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Father’s Day is final day for Dr. James Moore
MONTESANO — Boomers and Gen Xers from Montesano likely were helped into this world by Dr. James A. Moore. He died on Father’s Day, age 93.

“He delivered a lot of babies,” daughter Kay Vincent said. He also provided the primary health care for many area residents during his three decades practicing in town, helped build the city’s Little League stadium and provided reduced-cost sports physicals to area athletes at the schools.

“He was just a really loyal doctor and a very loyal community member,” Vincent said. “He was very loyal to his town, his church, his patients … It was a great honor being their daughter.”

His wife died in 2006. Both she and her husband passed away in the home they shared with their daughter, Kay, and her husband, Ed. Dr. Moore developed pneumonia several weeks ago and never recovered. He returned home and passed away peacefully, his daughter said.

Sowers demoted
Montesano Chief of Police removed from command
MONTESANO — Ray Sowers is no longer Montesano’s police chief as of Wednesday. His contract allows him to remain employed at his former status as deputy chief, though he continues to remain on administrative leave. City Administrator Kristy Powell declined to comment further on the action taken.

“I believe it’s time to relieve Ray Sowers of his duties as police chief,” Mayor Ron Schillinger said after a 20-minute executive session with the City Council Tuesday evening. “It’s very difficult because Ray has served a very long time and has seen this department through a lot of good years.”

Schillinger said it’s time for “new leadership” in the department and he made the administrative decision to remove Sowers from his position as police chief. However, his decision required the confirmation of the City Council. After a few moments of awkward silence the council approved Schillinger’s decision 5-2. Councilmen Chris Hutchings and Pat Herrington voted “no.”

Powell attempted to call Sowers immediately after the meeting to inform him of the city’s action and left a voice mail message. A brief letter was left at his house, she said Wednesday morning. Sowers did not return a message, left on his cell phone Wednesday morning, in time for publication.

Citing personal problems stemming from his divorce as having an effect on his work, Powell and Schillinger placed Sowers on paid administrative leave April 1, according to letters signed by all three. He was placed on a second administrative leave May 24. Though not explicitly stated by city or state officials, the second leave appears related to a report filed that day by the city with the state Auditor’s Office requesting the investigation of a possible misappropriation of funds.

The Vidette has requested copies of the report from both the city and Auditor’s Office.

Because the investigation is ongoing, Auditor’s Office officials would not comment on it further. Likewise, city officials remain mum on the investigation and further details about what Sower’s removal as chief means for the city, except to note that Deputy Chief Brett Vance will serve in the role of acting police chief. Vance has filled the role since Sower’s departure.

Sowers’ return to service in his prior position is predicated on the same conditions he previously would have been allowed to resume his duties as chief, “pending the results of any investigations that may follow,” the latest letter states.

Powell provided the letter to fulfill her promise to release documents pertaining to the issue as they become available for legal release.
Sowers has worked in the police department for nearly 23 years, and has been chief since January 1995. In 2001, Sowers admitted he manipulated police department funds trying to maximize money available to the police department. Then-mayor Doug Iverson ordered Sowers to attend a state budgeting conference.

Hill continues weight loss journey
MONTESANO — Music teacher Christine Hill continues to succeed with her health-related weight loss. Her success was again featured in an advertising campaign for Nutrisystem, the weight-loss program that has helped her shed 221 pounds since April 2006 on her way to her goal weight of 156 pounds.

Last month the company flew her to Texas for photo shoots and a television commercial. It’s the third she’s been invited to participate in. Almost a year ago she was flown to San Diego for the first commercial — at the time she’d lost 195 pounds — and in November was flown to Florida.

That commercial is on the air now.

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The Vidette's annual Destination Grays Harbor tourist guide
Available free throughout the county, featuring stories on: Fishing is plentiful around the Harbor, the county courthouse in Montesanoo, Dig clams on both North and South beaches, the Compass Rose is in Aberdeen, Enchanted Valley is a top hiking option, Fishing vessels fill the Westport marina, as well as more yearlong schedules of events in all the Grays Harbor communities.