Washington’s City Council met Monday evening with review of the claims as the only regular item on the agenda. However, a group of citizens expressed concerns about taxpayer funds in the form of state and federal ARPA funds to support the Power House. Carol Olsen served as spokesperson for the nearly overflowing crowd in the Council Chambers. Olsen said the group had concerns for at-risk children. They pointed to podcast statements published by Power House Director TC Cook. Olsen said Cook is telling youth at the Power House that females should submit to males, that girls should not be in leadership positions, and that girls should follow the leadership of males. Olsen took issue with what she said was Cook’s condemnation of single-parent families. Olsen also questioned how accepted youth of different faiths, different branches of Christianity, and different sexual orientations would be received at the Power House. Olsen said the group she represented believes that the Power House, under Cook, had moved away from its original mission of providing a place where all youth would feel safe and welcomed.
The council members thanked the group for expressing their concerns. The council has several months before considering next year’s budget. Some of the board members from the Power House were present at the meeting but did not speak.
Following the council meeting, the Board of Public Works and Safety met and approved the promotion of Mike Roach to assistant superintendent of the Wastewater Department, with John Ferrin moving to Roach’s former position of job foreman. The appointments become AP effective this week.
At the end of the council meeting, Mayor Rhoads reminded Everton about Food Truck Tuesday from 5 to 9 at Eastside Park.
