By Don Nelson
The Town of Winthrop has made employment offers to fill two deputy marshal positions, and one of the new hires may look familiar.
Deputy Ken Bajema had submitted his resignation from the marshal’s office in June but then reconsidered and submitted an application for one of the two open positions. Discussion at last week’s Winthrop Town Council meeting suggested that Bajema has been offered one of the jobs.
Bajema was hired as a deputy in 2010 and completed his police academy training in 2011. He had been filling in as interim marshal until Marshal Rikki Schwab took over in May. Bajema did not apply for the marshal’s position when it was open.
It’s been months since the marshal’s office was fully staffed. Former deputy Seth Carlson and former marshal David Dahlstrom resigned late last year. After Carlson departed, leaving Bajema as the sole police officer in town, the council authorized him to find part-time help. Bryan Alexander, a park ranger at Pearrygin Lake State Park, has served in that capacity.
The council also informally discussed concerns about the style and location of an electronic sign that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has proposed installing to alert motorists about conditions on Highway 20 when appropriate. The sign would be installed atop the wooden “till we meet again” sign that westbound drivers see on the way out of town.
Town staff said designs for the WSDOT sign can still be reviewed before it is installed.
In other business, the council appointed Vicki Caldwell and Ron McCollum to the Westernization Architectural Committee.
The council also set Nov. 13 as the date for the annual volunteer recognition reception, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn.
