An iconic source of folklore

Ferndale ramps up utility rate relief

Councilors stall off deciding whether to raise their salaries

By Cal Bratt For the Record

FERNDALE — Utility rate relief will continue to be available for lower-income city residents.

Ferndale City Council decided Monday, March 6, to use federal pandemic-recovery money, in fact, to ramp up eligibility for the rate assistance program.

Households earning up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level — which is currently $27,750 for a family of four — will be able to apply for a discount of 30% from the normal city utility charge for water and sewer. e discount has been 25%.

in spots such as District Brewing and Barb’s Pies. A Metallica cover band played at a city event a year ago. e bridge with its logo has been featured as a oat in local parades in years past, according to former Ferndale mayor Gary Jensen. It even has a Twitter account.

But there’s a sense of folklore surrounding it: Who’s behind the symbol?

Jensen has some theories.

By Sarah McCauley Sta Reporter

Hovering over the city of Ferndale, watching over its fans, is a bridge someone has blessed in heavy metal, with mystery and intrigue lingering in the air alongside it.

Much like the band Metallica, whose logo has been spray-painted on the bridge numerous times over the years, the steel structure has become an iconic gure.

Murals dedicated to the bridge reside

He takes on the mindset of a detective, listing the motives, the attributes that the culprit (or hero, depending on who you ask) would possess. A fan of Metallica and needs everyone to know? Check. Agile enough to climb over to the center platform? Check. Sneaky enough to not get caught? Check.

Jensen acknowledges it’s been going on long enough there has to be more than one person behind it at this point. However, as for who is the original artist, he’s sworn to secrecy.

“I kind of think I know who started [it], but I promised one time I would never divulge that,” Jensen said. “ at person was older than me. So this was a few years ago, but then I don’t know if maybe he, you know, got tired or something. Somebody else took it over.”

Whoever is behind it, one thing is for certain. ey’ve made a celebrity out of what may have otherwise just been another bridge in a small town. e City of Ferndale has embraced the bridge, but with a bit of understandable hesitation. While the city enjoys the fun of it and has utilized its iconic imagery and namesake from time to time, the city does not want to encourage citizens to get up there and showcase their logo-painting skills.

“Besides the fact that it’s gra ti, you know, it’s vandalism of private property.

See Metallica Bridge on A3