Council member opposes barriers on Riverview Ave.

MATTAWA - A Mattawa City Council member who lives on the street in question, is opposing installation of concrete barriers as a way to abate gang activity.

Council member Scott Hyndman told the Aug. 1 meeting of the city council that he was opposed to the plan proposed by the Mattawa Police Department to install ecology blocks.

Ecology blocks are concrete barriers that can be moved only by heavy equipment. They are large enough to stop a car on the run.

According to city clerk Robin Newcomb, the ecology blocks would be placed at one end of the street. That would leave only one point of entrance and exit to the area.

After Hyndman stated his objection, there was a brief discussion between Hyndman and police chief John Turley. Turley asked Hyndman to write down his objections in a letter to the city.

In other action on Aug. 1, John Ball resigned from the Civil Service Commission. Betty Webster, who had shown interest in the past, was sworn in as Ball's replacement.

The police department reported it has sent code violation letters to some residents who need to remove junk vehicles from their properties. According to Newcomb, a penalty of up to $5000 starts to accrue immediately after the notice has been sent and reaches the $5,000 level in 20 days.