Public meeting: State parks leaders review past, ponder future

GOLD BAR — Leaders of the state parks system plan to gather at Wallace Falls Lodge next week to consider projects and initiatives to pursue in 2016.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission also will review its performance agreement with agency director Donald Hoch and discuss any changes they want to make in it for 2016.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to noon Thursday.

The annual two-day planning meeting is open to the public. No formal action is planned and no public comment is expected to be taken.

Wednesday will be devoted to reviewing agency operations in 2015, evaluating Hoch’s performance and discussing the content of a performance agreement for the director in 2016.

Hoch’s current performance agreement expires Dec. 31. The eight-page document is not a contract but lays out the commissioners’ expectations of him in the calendar year.

These range from administrative chores, management of financial resources, overseeing of various initiatives and ensuring concerns of state parks are clearly understood by state lawmakers.

Next week’s conversation will shape the content of the 2016 agreement that could be approved in a special meeting in December or the panel’s next scheduled meeting in Edmonds Jan. 27 and 28.

On Thursday, commissioners will get status reports on ongoing projects including development and maintenance of state parks.

Additional information on state parks can be found online at parks.state.wa.us.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Boeing firefighters union members and supporters hold an informational picket at Airport Road and Kasch Park Road on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Biden weighs in on Boeing lockout of firefighters in Everett, elsewhere

On Thursday, the president expressed support for the firefighters, saying he was “concerned” Boeing had locked them out over the weekend.

Everett officer Curtis Bafus answers an elderly woman’s phone. (Screen shot from @dawid.outdoor's TikTok video)
Everett officer catches phone scammer in the act, goes viral on TikTok

Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said it was unclear when the video with 1.5 million views was taken, saying it could be “years old.”

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Firefighters extinguish an apartment fire off Edmonds Way on Thursday May 9, 2024. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
7 displaced in Edmonds Way apartment fire

A cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday morning, fire officials said.

Biologist Kyle Legare measures a salmon on a PUD smolt trap near Sportsman Park in Sultan, Washington on May 6, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Low Chinook runs endanger prime fishing rivers in Snohomish County

Even in pristine salmon habitat like the Sultan, Chinook numbers are down. Warm water and extreme weather are potential factors.

Lynnwood
Car hits pedestrian pushing stroller in Lynnwood, injuring baby, adult

The person was pushing a stroller on 67th Place W, where there are no sidewalks, when a car hit them from behind, police said.

Snohomish County Courthouse. (Herald file)
Everett substitute judge faces discipline for forged ‘joke’ document

David Ruzumna, a judge pro tem, said it was part of a running gag with a parking attendant. The Commission on Judicial Conduct wasn’t laughing.

Marysville
Marysville high school office manager charged with sex abuse of student

Carmen Phillips, 37, sent explicit messages to a teen at Heritage High School, then took him to a park, according to new charges.

Bothell
1 dead after fatal motorcycle crash on Highway 527

Ronald Lozada was riding south when he crashed into a car turning onto the highway north of Bothell. He later died.

Riaz Khan finally won office in 2019 on his fifth try. Now he’s running for state Legislature. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ex-Democratic leader from Mukilteo switches parties for state House run

Riaz Khan resigned from the 21st Legislative District Democrats and registered to run as a Republican, challenging Rep. Strom Peterson.

Tlingit Artist Fred Fulmer points to some of the texture work he did on his information totem pole on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
11-foot totem pole, carved in Everett, took 35 years to make — or 650

The pole crafted by Fred Fulmer is bound for Alaska, in what will be a bittersweet sendoff Saturday in his backyard.

Shirley Sutton
Sutton resigns from Lynnwood council, ‘effective immediately’

Part of Sutton’s reason was her “overwhelming desire” to return home to the Yakima Valley.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.