South Sound briefs - Aug. 8

The Olympian, News Services | • Published August 08, 2008

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Fort Lewis

Change of colonel for Stryker Brigade

Col. John G. Norris will take over command of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at a ceremony today at Fort Lewis.

Col. Jon S. Lehr will relinquish command. He led the troops through their recent 15-month deployment to the Iraq War after taking command in February 2005. The brigade returned in June.

The change-of-command ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Gray Army Airfield.

Norris' previous command also was deployed to Iraq. He led the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Also at the ceremony, Command Sgt. Major John W. Troxell will turn over responsibilities to Command Sgt. Major Jeffrey R. Huggins.

Washington

4 drivers ticketed for cell phone law violation

State Patrol troopers in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties have written four tickets for violations of the new cell phone regulations for drivers in the law's first month, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

Trooper Krista Hedstrom said the State Patrol stopped seven Grays Harbor drivers talking on cell phones while driving without using a hands-free device during July. Two stops resulted in tickets.

Pacific County troopers recorded stopping two drivers who were violating the new law. Both were cited.

The new regulation, which went into effect July 1, bans drivers from holding a cell phone up to their ears but is considered a secondary offense that can only be cited in connection to another traffic violation.

Montesano

City may switch clerk job for administrator position

The city of Montesano again is considering eliminating its city clerk position and hiring a city administrator, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

Clerk-controller Linda Wolverton recently resigned after about a year on the job to take a new job closer to her Copalis Beach home. She recommended hiring an administrator rather than another clerk.

Before hiring her, the City Council debated hiring a higher-paid city administrator. A city clerk would make about $60,000 per year; a city administrator likely would make at least $20,000 more.

A consultant's study funded by city resident Jay Sterling recommended making the switch to an administrator, but city staff strongly oppose the switch. They came out in force against the proposal again Tuesday night at a council work session.

"It's just foolish to spend money at the top instead of the bottom, where we need bodies," Public Works Director Mike Wincewicz said.

Councilman Doug Streeter, leader of the city's finance committee, said the city's budget process will begin soon, and a decision needs to be made quickly.