Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A welcome wagon may be coming to Oakesdale.
Dolores Haley, who moved to the town three years ago, proposed to the city council in January that they put together welcome baskets for new residents.
The council discussed it at their Jan. 22 meeting and offered support but it was deemed inappropriate, due to state law barring “gifting.” The term refers to a practice in which a city may not give gifts paid for by public resources.
Haley, who is a trustee on the McCoy Valley Museum board, understood and said she would take the proposal to them.
“The city council was very supportive,” Haley said. “I just want Oakesdale to be known as a friendly town, someplace where you’d like to live.”
The McCoy Museum board was scheduled to meet Wednesday.
“They’re for it,” Haley said. “It just has to be official.”
If the board indeed approves the idea, they will decide if the welcome wagon will be a basket of items or a sheet of paper with information on it.
If it is a basket, Haley said they will approach businesses such as Wilbur-Ellis, McGregor and Co-Ag for small samples of green peas, split peas, lentils and garbanzo beans.
“I’d probably add a recipe for each,” Haley said.
They would get the baskets to fill from thrift stores.
If the other option is pursued, new residents will be given a sheet of paper with information on local businesses and services and their hours of operation.
Haley said that if the museum board approves, they will check with city clerk Mary DeGon monthly to check for new accounts on sewer and water bills, signifying new residents.
Haley moved to Oakesdale from Quilcene, Wash.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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