Small Town News

And a little more on ...

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... the view from the Horizon

If you were involved in Horizons program that got many involved in thinking about what the community needs and how to make it happen, or if you're just interested, you're invited.

The program will formally close with an interactive survey session "and celebration of a new begin-ing as the group continues more independently to strengthen community partnerships and plans to build the Wellness Center, " wrote WSU Grant/Adams Area Extension Secretary Jenelle Ottmar in an email late Tuesday.

A meal is included in the deal at the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9. the liquor initiatives

Since Costco is the top contributor to the cause of I-1100, which would close down state-run liquor stores in favor of privatizing the industry, it's reasonable to suppose Costco has a good deal to gain from the proposal. Actually, all big retailers do. The profits that now benefit the taxpayers by subsidizing state agencies, including rural towns, would go to private shareholders. And the regulatory reason the system was set up this way in the first place would be torn asunder. This bears more scrutiny; more on the subject at a later date. Coulee Dam's wood chipper

It's a good idea to share that machine and related man hours with the citizens of the town. Local yard debris and limbs now get dumped directly into the truck that hauls them to the landfill in Ephrata. This seems like a hugely inefficient system, considering the alternative of chipping, mulching and composting green stuff to benefit an area not exactly rich with fertile soil. Maybe the sharing idea could be expanded. Perhaps the people of the four towns would benefit by a cooperative compost effort. Maybe.

... mean creep

We note, with a rearview mirror that sees back over 20-plus year of local police reports, that the streets are looking a little meaner these days, as the guy lying in

Sacred Heart after a suspected assault might tell you.

Be careful out there.

... climate change

It's raining now, quite a lot. Don't lament this, it could be the only thing that saves us from a smoke-filled autumn. With the long wet spring and relatively cool summer, forest and grassland fuels grew very well this year. A hot, dry fall could make for a long fire season. Go rain!

... student transfers

Despite some 23 students tihat choose this fall to attend school somewhere other than in Grand Coulee Dam schools, the number is less drastic than last year.

The estimated cost to the district in revenue forgone will come to around $125, 000. Last year it was more like $400.000. It's not clear wdiether the difference stems from the graduation of several students who went elsewhere, or whether some came back to the GCD schools.

Either way, district officials; face more challenges than just the gargantuan one iof finding money for a new school. Addressing discipline discrepancies, real or imagined or misunderstood; continuing a push toward progressive education programs (they have several already) and navigating a receding student

population are among them.

The district, itself, is the perfect example of why school curricula should revolve around a central theme -- creative problem solving.



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© 2011 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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