CHENEY — The West Plains Chamber of Commerce hosted mayors and city administrators from Cheney, Airway Heights, and Medical Lake at its annual meeting at the Holiday Inn Express at 111 Betz Road on March 14.
Cheney Mayor Chris Grover, Airway Heights Administrator Albert Tripp, and Medical Lake Administrator Sonny Weathers gave comments on the economic and social obstacles facing their various cities and how to overcome them.
Guest speakers also included Ben Hawley from the event’s sponsor, AgWest Farm Credit, and Colonel Chesley Dycus, Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base.
Dycus talked about the priorities of the 92nd Refueling Wing, as well as the assistance they are always prepared to provide cities in the west plains.
Albert Tripp described Airway Heights strategic plan and certain initiatives that city administrators are currently working on, such as the renovation of the fire house and potential solutions for homelessness.
“The existing facilities are inadequate,” Tripp said. “Also, we are currently annexing into the Spokane County Library district to potentially create financial capacity to add more firefighters.”
Sonny Weathers acknowledged Mark Losh and the members of the chamber for hosting the event, and went on to discuss plans for the city of Medical Lake to draw in more tourism.
“The west plains is the fastest growing economic area in the state.” Weathers said. “One of the biggest things that’s happened in Medical Lake is the reorganization of the city’s organizational chart.”
Weathers also said that Medical Lake’s salary schedule for employees has been changed after competitive bracket assessments.
Chris Grover commented on the city’s “purple pipe” project, which he vows will be completed. “Sustainable water has been a focus in Cheney for many many years. Grover said.
Grover also recounted some of the historical challenges that have faced the city concerning water shortages and regulation.
“We are hoping to drive more traffic through Cheney as well.” Grover said after discussing the interstate signage that has been posted.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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