Rose sworn in as new police chief

ODESSA - At town council's Sept. 11 meeting, Mayor Bill Crossley administered the oath of office to new police chief: 43-year-old Ericka Rose. In accepting the job of chief, she fulfills a lifelong dream of leading her own department.

She has known since childhood that she wanted to become a police officer and focused on that goal throughout high school and college and on into the early years of married life. Her husband, Brandon Rose, also in law enforcement, works as a deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

The couple resides in Lincoln County and has one adult daughter Nonica, aged 22, who currently serving in the US Marine Corps while based in Okinawa, Japan.

A native of the state of Washington, Rose was born and raised in Spokane Valley and graduated from Central Valley High School in 2000. Her prior police experience includes serving nine years with the Airway Heights Police Department as its first ever female officer.

She joins the Odessa police as only its second female chief. Judging from thesis of the crowd of former colleagues and family members who attended Monday's council meeting to see her take the oath of office, she is well respected and supported by those with whom she has served.

She said she is looking forward to getting to know Odessa's citizens and to implementing ideas for improving and streamlining her department.

Other council business

Councilmember Marlene Kramer requested that Crossley call for a minute of silence in memory of the many victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the site of a plane crash in a rural Pennsylvania field.

Town Clerk Meri Jane Bohn announced an open house to be held Friday, Sept. 29 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. for community members to view the recently finished remodel at the community center. Refreshments will be served.

She also reported that five bids were received for installation of new main lift station for the sewer system with work to begin in Oct. She also said a meeting of Lincoln County mayors will be held in Creston Sept. 19 at noon.

Town Fire Chief Stephen Walter said three hydrants have weak flow due to small pipe diameter, leaky seals and antiquated piping material. Two options for remediation are to locate a different site for a new well or to clean out the existing well to remove scale, dirt, etc.

Public Works Director Anthony Paszkeicz reported that a well #3 study has been completed by Kevin Lindsey using a $38,000 grant to the town. The study results are to be announced Thursday, Sept. 14.

Under new business, council denied a request from homeowner Thomas Harris to allow his rental tenant to live in a motor home parked on the street for some months while the home is being remodeled. A

town ordinance does not permit persons to reside in motor homes parked on town streets with the sole exceptions of the week of Deutschesfest and for up to seven days while visiting family or friends in the town.

Council approved adding Rose to the town credit card. Also approved was a building permit for a new roof at 609 East First Avenue.