Mayor Cook hosts coffee talk session

RITZVILLE – An hour-long “Coffee with the Mayor” ran over two hours with lively discussion when Mayor Gary Cook hosted the roundtable event Feb. 26 as an opportunity to update citizens on city business and offer residents a chance to voice their concerns.

“It’s important to me for people to have a say in city business,” said Cook, who started the monthly event in January.

“I’m hoping that Dennis (Chamberlain) or whomever will be in my role, will continue this, to give accessibility to the city,” he said.

Cook previously announced his upcoming resignation. Council member Chamberlain, as the designated mayor pro tempore, will take over mayoral duties April 1.

“Yes, I would like to continue having those,” Chamberlain said the next day after the coffee event. “We will have another one next month, but it’s not yet scheduled.”

Both Chamberlain and Councilwoman Debbie Chapman attended, along with residents Marsha Smith, Stephney McCready and Steve Salins.

Topics discussed at the event, held in Chamberlain’s recently closed “Uniquely Washington” cafe, ranged from city funds to trains and wind turbines.

Cook first discussed over $9 million in grant and loan funds recently awarded the city. When asked what the money would be spent on, Chapman said it was already earmarked for projects.

Cook said 57 wind turbines would be installed near Ralston beginning this month, with the project expected to be complete by September.

“It’s controversial, but they will be paying taxes into our county, into the schools and hospital districts,” Chamberlain said.

The project is expected to bring in about 250 construction workers through the summer.

“McFadden has been looking at Ritzville for RV set-ups; possibly at the fairgrounds,” Cook said, adding that when completed it would result in 10-11 full-time jobs.