010219NewportMiner

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The Newport Miner THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNTY SINCE 1901

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

Volume 116, Number 49 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages

$1.00

Planning commission to take up comp plan Jan. 8 BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

CUSICK – The Pend Oreille County Planning Commission is holding a public meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m., at the Cusick Community Center to take up amendments to the Pend Oreille County comprehensive plan. The Community Center is located at located at 1821 LeClerc Road N. Amendments include countywide rezoning of public lands proposed by Pend Oreille County commissioners, rezoning of two privately owned properties and an amendment by the Citizens Against the Newport Silicon Smelter and Responsible Growth * NE Washington. Pend Oreille County is proposing to eliminate the Public Lands zone from the comprehensive plan and development regulations and replace it with a Public/Institution Uses zone. The change would affect more than 20 properties, according to county commissioner Mike Manus. The county also seeks to change the development regulations and land use map to account for the new zoning. “There is no mechanism in the current regulations to allow for rezoning upon the transfer of the property to a private entity,” Pend Oreille County Community Development Director Greg Snow wrote in the proposed comp plan amendment. “As a result, properties that have been sold by a public entity to a private entity are heavily restricted when it come to allowable uses.” Private entities would still be required to secure the appropriate permits and rezones for the redesignated properties, under the county’s proposed amendment. The en masse redesignation of lands zoned public lands is opposed by the anti-smelter groups. “Why didn’t PacWest ask for a rezone and pay the fee when they bought the lands?” asked Phyl-

MINER PHOTO|CANEEL JOHNSON

Mila Gilberte plays the keyboard at Create Art Center while he waits for his student to arrive Thursday, Dec. 27. Gilberte plays more than 20 musical instruments and gives lessons at Create for $30 an hour. He recommends practicing for at least a half hour a day.

Music Man: The life of Mila Gilberte

BY CANEEL JOHNSON OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Mila Gilberte, 64, is an interesting man. He was a military brat whose father became one of the first gatherers of intelligence for the CIA. He spent six years in California and Hawaii as a Hindu monk. His sister was a singer in a rock band with a hit single in the 80s, but the most amazing thing about him is his passion for

SEE PLANNING, 10A

music. He knew from the first time he touched a guitar that he would be a musician. “When I was 10 years old, my mother bought my brother a guitar for his birthday, and kept it in a cloth case under the bed. I used to lay on the ground and stick my hand under the case and strum the strings,” Gilberte said. “I loved it so much my mother bought me one for Christmas. I knew almost from that moment that that was what I was

OF THE MINER

CUSICK – Residents of the small town of Cusick will see sewer rates

increased at least 30 percent in 2019. Water rates will also be increased, but not for residential users. Town council members unanimously approved the increas-

MINER PHOTO|DON GRONNING

Cusick Town Council member Linda Monfort asks a question while Roger Brown and Bonnie Sheffler look over some figures at Cusick’s budget hearing Thursday, Dec. 27.

SEE GILBERTE, 2A

Time to get crabby

Cusick to raise water, sewer rates BY DON GRONNING

going to do for the rest of my life.” His brother ended up being more of a visual artist than a musician. He does sculptures and things of that nature. Gilberte’s sister was also attracted to music. She was a singer named Pearl Harbour. Her band, Pearl Harbour and the Explosions had the hit song Driving. She later married The Clash’s bassist Paul Simonon.

es following a public hearing Dec. 27, with council member Michael Charko attending by phone. The changes go into effect in 2019 and will be seen on January’s bill. “Sewer rates haven’t been raised since 2014,” Cusick Mayor Chris Evers said. She said increasing the rates is necessary in order to show the town was trying to pay for sewer use, something grant funders look at, she said. For residential users, sewer rates will go to $40 a month, up from $30.73. That’s for a 5/8-inch connection with one meter. For users with a one-inch connection, rates will go from $34.68 to $50 a month, a 44-percent increase. Two-inch lines will see the biggest increase. That will go from $49.46 a month to $160. The two-inch lines serve the school, the port and

Soroptimist Crab Feed is back Jan. 12 BY SOPHIA ALDOUS OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The annual Soroptimist Crab Feed is back with all-you-can-eat crab Saturday, Jan. 12 at St. Anthony’s Church on First Street. The Knights of Columbus are bringing the drinks, with wine and beer available for sale throughout

SEE CUSICK, 2A

the evening. All beer and wine purchases benefit The Knights of Columbus. Tickets are available for either the 4 p.m. or the 6 p.m. seating and can be purchased at Seebers, Owens, and Bling and Sparkles (on Washington Avenue inside Alice’s Wonderland) or by calling 509-671-2552. The popular meal features the superstar crustacean, crab, of course, and garlic bread, baked potatoes, green SEE CRAB FEED, 2A

B R I E F LY Social media awareness presentation for parents NEWPORT – The Newport School District will host an evening for parents on the topic of cyber safety and social media awareness Thursday, Jan. 24 in the Newport High School cafeteria (time to be announced). Parents and guardians do not have to have a child enrolled in the Newport School District in order to attend the presentation. For more information, call 509-447-3167.

Newport Public Library, in partnership with Humanities Washington, is offering a free reading program for children ages 6-10 and their families Wednesday, Jan. 9, 6:15-8 p.m. at the Newport Library. The night includes a complimentary dinner, storytelling, reading and discussion. Free childcare and activities are available for 3- to 5-year-old family members. Register online at .www.newport.wednet.edu/ Page/281.

Come read with your kids

North Pend Oreille Chamber seeking officers

NEWPORT – The Grizzly Discovery Center and

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METALINE FALLS – The North Pend Oreille Chamber

of Commerce is seeking nominations to serve as an executive officer in the position of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Each position is a one-year term. The vice president and treasurer from 2018 have both expressed an interest in retaining their positions. If interested in running for one of these positions or to recommend someone for these positions, provide a name and phone number with each person. Email all nominations and recommendations to info@npochamber.org by Friday, Jan. 11. All recommendations will be personally contacted to assure they are interested in running for the position before their name is added to the ballot.

CLASSIFIEDS

7B

OPINION

4A

RECORD

6B

LIFE

8A

POLICE REPORTS

6B

SPORTS

1B

OBITUARIES

6B

PUBLIC NOTICES

8B-10B

BOOSTER

2B

WINTER FUN!

AT PRIEST LAKE SEE PAGES 4B-5B


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