Dear Editor:
Thank you for the coverage and publicity for Waitsburg's Streetscape project and Wait's Mill in the last edition of the Blue Mountain News. I would like to correct a couple of errors or possible misunderstandings and to give credit where it is due.
First, the best source for any information about the Waitsburg Community (not Commerce) Revitalization Committee (WCRC) is Ross Hamann, who has served as Chairman of the committee since its inception in 2001. Ross is the person who should be contacted for any committee information, especially regarding the fund raising history.
Second, the Whetstone and our building on Main Street declined to be a part of the scope of the Paint The Town project, because work on these buildings was already underway and was done as part of ongoing property maintenance by the respective owners. Part of this work occurred at the same time as the painting project, hence the confusion. Even so, we appreciate the efforts of the volunteers in painting other buildings, and the town looks better because of it.
Third, the CTED grant and contributions mentioned in your article about the Mill were not used for roof repairs, but for a structural assessment and architectural plan that was completed in 2007. The funds for beginning the roof repairs come from grants from the Bald Trust of Walla Walla and the Kinsman Foundation of Milwaukie, Oregon. The Kinsman grant was orchestrated on behalf of the Revitalization Committee for Wait's Mill by the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council.
Again, thank you for the article.
Jeff Broom, Waitsburg
Member, WCRC
[Editor's note: We thank Jeff for providing corrections and clarifications of some of the facts regarding the great work that's being done in Waitsburg. We apologize for any misunderstandings that our coverage may have caused.]
