Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
After a two-year search with the Washington State Department of Ecology threatening fines, Mayor Ray McCown and the Town of Garfield have hired a Level II sewer plant operator. Reuel Klempel started on the job Sept. 6.
A Level IV certified operator, Klempel lives in Eltopia and originally interviewed in Garfield last year. McCown offered him the job then, but the town’s pay rate was lower than Klempel was qualified for. He declined the Garfield job offer and was hired at Lake Stevens, where he commuted for the job.
This summer, he called McCown saying he had quit in Lake Stevens.
So he and McCown talked again, and the Garfield mayor increased the salary offer from $45,000-$50,000 to $60,000 per year. Klempel accepted and promised to stay at least one year.
His salary will come largely from the town’s sewer and garbage fund. To account for the increased cost, next year’s budget will have to be increased by the town council.
Klempel commutes to Garfield, works four 10-hour days and stays with in-laws in Colfax.
“He has found things we’ve been doing wrong for 40 years,” McCown said.
His title is public works superintendent.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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