Council, commissioners issue National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week proclamations

“Whereas when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of emergency personnel is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property.

“And whereas the safety of our emergency responders is dependent on the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens.

“And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services. 

“And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the single vital link for our emergency responders by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them critical information and ensuring their safety.

“And whereas public safety communications officers of the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients.

“And whereas each communications officer has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year. 

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Klickitat County Board of commissioners declares the week of April 13th through 19th to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Klickitat county in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and its citizens safe.”

It’s only appropriate to honor the people who are calm in a crisis, provide reassurance and helpful, knowledgeable information when it’s needed most.

In other business, commissioners heard some discouraging words from the county's lobby liaison, Zak Kennedy.

"What it really comes down to, we have huge revenue shortfalls,” he said. “We can't make our commitments in the state, and they haven't figured out how to make the two ends meet in the middle. Nobody's happy in Olympia. Democrats aren't happy in the House or the Senate because they're not meeting their two budgets, and the governor is kind of kiboshing their revenue packages. And the Republicans are just unhappy with each other and with the Democrats. You know, just regular politics."

And the slash and burn treatment given to government grants by the current administration is starting to cause concern in local officials. Jeff King reported his department had received an email that morning from the state emergency management director saying that the Department of Homeland Security director has indicated that her intention is to eliminate FEMA in its entirety.

“What that means for our emergency management program,” he said, “Is that out of the roughly $250,000 a year that we now use for preparedness, mitigation, all those program activities, and to pay for our three-quarter time program manager, we will only have just less than $21,000 a year left in local funds.”

He said that there was some hope FEMA would give funds to the states to be distributed. 

“But if FEMA isn't giving that to our state, then we won't get it,” he added. “We will only have $20,900 a year. This isn't just an email with opinion. This is an email with an official letter.”

There were reports from Superior Court that were several bills in the legislature that could limit the number of cases a public defense lawyer could handle, and also requiring one to be appointed to represent the accused even at their first appearance. Some people who had already been convicted have been released because they were denied this due process. The likely outcome is that more public defenders will have to be hired.

And with the formal afternoon session, commissioners heard a voice from their past as former commissioner Dan Christopher called in:

"I used to attend all the meetings in person before I got elected,” he said. “But because of my disability, I am no longer able to do that. So with that, I am requesting remote access to all future meetings that the board of commissioners are having, and I'm sure staff has my contact information if needed ... and that's all I have."

Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• A second extension for Short Plat SPL 2023-02.

• An agreement to repair fire-damaged guardrail near Alderdale.

• A fairgrounds licensing agreement with the American Legion Post 116 for use of the Fairgrounds April 19 for the community Easter egg hunt.

• A contract retainage bond for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Business Park Phase 2 Project.

• The Public Works Department's revised organizational chart.

• A letter of support for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Project.

• A letter of support to Representative Timm Ormsby for funding of the Health Homes program with regard to the Area Agency on Disabilities of Southwest Washington.