Cost for each class is $25 plus $15 for a book. The book is recommended. But not required.
Please call Ronda Rhoads at 435-4288 to register for the classes. Advance registration is needed to insure adequate supplies and instructors.
People patter
Saturday evening Maxine Johnstun accompanied her daughter-in-law Nancy John-stun to the Orofino Community Choir Concert. The group of 40 singers is directed by Woody Bausch. Maxine reports a most enjoyable evening.
Maxine also had the good fortune to win the ICANN raffle recently, says she received a basket full of goodies.
LaVelle Snyder is in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center as the result of a fall.
Dolores Watson got a call from her granddaughter, Austin Bailey who lives in Scio, Oregon. Dolores, Austin, her mother Raynee, and Austin's two brothers, Sabian and X-Rion, all met in Orofino Saturday for lunch.
At the Lodge
Sunday afternoon pinochle had five tables this week. Fred Borders and LaDonna Chapman won pinochle, Janet Kingen won high score and Jim Brown got low. After pinochle, as this was the last meeting, a potluck was held. I hear it was a great potluck with roast beef, ribs, macaroni & cheese, fruit salad, cake and other good things. They are through now until Fall.
Events
Eva Griffin, Youth Services Librarian at the Weippe Public Library sends a heads up for an interesting upcoming program. Weippe Public Library and Pierce Free Public Library are promoting Summer Reading by hosting a magic show "Catch the Reading Bug" at THS June 2 fr K - 6 grades, plus 7th and 8th if the school schedule will allow
A traditional silent parade starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 11 from City Hall to Fire Hall in honor of Charles Hubler. Potluck to follow at Senior Center from 12 to ? Call Lisa Weyerts, 435-4030.
Mother’s Day Prime Rib Dinner in Fraser on Saturday, May 10. For tickets call Norma at 435-4354 or Janet at 435-4439.
THS class of ’73 is planning a 35th reunion in August of this year. Call Peggy Ball at 435-4209.
Email received on this subject is below. There is also a letter to the editor from Kirk Gangwer elsewhere in this edition of the paper.
“Just because private driveways have always been plowed free of charge using taxpayer dollars allocated to the Highway District does not mean that was a proper use of taxpayer dollars. We believe that taxpayer dollars allocated to the Highway District are meant for the maintenance and improvements to Highway District roads, not private driveways. Dust abatement is applied to Highway District roads, not private driveways, and the individuals living off those roads pay a portion of those costs.
Snow plowing is very necessary during our harsh winters; however, is it really right to use taxpayer dollars to plow private driveways?”
Bob and Laura Mason
Another letter:
“There are a couple of issues and facts that I feel need to be shared with the patrons of the Clearwater Highway District regarding driveway snow plowing. This highway district like others in the State receive funding to operate from property taxes, highway user funds, and federal funds that replaced timber dollars (timber replacement funds are questionable in future years). These funds are provided for the purpose of repair and maintenance of highway district roads.
We do not receive funds from either patrons or the state for the purpose of private property snow removal. Putting things in perspective there are a total of 64 highway districts throughout the state and not one other district provides private property snow removal. We have in the past provided snow plowing of private driveways as a courtesy to our patrons.
This past year we were responsible for snow removal on 110 miles of highway district roads and 164 private driveways. With the current workforce of only 3 full time employees we found it difficult and sometimes impossible to complete this task. The burden of providing this service has grown to the point that it is no longer feasible with our current budget and manpower.
Last year may have been a more normal winter and that was not the problem it only contributed to it – the real problem has been the every increasing number of residents requesting this service. It has also become evident that with the skyrocketing cost of fuel some folks who have the equipment to clear their own driveways and had done so in the past found it easier and less costly to let the district do the plowing for them.
The Dept of Environmental Quality has been working with the highway district to mitigate the air quality problems associated with heavy use of our gravel roads. It was determined by DEQ that we exceeded the healthful limit for dust particles in our air and that as a district we needed to address that issue. Dust abatement is not a nice to do program it is something that is mandated. Our Dust abatement program is available to patrons on a cost share basis. The application of mag chloride benefits the patron with better air quality and provides soil stabilization on district roads. Thus dust abate patrons are paying additional funds to the district to help improve our roads.
In all organizations people are forced to make choices about how funds will be spent in order to fulfill its purpose. Our primary purpose is the repair and maintenance of highway district roads and the current board has been forced to make some hard decisions in light of a dwindling budget.”
Marlowe Jorgenson, Clearwater Highway District Commissioner, Weippe.
Kindergarten Roundup
There are a few gifts left at Weippe Public Library for those kinder that didn’t get to the round-up. Both public school and home school kids may drop by to pick their “Get a Jumpstart on Reading” packets and gifts.
Deadlines
Last call for Dutch oven cooks – the Camas Festival Cook-Off deadline to register is nearly here. If you have a pot to cook in, sign up today to hear this music to your ears, “M-m-m-m! Oh, that is so good. That’s the one I’m voting for!” See the web page for more information, weippe.com, or see Terri Summerfield at Weippe Public Library, 435-4058.
On your mark, get set – REGISTER! - for the Camas Festival Retreat to Weippe 3M Walk, 3M Run or 10K Run. Individuals and teams can go to weippe.com or call Kim Cox, 435-4362, for more information.