Looking Back

January 12, 2012

Cheney Council members sworn in for 2012

The Cheney City Council eased into 2012 renewing contractys and accepting grants at its Jan. 12 meeting. Three council members were sworn in to start the meeting; Bob Stockton, Graeme Webster and Doug Nixon repeated oaths to retain their seats on the council after winning in the November elections Stockton and Webster beat repeat challengers Kathleen Warren and Tim Gainer respectively., while Nixon was unopposed.

Councilwoman Jill Weizsmann, appointed in 2011, also won an unopposed race, but was absent from the meeting. Following unanimous approval of two new appointments to the Youth Commission — Kit Foster and Kendra Kendall — the council approved several resolutions. New Cheney Police Chief John Hensley presented his first two items to the council; first, a renewal of the city’s animal control contract with Spokane County. The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection service for Cheney for a fee of $8,787 per year., while the city agrees to trun over half of its animal license revenue to the county. The council also approved acceptance of a $1,632 grant to purchase bulletproof vests for the police department.

Medical Lake’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge returns for a sixth, icy, cold year

The Special Olympics Washington Polar Plunge returns next month for its sixth annual event, and looks for it’s largest showing to date. Jennifer Suniga, development manager for Special Olympics Washington, said athletes were beginning to make their way around the area, posting reminders about the event, which takes place Feb. 25 at Medical Lake. Eight teams are currently preregistered to take the plunge, according to the program’s website.

Suniga said 149 people preregistered last year. This year, however, she hopes that number will double. Plungers can also sign up on the day of the event at 10 a.m. Individuals can also sponsor a plunger, donating to their goal, if they aren’t interested in dipping in the lake at this time of the year. The event, which is held in the last Saturday of February, was hampered last year by extreme cold. Participation levels can vary, she said, based on what the temperature is. To help offset any influence from the weather, Suniga said there will be more tents and places for participants to keep warm. Last year, the program helped to earn $34,000 for Special Olympics teams. The goal has been raised to $50,000.

January 10, 2002

Tough session awaits Ninth Dist. Representatives

Ninth District state representatives Mark Schoesler and Don Cox are heading back to a changed Olympia for the 2002 Legislative session that begins next week. When they left, the House of Representatives was evenly split between the two political parties—41 Republicans, 49 Democrats. Now, the Democrats control the House and will set the legislative agenda for the year. Schoesler said being in a slim minority is the only situational experience he hasn’t had in his decade as one of the Ninth District’s representative. “I’ve been in a big and slim majority, a big minority and tied-this is new to me,” he said.

With the major fiscal problems lying in wait and Democrats in control of all three branches of the state government, Schoesler expects some surprises this time around. “Of course, I’ve never seen any two sessions that were alike,” he said. With the three-year deadlock broken, the legislation coming forward this session should inspire a bit more partisan wrangling. Cox said the early part of the session will be a learning experience as he and his fellow Republicans will be feeling their way along in the changed makeup of the House. “We’ll be trying to define what roles we’re going to have,” he pointed out. Both legislators believe that budget and transportation issues will likely dwarf the other issues that are likely to come up.

New store planned for Denny’s Foods in ML

There may soon be earth moving and hammering on a new grocery in Medical Lake if all goes according to plan in the next few months. Denny’s Foods in Medical Lake submitted preliminary plans to the city for a new grocery store last week. The idea was first floated about a year ago and the city went through a long rezoning process to accommodate commercial development in the area slated for the new store, which is at the intersection of SR-902 and North Lefevre Street. That area, now in a north sub area plan is known as multi-use. The plans are really pre preliminary as they are not for building permit review yet. The plans are missing an architect’s stamp on them, which is required before the city can start the formal review process. Doug Ross, public works director, said that the city will go over the plans and make comments, noting anything missing or needing changes. As a member of URM Stores, Inc., Denny’s has access to membership services such as site planning and analysis, and equipment and engineering for new grocery stores. Thus, URM is providing the architectural plans for the new store.

January 13, 1972

1912 High School to Be Razed

The 1912 Cheney high school on Fourth Street in Cheney was to be ready for demolition yesterday by workmen from Earl Mong Demolition and Salvage of Spokane. According to Gar Attleson, supervisor of maintenance and operations in Cheney School District 360, the razing process will take several days and a cleanup several more. His crew was busy earlier this week turning off the power to the brick three-story structure and switching the water system. Last week, the old boiler in the building was turned off and the new natural gas furnace to heat the temporary administration offices and bus maintenance facilities on the same block installed and fired up. The razing of the building is part of a package deal the school district made with the City of Cheney on the sale of the entire block for $80,000. The city hopes to use the site of the old building for a new fire station. Cheney School District is building a bus lot and maintenance facility near Betz school.

Mayor Webb Makes Statement At Final Council Meeting of 1971

Medical Lake councilman who did not receive reelection in November had their final meeting last Wednesday when the town council of Medical Lake met in City Hall. Following the reading of the minutes, Mayor Marshall Webb read a statement summarizing the accomplishments and hard times of 1971 in Medical Lake government. The statement reads as follows; “Regardless of all situations of the past year, this town has built more homes, apartment houses, duplexes, opened more streets, laid more water and sewer lines, has been recognized more than any year after being incorporated in 1889. This town also completed the first phase of the Water Front Park the past year. “As we look and advance in 1972, we must not allow individuals or groups to cause us to be a quarreling circus type of Town Government. Let us show as much dignity and decorum as possible. “We have a big year coming up , but I am sure that if we encourage good practices and support the ordinances and codes and the laws of the land, we will meet the challenges of 1972 with confidence and success.”