Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON–Columbia County Commissioner Ryan Rundell, Dist. No. 1, of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for Columbia County, held a public listening session at the General Store last Saturday to hear concerns from community members. He stated he attends multiple meetings where he tends to see the same people and wanted to seek input from other citizens.

The public gathering was kicked off by illustrating a comment he heard from an editor with the Spokesman–Review at the County Leaders Conference in Spokane, Wash., last November. "Keep small town papers alive because small town papers keep the history alive."

Rundell is all about service. Many evenings he has taken calls from citizens with concerns. Regarding the County Commissioner salaries, He stated that the salary needs to be enough to interest and attract people from a variety of ages and backgrounds, but not so high that it's a main career.

"To be a Commissioner, you should want to serve, but the position itself is not your main career," said Rundell.

When asked how many hours a week he spends as Commissioner, he stated, "It varies." He spends many evenings reading emails and documents.

Maura Trainor was sick of fake news and wanted the facts on the Fairgrounds and Golf Course. Rundell explained the County is looking to get more workers to the Fairgrounds and Golf Course yet with the flexibility to work other areas at other times of the year and still save money. He also emphasized that the Golf Course and Fairgrounds are not intended to be profit making areas. However, new fee structures are being tried, and if there is a need to make changes, it will be considered.

LeeAnn Literal was concerned about the horse stalls at the Fairgrounds, and about the $1600 a month electricity cost for the camping area that is a cost albatross. She wanted to know how Rundell felt about getting rid of the electricity at the camping area. He stated again that this is an area that is not meant to be profit making, and at this point, not sure. Using a solar generator could be an option to consider.

Rundell was appointed to the Commission in March 2019 to fill a vacancy, then ran unopposed for re-election. He moved to Dayton with his family when he was "about four..." and has grown up in Dayton. In addition to enjoying the BOCC position, he is also a Pharmacy Technician at Elk Drug. He is appreciative of his position at Elk Drug which allows him the flexibility to serve as a County Commissioner.