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Newspaper Archive of
The Goldendale Sentinel
Goldendale , Washington
September 16, 2004     The Goldendale Sentinel
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September 16, 2004
 
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PAGE 4 ANDREW J MCNAB- TARTAN PUBLICATIONS, INC., PUBLISHER KAREN HENSLEE . GENERAL MANAGER SAM LOWRY, CO-EDITOR GREG SKINNNER, CO-EDITOR Klickitat County has an annual budget just over $400,000 for its office of economic development. What are they spending it on? And, what is the result? It is well known that the county's development focus is on the tax base rather than the job base. Every chance I get, I mention the unemployment rate - highest or second-highest, Klick's always there at the top. While job growth is negative over the last five years, somehow the coun- ty's housing has grown by 365 single-family dwellings. Figure that out! Any of you build a new house? All but three of the jobs in last week's Gorge classifieds were on the Oregon side of the river or in Yakima. In Klickitat County a mental health therapist, a truck mechanic, and a prosecutor were the only jobs offered. With all the talk among candidates this election season about economic development, and the effort by the current commissioners, you might be shocked to know that job growth is still in the negative. Ray Thayer and Don Struck have both told me of businesses they are courting; both say they cannot mention names or tell how many jobs might come with these com- panies. According to Scott Bailey, a Vancouver economist for Washington State Employment Security, over the last five years job growth in this county is negative 400. Yes, that reflects the aluminum plant's closing. The director of economic development, Dana Peck, once told me there was little value to the county in infrastructure supporting housing and neighborhoods. As far as a county is concerned, Peck explained, personal property doesn't cover its own expense; the real money is in industrial property and growth. Is the Dallesport Industrial Park the right direction? Sixteen million dol- lars invested from landfill dollars ($15 millioff alone into the wastewater system) and not a single job has been created for locals. That's what they're giving you with the Energy Overlay Zone, big busi- ness with few if any real long-term jobs. The EOZ before public review expects that seven more Calpines could fit in Klickitat County. Calpine increased county tax coffers by hundreds of thousands annually. They even repaved the high school track to the tune of $20,000 and upgraded the emissions on Goldendale School District buses. They gave jobs to lO local people and with permits will contribute tons of toxins to the air. What could it be? Why no jobs? It could be the perceived unfriendly busi- ness attitude of the power structure, it could be voodoo, or it could be that the Commissioners three are not leading this county in the right direction. The director of the Chamber of Commerce in Goldendale recently said her husband, like so many others around here, lives elsewhere during the week for no other reason than to work elsewhere I don't mean to be negative, but I hear lots of talk about development and have not seen a record of results, nor can I look back into the records of this board of commissioners and find one. -Greg Skinner ge of wearing red hats A recent story about the Red Hat Society reminds me of the many differences between the sexes and the delicate balance between independence and con- formity. For those who haven't heard, the Red Hat Society is a women's organi- zation with the sole purpose of wearing a red hat and doing as they please. /f Th= These ladies refuse to accept the idea that [ _=ss.~ Xr-~l women of a certain age should act or dress in a [ lilaC][ I~[ certain fashion. They are non-conformists in a [ IglIIPIU ~//1 sense -- but they do all wear the same color hat. | """"" ~/J ©2004 Roger Pond I am told the Red Hat Society was patterned after a poem by English writer Jenny Joseph in which she declares, "When I am an old woman, I will wear purple," with a red hat, order rich desserts, and generally do as she pleases. Some folks might be surprised by a proclamation like that, but I'm not. I've been around long enough to know some of these women have been doing as they please for quite a long time. Those who hang around gift shops will recall a very popular book with the title, "When I Am An Old Woman, I Will Wear Purple." I suspect half the woriaen in the country own that book or bought it for friends. Just recently I was happy to see a similar tome written by a man. This book is entitled, "When I Am An Old Coot, I Will Do As I Please." (If I remember the title correctly.) I almost bought a copy. Not for myself, of course, but for some of the older guys. The Red Hat story mentioned earlier was published in Farm World newspaper and written by Tennessee Correspondent Ann Hinch. The story describes a visit to the Anderson County Fair by a local chapter of the Red Hat Society. That group calls themselves the "Hillbilly High Hats." Ms. Hinch describes the attention Red Hat Society members received from fairgoers - especially the folks near the livestock barns. I'm sure the beef cattle exhibitors were saying, "Holy cow! I hope this place has some good fences!" I am told there are Red Hat Society chapters all over the country, and women have really gotten into this thing. It's only natural that men wofft understand the principles behind the group, but that's part of the allure, I gtiess. It's easy to forget that men have belonged to similar organizations since the Red Hats were girls. We might consider the Red Neck Society, for example, where men have been doing as they please forever it seems. How about the Bass Fishermans' Society? Or the Royal Order of Deer Camp? A person who wears loud hats and orders rich desserts doesn't seem all that outrageous when compared to these guys. "More power to them," I say. These women can wear those big, noisy hats and have as much fun as they wish. On the other hand, please don't bring it to deer camp! THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR GOLDENDALE AND KLICKITAT COUNTY, WA ESTABLISHED 1879 • PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY FROM OFFICES AT 117 W MAIN • GOLDENDALE, WA 98620 TELEPHONE (509) 773-3777 • FAX (509) 773-4737 EMAIL: (NEWS) SENTINEL@GORGE.NET OR (ADS, EDITORIAL, COMMUNITIES, HOMETOWN) GSENTINEL@GORGE.NET THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL STAFF BETH SCHRoDER, PAGE LAYOUT/DESIGN, CIRCULATION AMY WALKER, GRAPHIC DESIGN Subscriptions: Deadlines: 1 Year, 2 Years News and Letters: Noon Friday Goldendale - Carrier $22, $37 Display Advertising: 5 p.m• Fdda In Klickitat County- $29, $52 Classified Advertising: Noon Monday Outside Klickitat County - $38, $7( Legal Notices: 10 a.m. Tuesday USPS 2213-6000 WEEKLY• Periodical postage paid at Goldendale Post Office, Goldendale, Wash. 98620, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Goldendale Sentinel, 117 W. Main St. Goldendale, WA 98620-9526. "][he Goldendale entinel SEPTEMBER 16, www.barryscartoons.com THIS Yi~AFt WIn'ILL GI~T US ONI~ OF THOSI~ BIG B4.1CI