In this Friday edition of the KUMA Coffee Hour, host Dan Thesman interviews Arlene Alen, President and CEO of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. Key Highlights from the interview include the annual State of the State Event (May 12), the Film WWV Initiative, as a national Firestone Tire commercial will be filmed in the region this June, bringing significant economic benefits. The initiative also focuses on local talent through partnerships with colleges and the Power PA certification program. Upcoming Events: The Spring Newcomers Meetup (May 16) and the Chamber After Hours Summer Series, covering topics from AI to healthy cooking, are also on the agenda.

In this Friday edition of the KUMA Coffee Hour, host Dan Thesman interviews Arlene Alen, President and CEO of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. Key Highlights from the interview include the annual State of the State Event (May 12), the Film WWV Initiative, as a&nbsp;national Firestone Tire commercial will be filmed in the region this June, bringing significant economic benefits. The initiative also focuses on local talent through partnerships with colleges and the Power PA certification program. Upcoming Events: The Spring Newcomers Meetup (May 16) and the Chamber After Hours Summer Series, covering topics from AI to healthy cooking, are also on the agenda.

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman.  Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.

 

 

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman. &nbsp;Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Coffee Hour Podcast

May 8     |     Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce

Echo City Administrator Mike Gonzalez discusses the city’s growth and infrastructure challenges. Appointed in January, Gonzalez manages a small community of 700 residents. He is currently prioritizing the development of 250 acres near I-84, which is zoned for mixed residential, industrial and commercial use. Key points from the discussion include fiscal strategy with a limited tax revenue, infrastructure (Echo recently added an 800,000-gallon water reservoir but is currently at 95 percent sewer capacity) and economic vision.

Echo City Administrator Mike Gonzalez discusses the city&rsquo;s growth and infrastructure challenges. Appointed in January, Gonzalez manages a small community of 700 residents. He is currently prioritizing the development of 250 acres near I-84, which is zoned for mixed residential, industrial and commercial use. Key points from the discussion include fiscal strategy with a limited tax revenue, infrastructure (Echo recently added an 800,000-gallon water reservoir but is currently at 95 percent sewer capacity) and economic vision.

May 7     |     City of Echo

Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett recapped the May 5 Pendleton City Council meeting, which began with swearing in Bobby McAllister as a new firefighter/paramedic. The council awarded contracts for environmental surveys of Pendleton City Hall and the Pendleton Convention Center and approved amendments to the Housing and Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Committee to include more private sector representation. Additionally, the city finalized an agreement to acquire land for water treatment settling ponds.

Corbett also discussed the Built for Zero homeless initiative, emphasizing a personalized approach to homelessness. He highlighted a drastic decline in Oregon's psychiatric beds—dropping from 3,500 in 1960 to only 720 today—while the population has nearly tripled. Finally, he criticized the lack of legal accountability for narcotics offenses under current state policies.

Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett recapped the May 5 Pendleton City Council meeting, which began with swearing in&nbsp;Bobby McAllister as a new firefighter/paramedic. The council awarded contracts for environmental surveys of Pendleton&nbsp;City Hall and the Pendleton&nbsp;Convention Center and approved amendments to the Housing and Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Committee to include more private sector representation. Additionally, the city finalized an agreement to acquire land for water treatment settling ponds.
Corbett also discussed the Built for Zero homeless initiative, emphasizing a personalized approach to homelessness. He highlighted a drastic decline in Oregon's psychiatric beds&mdash;dropping from 3,500 in 1960 to only 720 today&mdash;while the population has nearly tripled. Finally, he criticized the lack of legal accountability for narcotics offenses under current state policies.

May 6     |     City of Pendleton

Chief Tony Nelson gives an update on the fleet of vehicles PPD should be receiving, he also talks about the desire to establish a drone program. Nelson also talks about the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police annual conference and trade show being in Pendleton next week. He also talks about what's coming up regarding the new budget for the coming fiscal year, staffing and how PPD is involved in the ongoing discussion regarding the homeless in Pendleton. Nelson wraps up the conversation talking about Ed Tabor recently being honored by PPD for his work as a volunteer.

Chief Tony Nelson gives an update on the fleet of vehicles PPD should be receiving, he also talks about the desire to establish a drone program. Nelson also talks about the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police annual conference and trade show being in Pendleton next week. He also talks about what's coming up regarding the new budget for the coming fiscal year, staffing and how PPD is involved in the ongoing discussion regarding the homeless in Pendleton. Nelson wraps up the conversation talking about Ed Tabor recently being honored by PPD for his work as a volunteer.

May 8 | Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce

Coffee Hour Podcast

Social links

Recent clips