Clarkston council looks to Lewiston, Asotin Co. for more cooperation

Members of the Clarkston City Council listen to a presentation Monday night.

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Story Published: Jan 13, 2010 at 9:04 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 13, 2010 at 9:04 AM PDT

By Stephanie Smith

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CLARKSTON – Clarkston city councilors hope the new year will bring a time when all local governments will be able to work together more effectively, even as some are voicing criticisms of Lewiston and Asotin County fire departments.

This sentiment was expressed by several members at Monday night's council meeting. While mutual aid deals have yet to be reached with Asotin County and Nez Perce County, Clarkston signed mutual aid agreements with Garfield County and Clearwater Paper.

"The other entities in the Valley are more than willing to strike up agreements, why is it that the fire service of the people in question, feel like they are so arrogant that they can call all the shots and not work with us," said Council Member Terry Beadles. "Whereas, just all these agreements that we approved tonight, Whitcom and the list goes on, everybody is willing to get along and make things work, so we need these other two entities to follow suit."

Also at Monday night's meeting, County 911 coordinator Dan Hally said Asotin County makes up 29 percent of Whitcom calls but was able to negotiate a deal where the county, including the cities of Asotin and Clarkston only pay 20 percent of the cost of operations at the dispatch center.

The council approved paying about $16,000 a month for the dispatch services.

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