SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
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Oroville nears agreement for water rights Chief eyes patrol car, Taser purchases BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – Oroville has been working on getting a transfer of the water right it acquired from Veranda Beach Resorts and their predecessors for nearly seven years – that process may soon be reality if Oroville can put a little money aside for conservation. Rod Noel, Oroville Superintendent of Public Works, told Todd Hill the city council at their Dec. 16 meeting that the state Department of Ecology may look more favorably toward issuing the city a permit if they write conservation into their request. In the past, according to Noel, the city wanted to pump water from one of the city wells to supply water to those living on the east side of Lake Osoyoos using the resort’s water right, however, Ecology
Students from Oroville’s Elementary and High School performed in Winter Concerts last Thursday. Above, the fifth and sixth grade bands each played several numbers at the elementary school. Right, the fourth-grade choir sang some traditional standards, including Sing We Noel, Jingle Bells and Good King Wenceslas. Below, right, Mikaela McCoy sets up the next tune to be played by the combined junior and senior high bands at OHS. Below, Dakota Haney, was recruited to play guitar during the high school concert. The junior/senior choir also sang many tunes, like Deck the Halls, Candles of Hanukkah and Silent Night.
said that they were two separate water sources – one fed by the Similkameen River and the other by the lake and other sources. “We hired Aspect Consulting to work with Ecology to issue the transfer,” said Noel. “We looked at going through OCPI in an effort to show an ‘overriding good to the public’ as a reason to make the transfer... but we got challenged a couple times by environmental groups.” So rather than go through the other process, Noel said Ecology might allow a transfer to the city’s well number 4 if a “conservation aspect” was added to the request. The city’s consultant recommended four items, which included a system-wide outreach to water users during low flow periods of the Similkameen; an increase in rates for excess use to enhance water conservation; pledging a portion of the rate increase to fund a water use conservation program and replacing appliances and city equip-
SEE WATER | PG A2
School board considers loosening public comment rule DeVon remains as board chairman BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE
OROVILLE – A school director has suggested the Oroville School Board open up their public comment, changing the policy that requires people comment only regarding items on the agenda. “Something has been heavy on my mind and that’s the Public Comments policy. It think it would add value if we add some guidelines and timelines that allow more comments... I don’t want to lose sight of why we’re here,” said Director Todd Hill.
Gary DeVon/ staff photos
Board Chairman Rocky DeVon said the Public Comment policy was at the board’s discretion and even if it were changed there would still have to be parameters set. He went on to discuss the chain of events that leads up to issues coming before the board. For example the parent should talk with the student’s teacher before going to the principal. If that doesn’t work it goes to the principal and so on up to the superintendent before it comes to the board. He also said that individual teachers and other employees could not legally be discussed in open session of the board. DeVon said, “There is a chain of command and we have to go through it.” “There is a process, I know,” said Hill. “If you think it is a waste of time as a
SEE SCHOOL | PG A2
Kathy Jones talks about 40 years with Oroville BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – As Kathy Jones settles into retirement after 40 years as Oroville’s City Clerk/Treasurer she looks back with pride at many of the city’s accomplishments. When asked what she’s most proud of Jones contemplates for a moment and answers, “Probably the millions and millions and millions of dollars we have been able to receive over the years. There have been a lot of great improvements to our little town.” She says those grants have allowed the city to make improvements to the city streets, sidewalk, water and sewer systems, as well as the parks. During Jones’ time as clerk the city improved Deep
Bay Park, created the ballfields and and we’ve passed all of our audits took on the former state park, one with flying colors,” she said. “And of her pet projects. The city also maintained some of the lowest built water reservoirs and devel- water/sewer rates in the county.” oped the industrial park She said she made during her tenure. There friends over the years have also been many with mayors, council improvements to airport members and members with more to come in the of the community. future, she adds. “It wasn’t a job where While the population you made friends with has dwindled after seveverybody. When you do eral growth spurts, the your job eventually there’s town’s city limits have Kathy Jones going to be some bad grown considerably durfeelings when people take ing Jones’ watch with annexations. out their anger on you personally “We’ve annexed here and there, instead of realizing you are doing a Reman and Reload, the airport, job you were hired to do.” and parks. She started her career as a “Perhaps what I’m most proud replacement in the water/utilof is Oroville has always been able ity billing position in July of 1974 to work in the black. We haven’t when Kem “Bill” Smith was city been forced into laying off people clerk. She took on his job in 1978.
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Things were a lot different back then with everything, including bills, being written out by hand and recorded in a big ledger. “When I became clerk I asked for two purchases, an electric typewriter to replace the old manual that had three keys that stuck and a cash register,” said Jones. She worked under seven mayor during, the first being Ed Northcott. Steve Bailey followed and then came John Shaw Jr, Jimmy Dale Walker, David Reynolds and then Chuck Spieth.. Mayor Spieth and Jones go way back, she said, becoming friends when he was still the city’s police chief and through the years he served on the council. “We’ve just known each other for a long time. I think we have always got along real well. I think
Rod Noel has also done a terrific job for Oroville. I think we have a good group of employees.” The sad part of her job, she said, was seeing businesses come and go over the years. “That’s still happening, unfortunately. She started life in Okanogan, where her grandfather had served as mayor. The family moved to Oroville when she was still a youngster. Her dad Bob Monroe owned a lumber yard and building supply in Oroville and was well known in his later years for his western paintings. Her mom worked at Heavy Pack and helped with the store. She and her husband Craig have one son, Eric, and three grandchildren, who she says she will be spending a lot more time with. She and Craig also plan
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on traveling more in their fifthwheel, especially in the Southwest. Jones said she had a great send off with a party that included many members of the community, city employees and clerks from other towns in the county, including Tonasket and Okanogan. She said she was roasted by several in attendance, but made her feel her time with the city was well spent. “It was a lot of fun, they roasted me pretty well,” she said, adding, Community Development Director Chris Branch, was emcee. “I will always be concerned for the city’s future, you can’t work somewhere for 40 years and not be,” she said. “I want to thank the community for allowing me to serve for over 40 years. I know I didn’t get to meet everyone, but I made a lot of friends.”
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