Serving Whitman County since 1877
COLFAX - Whitman County commissioners saluted two longtime public servants last week, sending letters of appreciation to Guy Williams, for his time on the county planning commission – "a lotta years," said commissioner Michael Largent – and Jim Lemon, who served on the board of adjustment since 1991.
Williams was with the planning commission since 1998.
Lemon also retired from the City of Colfax's board of adjustment at the same time, after just as many years.
"I appreciate their service, both of them have been fantastic," said County Planner Alan Thomson. "We're sorry to see them go, it's always sad to see a long-term member go."
Lemon took in his last meeting in September for the quasi-judicial, five-member board of adjustment, which is called to hear requests regarding land-use changes, from variances to conditional-use permits.
They handle the findings-of-fact part of the process, which continues on to the county commissioners, who vote whether not to grant the permit/request.
"I decided it was time to let younger people step in, I had a good run, I enjoyed it, at the county especially," Lemon said.
Variances are the distances a building is permitted to be from a property line, for example.
LEMON
Lemon, 75, joined the board at the request of former county commissioners William A. Schmick, Maggie McGreevy and Nora Mae Keifer.
He got on with the city board of adjustment five months later, which called for less involvement.
Lemon estimates he had 20-25 city meetings in all of the time he served the city.
"To me it was a break from what I did on a normal basis," Lemon said.
Born and raised in Garfield, he has lived on Meadow Street in Colfax since 1972, retiring from the McGregor Company as a safety and regulatory officer seven years ago.
The biggest issues cited in his time on the county board include the development of the Moscow-Pullman Corridor, from rock pits and more, with a main concern being how close should a business be permitted to be to Paradise Creek.
Lemon retired as chairman.
"All the years I worked for the board... the planning department did an outstanding job," he said. "I can't say enought about Alan Thomson, (Public Works Director) Mark Storey... going back to (Planner) Mark Bordsen. He was a real quiet guy. Meticulous for facts."
In the first week of January this year, at home, Lemon shredded three apple boxes worth of records he kept from meetings.
He followed the retirement of John Kramer, who left the board two years ago, after serving since 1993.
"For me, I thought it was something worthwhile. If you have an interest in the county and how it grows, how it developes," Lemon said. "I totally enjoyed it. If you don't like your job, leave. If you like it, give it your best."
Positions on the planning commission and board of adjustment are all unpaid.
"Never expected it, and wouldn't have taken it," Lemon said.
A former Darigold deliveryman and Air Force veteran, after Lemon was on the board awhile, he walked into the public service building with a sense of what was to come.
"When you see all the chairs fill up you knew you're gonna have a good meeting," he said. "A good debate was coming."
WILLIAMS
Guy Williams retired after 22 years on the planning commission, a time which spanned matters such as the arrival of wind farms in the county, cluster housing, cell towers, issues on the Moscow-Pullman corridor, updates to sensitive use areas (wetlands, shorelines) and the recent two-year project culminating in the marijuana ordinance, passed by county commissioners in December.
"I was getting to the age that I wanted to spend a little more time with my grandkids," said Williams, 74, who spoke from Cannon Beach, Ore., last week, where he was volunteering on a construction project at the Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center.
Former planning commission chair Jean Wardwell asked Williams to join in 1998, when Bordsen was the county planner.
"It was very rewarding," Williams said. "You got to work with a good cross-section; from all corners of the county. It's made up of people with different perspectives. From farmers to professors to just normal citizens. You get a chance to talk and work for the best solution."
The nine-member planning commission traditionally meets one evening per month, then twice per month during certain matters.
What did he think of the marijuana ordinance?
"I was disappointed that we weren't able to better protect our existing residences... but I support what they did," Williams said, noting final decisions are made by county commissioners.
He has been a Pullman resident since 1970, working 27 years for Washington Water Power, which became Avista.
"(Being on the commission) is a responsibility, not everyone is willing or able to commit that type of time," Williams said. "... Once you get involved in it it's really interesting work. It's an honor to be there. You're trying to make sure you have economic development in the county, and yet you want to protect the quality of life in the county."
The search is now on for Williams' and Lemon's replacement.
"I wish them the best in their endeavors outside public service," Thomson said.
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