Other Headlines

Cities and fire districts explore new agency
It’s quite possible that history was made last Thursday, July 31, when representatives from several area cities and fire districts gathered at Montesano City Hall and officially agreed to explore the possible creation of a regional fire authority. A chairman was named, committees were appointed and the next meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Cosmopolis. The meetings are open to the public. The group decided to take public comment at the beginning and end of each meeting, and to keep changing locations, in order to be accessible to the various communities involved.

McCleary man questions county’s driveway inspection process
A McCleary man’s questions about whether Grays Harbor County abided by its own road access and driveway construction rules when several homes were built in his neighborhood has prompted scrutiny over inspection procedures in the planning, building and road departments. Ken Flodstrom, a longtime contractor who now lives along the Old McCleary Road, says it cost him an additional $8,000 to build his driveway to county specifications and he gets irked every time he drives by homes with driveways built to a lesser standard than he had to meet. “All I want is a level playing field,” he told the county commissioners on Monday. It’s the second week in a row he has come to the commission meeting, but he says he first raised his concerns over two years ago when the homes were under construction. It’s not fair to contractors who follow the rules to watch others get away with cutting corners, he said.

Fitness Center is Chamber’s pick
The Montesano Fitness Center is the Montesano Chamber of Commerce’s business of the month for the second quarter. The owners, Steve and Catherine Kom, will be recognized at the next chamber meeting at noon Tuesday, Aug. 12, upstairs at City Hall. State Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, will be the guest speaker. The Koms have expanded hours and added class offerings since purchasing the fitness center in November of 2006. They recently expanded into the space previously occupied by Western Sports Unlimited on Main Street.

Wilder reunion at Lake Syliva
The reunion of the descendents of James Nelson Wilder, who homesteaded at Lake Sylvia in the 1880s, will be held there on Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at noon. All family and friends of the large clan are invited to attend. They’ll be eating potluck style, so bring enough food to be shared by your family and a little bit more. As usual, they will be playing Bingo, so bring several prizes for the prize table, handmade or storebought, for ages 2 to 90. Family historian Cliff Wilder will have his laptop there for family members to update their genealogy info and will distribute a Wilder Recall newsletter. He can be contacted at 10749 Old Highway 99 SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-943-9650 or cpwilder1@comcast.net.

Other Sports

Youth fastpitch tryouts planned in Elma
The Elma Eagles youth competitive fastpitch teams will be holding tryouts on the weekend of Aug. 15-17 at the baseball/fastpitch complex south of Elma on Highway 12. Three teams will be holding tryouts in different age groups — 10U, 12U and 14U. The 12U team coached by Scotty Scott will hold tryouts on Friday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. The 10U team coached by Monica West, and the 14U team coached by John Madagora will hold their tryouts at 11 a.m., on Sunday, Aug. 17. Appropriate softball gear is required to participate. Direct any questions to Jody Scott at (360) 482-3881.

Flag football meeting set
The Aberdeen Parks & Recreation Department will be holding an organizational meeting for its upcoming Non-contact Adult Flag Football League at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 7. Anyone interested in organizing a team or playing is encouraged to attend the meeting.