Malden petition misses budget vote

A petition urging the town council to place capital expenditures in the town’s 2019 budget missed town council’s vote approving the budget last Tuesday, Nov, 20. Colleen Cross, who headed the petition drive, reported to petition signees that she arrived at the Malden town council session after members of the council had approved the 2019 budget.

Cross reported to petition-backers she arrived at the session late because a time mixup and learned the council had already conducted a public hearing on the budget.

The petition was signed by 51 Malden residents. It urged the town council to include capital expenditures for improvements at Felton Hall, Malden Park, the library/community building which serves as the town hall.

It urged up to $50,000 be spent for the Malden park with possible planning and design in coordination with students in a WSU architecture course.

Cross has a Facebook page titled “Malden, Wa.- This Is Why We Like It. “

She also headed a seven-month “Positivity Campaign” for Malden in 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Malden town council in 2017.

Malden Mayor Chris Ferrell confirmed to the Gazette Tuesday that the council had already passed the 2019 budget ordinance before Cross arrived at the meeting.

Ferrell added that Cross does not represent the town of Malden “in any way, shape or form.” She commented she believes Cross does not understand how the town budget works.

She reported the town council listened to Cross as she presented the petition, thanked her and told her they would take her ideas under advisement.

Cross in a call to the Gazette Tuesday said the council members listened to the presentation quietly. She noted in a report to signees that the council let her to talk “out of order” according to the agenda format for the council session.