March 2022 Current by The Current

MARCH

2022

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• MARCH 2022

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Invested Messenger – Hansen rooted in Millwood, WV causes By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

The angular features and studious eyes of Elijah Ham (E.H) Nash seem familiar in the 1917 class photo of Washington state legislators. The framed picture is displayed in a polished hall at the state capital building in Olympia with Nash occupying a prominent place on one of the upper rows. When Nash’s great-grandson Dan Hansen walks by the black- and-white image of his late relative, he beams a little, knowing that his family tree includes a leader who occupied a chair in his home state’s House of Representatives. “As a kid, that really impressed me,” Hansen said.

community known more for open fields and family farms when Hansen was a kid. His dad worked for Boeing and his mom was a homemaker. Hansen and his three brothers helped out around the homestead that spanned nearly 3 acres. “We had sheep and chickens and heated our house with wood but it wasn’t a family farm,” Hansen said. Hansen savored the outdoors from an early age and recalls riding bikes, languishing in a treehouse and strolling through greenspace with a black Lab named “Scout” by his side. In the fourth grade, Hansen’s teacher told him he was a good writer – a compliment that stuck. “That had an influence on me,” he said. Hansen remembers being an average student who struggled in subjects like algebra but excelled on essay tests. He ran cross country in high school and played saxophone in the band. When it came time

for college, he headed to Central Washington University where he majored in Communications and minored in English. Hansen’s first job after college was with a residential contractor in the Seattle suburbs. He sent out resumes for work as a writer and heard back from the Crescent department store in Spokane. The opening was for a copywriter at $6 an hour. Hansen signed on. “I figured I’d probably be there a year and go back to the Puget Sound,” he said. While at the Crescent, Hansen met co-worker David Oriard who was freelancing for the SpokesmanReview as a copy editor. The connection got Hansen in the door at the newspaper where he latched on as an intern, writing feature stories that, in his words, “no one else wanted to cover.” “I think I was the world’s oldest intern,” Hansen said. After a year, the Spokesman

Beyond the facial resemblance to Nash, Hansen shares a history of work in Olympia through a different elected route. In 2014, he joined the West Valley School Board of Directors and was later named to the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WASDA) as one of two representatives from Northeast Washington on the legislative committee.

hired Hansen as a full-time reporter and assigned him their Valley bureau where he covered local government, natural resources and other topics. He worked his way up to assistant city editor but eventually requested a return to reporting, focusing primarily on education. The assignment turned out to be the impetus for Hansen’s interest in the West Valley School Board. When Jim Williams announced in late 2014 that he would step down as a WVSD director after 34 years, Hansen threw his hat into the ring. He was appointed that December and become a fixture, serving as chair and winning his most recent re-election bid with 62 percent of the vote last November to earn another four-year term. Hansen and his wife Pam bought their first home in 1989 in the West Valley area, just outside Millwood. Eight years later, they moved to Millwood proper, settling in a 1947 home in the community’s historic neighborhood. The couple are proud parents of two grown kids, a daughter Kelly and a son Kyle. They also have two grandkids. Hansen’s civics resume includes service with the West Valley High School Band Boosters and five years as a member of the Millwood Planning Commission. He credits his experience through Leadership Spokane in 2012 for embedding lessons of “serving where you live.” On the professional front, Hansen left the Spokesman in early 2009 to take a job with STCU. He has worked there ever since, currently in the role of communications strategist.

Years before he joined the school board, Hansen covered the legislative beat for the SpokesmanReview, one of many areas he wrote about for the daily paper over 21 years as a reporter and editor.

Q: As a fifth-generation Washington resident, you can speak with some authority on what makes this state special. What are some aspects you appreciate most?

“I came in with an outsider’s view,” Hansen recalls of his tenure as a scribe in Olympia. “Like a story on the re-design of the capital, something that most people there would say, ‘Why do you want to write about that?’”

Photo by Craig Howard

A fifth-generation Washingtonian, Hansen grew up 50 miles to the northeast of Olympia in Maple Valley, a suburban King County

Millwood resident Dan Hansen worked as a reporter and editor with the Spokesman-Review for 21 years before transitioning to STCU in 2009. He has served on the West Valley School Board since 2014 and was re-elected in last November’s general election with 62 percent of the vote.

A: Americans still say, “out West” and “back East.” That’s an indication of how recently this was a frontier and a reminder that we’re still newcomers with potential to shape the future, good and bad. My See HANSEN, Page 4

MARCH 2022 • 3

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• MARCH 2022

HANSEN

Continued from page 2

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uncles, great uncles and cousins were Puget Sound commercial fishermen. Through the lens of history, I can see that they were unwitting participants in a tragedy – the loss of the salmon ecosystem that sustained people since long before we arrived. It makes me think about the long-term impacts of my own choices. Q: You live in Millwood but work in Liberty Lake. What similarities and differences do you see in each of these two great Valley communities?

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A: Millwood was the Valley’s only city until 2001. Our history has given us tree-lined streets, a quaint business district and strong community traditions. It also limits our options. There’s Spokane Valley on three sides and the river on the fourth. There’s Argonne splitting us in two. Being brand new, Liberty Lake lacks tradition and legacy. It has the advantage of space and an attitude of big expectations. Q: I know you admired your great-grandfather who served in the state legislature. As a leader yourself on the school board, with the Millwood Planning Commission and as a WASDA representative, do you feel you’re leaving a similar legacy? A: To the extent that we act on the lessons of the pandemic, that will be the legacy of today’s education leaders. We’ve learned that families need more education options, including a remote learning option that is robust, permanent and practical. We’d like to offer a “balanced calendar” option for those families who want it, as East Valley has already done. The pandemic has also pointed out inequities and reinforced the importance of socialemotional support. Q: We typically don’t see long lines of applicants for school board positions whether it’s an appointment or an election. What prompted you? A: Education was my final beat as a reporter. I was awed by the complexity of the mission to helping every student reach their fullest potential, regardless of circumstance. When my kids were in high school, I got involved in the

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Band Boosters parent group. As they were nearing graduation, I realized I didn’t want to lose that sense of community. So, when Jim Williams stepped down from the board after 34 years, I applied to complete his term. Q: What have you enjoyed about being part of a school board and what have been some of the challenges? A: I’ve loved getting to know directors from across the state, hearing about the impact of educators in students’ lives, and sharing in the pride of student successes – especially students who face difficult circumstances. The biggest challenge is having no background in education. That’s why it’s so important to have a relationship of trust and respect with school administrators. Q: Back to Millwood. This is a community with a unique history and composition. How would you describe Millwood to someone who has never set foot there before? A: It as a town where anyone can have an impact if they choose to get involved. My daughter was 12 years old when she started the farmer’s market that’s still in existence. One of my neighbors is the mayor, another serves on the Planning Commission and a third is an elementary principal. Q: As a reporter and editor, you covered a wide variety of topics with apparent ease. Did you have a favorite? A: It was the variety itself that I loved. It gave me the opportunity to constantly meet new people, learn about their passion and examine lives that are unlike my own. Scientists, politicians, activists, grieving parents, entrepreneurs – you learn quickly that most people are trying to do the right thing, even if their definition of “right” is sometimes at odds with my own. Q: What was that transition like from writing for a newspaper to working for a credit union? A: I loved journalism and choosing to leave was the toughest decision. I’m so fortunate to have landed at an organization that exists to make a difference. I get to work with smart, passionate people who appreciate my skills and value my service on the school board. Who could ask for more?

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NEWS

Q: What does it mean to be a communications strategist?

A: I help articulate STCU’s role in the community and vision, the “Here for Good” brand promise. I like the work, it feels really meaningful. We’re serving not only our members but the community as well. Q: You’ve been a supporter of WVSD as a parent, a band booster and a school board member. What makes this district special in your opinion?

A: I always appreciated West Valley and that appreciation grows as I learn more. Twenty-five percent of West Valley High School students choice-in from other districts, drawn by its size and its offerings. I’m particularly appreciate our two non-traditional high schools, where there’s a strong emphasis on building deep relationships with each student, ensuring they don’t fall through the cracks. For many, that makes the difference between excelling, verses not graduating.

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• MARCH 2022

The Current

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel 2022 January Malicious Mischief Hotspots

Published Date: 2/14/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

Spokane Valley Districts

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources. Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

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SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH March Home Maintenance Checklist Current news sources

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1. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors Hold the test button down until you hear a loud siren. If you don’t hear anything, replace the battery. We also recommend replacing your CO detectors and smoke alarms once every decade. 2. Update the outside Inspect roofing Look for leaks and missing, damaged, or loose shingles. Ice dams that formed over the winter can damage your roof and lead to expensive repairs down the road. Test your garage door Make sure the auto-reverse feature works by placing an object underneath the garage door. If the door doesn’t reverse when it encounters the obstacle, it requires too much force and should be repaired. Check exterior damage Look for leaves or vegetation and clear any debris to make sure water flows freely. Get your air conditioning system serviced This will ensure it’s working properly for the hot months to come. Repair or replace damaged window screens This will help protect your

MARCH 2022 • 7

The Current

Published Date: 2/14/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

Spokane Valley Districts

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

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home from outside bugs and critters. Add door and window sensors for a little extra security. Clean road salt from entrances This is important to avoid damaging concrete, asphalt, and wood. Road salt can also damage pets’ feet, so be sure to keep your walkway clear once the snow and ice is gone. 3. Fix up living areas Clean the fireplace This helps prevent soot accumulation, which could fuel a chimney fire. It’s also smart to make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand to keep near your fireplace. Check electrical outlets Ensure they’re not overloaded to prevent an electrical shortage or power outage. Outlet safety covers are also a good step to take when babyproofing your home or keeping curious little fingers away from danger. Check caulking Fix caulking on weather stripping and windows to prevent drafts or water from getting in your home. Add a water leak detector under your sink or the hot water heater to prevent pooling and other water damage. Change furnace filters This will keep airflow unobstructed. If the furnace is clogged, it has to work harder, which will cause it to wear out faster. Flush hot water heater Remove sediment so your water heater keeps performing at its best. Sediment buildup makes it harder for the heater to heat the same amount of water. Clean the washing machine and dryer This helps remove odors and keeps the machines running smoothly.

2022 January Burglary Hotspots

0.5

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• MARCH 2022

Funding requests dominate council discussions By Lincoln DoWright Current Contributor

ARPA Funds On March 11th 2021, the federal government passed a law titled the American Recovery Act which among many things provided a direct allocation of dollars to all cities and counties across the across the United States. While only the first half of the money has been received by the entities so far the City of Spokane Valley has been notified that it will be getting a onetime allocation of $16 million. While nearly a year later the guidelines on how the money could be used are just getting finalized and the discussion started on how the city might allocate the money. The primary eligible uses for the funding include: Responding to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic; Providing premium pay to essential workers; Replacing lost public sector revenue; and Investing in necessary water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. While the council reviewed a list of sewer extension projects and projects identified by each of the water districts. The City Council gave consensus for the staff to proceed with the sewer project that will extend sewer service along Buckeye Ave west of Barker Road approx. 650 feet to the City limits which had an estimated cost of $500,000. The Council also gave consensus to allocate $250,000 for the city to utilize on costs to administer the program, extra cleaning costs for city facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment for use in city facilities; and the installation

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of UV light filtration systems to be installed in the HVAC systems in city facilities. For the remainder of the funds, upon recommendation from Mayor Haley, the council appointed a subcommittee to prepare further options for the council to consider. The committee includes Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Higgins, and council member Hattenburg. Federal Legislative Agenda The City of Spokane Valley has a contract with Cardinal Infrastructure for federal lobbyist efforts. Cardinal infrastructure reviewed the 2021 federal legislative agenda noting that some activity was seen this last year on a couple of council priorities. On the Bigelow Gulch – Sullivan Corridor Project Congresswomen McMorris Rodgers included funding within the House of Representative’s version of its draft Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriation bills but it isn’t expected to move forward. Similarly funding for the South Barker Road Corridor was included by Senator Murray in the Senate’s version of its draft THUD tentatively awarding $3 million to the project. While this version of the bill hasn’t been approved yet it is still ‘alive’ in Congress. Also on the legislative agenda was a request to have a dedicated funding source for railroad grade crossing improvements. This was a priority shared by Senator Cantwell and was adopted on January 3rd 2022 as it was includedin the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included $3 billion over five years for a specific “Reailroad Crossing Elimination Program” As for the 2022 legislative agenda.

While the council debated the order of the capital projects the capital project list remained the same as the prior year with Pine Road / BNSF Grade Separation Project being number one priority followed by Bigelow Gulch – Sullivan Corridor Project, South Barker Road Corridor, Spokane Valley River Loop Trail, and Spokane County Regional Expo Expansion. Three policy requests were also suggested and seemed to be supported by the city council which include: Revising the regulations on the ARPA funds to allow the funding to be used on transportation projects, Increase funding for transportation safety projects, and increasing the funding for economic development programs. Parking Agreement at Former While Elephant Bldg During the negotiation process for the acquisition of the While Elephant Building, the City learned of an easement granted by the owners of the White Elephant to the owners of Conleys Restaurant granting parking rights to the Conleys to ensure the restaurant would have sufficient parking to accommodate its needs. The City met with the owners of Conleys to request that they remove the easements for the sale, with the understanding that the City would negotiate replacement agreements following the sale. The owners, Ed and Jennifer Conley, removed the easement, allowing the sale to the City to be completed. To replace that parking easement, the City and the Conleys have negotiated a 20-year (with a possible five-year extension) parking easement immediately to the rear of the restaurant, covering about half of the area between the restaurant and the small older building immediately south of the restaurant. The City has determined that granting this easement will not materially interfere with future law enforcement facility planning. Any maintenance

and upkeep of the easement area for parking would be the responsibility of the Conleys. The prior easement also allowed reciprocal parking use of the parking area at the front of the old White Elephant building. The City is more likely to need this area sooner, compared to the area behind the restaurant. As such, it made more sense to issue a license agreement for use of this area. As a license, it is revocable by the City on short notice depending on the needs of the City. The Conleys asked if the City has any immediate plans for this area, and staff responded that it too will be subject to long-term law enforcement facility planning, and that we will work with them to keep them up to date on plans. As consideration for this license agreement, the Conleys would be responsible for plowing the lot in the same manner that they keep their lot plowed in the winter. Additionally, the Conleys will be responsible for sidewalk snow removal. Grant Opportunity – Complete Streets The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) has made available $14.67 million statewide looking for projects between $100,000 to $1,000,000 which help complete a street by in Spokane Valleys case adding curb and sidewalk to a section. Spokane Valley Senior Engineer Adam Jackson recommended the city submit: $500,000 request for the 8th Ave. Sidewalk project between Thierman and Coleman Roads. This project would be delivered in 2023 at the same time as the 2021 TIB-awarded 8th Ave. sidewalk project between Coleman and Park Roads. $400,000 request for the Park Road Sidewalk project between Nora and Baldwin Avenues and other miscellaneous sidewalk and ramp upgrades to satisfy ADA compliance.

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The sidewalk project would be delivered in 2023 at the same time as the 2022 Park Road Sidewalk project between Broadway Ave. and Cataldo Ave., which was submitted for a Community Development Block Grant. After delivery of the sidewalk project, the City would evaluate existing sidewalks and ramps throughout the City for ADA compliance and replace concrete as needed, up to the total award amount of $400,000. $300,000 request for the Park Road Sidewalk project between Nora and Baldwin Avenues. This project would be delivered in 2023 at the same time as the 2022 Park Road Sidewalk project between Broadway Ave. and Cataldo Ave The recommendations received unanimous support from the city council and will be submitted to TIB for consideration. Art Sculpture Placements The Spokane Valley Arts Council has donated a number of statues to the city which per the interlocal agreement with the city upto the city council to determine their placement and so far have not been identified but put into storage. Heart of the Valley by artist Richard Warrington and The Ascent by artist Gary Lee Price were both identified as going to be placed at the Balfour Park, are being worked into the design for the park and planned to be installed this spring with the initial phase of the park development. Council gave concurrence to continue that path for those two sculptures. Indomitable Spirit by Jerry McKellar, and Huckleberry Daze a bronze bear by Jerry McKellar are currently in storage at the City’s Maintenance Facility. Council had received an email request from the Central Valley Student Body asking for the Huckleberry Daze bear to be located somewhere on the Central Valley High School campus as they

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have two of the replicas made from the bronze which have been painted different colors but thought the bronze master would fit well. While a majority of councilmembers seemed supportive of this idea Deputy Mayor Higgins made a motion to continue the discussion at a further date as he would prefer to have the bear be more publicly accessible in a park than given to Central Valley since they already have two or three bear sculptures and believed that Councilmember Brandi Peetz had solicited the correspondence from the Central Valley Student Body. Councilwoman Padden while initially supportive of putting sculptures along the Appleway trail to continue developing the corridor after learning more about the agreement between Spokane County and the City of Spokane Valley specifically citing the piece where Spokane Valley doesn’t own the land but is fully responsible for all maintenance and replacement costs if or when Spokane County needs to maintain the sewer underneath the amenities was less supportive of the idea. Council ultimately identified the Indomitable Spirit sculpture to be installed along the Appleway Trail at University. Soulmates by Joey Marcella a marble statue which is required to be hosted indoors and is fully funded / under development by the artist was also discussed by the City Council with a majority of council suggesting that the sculpture be apart of the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center if they are interested and asked staff to connect with them. The Owl Woman Calls Your Name by Nancy McLaughlin is the latest sculpture under development by the Spokane Valley Arts Council and after reviewing the meaning behind the sculpture which was described as a native American spirit persona that appears to help guide individuals into the afterlife. Council thought it would be best fit if placed at or near the Pines

Cemetery operated by the Fairmount Memorial Association. Appleway Trail Parklets During the planning portion of the Appleway Trail, Council and staff discussed the potential economic development benefits of the project and it was envisioned that businesses adjacent to the Trail would be able to create amenities that accessed directly onto the Trail in a way that not only provided services to those using the Trail, but also attracting additional users to the Trail specifically to use the amenities. Examples included restaurants having a patio projecting onto the Trail where music could be played while people had food and beverages. The City has been contacted by several businesses potentially interested in taking advantage of their proximity to the Trail. City staff have been in discussions with Spokane County as the underlying owner of the property to determine what would need to be done to allow such uses. And have come back with three changes to the interlocal agreement that the Appleway Trail operates under. 1) Definition cleanup around the name and that the agreement covers the corridor all the way through the cities eastern limits whereas currently it ends at Tschirley Road. 2) Allows the City to have the primary responsibility over considering grant of license agreements for users such as adjoining property owners. Apart of this responsibility would include that the city would be responsible for collecting annual license fees from the third-party users and remitting those to Spokane County. 3) It clarifies that the stormwater charges assessed on this property which resulted from the installation of watering systems be the responsibility of the city for payment. Council had discussion around the annual license fees as the city wanted to encourage development along the corridor and feared a larger annual fee

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would discourage the development. Staff is going back to Spokane County to talk more about this item. Trespass from City Facilities In 2019, the city council adopted an ordinance authorizing the City’s Parks and Recreation Department to issue a notice of trespass to an individual who has violated park regulations or otherwise violated any criminal provisions of state law while on City park property. The amendments also created an appeal process for the notice of trespass. However, a similar process is needed for other City property, including City Hall. The proposal would adopt a standardized trespass and appeal process for all City-owned property and facilities. This proposal is up for a second reading shortly. Re-establishment of the Community and Public Works Director In 2017, the Public Works Department and Community & Economic Development Department were consolidated as the Community & Public Works (CPW) Department. As part of this consolidation, two positions, the Community & Economic Development Director and Public Work Director positions, were eliminated. At that time, the Deputy City Manager assumed the role of the director positions that were eliminated (John Hohman served in that role at the time), in addition to other administrative responsibilities that supported the City Manager. With the promotion of Mr Hohman into the City Manager role and Deputy City Attorney to Deputy City Manager, Mr Hohman requested that the work load is large enough that he would like to re-establish the a Director level position over Community and Public Works. Council gave consensus and since that time Mr Hohman promoted Bill Hellbig formerly City Engineer to See SV COUNCIL, Page 10

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Continued from page 9 that role. Avista Stadium and Plantes Ferry Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb briefed City Council that Spokane County has approached the City Managers office regarding two topics 1) requesting that Spokane County could provide the City Council an update on the Avista Stadium issue and dilemma with a potential ask for some financial support. For background the Major League Baseball majorly changed how minor league baseball operates and with that the minimum requirements for stadiums that support teams. Unfortunately Avista stadium does not fit the minimum requirements and requires large renovations which need to be implemented over the next few years beginning with some large renovations needed this year. In a split vote the City Council declined Spokane County the opportunity to present to the council, Council members Peetz, Hattenburg, and Wick wanting to hear the presentation. 2) Spokane County was willing to donate Plantes Ferry Park to the City of Spokane Valley. With Mayor Haley commenting that she isn’t interested in taking on Plantes Ferry with it operating with an annual loss of $2 million per year. Similarly in a split vote of the City Council the city council declined to have the conversation with Spokane County about the possible transfer of Plantes Ferry Park to the City of Spokane Valley with Councilmembers Wick, Peetz, and Hattenburg wanting to have the conversation. Fair and Expo Center Expansion The city brought on a construction management firm to assist with the project which immediately helped the city review the estimated construction costs which were a few years old now. Their analysis showed that in order to construct the 32,000 sq ft building

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which was previously described as a $10 million project would more than likely now be a $14 million project before adding in the parking lot site work. With the grant prospect with the Economic Development Administration limiting out at no more than $5 million it leaves a larger gap to potentially be covered by City Council. Also the grant was requesting letters of support from local businesses which unfortunately the city was struggling to get from the local hotel motel community. Therefore the staff recommended that the city withdraw its grant application and re-study the project for potential future grant opportunities. Councilmember Padden concurred as she would be hard pressed to make such a large investment without more partnerships and specifically without knowing the future of Avista Stadium and weather we are able to keep the Spokane Indians team. Councilmember Wick pointed out that this grant opportunity was only funding with CARES Act dollars as a one time stimulus from the COVID 19 pandemic, another opportunity for this grant is going to come around again, and without this grant he doesn’t see how the city could come up with the necessary funds. Council concurred with the staff recommendation to withdraw the application with Councilmember Wick opposed. Upcoming Council meetings While these are proposed or projected dates and subject to change these topics are scheduled to be discussed over the next month by the Spokane Valley City Council: On March 1st: Second Reading on the Trespass Process Updates, adoption of the 2022 federal Legislative agenda and administrative reports on STA High Performance Transit Update, Spokane Valley’s 20th Anniversary Planning, Public Safety Update, Solid Waste Management Update, Parking Prohibitions, and Potential State Recreation and Conservation Office Grant. On March 8th: Sullivan and Trent Project Update, Tourism Promotion Area update On March 15th: 2022 Construction Project Updates, Transportation Impact Fee Rate Study updates, and Homeless Housing and Assistance Act (HHAA) funds. March 22nd: action on City Holidays, Transportation Impact Fee Rates and the 2022 Master Fee Schedule.

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Photo by Nina Culver Altek, like many other local companies, is doing all they can to advertise to solicit employees for their over

Local businesses look to find solutions to job openings By Nina Culver Current contributor

The “Now Hiring!” signs have been sprouting like weeds in front windows, on sidewalks and on the side of the road and the manufacturing industry is no different, forcing company leaders to turn to ever more inventive ways to try to fill the empty spots on their rosters. Accrafab, a precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly facility in Liberty Lake, wants to hire more than two dozen people, but they’re having problems attracting candidates. “We’ve got billboards out there, bus seat advertising,” said Senior Manager of Business Development Mark Norton. “We’re even advertising in movie theaters.” It’s much the same down the road at Altek, another Liberty Lake contract manufacturer. “We’ve had commercials, billboards,” said CEO Mike Marzetta. “It’s kind of slim pickings out there right now.” Norton said all industries seem to be hurting for employees right now, but it’s particularly bad in manufacturing and not just in Spokane County. “It doesn’t matter east side or west side,” he said.

“We’re all in the same boat. It’s been really difficult to find anybody. I’ve been in manufacturing since the 80s and I’ve never seen a job market like this.” While the pandemic has certainly played a role in the ongoing worker shortage, both Norton and Marzetta say this particular shortage has been a long time coming. It all began with the push for high school graduates to attend college rather than exploring a career in a trade like manufacturing, construction, HVAC or plumbing. “The underlying issue is that we have discouraged people from going into the trades for the last 40 years,” said Norton. “We’ve taken shop out of the schools and everything. To me, that’s the structural thing that has contributed to this overall issue.” Norton said he recently saw an ad seeking an HVAC technician for a job with a starting wage of $140,000. While that’s high, it’s not uncommon for someone in the trades to be making good money not long after finishing training, Norton said. “The narrative that you can’t make a good living in the trades is out the window,” he said. But while the lack of emphasis

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on careers in the trades is easy to diagnose, Norton said he’s not sure how to fix it. “It’s going to take a long time to fix that,” he said. “We all know what the problem is, we just have to figure out the solution.” Marzetta has been working at the company founded by his father, Al Marzetta, for 25 years. He’s been the company president for the last 20 years. “My father started the business when I was a little rugrat in the garage,” he said. He had an aptitude for engineering and was eager to go into the family business. The company does precision machining, plastic injection molding and injection mold tooling in the medical, space, defense, technology and aerospace industries. “We do a lot of cool stuff, mostly in highly regulated industries,” Marzetta said. “We’re making things that save people’s lives, things that tell you if the airplane’s landing gear is down.” Altek has openings for less than a dozen positions, but some positions run 24 hours a day and need multiple people to fill. “We’re a little short everywhere,” he said.

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Norton said he hopes to increase the diversity of his work force by including minorities and women. “There’s resources to help people train, but the pool of candidates is just so small,” he said. “It’s pretty clear that we have to look at other populations.” But a new idea has come forth that could help local companies like Accrafab and Altek with their worker shortages while also helping homeless families. Joe Ader, Executive Director of Family Promise of Spokane, has held meetings with both Liberty Lake companies and others about creating a program to match homeless or formerly homeless people being assisted by Family Promise with local manufacturing companies who need employees. Ader said the idea came from one of his volunteers, Dean Cameron, who has been working with homeless families for years. Family Promise works only with families with young children, Ader said. Cameron recognized that manufacturing companies need

employees and the guests at Family Promise need steady jobs. “Dean really was the one who spearheaded bringing everyone together,” Ader said. Ader said many families assisted by Family Promise have issues with transportation and child care, which he is working to solve or work around. “There’s really no child care that’s open after 6:30 p.m. in Spokane County,” he said. Ader said he’d like to test the new program out by referring a few people to the manufacturing companies and then refining how the program works. Having a stable job that pays a living wage is key to helping a family get and keep housing, he said. “It’s really early on,” he said. “We’re working out referring guests to different employers. We’ll have an idea by this summer of what this looks like.” While the worker shortage is creating problems for local companies, Ader said it also presents him with an unexpected opportunity. “Opportunities that didn’t exist in the past are opening

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up,” he said. Marzetta said he’s happy to give the program a try. “Family Promise is a good first step to recruit those people from,” he said. “They’ve done a lot of legwork for us and they just need someone to give these guys a chance, or gals.” He’s hopeful that he will get good employees through Family Promise. “We’ll give anybody a tryout,” he said. “I think it could go pretty good. It seems like a good idea to me.” Norton has high hopes for the collaboration as well. “It’s a really cool concept,” he said. “We are hoping to develop it and see if we can develop a model that might work.” Ader said the partnership could mean a lot for the families in his program, particularly the Marshallese families. “This could be a real opportunity for folks who are from the Marshall Islands and struggle to find consistent work here,” he said. “We’re excited about the potential for our families. I think it could be a great opportunity.”

Marzetta said he’s looking for machinists and technicians. Entry level positions can pay around $20 to $25 an hour depending on the job. The only requirements are basic math skills and spatial reasoning. The company will provide on the job training for the needed skills. “They have to be able to think in three dimensions,” Marzetta said. Norton reports the same situation at Accrafab, which primarily works in the electronic testing, aerospace and medical markets. They’re looking for people with basic math skills, mechanical aptitude and a willingness to work, Norton said. Entry level jobs requiring no experience start around $17 or $18 an hour. “We do our own training here,” Norton said. “We really don’t have much prerequisites.” The worker shortage is so bad at Accrafab that Norton doesn’t have much work to do because he can’t go out and find new clients for the company. That’s because they’re having trouble keeping up with orders coming in from existing clients. “We’ve been in that mode,” he said. “Until we get more workers, we really can’t take on any new work. It’s definitely a constrictor on

Photo by Nina Culver Company President Mike Marzetta, of Accrafab, is one of many companies experiencing difficulty filling their many open positions.

• MARCH 2022

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Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

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Not many ASB presidents can say they have served in that role twice. Freeman senior Cole Clark is one of the exceptions, holding the title as a junior and again this year. He maintains a 3.92 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. In middle school, Clark set a goal of “treating everyone like they were my best friend.” He continues to prioritize kindness and generosity. “I think every single kid has value,” he said. Clark lettered in basketball all four years and this season is part of a Scotties’ squad that won league and district titles. He also lettered in football for four years and was named second team All Northeast A League as a free safety this season. Clark plans to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sydney McLean has been a pillar of Scottie Nation for the past four years. The senior at Freeman High has lettered in basketball since her freshman year and this season averaged 11 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the district and co-All Northeast A League champs. She was named first-team All League and recognized as Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week twice. She is also a three-year letter winner for a volleyball program that won three straight league titles. McLean shines in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while serving as community service chair for Freeman’s National Honor Society chapter. She is secretary and a national competitor with Future Business Leaders of America and was named Southeast Spokane County Fair Royalty Court princess. McLean will continue her basketball career at Whitworth University.

As a volunteer with SCOPE (Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort), Jeff Banke has gone above and beyond. In 2020, Banke was on call for 5,400 hours, working around 10 percent of those in a demanding year. “Jeff is an outstanding and well-liked volunteer,” said SCOPE Director Rick Scott. The Michigan native assists with a number of programs including SIRT (Sheriff Incident Traffic Control), Latent Fingerprint Lift and ERC (Emergency Radio Communication) among others. Banke said SCOPE volunteers “allow deputies to go about the business of law enforcement and protect the rest of society.” Banke was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow for his “dedicated humanitarian service” as a member of the Lions Club. Banke has taught courses in firearms safety and was named SCOPE Volunteer of the Year in 2019. Banke spent 40 years in the TV broadcasting industry.

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SVFD Report – Jan. 2022

• SVFD Calendars are out, pick one up at any Fire Station entryway or at the SVFD Administration Building, 2120 N. Wilbur Road.

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1842 emergency calls from Jan. 15 – Feb. 15, 2022.

Jan. 16 – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded this morning at approximately 1040 to a report of a structure fire at 13100 block of East Valleyway.

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By the numbers: Emergency Medical Services 1570 Car Collisions 69 Fires 66 Dispatched and Cancelled en route 52 Building Alarms 46 Hazardous Materials 14 Service Calls 12 Vehicle Fires 7 Technical Rescue 3 Auto vs Pedestrian 3 • Total calls for service decreased from 1971 last month to 1842 this month. • Calls for EMS decreased from 1594 to 1570. • Motor Vehicle Collisions decreased from 130 to 69. • Vehicle Fires decreased from 8 last month to 7 this month. • Fires saw an increase from 58 last month to 66 this month. • Drive Safely with winter and colder temperatures here. • Be careful with portable heaters. Keep flammable items away from them and turn them off when not in the room. • If you have chicken coops, please make sure to use a fire safe heating pad inside the coop. Heating lamps can catch straw and other flammable items inside the coop on fire. • SVFD Calendars are out, pick one up at any Fire Station entryway or at the SVFD Administration Building, 2120 N. Wilbur Road. • Continue to Drive Safely with winter and colder temperatures here. • Be careful with portable heaters. Keep flammable items away from them and turn them off when not in the room. • If you have chicken coops, please make sure to use a fire safe heating pad inside the coop. Heating lamps can catch straw and other flammable items inside the coop on fire.

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A passerby noticed smoke coming out of a door and window from a first-floor apartment. Neighbors knocked on the door to notify the occupants, but no one appeared to be home. Valley Engine 5 reported seeing heavy smoke in the area and after their arrival on scene, initiated a quick attack and knocked down the fire. As the fire was being knocked down, all adjoining apartments were evacuated. After the fire was extinguished, fire crews conducted a primary search of the fire apartment finding no one and checked for fire extension of the adjoining apartments. A total of six Engines, two Ladders, and 3 command vehicles were dispatched to the fire. Due to the quick knock down, several fire suppression vehicles were canceled prior to arrival. The fire was contained to the apartment of origin. There were no reported injuries of civilians or firefighters. As part of a standardized fire response plan, an ambulance with AMR responded to the scene and was later cancelled. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and units remain on scene for overhaul and investigator assistance. The apartment unit involved is uninhabitable and occupants will be staying with family. Incidents: Electrical Problem – Jan. 16, 10:04 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 2 (VE2) responded to the dispatched address initially for a report of an electrical problem with Valley Squad 8 (VSQ8). Enroute dispatch upgraded to a full response for a report of smoke in the home. VSQ8 arrived first and sized up the structure reporting light smoke from the roof. VE2 assumed bates command upon arrival. Crews investigated in the offensive strategy seeing a haze coming from an attic vent. VSQ8 was assigned to take a pump can into the home and investigate. VE2 lowered all units except the next closest Valley

Ladder 8 (VL8). The structure had no smoke or heat. VE2 located heat in the kitchen ceiling near a scorched hole where a light fixture had been removed. The ceiling was pulled in the kitchen onto salvage tarps. Burning cellulose insulation and a wooden truss were uncovered and extinguished. All burned insulation was removed from the ceiling. VE2 remained on scene until the investigation was complete. Structure Fire – Jan. 25, 7:19 p.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Squad 8 (VSQ8) crews responded to the area of East Mansfield Avenue and East Shannon Avenue to the report of two story four plex with light smoke showing from the first floor. Crews found an apartment with light smoke behind a floorboard heater. Crews removed drywall and exposed light charring on the wall studs with embers coming through 2 holes in the floorplate. Crews removed more drywall following the charring pattern. Crews found smoke near the bathroom and water heater. Crews checked for additional extension of the fire and finding none and locating all hotspots, crews cleaned up and returned in service. MVC – Feb. 4, 6:58 a.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 1 (VE1) crews responded to an auto vs auto collision between East 4th Avenue and East 7th Avenue. One call was T-boned with airbags deploying. The 2 adult drivers were not injured and did not need medical evaluation. One minor child did need evaluation but did not need to be transported for further care. VE1 protected the scene of the collision with cones and the fire engine. Both vehicles were

MARCH 2022 • 13

made safe. Absorbent was applied to the places with leaking fluids and the scene was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office (SO). VE1 returned in service. Swift Water Rescue – Feb. 7, 7:57 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Water 2 (VW2) crews responded to a water rescue call in the City of Spokane with Valley Rescue 2 (VR2). On arrival crews were assigned to assist with shore-based search on river left going up stream from the bridge. Valley Rescue 8 (VR8) took the assignment of search. For a short period of time, it was believed there might be a victim in the water. Valley Rescue 5 (VR5) was sent to do a shore-based search of river left downstream from the bridge and VW2 stayed on the bridge to assist. Once the victims were both located on the island crews walked up stream to the area of rescue and assisted with carrying gear back to the vehicles. Crews were released and returned to service. Valley 21 also responded to the incident and performed command post aide duties, working with AMR and Law Enforcement (LE). The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 22,400 emergency calls. Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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March for Meals for Meal on Wheels By Ashley Humbird Current contributor

The Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels is kicking off the year with their annual March for Meals happening on March 4th at the Spokane Valley Mall and March 5th at the Northtown Mall. They are including a Virtual Walk as well, that will run from March 1st to March 31st. But there is more to this event than just a way to raise money for meals; it’s a way to help fight senior hunger and isolation. The Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels serves fresh cooked meals to a large area of land with a varied demographic. The program can be tailored to each individual senior. They served over 230,000 meals in 2021 to over 2,500 seniors! The home-delivered option is the standard: one hot fresh meal for five days, plus two frozen meals for the weekend. In some of the more rural areas of the county, volunteers will

deliver seven frozen meals once a week, since the volunteer base is not large enough to accommodate a five-day delivery. Each meal is made fresh in their commercial kitchen and consist of a ‘hot’ entrée, vegetable and fruit, milk/juice and a roll. Jeff Edwards, CEO of the nonprofit, mentioned, “My favorite meal is the Shepard Pie. It’s very tasty.” The volunteers get to know their routes and the seniors they serve the fresh meals to. Volunteers look forward to the deliveries and can help alert emergency contacts if the door remains unanswered when knocking. On any given year, volunteers have been able to get seniors the help they need when they’ve fallen and can’t make it to a phone. Another option is to dine out at one of the ten Silver Cafes spread across Spokane County. For those that have the ability to utilize this option, they enjoy the socialization of meeting fellow seniors in their community. There is one at Center Place in the Spokane Valley that operates five days a week and serves the same hot, fresh meals as

Jeff Edwards and Team with 2 meals bags packed and ready for a volunteer to deliver.

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the home delivered option. Seniors are encouraged to take home two frozen meals for the weekend. Other Spokane locations include the Hillyard Senior Center and the South Hill Clearview Senior Housing. Opening March 31st will be a new location at the Martin Luther King Jr Center that will operate five days a week.

For those who participate in this month’s March for Meals, participants will be doing more than just providing meals. Participants will become a part of a senior’s story, either through the relationships they build with the volunteers who deliver the fresh meals, or though the interactions they have with the community.

Regardless of which option a senior chooses to be a part of, once a week the volunteers make a special delivery when coming by with their fresh meals: a bag of dog or cat food. The love seniors have for their furry campions is heartwarming and the program wants to keep both seniors and their cuddly pets well-fed.

The March for Meals will be held from 8am to 10am at the Valley Mall on March 4th, and at Northtown Mall on March 5th. The fee is $20 to register and includes a swag bag and a chance to win door prizes. The virtual walk will be ongoing through the month of March. There is an adorable option to get your dog involved too for just $10! $.91 of every dollar donated goes directly to the meals for the seniors thanks to the low overhead cost. Simply go online to Marchformeals-Spokane. com or visit their Facebook page at GSCMealsonWheels to register for both in person and/or virtual.

With the dollar being stretched further than ever, there is a misconception around the Meals on Wheels program: the thought that the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels is income-based. Edwards hopes to educate both the public and seniors hesitant to join. “The program is not inherently income based. You could have planned well for retirement and just need a little help. Rr even fall and break a hip, in which case you can’t cook for yourself, and need help too. Any senior over the age of 60 that needs our help, we can serve them in some capacity,” said Edwards. And when Covid hit in the Spring of 2020, the Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels saw an overnight increase of 25% in need. But thankfully since they make all of their meals fresh, they were able to quickly scale up and accommodate for the sudden influx of need. With mandates in place, they had to adapt and close some of the Cafes during the initial pandemic. All the seniors where offered the chance to join the Home Delivery option to continue to receive their meals. Once they were able to open the Silver Cafes back up, many of the new members to the program choose to enjoy their meals with fellow seniors. For example, in Spangle, about forty seniors from the South County area meet twice weekly to converse and share a meal, whereas pre-COVID they choose the home-delivery option.

There are other ways you can help. Volunteering takes a short hour to an hour and half to deliver a route with hot fresh meals and the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels will be holding two more fundraisers later this year. The Road Rally will be held in July (date TBD) and Cooking for a Cause on September 17th 2022. For more information on Greater Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels go to gscmealsonwheels.org

SAVE THE DATE Washington State Quilt Show October 14-16, 2022

MARCH 2022 • 17

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• MARCH 2022

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Legacy of Hoops –

Christensen family bonds through basketball By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

If March Madness had a family bracket, the Christensens from Spokane Valley would be one of the tournament favorites. Start with Tanner Christensen, a former All-Greater Spokane League center at University High School who now starts at post for the University of Idaho and averages eight points and six rebounds a game. The Christensen starting five is bolstered by Tanner’s dad Kirt, an all-state player for Uintah High in Vernal, Utah while mom Emily (Spear) Christensen was part of a state championship at Central Valley High School in 1993 and a starter for the Bears as a sophomore.

Katie also netted 14 points and outrebounded her brother, 10 to six. Emily remembers basketball being a date night when she and Kirt were both students at Brigham Young University – either attending a Cougars’ game together or shooting baskets on an open court. As for watching her kids play, Emily said “it’s definitely fun but also nerve-wracking.” “I’m proud of what they’ve done in basketball but prouder of the people they are and the way they treat others,” Emily said. Tanner put his favorite sport on hold in 2018 to serve a twoyear mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina. When he returned to the States in the fall of 2020, he bore down to get back into basketball shape. “I could probably count on one hand the number of times I played basketball in Argentina,” Tanner said. “Serving a mission was

something I always wanted to do. College basketball was a secondary thing. A mission was important to me and my family and a way I could help others.” Tanner’s breakout year at U-Hi came as a junior when he averaged 14 points and nine rebounds a game. Between his freshman and sophomore years, he sprouted from 6’2 to 6’8 and now stands at 6’10. “It took some time to get accustomed to how tall I was,” he said. As a senior, Tanner led U-Hi to a fifth-place finish in the GSL and a berth to the district playoffs. Against arch-rival Central Valley, he tallied a career-high 28 points in an overtime win. He had signed with Idaho before the start of his senior campaign after interest from schools like Portland State, Seattle Pacific and Carroll College. “I liked the direction the (Idaho) program was heading,” Tanner said. “I liked the campus, the coaching

The family backcourt sparkles with Garret Christensen, named coMVP of the Titans’ freshman squad and Katie, a senior at U-Hi, who established herself as a leader “who meant everything to our team,” according to Titans’ head coach Jazmine Redmon.

Tanner had one of his best games as a Vandal on Dec. 8 against South Dakota State, a team that leads the Summit League with an undefeated record and signature wins against Nevada and Washington State In 18 minutes, Tanner scored 14 points, hitting five of 10 field goals. “Idaho has lived up to the expectations I had,” Tanner said. “It’s fun to play basketball at a high level.” Katie is focused on serving a mission after high school but might still play college basketball if the scenario is right. A 4.0 student, she also serves as ASB president and is a student representative on the board of Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank & Family Services. Redmon said Katie “has grown by leaps and bounds as a player” in her last two seasons at U-Hi. The progression is part of a journey on the court that began late and included a few hurdles in high school that left her unsure about sticking with the game. “I wasn’t good at basketball right away,” she said. “I just knew my parents would support me whatever I did.” While only a freshman, Garret has shown signs he will be the next prolific Christensen on the court. He had a season-high of 25 points against Lake City and is part of family folklore for bringing down the rim on the basketball standard at home, prompting a replacement hoop.

“Growing up in a basketball family, your basketball I.Q. is different,” said Redmon, a star at Mead and later at Gonzaga. “Katie really has that support from her family. It was fun to see them all there at Senior Night watching her play one of her better games.” Sometimes, the schedule can get a little crowded for the Christensens during basketball season. Last month Katie was playing in a District 8 playoff game against Kennewick on the same night Tanner and his fellow Vandals were battling Montana in Moscow. Katie’s season ended with a 59-56 loss to the Lions while Tanner scored 14 points in an 82-76 win over the Grizzlies on Feb. 17.

staff and they were working on a new basketball arena that just opened up.”

Contributed photo The Christensen family from Spokane Valley has a rich basketball pedigree that includes Tanner (third from left) a University High alum who now starts for the University of Idaho. Garret (far left) was a standout freshman on the Titans’ freshman team this season while Katie (second from right) started for a U-Hi squad that reached the district playoffs. Parents Kirt and Emily (second and fourth from left) played high school basketball. Also pictured is Tanner’s wife Emilie (far right).

Whether it’s practicing on the new basket, cheering on their beloved Gonzaga Bulldogs or talking basketball around the dinner table, the Christensens comprise a starting five defined by competitiveness, character and class. “Basketball has always been a part of our lives,” said Katie. “We can all relate to struggles on the court. I think it’s brought us closer together.”

MARCH 2022 • 19

The Current

March 16, 17, 18, 19,

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• MARCH 2022

Spokane County LIBRARY DISTRICT

Engage with these library programs! N E S P O K A

Y C O U N T

R Y L I B R A

I C T D I S T R

ENGAGE

Re-

TOGETHER E, THRIVE RK, CREAT LEARN, WO

FEB– MAY 2022

www.scld.org

Trivia

LIBRARY

Resources for Startups, Entrepreneurs, and Small Businesses By Stacey Goddard, librarian Spokane County Library District

In these times of the Great Resignation, more and more people are finding the idea of being their own boss appealing. If you’re trying to figure out your business product or service, or consider yourself an entrepreneur with many business ideas in various stages, or have recently launched your business, the library can help you with a variety of resources! We have books on just about any topic, and business is no exception. You can find a curated booklist for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses at www.scld. org/startup-booklist. Or if you’re looking for a more specific business topic, you can search our catalog using keywords such as marketing,

Humanities Washington Lecture True Story about Forgiveness By Dana Mannino, librarian Spokane County Library District

STEM Gardening Storytimes Earth Week Personal finance Business workshops The new issue of re-Engage is now in libraries & online. www.scld.org/engage

www.scld.org

If I were going to write a prescription for my pandemic-weary soul, I would pen it for some hope and reconciliation. One way to experience this is to be safely transported by a skilled storyteller. The library has just such an experience for you. An expert in forgiveness and reconciliation will be visiting the library for a virtual program this month. In 2001, Rais Bhuiyan was shot in the face in a hate crime directed at perceived Arabs and Muslims. Bhuiyan lost the sight in his right eye, and 35 pellets remain embedded in the right side of his skull and face. Yet despite this very devastating attack, Bhuiyan publicly forgave his attacker and fought to prevent his eventual execution. Bhuiyan’s story has been documented in the 2015 book “True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas,” by Anand Giridharadas, available for check out from the library (www.scld.org/catalog), and

The Current

branding, business accounting, and side hustle at www.scld.org/ catalog. The library is demonstrating its digital resources for businesses (www.scld.org/business-resources) this spring to show you which resources do what and how they can help you plan, start, and grow a business. See a suite of digital products from Gale Business that include four resources focused on the needs of business owners and entrepreneurs: Plan Builder, Entrepreneurship, DemographicsNow, and Insights: Global. You can sign up for “Digital Resources: Gale Business Suite” taking place at Argonne Library on Wednesday, April 27, at 6pm at www.scld.org/business-programs. Then, in May, we’re demonstrating additional digital resources for business during the program “Business Resources Overview” at Argonne Library on Wednesday, May 4, at 6pm. We discuss how to use Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly in the 2016 documentary “Eye for an Eye,” by filmmaker Ilan Ziv. Bhuiyan’s virtual visit to the library sparks so many questions about hope, reconciliation, and his experiences: How did he cope with the anger he must have felt in the immediate aftermath of the shooting? What about his friends and family? Did their anger live on past his? Does he think reconciliation is always possible, or only sometimes? You can hear Bhuiyan share his story, and maybe ask your own questions, during his virtual lecture “One Second of Hate: A Story of Forgiveness” on Thursday, March 10, at 7pm. This

program

presented

ReferenceUSA) to research potential competitors and create customer mailing lists. We show you how to use ProQuest to access articles from local newspapers and business journals. When you need examples and templates of business and legal forms, we share how you can find them with Washington State Legal Forms from Gale. During the “Business Resources Overview” program, we’ll also demonstrate what is probably the best online resource for nonprofit organizations—Foundation Directory Online, which provides content on over 140,000 grant makers and has the tools to help you find grants that fit your organization’s mission. Our team of business and career librarians are here to help. If you can’t make it to these programs and would like to get some one-on-one assistance on how to use our digital resources, you can Book a Librarian. To request an appointment, call the library at 509-893-8400 or go online to www.scld.org/book-a-librarian. in partnership with Humanities Washington. Sign up to get the link for this online program at www.scld. org/humwa-lectures. You can check out these related reads about conflict and forgiveness available from the library: “The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable,” by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt; “High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out,” by Amanda Ripley; and “No Future Without Forgiveness,” by Desmond Mpilo Tutu. Winter can be a difficult season during the best of times. And perhaps, like what is shared in this true story, we can make it through difficult times with equal parts grace and grit.

MARCH 2022 • 21

The Current GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

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“ IT’S THE LAW ”

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The Valley Current P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com The Current is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Spokane Valley area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.

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Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to publisher@valleycurrent.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current. Subscriptions Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $12 for 12 issues. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must be received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month. Correction policy

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in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur Incyte Diagnostics

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Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Current’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Current’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@valleycurrent.com. With story ideas, contact editor@valleycurrent.com.

• MARCH 2022

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The Current

Discovering a lond time valley business By Nina Culver

Current Contributor

The construction and mining company N.A. Degerstrom has been quietly working from its home base on North Sullivan Road for decades, though its work can be seen in roads and bridges everywhere between Missoula and Ellensburg. The company was founded in 1904 by Swedish immigrant Nells Degerstrom, who arrived in Spokane with his brother. “No one knows a lot of the back story, but somehow he got the idea to get hooked up with Great Northern Railroad,” said his greatgrandson and current CEO Chris Myers. For the first 20 years, the company built and maintained railroad track beds for Great Northern, traveling from Glacier, Montana, to Everett. “They were constantly moving with the railroad as they went,” Myers said. Degerstrom’s family was in Spokane, so in the mid to late 1920’s he came back to town and decided to focus on road building, which was in demand thanks to the popularity of the Model T. “Our company built some of the original pieces of Interstate 90,” he said. By the late 1950’s the company began to specialize in mass excavation jobs. “Mining is very similar,” Myers said. “Mining didn’t start for us until the late 60s. It was a way to keep the crews busy in the off season.” The company soon turned to mining year-round in addition do doing road work. The company did uranium mining in Wellpinit until about 1979. In 1970, the company began mining phosphate in southern Idaho. “Actually, we’re still there,” Myers said. “We never left. Fifty-two years on the same contact.” The company has also been involved in gold mines in Nevada. “We are a contract miner,” Myers said. “We don’t actually own the mines. We just do the work.” Having a highway and bridge division and a mining division has been advantageous because when one is slow, the other is usually able to pick up the slack, Myers said. He estimates that mining currently accounts for 60 percent of the company’s business which bridges and highways account for the rest. “The two are designed to

ON THAT NOTE compliment each other,” he said. There are currently a little less than 500 employees working for the company, though that number has been as high as 1,000 in the past, Myers said. “We’ve always been here, but for the last 30 something years, most of our workforce works out of state,” he said. That’s not to say that N.A. Degerstrom hasn’t been involved in local projects. Last year they built the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge in Coeur d’Alene, built the roundabouts on the Medical Lake I-90 exits and they added a lane on the Harvard Road overpass over I-90 in Liberty Lake. They’re currently working on the Kramer Parkway overpass over I-90, also in Liberty Lake. “We do a fair amount of Spokane County work,” he said. “We do some outlying county work as well.” Ownership of the company shifted from his great-grandfather to his grandfather, Neil Degerstrom, in 1955 after Nells Degerstrom had a stroke while working. Myers’ grandfather died in 2006 and the company was run by the previous vice president, Gary Craig, until Myers was selected by the board of directors to take over as president in 2010. “My grandfather had four daughters and none wanted to go into the business,” he said. Myers was the first grandchild born, but said he didn’t have to go

into the family business. In fact, his original plan was to become a Navy fighter pilot, but chronic ear problems meant he didn’t pass the physical requirements. He decided to study mining engineering at the School of Mines in Butte, Montana. “I’ve always been very mechanically inclined,” he said. “It’s hard to turn down the opportunity to play with real life Tonka trucks.” He worked in the company’s mining group, eventually becoming the manager, for eight years before he became president of the company. Despite his experience, Myers said it was a little difficult to take over. “It was a little daunting,” he said. “We’ve had such a long lineage of dedicated people who made the company what it was.” The company is still primarily owned by Myers’ grandmother, Joan Degerstrom, and her four daughters. Myers and a few other top employees own a small portion of the company. Myers is proud that ownership of the company has never left the family. “That’s fairly rare,” he said. It seems only fitting that while multiple generations of the same family have owned the company, there are also multiple generations of families working for it. Myers said there is four generations of one family currently working for N.A. Degerstrom. He said his main focus is taking care of his employees so they,

MARCH 2022 • 23

in turn, will take care of the company, he said. Like many other companies, N.A. Degerstrom is having difficulty finding employees. “We have a lack of people going into our industry,” he said. “We have jobs open all the time that we can’t fill.” Myers blames the recent emphasis on college over trade careers for some of the problem. “It was okay to go into a trade,” he said. “It was perfectly normal. It wasn’t looked down on.” The company is one of the founding members of the Associated General Contractors, a trade organization that advocates for construction companies and runs apprenticeship programs, and has now been advocating for the community for the past 100 years of the organization. Myers said he’s been working with AGC to recruit new employees, particularly women. “There’s a big push there,” he said. “You can graduate high school and step into a $60,000 a year job with no formal training. We provide the training.” Myers wants to attract new employees so the company can keep going strong. He said he remembers going on drives with his grandfather, who would point out bridges and sections of road that he had built. “I find myself doing that with my kids,” he said. “There’s definitely a point of pride in building something that will last 50, 60 years.”

Photo by Nina Culver Chris Myers standing in front of is a 1952 model used by his company, N.A. Dergerstrom, that is currently on display on their lawn.

• MARCH 2022

The Current

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