Tribble encourages residents to work together
David's Pizza owner Mark Starr of Marshall brought his mobile pizza response truck Thursday to Malden, where he served more than 100 fire victims, responders and volunteers. The caterer whose business is based in Spokane, donated the pizza.
Endicott pastor Fred Tribble leads the Tuesday discussion on what residents of Malden and Pine City need to do to rebuild in the wake of the Babb Fire.
MALDEN – Local leaders called for unity and cooperation Tuesday in the "arduous" task of rebuilding the community in the wake of the Babb Fire.
More than 150 people turned out Tuesday afternoon for a post-fire planning meeting at the makeshift Town Hall on a grassy field next to Mayor Chris Ferrell's home. Whitman County commissioners, Mayor Ferrell, Town Council members, residents and volunteers attended.
Endicott pastor Fred Tribble led the discussion on recovering from the Babb Fire, which destroyed all but 21 of the town's homes.
Officials said they estimated 40%-60% of properties destroy in the Sept. 7 fire were not insured. They also estimated that about 40% of the properties were rentals.
Whitman County Commission Chairman Michael Largent opened the meeting, noting Commissioners Art Swannack and Dean Kinzer were also present. Following Largent, a tearful Mayor Ferrell did likewise.
They turned the presentation over to Tribble, an American Red Cross volunteer who has helped organize recovery efforts after other disasters.
Tribble called for the fire-damaged community – which includes Malden, Pine City and the surrounding rural areas – to form a recovery committee and work together.
Only those "surrounded by black" from the fire should be on the committee, he said, encouraging the community to designate leaders for case management, volunteer management, fundraising, public relations, needs of residents, resolving grievances, and tackling policy, social and technology issues.
He cautioned residents about unscrupulous individuals who would come to town and offer to help and ask for up-front payment.
"Don't do it," he said.
Instead, he told residents to rely on each other, and to seek assistance through a number of agencies like United Way, the Veterans Center, Rosalia Lion's Club and others.
He also said residents shouldn't be afraid to talk to their Town Council members or county commissioners.
"They are ready to hear from you," he said. "They're going to help you work through this."
Tribble reminded residents they are not alone.
"Even the ton of Malden, Mass., cares about the town of Malden, Wash.," he said. "They're collecting funds, too.
"Folks, we are not alone."
Tribble took time to introduce a number of the agencies and the services they are already providing fire victims.
He also encouraged residents to "get together and celebrate the little successes."
That celebration Tuesday took the form of pizza from David's Pizza in Spokane.
Owner Mark Starr of Marshall brought his mobile pizza response unit and baked pizza for those attending the session.
Starr said his unit is primarily for catering, but noted it's been sidelined by coronavirus regulations.
So, after visiting Malden last week, he decided to bring his truck to town and volunteered to cook fresh pizza for everyone.
The celebration Tuesday also included hugs.
Rosalia Lion's Club's Linda Pritchett said she's passed them out freely to friends and others in the wake of the fire.
"I've given out a lot of hugs this weekend," she said. "It's not very COVID-appropriate, but who really damn cares. We're all family."
Roger Harnack can be reached at roger@cheneyfreepress.com.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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