Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. Winston Churchill

Three and a half years ago the voters of Coulee Dam elected a new Mayor and a new Councilperson. In that time what have we seen in the name of progress. Our waste water sewer plant is still waiting to start construction. Our streets are in need of repair. Our sidewalks are getting worse by the day and until the cause of the problems are addressed their condition will not improve any time soon. Our Fire Department has been down graded. If the Fire Department is down graded any further then all of our home owners insurance will be effected. Our ambulance service is non-existent. Our Town is still in need of a Police Chief.

To look on the bright side, there have been a few positive things that have taken place. We have a new, yet incomplete, Street Tree Inventory. The trees under the power lines have been trimmed, some of the trees have been trimmed twice. The maple trees along Columbia have been trimmed. Our Town has been awarded Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Park and Natural Resource Board is currently writing a Town Comprehensive Tree Management and Pruning Plan for all of the inventoried trees listed in our incomplete Street Tree Inventory. What do all of the above mentioned items have in common? Trees……

At a Park and Natural Resource Board meeting, a Councilperson once openly stated, ”My highest priority for this Town are the trees”. Now this Councilperson is a candidate for Mayor.

Bruce Bartoo

Coulee Dam