Harrington news

Missionaries

Sunday, March 6, the Harrington Church of the Nazarene hosted missionaries, Larry and Susan Weil, who have been on furlough from Mozambique nearly a year. They presented a slide show of their mission work and both spoke during the presentation. They have been in the mission field for about 18 years, since One Mission Society began work there in 1996, and have been instrumental in building a school complex there. They will return to the same mission field in about five weeks and will be there another four years before their next furlough. Larry Weil attended and graduated from Harrington High School. His parents were Wayne and Irene Weil and he is a brother to Kathy Countryman, who recently moved from Harrington to the Seattle area. Following the service, the group enjoyed a potluck dinner. The event was well attended by the community.

Larry’s graduating class of 1976 included Laura Fries, Ron Mielke, Heidi Sewall, Eric Timm, Kelley Sewall, Kim Kruger, Fred Bell II, Jolie Clark, Richard Becker, Lisa Vann, Tim Birge, Dianne Kuwahara, Michael Fultz, Jay Gossett, Carla Newton, James Weatherford, Rod Reith and Jay Timm. Financial support for Larry and Susan Weil may be sent by mail to OMS Canada, 1295 North Service Rd. PO Box 1457, Burlington, ON L7R 4L9 and include “802152” on the memo line or http://www.onemissionsociety.org/give/The Weils. Words of support may be sent to their email address: lsweil@gmail.com.

Harrington

Opera House Society

Monday, March 7, the Society met in the Art Room of the opera house with Ed and Bunny Haugan, Mark and Sheryl Stedman, Billie and Gordon Herron, Marge Womach, Carol, Linda Wagner and Karen Robertson present. Discussion was held regarding the need to revise rental prices for the opera house auditorium and the Art Room with multiple variations of use of one or both rooms for an event. The topic was tabled. Inquiries have been made regarding the Society’s intention to have a grand opening following completion of the major construction projects, installation of the elevator and arrival of the piano. No decision was made.

Gordon Herron of the building committee announced several delays caused by the Department of Labor & Industries, which has led to confusion, since L&I had previously given permission for the project. As the project is unfolding, L&I has to certify the project prior to allowing the elevator to be ordered. After the elevator is put in, L&I has to again certify that it is able to transport people. Also discussed was the need for a dedicated phone line for the elevator for emergencies, which will result in a monthly fee. Painting and woodwork staining is in progress, with the woodwork being nailed in place after it dries.

The long-awaited grand piano should be delivered to the stage of the opera house by March 16. The smaller piano has been removed to the lower level, where it will be available for music lessons. Music lessons were canceled recently due to chicken pox catching the instructor, but they will resume this week. The potential proscenium project, which will eventually adorn the face of the stage, has been tabled for the present year. Billie Herron spoke favorably of her presentation to the Lions Club.

The semi-final draft of the new bylaws was presented and the group thoroughly scrutinized the wording and organization. Several changes were made, and the by-laws were passed as amended.

The HOHS Newsletter, a product of the collaboration of Linda Wagner and Karen Robertson, has been printed and copies are obtainable at city hall or by contacting a member. If others want their name on the mailing list in the future they need to contact the HOHS secretary, Linda Wagner.

City Council

Mayor Dillon Haas called the City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at city hall. Mike Cronrath, Peter Davenport, Levi Schenk and Justin Slack (councilmen), Bunny Haugan (clerk) and visitors Betty Warner, Tim Tipton, Tim Campou, Tracy Simpson, Dean Mann, James Mann, David Buddrius, Marge Womach and Ashley Schenk attended. In Scott McGowan’s absence, the mayor gave an abbreviated maintenance report. The boom parts for the Vactor truck arrived and the truck was repaired. The leak on Willis Street was repaired. Concern was shown for the length of time the leak was allowed to continue flowing into the street. Maintenance on equipment will continue in preparation for the growing season at the cemetery and park.

The mayor informed the council that four bidders were interviewed for the 2nd Street project. Belsby Engineering will send their consultant. The project will begin with soil testing. The city needs to be ready by January for bidding and then the plan is to break ground next spring.

The mayor is to meet with Avista this month and determine which street lights Avista owns. Doug Miller, who was at last month’s council meeting demonstrating lights, will return when we know how many lights the city owns and intends to replace. The mayor commented that there are 27 service fees on the city Avista bill and that he will speak with them to determine if all are necessary charges.

The city usually has its weeds sprayed by contract. Discussion was held regarding the expense as well as effective alternate methods of weed control. Davenport questioned the effectiveness of spraying every year and the wisdom of using chemicals. Cronrath suggested that it is not cost effective to hire people to hoe weeds and that if students were used there would be a need to have an adult on location while the weeding was being done. A motion was made for the mayor to select a committee to discuss the eradication of weeds.

The controversial dog license ordinance is being enforced, much to the council’s pleasure. The mayor reported that 80 percent of delinquent dog owners had paid their fees and are in compliance two months prior to the next yearly payment.

The drainage ditch at Glover on 2nd north of Eckharts was brought up by Davenport as needing assessment and recommended that the mayor and McGowan discuss the city’s liability, as there are no markers or lights on it.

The mayor received six letters requesting that chickens be allowed within the city limits. Council members commented that they could not recall ever receiving six letters on any given topic. Under consideration was to allow a limited number of chickens, hens but no roosters, to be contained in the city limits for the purpose of egg production. Ordinance 319 would have to be revoked or amended for this change to occur. Other considerations were potential fees, research into what other small towns are doing, noise, pollution, responsibility, type of fowl and limits of fowls. After discussion, the decision was made to set up a chicken policy committee. Davenport said there should be a public hearing, and Haas said that there should be a presentation at either the April or May meeting.