Naches service groups plan Thursday meeting

NACHES, Wash. -- Service group representatives and residents in Naches are holding a meeting Thursday to seek ways to improve communication and cooperation.

John McGowan, a member of the Naches Lions Club who started the effort several months ago, said he hopes those interested in the town will help build a vision for the community's future.

Local business represen-tatives and government officials have met twice since September to craft the early stage of the process, with the meeting on Thursday and in the future expected to draw more people.

Earlier this month, Tieton's economic development committee held a similar public meeting that McGowan attended. That session, moderated by an Olympia-based representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural development program, drew about 50 people.

The audience discussed the strengths and weaknesses of Tieton and what the city should look like in the future.

McGowan said he would like to see the same sort of process take place in Naches.

Thursday's meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at Clemans View Sports Park, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Allan Road just east of town.

The agenda includes a social, a discussion of opportunities for small towns and a request for the audience to share ideas.

More information is available by calling the town hall, 509-653-2647, or the Naches Valley Chamber of Commerce, 509-653-2165.