Planning Commission elects officers
Cheney Planning Commission members decided to stay with the status quo by retaining the current chair and vice chair at their regular monthly meeting Feb. 8. The commission reelected Commissioner Vince Barthels, who was absent Monday night, to serve as chair and Commissioner Vara Lyn Conrath to serve as vice chair.
The commission’s main order of business was to hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed capital facilities plan, and hear a presentation on the upcoming review of Cheney’s comprehensive plan for 2017 – 2037.
In staff reports, Public Works Director Todd Ableman briefed the commission on what is shaping up to be a busy construction season this summer. The city will be undertaking large arterial preservation projects this summer on Betz Road from State Route 904 to North Sixth Street, Washington Street from Betz Road to Golden Hills and Cheney-Spokane Road from SR 904 to the city limits.
Ableman said it’s going to be a challenge to complete all three projects before Eastern Washington University students return in the fall. He added that city staff would also be getting prepared for a planned overlay of SR 904 from Betz to Mullinix roads by the Washington State Department of Transportation in 2017.
Friends of Turnbull seek fundraiser sponsorships
The Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge are looking for sponsors for its March 5 dinner and auction fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to environmental education programs, outreach activities, habitat restoration and other projects at the wildlife refuge located five miles south of Cheney.
There are four levels of sponsorship packages available ranging from $150 – $250. Donations of items to be auctioned during the silent and live auctions are also appreciated.
To get more information on the fundraiser or pick up a donation form, please call Kellisa Owens at (509) 629-1826, email at kellisa.owens@hotmail.com, or Molly Zammit at (509) 688-9244, email at molly.z@comcast.net.
The Friends of Turnbull is a 502 (c) (3) nonprofit, charitable organization that has been sponsoring programs and activities at the national wildlife refuge since 1997. Its mission is to “support the mandate of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge to protect and enhance wildlife and their habitats through education, research, habitat preservation and restoration.
All donations are tax deductible by law.
Legislators’ bills advance in Olympia
Sixth District representatives Jeff Holy (R-Cheney) and Kevin Parker (R-Spokane) have been successful in moving a pair of bills out of their respective committees.
According to a press release, Holy’s legislation, termed the “Lighthouse” bill because it is centered on the nonprofit organization Lighthouse for the Blind, would correct existing law through creation of equal access for goods and services manufactured by the blind.
“Current state statute says that all things being held equal, like price, like a market and like availability, that the state should give consideration, not a set aside, first to blind service manufactured goods,” Holy said in the release.
House Bill 2398 advanced out of the House Committee on State Government. Holy hopes to get a floor vote on the bill this session.
Parker’s legislation is designed to help prevent the possibility of future school shootings. House Bill 2823 would create a program for students and members of the community to anonymously report concerns about any school-based unsafe or violent activities, or the threat of such activities taking place.
The bill, “Students Protecting Students” and modeled after the national “Safe2Tell” program, has advanced out of the House Education Committee.
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