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THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901
75¢
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Volume 107, Number 1 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages
Seattle unanimously approves agreement Selkirk weighs options for funding consolidated school campus BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER
SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council unanimously approved the agreement with Pend Oreille County for Boundary Dam impact payments, putting an end to a two-year negotiation. The council voted 8-0 in favor of the $19 million agreement during its regular meeting Monday afternoon. County commissioner Laura Merrill and public affairs consultant Bob Royer visited the council Monday to show their support for the agreement. “We appreciate the asset that Boundary Dam is to
“It’s been a difficult process for all concerned, but, in the end, it’s a very positive conclusion for all of us.” Diane Wear Pend Oreille County Commission Chairwoman
the city of Seattle and also to Pend Oreille County, as it is an employer and a member of our community,” Merrill told the council. “We have enjoyed a working relationship with Seattle City Light for over 40 years now, and we look forward to a working relationship for the next 40 years and beyond.”
The impact payment mitigates loss of property tax. The funding goes toward public services such as road maintenance, law enforcement and education. The last contract expired in 2008, and it’s been a long road to the new agreement. The county commissioners signed off Aug. 24. “We are delighted to see these negotiations come to a successful result,” commission chairwoman Diane Wear said in a joint press release. “It’s been a difficult process for all concerned, but, in the end, it’s a very positive conclusion for all of us.” “I am pleased that the City of Seattle and Pend Oreille County were able to negotiate in good faith and resolve the issues,” said councilmember Bruce Harrell, who is chairman of the energy, technology and civil rights committee. “Now the relicensing
process can move forward efficiently, without the threat of impasse.” “Boundary Dam is an essential part of our power portfolio,” added City Light superintendent Jorge Carrasco. “It was important to all of us, especially our ratepayers and the residents of Pend Oreille County, to reach agreement. The resolution adopted by the council puts in place a solid foundation for reaching common ground on impact agreements in the future.”
Give and take Both sides compromised on their original offers. SEE SEATTLE, 2A
Chamber hosts candidates’ forum BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER
NEWPORT – The NewportOldtown Chamber of Commerce is hosting a candidates’ forum for Pend Oreille County’s Nov. 2 general election Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Newport High School. As of Tuesday morning, the only local candidates who have confirmed their attendance with the chamber are prosecutor Tom Metzger, commissioner District
2 candidate Brad Stratton, PUD commissioner candidate Rick Larson and treasurer candidate Terri Miller. Both Metzger and Miller are running unopposed. Stratton is running against incumbent Laura Merrill and Larson is running against incumbent Ken Hirsch. All local candidates were invited to the forum, including those who have not confirmed their attendance as of Tuesday: sheriff’s candidates Alan Botzheim and Ron Froman, district court judge
Philip Van De Veer, Hirsch, Merrill, assessor Jim McCrosky, auditor Marianne Nichols, and county clerk Tammie Ownbey. Van De Veer, McCrosky, Nichols and Ownbey are all running unopposed. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, DWash., and Senate candidate Dino Rossi have not confirmed attendance. Congressional, District 5 candidate Daryl Romeyn will be there, but Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., has yet to SEE CHAMBER, 2A
Fighting spirit
Local athlete dukes it out for a spot with the top MMA organization BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER
SPOKANE – Selkirk graduate Cody McKenzie has made quite a name for himself as a mixed martial arts fighter and now he has a chance to make it big. Six figures big. McKenzie is a contender on the reality TV show “The Ultimate Fighter” where 14 up-and-coming fighters train with MMA headliners and slug it out over the six-week program. The man left standing gets a six-figure, multi-fight contract to take the ring with America’s top MMA organization.
living, and dad Mike McKenzie owns and operates the Metaline Mini Mart. His grandfather, Karl McKenzie, served as a Pend Oreille County commissioner in the 1990s. Cody McKenzie, 22, spent the summer filming SEE FIGHTER, 2A
MINER PHOTO|JANELLE ATYEO
Heritage Days Historian and retired school teacher Faith McClenny laughs with Stratton Elementary third graders Corra Pelleberg, left, and Emma Lampert from Eloise Opp’s class during a demonstration at Heritage Days Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Pend Oreille County Museum. McClenny asked kids to play Simon Says and point out the sink in the replica schoolhouse. The students were surprised to learn that years before pluming an ordinary bowl served as the classroom sink.
Planners approve new cell tower for Blanchard area BY MICHELLE NEDVED
Passion
OF THE MINER
McKenzie has always loved to roughhouse with his friends and scrap with his “Hopefully this will pay off. It’s been a lot older brothof fun anyway.” er. “It’s Cody McKenzie just always MMA Fighter been a part of me,” he said. But his parents were a little leery of the career prospects. “At first they were like, ‘Cody, that’s MINER PHOTO|JANELLE ATYEO not a real job,’” he said. But he gets Selkirk graduate and mixed martial arts fighter Cody McKenzie poses after great support from his family. Mom watching the first episode of “The Ultimate Fighter.” McKenzie is a contender on the show with 13 other guys trying for a contract with the UFC. Rhonda McKenzie cuts hair for a
|| Power outage scheduled by PUD NEWPORT – Pend Oreille Public Utility District crews will perform maintenance and testing work the weekend of Sept. 25 and 26 at the Newport and Cusick substations, which will require taking the substations off-line. The following areas will be without power from 12:01 a.m. until approximately 7 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 25: The towns of Usk and Cusick, the Camas Center for Community Wellness, the Highway 211 corridor south of Davis Lake, and all of the southern portion of Pend Oreille County. On Sunday, Sept. 26 the following areas will be without power from 2-7 a.m.: The town of Newport, and LeClerc Road from Conklin Meadows south to the Idaho border, including Bead and Marshall lakes.
BLANCHARD – The Bonner County planning commission approved construction of a cell tower in the Blanchard area that would give residents and tourists alike better communication service. The commission held a conditional use permit hearing Tuesday, Sept. 14, where about 80 people gathered, mostly in favor of the tower, planning director Clare Marley said. A handful of people were opposed to the project, proposed by the Runberg Revocable Trust, citing health issues and aesthetics. Marley said per Federal Communications Commission regulations, the county cannot consider health risks when
B R I E F LY
Also affected will be Highway 2 south to Gray Road, the eastern half of Deer Valley Road, most of Coyote Trail Road, Spring Valley Road, and east to the Idaho border. PUD staff said they appreciate the cooperation and understanding of customers during this time.
Voter registration deadlines nears NEWPORT – The last day to register to vote in Pend Oreille County via mail or online is Monday, Oct. 4. If a person is otherwise eligible to be a registered voter, is not currently registered in Washington state and has resided in Pend Oreille County for at least 30 days before the election, but has failed to register before the cutoff date listed above, that individual
deciding on the placement of a cell tower because the potential dangers are regulated by the FCC. A condition of the permit requires slatted fencing around the facility to prevent it from being an eyesore. The enclosure fence is proposed at a setback of 300 feet from the western boundary and 178 feet from the southern boundary at a height of 6 feet. The Verizon Wireless tower itself, which would stand 199 feet tall to the lightning rod tip, would be gray. It was determined that would blend with the sky the best. The project is located approximately 12 miles south of Oldtown off Blanchard Elk Road. The project site is currently used as a hay field. There are no mapped wetlands
or floodplains, nor are there any surface waters located on the property. The project site is not located within critical wildlife habitat, according to the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan. Marley said U.S. Fish and Wildlife requested they have access to the site to determine what affect the tower has on birds. The tower would initially be equipped with one antenna and accompanying equipment building and have locations available for three future additional carrier antennae and associated equipment. The planning commission approved the application. The decision will not go before county commissioners unless the permit is appealed.
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must register in person at the county auditor’s office no later than Monday, Oct. 25. All registered voters in Pend Oreille County will be mailed a ballot Oct. 13. Election Day is Nov. 2. For information regarding assistance with voter registration, voting or accessibility issues, contact the elections office at 509-447-6472 or e-mail lkrizenesky@pendoreille.org.
Usher in fall at Oktoberfest PRIEST RIVER – Oktoberfest at the Beardmore features live music, food and beer Saturday, Sept. 25 in downtown Priest River, starting at 11 a.m. The event was to be organized by the Priest River Chamber of Commerce, but was taken over by local business owners when the chamber decided to
cancel it due to lack of vendors. Since then, VitaLife, Noni Wine Bar, Edward Jones and Emery Tax and Accounting are organizing the event. Festivities include a live performance by The Skivee’s and other bands, a street dance, local vendors, games, a bonfire, beer garden and food. The Priest River City Council approved the permit for the event Monday night. They also approved waiving the open container law so patrons can walk around in a designated area downtown enjoying beer and wine. Wristbands will be passed out to those over the age of 21 and the police department will be on hand to enforce rules. Police chief Ray Roberts told the council Monday that the organizers have done a great job with the event.
ADOPT-A-PET 6B • CLASSIFIEDS 8B - 12B • FOR THE RECORD 5B - 6B • LIFESTYLE 4B • NORTH PEND OREILLE COUNTY 9A • OBITUARIES 5B • OPINION 4A • POLICE REPORTS 5B • SPORTS 2B - 3B