Palmer begins service as mayor of Oakesdale

Life-long Oakesdale resident Dennis Palmer was sworn in as Oakesdale mayor the night of Jan. 4.

Palmer, 68, is taking over for Russ Rickett, who served as mayor for the past five years.

Palmer, who has been on the city council for the past year, won the Nov. 4 election over another Oakesdale councilman, Al Evans.

For the city, Palmer wants to pursue getting a helicopter pad, remodeling the old tennis court, building a public restroom and repairing the town’s aging water system.

All these projects have been of interest to the council and city for quite some time, he said in an interview with the Gazette Monday before he took office.

He is particularly interested in building the helicopter pad, which he feels is needed for better access in local emergencies.

“For years and years and years they keep discussing that. I’d like to push that,” he said.

Palmer, a stocky, round-faced man, describes himself as both strong willed and easygoing.

He can steadily accomplish something when he puts his mind to it, he said with a smile.

Palmer works at the Spokane House of Hose, a supplier of all types of hoses and related equipment. He has worked in the receiving department for the past 18 years.

He is the president of the Oakesdale Historical Society. He also has a history of service with the fire department, serving as chief in the early 1970s and working as a volunteer firefighter for roughly seven years.

Born in the city of Palouse, Palmer moved to Oakesdale with his family in 1956 and graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1960. He is coming up on his 50th high school reunion.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Marines. He received his military discharge shortly before the Vietnam War.

Palmer returned to Oakesdale in 1964 and drove truck for several years before starting Palmer Freight Lines. For a time, he owned Oakesdale Farm Supply.

He was divorced in 1989, and closed both of his businesses that year. He has a son in San Diego and a daughter living in Las Vegas.

He still lives on his parent’s property in town.

Russ Rickett, 77, and his wife Darlene plan to retire in Oakesdale.