Harrington News

Tuesday evening, April 21, at 7 p.m. in Harrington City Hall, Josh Steward called the meeting of the Public Development Authority to order with members Bunny Haugan, Allen Barth and Paul Charlton present with Peter Davenport, Heather Slack and Marge Womach also attending. Davenport, director of the National UFO reporting center, consented to a request by the PDA for him to give a presentation in October at the opera house as a fund-raiser for the PDA. When it was suggested that he also give a tour of his missile site near Bluestem as a raffle prize, Davenport thought it was a wonderful idea. He stated that in addition to a 45-minute speaking session, he would provide Orson-Wells-like entertainment.

No new information was available on the Landmark Apartments. The PDA members were able during their meeting to view the work progressing at the former Harrington Haus where John Dempsey, the new owner, was using a small tractor to fill dumpsters with layers of carpeting and other debris as he endeavors to restore the building into a viable business. The south wall has an 8 x 4 ft. mural of Mount Rainier, which is believed to have been created in 1906. The mural was signed by “Lucky Williams” and shows some damage. Photos of the mural are planned to be taken in case the mural is beyond restoration.

Foremost on the minds of the PDA was the upcoming Car Show on May 16, Cruizin Days. Allen Barth reported that the event has been well advertised on the coast. Clean-up Day with the students from the Harrington School District is scheduled for May 4. The banners purchased by the Harrington Chamber of Commerce have been hung at each end of Third Street.

Heather Slack gave a brief summary of the Small Business Conference hosted by the Lincoln County EDC and WSU Extension on April 17 in Odessa. There were about 50 present, yet some communities were barely represented. The main purpose was for the community leaders to learn to identify and encourage its entrepreneurs and existing businesses and find ways to be supportive, since they are important to the survival of our dwindling communities. The meeting featured Erik Pages, a national expert on rural entrepreneurship.