GOLDENDALE — Klickitat County commissioners got a positive update on 4-H programs in the county at their July 28 meeting, as Washington State University Extension Service 4-H program Coordinator Harley Clever talked numbers.
“This year, we had 19 clubs, 53 volunteers, 290 youth members and 17 special program participants,” she said. “Those 17 are youth who aren’t enrolled in the 4-H programs who still want to come to our events. So, we just do a little proof of enrollment for the day, and they get covered under our liability insurance. Hopefully, for those 17 kids, we’ve upped the interest, so that next year, they sign up for 4-H.”’
Clever also told commissioners that their youth enrollment has increased more than 50% in three years, and volunteer enrollment has increased by 30%.
“This is a little crazy,” she said. “It’s not just my doing. It’s my volunteers and awesome leaders.”
Additionally, Clever noted they were able to restart a dog program, which is a benefit for kids in town who can’t have livestock but still want to show at the fair and be with their friends.
Other business
Also during the morning session, commissioners also decided to deny a request for a sweat lodge in the middle of a burn ban, because the local fire chief did not support the request.
In the formal afternoon session, commissioners discussed a new state economic committee announced by Governor Bob Ferguson that appeared to lack any substantial representation from rural communities.
Next, the planning department presented a request to rezone a 57-acre parcel south of Goldendale from General Rural to Suburban Residential, which required a concurrent comprehensive plan amendment.
And Commissioner Lori Zoller reported on her work with “America in Bloom,” a national community revitalization program that sent advisors to tour and assess the needs of Lyle, Klickitat, and Glenwood.
Of note, under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:
• A resolution appointing the Patty Fink, Ryan O Connor and Danielle Clevidence a city representatives on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
• Authorization to use grant funds to purchase a $55,448 BD Pyxis system to track and securely store medications used at the jail.
• Memorandum of understanding with Klickitat Valley Health for jail nursing services funded through the State Opioid Response Grant.
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