It was almost a typical meeting of the Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
The board covered its usual variety of subjects----dredging, staffing, budgeting, bids, reports, and so on, but there was one difference.
Commissioner Blair Brady, who has represented the Westend for three terms, acknowledged he had lost the election to retired Sheriff Gene Strong.
Because the race had finished Nov. 27 with a two--vote difference in Strong's favor, it went to a recount by hand conducted last Wednesday. Election officials came out with the same result, 1,189 for Strong and 1,187 for Brady.
Strong and other officials winning elections will take their oaths of office at 10 a.m. Dec. 27 in the county courtroom.
"I have two meetings left," Brady commented at Tuesday's meeting. "I want to say that it has been fun. I wish him [Strong] well.
"Thank you for your support over the last 12 years. I will remain active lobbying in Olympia for county issues."
In other topics on Tuesday, members of the audience raised two issues.
First, Cape Horn resident Robert Gawith asked whether or not there was a possibility of beach nourishment in that area this year.
"No," replied Commissioner Dan Cothren. "The [dredging] window was closed until June."
Regulations prohibit dredging activity while certain fish, especially downstream bound juveniles, are migrating.
Cothren and Public Works Director Chuck Beyer added that the county has submitted materials required for permitting its proposed beach nourishment program, and they're responding to agency requests for further information. They expect their permits will be ready for projects next year.
Second, county resident Craig Brown commented on news from last week's meeting that commissioners have asked the prosecuting attorney's office to research a possible ordinance exempting
