Ephrata receives $10,000 donation
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata City Clerk and Finance Director Leslie Trachsler stands in front of Ephrata City Hall. The city of Ephrata recently received a $10,000 donation from a local businessman, likely the largest private donation in the city's history. Richard Reimers, who donated the money, declined to have his picture taken.
EPHRATA — It has been a good year so far for marijuana retailer Richard Reimers.
So good, the owner of Cannarail Station at the very north edge of town wanted to share a little with the city of Ephrata — $10,000, to be precise.
“It’s just the right thing to do,” Reimers said. “I’m not having any problems with my business. COVID-19 increased my business 40 percent.”
It may be the largest single donation to the city by a private citizen, according to City Clerk and Finance Director Leslie Trachsler.
“It’s the first one I remember in 24 years with the city,” she said. “We appreciate this very much.”
Trachsler said that a typical donation from a private citizen or business is usually more like a few hundred dollars. On Wednesday, the city council also received a few $300 donations each from businesses to support recreation programs and pay for recreation scholarships, as well as Reimers’ gift. Trachsler is recommending Reimers’ gift be used to help pay for a new bottom surface for the pool at the city’s Splashzone water park.
“He did not give any indication as to why he did this,” Trachsler said.
Reimers, however, said he made the donation to the city because he believes the state doesn’t share enough marijuana tax revenue with cities.
“I pay over $20,000 per month in state sales tax,” he said. “The city gets about $250.”
“I figured that the city is getting shorted on the deal, so this is payback,” Reimers added.
It’s all part of around $50,000 he said he has donated to organizations and events around Ephrata, including the Ephrata School District and local food banks.
“They allow me to operate here,” Reimers said. “And they are pretty nice people.”
Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected].