In the fall, the North Coast News submitted Readers Input Group (“RIG the Paper”) questions on various issues to City Council candidates. Garland French was running unopposed for reelection. Here are the answers provided by the man just appointed mayor of Ocean Shores for the next two years:

1. General Fund Balance / Reserve

The general fund balance should provide for reasonable contingency needs and maintain a level satisfying current and future credit rating requirements. This must be established during annual budget development and reviewed along with regular budget and financial status.
Interfund loans should not be used for reserve creation. These loans should be used only for emergency funding needs that can arise during the course of the year, and only with proper validation of need and repayment assurance.

*Interview with the new mayor: “I feel very optimistic about where we’re going.”

*Chocolate on the Beach Festival: Sweets up on the North Beach

*Goats to guns: The North Beach Resident Deputy program

*$1.3 million winner: Quinault slot rolls big

*Expensive consultants: Ocean Shores pays LID, water consultants $1.5 million over the last four years

*Guest Editorial: New credit card rules

*Honor Roll: High school and junior high students hitting the books

First, a Citizens Advisory Panel presentation on EMS, which recommended a levy of 35 cents per thousand. Then, council voted, 6-0, for finance director Art Wuerth to bring back a resolution for a 35 cents per thousand property tax increase, earmarked for EMS. Likely at the next council meeting, this resolution will be presented and voted on; if it passes, it will go to voters in April.

Lid Lift Lite? (“30 percent cheaper than the original Lid Lift . . .”)

Citizens Advisory Panel report.

City Council appoints French by a 5-0 vote. Bob Crumpacker, who insisted more time should have been taken to make the decision and said “once again we’re rushing headlong into the train wreck,” abstained, as did French. He will finish the two-plus years remaining on Dean Bunkers’ term.

North Beach resident Tommy Poplin, of Poplin Construction, was seriously injured Friday near Pacific Beach. He was trying to repair his truck, when it rolled over him.
He suffered fractured ribs and skull injuries. Donations to help the Poplin family are being accepted at Tugboat Granny’s on Point Brown Avenue.
An account has also been set up at the Bank of the Pacific.

Who will it be?: a) Crumpacker; b) French; c) other; d) no decision.

District tournament losses yesterday mean the sudden end of the season for both the girls, who finish 15-6, and boys, 9-13.

Pacific League All Stars were announced, this weekend.

Elizabeth Thatcher and Nicole Mosley made the girls first team, and Tres Pope and Derek Moore are on the boys first team.

Jennifer Law finishes sixth in her weight class (she lost, 5-4, to the eventual third place finisher). Dominic Deibel and Sawyer Reed lost matches today and are also out of the tournament.

Congrats to the North Beach High wrestling team on another outstanding season.

Request, re the Locals Only abstraction on young folks texting and driving: “For those of us who remember when Elvis was an unknown…..would you decipher this dribble.” The translation, in italics, of this fictitious text conversation, for non-texters out there.

“sup dude” What’s up, my friend?
“jus drvn grl. u?” I’m just driving, girlfriend. How about you?
“drvn 2” I’m driving, too.
“din u hear no txt & drvn!” Didn’t you hear not to text and drive!
“lol” Laughing out loud.

Jennifer Law, Dominic Deibel and Sawyer Reed are still in the running for third place, after winning matches yesterday. Jennifer is first on the mat, at 11:20 a.m., followed by Dominic at 11:46 a.m. and Sawyer at 1:14 p.m.