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Jody Martin of the
Columbia County Health System
Lose weight. Eat healthy foods. Quit Smoking. Exercise daily.
If you're like many people, you made these or similar pledges during the annual New Year's Day ritual of resolving to improve our health. Of course, resolutions are easy to start; the challenge is sustaining them. Columbia County Health Systems is aware of these challenges and is committed to make your resolutions a reality.
Studies show that social support is critical when changing behavior, especially after the first few weeks when your motivation wavers. One-on-one support or a social setting may be what is needed in your efforts. That is why Columbia County Health Systems will offer their third annual weight-loss program and monthly health lecture series, and begin their first smoking cessation support group.
The lecture series is a fun and easy way to get that extra boost of knowledge and motivation. This year's lecture series, titled "The Five Elements of Health", will not only focus on fine-tuning your body through diet and exercise but covers spiritual and financial health, as well as topics to lift your self esteem and enhance relationships.
The speakers, from Walla Walla and Dayton, are experts in their fields and are sure to inspire those who participate.
Ryan Calhoon, of Calhoon's Martial Arts Center, will be speaking in January on Getting Motivated to Move. He is not only a personal trainer but a motivational speaker who has enthused marathoners to couch potatoes.
February, the month of love, will focus on relationships. Anne Passmore, MSW, will speak on how to make communication count in your relationships. Her compassion and experience counseling will make this a lecture you will not want to miss.
By the time March comes around, many folks with weight loss resolutions will be looking to buy new clothes. Carie Brodhun, manager of Macy's Department Store, will offer advice on planning your wardrobe and looking your best.
Justin Jorgenson, Business Manager for Columbia County Health Systems and financial peace guru, will offer sound financial advice which is surely welcomed, considering these difficult economic times and during April's tax season.
To complete the lecture series, Dayton's own Steve Edwards will provide his expertise in counseling and ministry. He will inspire participants to find their spiritual inner peace and passions.
Interested in losing weight? Just come to the lectures and weigh in the hour prior to the lecture. The person who loses the most weight, January to May, will win a $200.00 cash prize. Also sign up for a free drawing for a makeover in March.
Developing healthy habits and changing behaviors can be very difficult. Looking ahead, having a plan, and developing a support system is what Columbia County Health System's FREE wellness and smoking cessation programs will provide. The first lecture will be January 22nd, 6:30pm, at the Liberty Theater. Call Lynn at 382-2531 for more information.
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Tanya Patton of the
Columbia County Rural Library District
Are you a natural-born do-it-yourselfer? Do you derive deep personal satisfaction from building or fixing things yourself, instead of paying someone else to do it? Or are you a do-it-myself person out of economic necessity? The monthly budget just doesn't stretch far enough to include repair or contractor services. Either way, I recommend that you add a library card to your tool box this year!
In response to patron requests, the Columbia County Rural Library District is adding two new reference center databases to our digital collection in January-- Small Engine Repair and Home Improvement. Anyone who lives in Columbia County and has a valid CCRLD library card can access these extensive databases 24 hours a day, seven days a week through our website at www.ccrld.lib.wa.us or by using the library's computers when the library is open.
Some of the topics you'll find in the Small Engine Repair Center are: All-terrain vehicles, generators and other small engines, marine/boat motors, motorcycles, outdoor power equipment, personal water craft, snow machines/snowmobiles and small tractors. At least 20 different tractor makes are included such as Allis-Chalmers, Deutz-Allis, Ferguson, J.I. Case, John Deere, Kubota, Massey-Ferguson, White and more. The information contained in this database is extensive and up-to-date.
The Home Improvement Center has a smorgasbord of A-to-Z topics, including Decorating, Electrical, Maintenance, Outdoor projects, Plumbing, Remodeling and Woodworking information. Conversion charts, a glossary of terms and a "Working with Contractors" section help make this database supremely practical and useful to even the un-handiest do-it-yourselfer. Instructional videos are even included for those of us who are "show me" dependent.
These new databases join the EBSCO Automotive Reference and Repair Center, Heritage Quest, elibrary, ProQuest and Global Road Warrior (travel information) databases already in our collection. This practical digital collection demonstrates the CCRLD Board's commitment to addressing the life-long learning and reference needs of our community. For more information contact Director, Janet Lyon, at (509) 382-4131 or jlyon@daytonwa.net.
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Mayor Craig George of the
City of Dayton
After many years of planning and submitting requests for new construction dollars to the State, our prayers have been answered. The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) has announced approval of a total reconstruction of South Second Street from Main Street to Park Street.
Dayton competed with other small towns for State construction funds. As we all know, Second Street has been in terrible shape for many years; it has taken the City numerous years to work our way up "the list" to qualify for TIB funds.
The state evaluates streets on a yearly basis and scores the findings according to a set formula. The higher the numerical score, the worse the street conditions are. The TIB then looks at all of the submitted projects from towns under 5,000 people. Depending upon available money, the Board funds as many projects as possible.
This year Dayton fell within the scores to receive available money and we were selected. New sidewalks, as well as ADA (American Disabilities Act) wheelchair ramps, will be built on every corner of South 2nd Street from Main to Park. The State will provide $738,000 and Dayton's match is $82,000. The engineering and plans portion of this project will take place in 2009, while the actual construction of the street and sidewalks will happen during the summer of 2010.
Another requirement of the State is that the sewers are in good condition. Our Engineering firm completed a study this year of the existing sewer lines in the proposed reconstruction area; they found one short section between Main and Clay to be in poor condition. The State requires that any work on, or replacement of, this section must be completed prior to paving. This will ensure that, with the exception of an emergency, the new portion will not need to be disturbed for many years.
Many years of hard work by your previous and current City Councils has finally culminated in this project becoming a reality. We are proud that this long overdue project will at last become a reality.
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My wish for all of you is a wonderfully peaceful and healthy New Year! The older I grow the more important those two things are to me. I am approaching this year feeling happy and at peace even though this past year has had many troubling times. I'm hoping you can all start there too!
Prescott moves on as always. I would say we try to keep our heads above water but that isn't such a funny joke these last few days is it? Don't worry—no floods are in store. I got an email of reassurance.
Newsworthy items for Prescott include Lion's Club Breakfasts the third Thursday of each month at 8 to 11 a.m.- EVERYONE WELCOME; the Prescott Library is open an additional day in each week; the Tux, Co-Op, Sandy's Market are all boomin'; Slim and Sue are singing (at the Tux—check for dates); churches are meeting—both of them; Parks and Rec are working on their coming year; Ernie is welding; Chuck is building cars. Walla Walla County Public Works and Inland Phone Company keep us connected to the rest of the world.
The school will open with its new facility as soon as they can. We already were able to use some of it in November and December. Beautiful! I'm not anxious for the primary grades to move to their new rooms though (selfishly). Their temporary housing is in the house behind our house and Martin and I have had so much enjoyment listening to their giggles and excitement. I want them to stay!
Small communities survive on their fellowship and ability to look after each other. The last couple of weeks are the best example I can share with you. We have had a holiday, been snowed in, and had all sorts of needs that were answered. I have seen so many examples of neighbors helping neighbors―I am amazed. May I take this time to publicly announce that besides our own special guardian angel (precious to us), many angels were flying all over town. We had shovelers, telephoners, shoppers, crying shoulders, cooks, and smilers. What else do we need? Helpfulness in this community is so abundant that I am constantly amazed once I stand back and look. Thank you for loving your neighbor. It carries a lot of weight.
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Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf of the City of Waitsburg
Greatly important to all of us—Council members and citizens alike—are matters of City finance and budget. The current economic turmoil in this country puts the subject more so at the center of attention. These topics are being discussed (and judged) by our constituents, who can be heard from Waitsburg Hardware and Mercantile to the White Stallion to Laht Neppur brewery and beyond. Yet, through careful management by the Council, the staff in City Hall, and the City crew, the City of Waitsburg remains in a very sound financial position. All City accounts or funds are running well within or under budget. All bills and long-term obligations are current and covered. At the end of 2008 the City current expense/cash on hand is estimated at $100,989 with $985,941 spread into money market and other investment accounts (all FDIC insured).
City Treasurer/Clerk, Randy Hinchliffe, works these investments daily. He, after additional education and examination, is now certified by the Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) as a professional finance officer. The WFOA is a nonprofit association founded in 1956. Its members include officials of city, county, and state government entities; special districts; retirement systems; and other finance professionals. Especially in these challenging economic times, Waitsburg is fortunate to have Mr. Hinchliffe handling the day-to-day demands of its finances. He provides us accounting and analysis of the City's financial condition and prospects.
The council decided not to raise property taxes for 2009 or to pass on the BDI rate increase to the public due to the current economic uncertainties in this country. However, the City can only absorb charges and costs for so long. The council will have some hard decisions to make for 2010 in this area.
We built the 2009 budget on a fundamental goal: to provide higher standards of service while operating in a fiscally responsible manner, balancing revenues generated against controlled expenditures. This 2009 budget conservatively achieves those goals without raising taxes. It leaves the City with ample reserves in the various funds, including current expense.
With this budget, the City can move confidently into the coming year.
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