Mayors share accomplishments, future plans at Greater Grays Harbor event

All nine Grays Harbor County cities were represented at the Greater Grays Harbor Inc. Lunch with the Mayors event Tuesday in Aberdeen, sharing their cities’ recent accomplishments and plans for the future, both immediate and down the road.

Here’s a rundown on what each mayor had to say.

Pete Schave, Aberdeen

“We have lots of stuff going on, the staff is going full-bore,” said Schave. He said his number one priority remains the North Shore Levee, a flood control project designed to remove hundreds of homes from the federally-required flood insurance zones in Aberdeen and Hoquiam. Currently, the project is in the easement and property acquisition phase.

Schave’s number two priority is the rail separation project in east Aberdeen to improve the flow of traffic in the area. He said the team is continuing its planning and data gathering, and the city is seeking funding, which he hopes to have in place for the middle of the year.

Schave said he is “taking an aggressive approach” on the Gateway Center, and hopes to start construction of the facility in 2021 and open it in 2022. “We have the funds to get it shovel-ready,” he said, and will be seeking construction funds from the Legislature.

Ben Winkelman, Hoquiam

The city continues to court BHP’s potash facility at the Port of Grays Harbor. Winkelman said the process has been slowed by extensions filed with the shorelines permit hearing examiner as the company and Quinault Indian Nation continue their environmental mediation discussions, but said the delays, while “frustrating,” are important to make sure the examiner has reliable information with which to base his decision on awarding the critical permit.

Winkelman said he wants to establish a fire plan for the city’s watershed. He said the city relies on its approximately 6,000 acres of timber economically, and timber stands are difficult to insure, so a set fire plan is critical.

Long-delayed plans for a visitors center in the Bowerman Basin are also on Winkelman’s list, and he also is looking into hiring a full-time city staffer to act as a business retention and recruiting point person for the city to attract industry and address the older buildings in the city.

Rob Bearden, Westport

Bearden touted the city’s place among the top seafood processing ports in the nation. In 2017, the port was 11th in seafood landings with 150 million pounds, and 13th in total processed value at $64 million.

“That money trickles into our economy,” he said. “It’s good, not just for the economy, but for our identity as a city.”

The city was chosen among a nationwide application pool for an Army Corps of Engineers pilot project into the beneficial use of dredge material. The project looks into using dredge materials to rebuild protective dunes worn down by erosion, said Bearden.

“We were designated an official U.S. Coast Guard City USA,” said Bearden, the only such city in the state and the smallest in the nation. He said a kickoff celebration slated for Feb. 7 has been postponed until the spring so military brass and elected officials can attend. Look for this celebration around Memorial Day Weekend.

The city’s tsunami safety committee is working on FEMA grants to build a vertical tsunami evacuation platform. Studies have shown the city needs four, the city is seeking grants to build one for starters. And the city is still working closely with Ocean Shores in hopes of resuming foot ferry traffic between the two.

Kyle Pauley, Cosmopolis

“It’s a good time to be a Cosmopolitan,” said Pauley, saying the city was about to select an architect to build a new municipal building to hold city offices, the police department and courthouse. The funds were approved in the November election.

The “oldest city in the county” is also working toward streamlining city services. “Residents are pushing for a lot of changes at a fast pace,” said Pauley, saying every effort is being made to go paperless, digital, updating software and adjusting staff roles to get work done more efficiently.

Pauley talked about new businesses springing up in Cosi, and said information gained during an area-wide plan made possible through brownfield grants gave the city a plan to move forward.

Jim Sorensen, Elma

“This is my fifth time here and it seems every time I’m here I say what I want and end up getting it,” said Sorensen. Once, it was jobs, then Overstock moved into the Satsop Business Park. Another time, it was housing, and the city is moving quickly with a plan to provide 160 housing units in two developments in Elma.

This time, he asked for voters to approve a bond to build a new stadium at Elma High School. “Our kids and families need a stadium, to watch their kids play and to help bring more families to the district,” said Sorensen.

The city has received a state grant for much-needed sidewalk improvements, and the city is “in great shape fiscally,” which provides the opportunity to invest in parks, which will encourage kids to get off their devices and “go outside and actually play,” said Sorensen. The city is also planning to upgrade Oakhurst Drive to allow for better access to Summit Pacific Medical Center, a major economic and community asset.

Vini Samuel, Montesano

It was Samuel’s fifth time at this event. “While gatherings like these are important, they don’t change things unless we take action,” she said. “We don’t want to respond to events, that’s just treading water, and Grays Harbor can no longer afford to do that.”

She’s looking at a long-term plan for economic stability that contains a lot of different parts. One part is the fire department’s cadet program, where high schoolers get a comprehensive course in learning about firefighting. Aberdeen and Montesano are currently involved in the program, and Samuel wants to see other municipalities get involved, and other agencies like the police join in, and eventually expand the program to include neighboring counties.

Crystal Dingler, Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores, in the midst of celebrating 50 years since it was incorporated, continues “to expand and grow,” with 147 housing starts in 2019, up considerably from just a year earlier, said Dingler.

The addition of a city administrator has been a boon to the city, freeing Dingler up to plan strategies to further strengthen the city, she said.

A long-term plan to accomplish the city’s desire to grow and strengthen economically while maintaining its personality as a clean, ocean-friendly beachfront town is part of Dingler’s focus, she said.

“So many in Ocean Shores want to be green,” she said. “We live on an ocean that needs our help. There are so many different things to focus on it’s difficult to decide what to focus on first.”

The city is pursuing its own FEMA grant for a tsunami evacuation platform. The final paperwork for that was being completed as she spoke. The city is looking at establishing a hiking trail the length of Ocean Shores down to the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, and they continue to look at ways to combat beach erosion.

Brycen Huff, McCleary (pro tem)

McCleary City Councilman Brycen Huff filled in for Mayor Brenda Orffer. He talked about accomplishments for the city in 2019, including 28 new home permits, and major repairs to 3rd Street, including asphalt improvements, water lines and safety features like flashing beacons in school zones.

An inpatient mental health facility was opened last September, “an important program up and running,” and the city is ready to welcome a nearly 10,000 square foot Dollar General store, which broke ground in October and is expected to open in the spring or summer.

“We hope that gets the ball rolling on new businesses,” said Huff.

The city is creating a police citizens volunteer program, “a good asset for the police force, an extra set of eyes and ears” in the community that can work events, establish crime watch activities and other public safety ventures the city’s small force doesn’t always have the time to do.

Improvements are coming to Beerbower Park, including new sidewalks and new “park-friendly trees.” Existing trees and their sidewalk-busting root systems will be removed, sidewalks upgraded and new trees will be planted.

Angelo Cilluffo, Oakville

Tony Enzler, vice-president of the Greater Grays Harbor board, who emceed the event, introduced the mayor of “Timber Town USA,” noting it was the first time in memory the mayor of Oakville attended the event, drawing a large round of applause as Cilluffo took the mic.

“We also have a Dollar General coming,” he said. “The schools need to be fixed. We also have a bond and levy, our school is falling apart.” He commended the great staff and students in the district.

Street repairs are coming along, and Cilluffo thanked mayors from neighboring towns and the Grays Harbor Council of Governments for their assistance in attempting to get grants for infrastructure upgrades.

Obviously a man of few words, Cilluffo concluded with, “We have a real nice library. Come and visit us. You’re always welcome.”

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Two first-term mayors flank a second-term mayor at Tuesday’s Lunch with the Mayors event. From left, Aberdeen Mayor Pete Schave, Elma Mayor Jim Sorensen, and Cosmopolis Mayor Kyle Pauley.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP The head table at Greater Grays Harbor Inc.’s Lunch with the Mayors Tuesday featured, from left, Montesano Mayor Vini Samuel, Westport Mayor Rob Bearden, Ocean Shores Mayor Crystal Dingler, McCleary City Councilman Brycen Huff (Mayor pro tem in Brenda Orffer’s absence), Hoquiam Mayor Ben Winkelman, Aberdeen Mayor Pete Schave, Elma Mayor Jim Sorensen, and Cosmopolis Mayor Kyle Pauley. At the podium is Kris Koski, who spoke about the upcoming Aberdeen School District levies.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Oakville Mayor Angelo Cilluffo speaks at the Greater Grays Harbor Inc. Lunch with the Mayors event at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen Tuesday.