Dossett appointed to Plains Council, replacing Foust

Longtime local resident John Dossett was appointed to the Plains Council last week, replacing outgoing Ward 1 Councilor Connie Foust.

Foust resigned from the Council after many years of service both in and out of the public eye. She was noted for her conservative stance on government issues and was a cofounder of the local organization Free Americans.  

Mayor Joel Banham thanked Foust for her service to the city. 

Banham told the council that the town had two candidates to fill the seat, Charles Bickenheuser, a retired educator, and John Dossett, a resident of 38 years.  

During a special meeting, council member Chad Cantrell nominated Dossett, with John Roesler seconding the nomination. The vote was unanimous to appoint Dossett to serve the remaining two years of Foust’s term.  

Dossett, originally from New Zealand said, “I love this town. I think it is a great place to raise a family. I think I could contribute a lot on the council. I have a strong desire to serve the town and the people in it.”  

He is currently an employee at the local cemetery. 

Plains police activities during August and September were reviewed in the meeting. In August the police department received 35 calls for service, made two arrests and issued 90 citations. September saw 27 calls for service, zero arrests and 56 citations issued.

During the mayor’s report, Banham reminded Council members that the meetings are being recorded and posted on YouTube. He continued his report with an update on the lagoon cleanup process. 

The previous week the town had a pre-project meeting with Morrison and Maierle and Olympus companies concerning the cleanup of the old lagoon site. The meeting was to clarify the town’s expectations regarding the cleanup. Completion of the project is expected to be around the end of October.  

Drillers for the new town well are expected to arrive for the project before winter sets in. 

Plains Fire Chief Anthony Young submitted his report to the council.  

“We have good news. We have two new recruits recently. That puts the total number of volunteers up to 11,” he said.  

“The 50/50 raffle at the fairgrounds was a total success. We raised $4,400 for the fire department that night. We sold almost $9,000 worth of tickets in two and half hours.”  

Young said that the red firetruck failed the annual pump test because of an oil leak. A redo of the pump test will happen after the repairs are completed. The firehall still needs repairs including sheetrock replacement and painting.  

Young commented on the Sanders County wide emergency preparedness exercise that took place on Oct. 5.  

“It was a great training. It was multi-agency.,” he said, noted that participation included the hospital, EMS from Thompson Falls and Plains, city and rural fire, and law enforcement from Plains and the county Sheriff’s Office.  

“We did what we wanted to do,” he said. “It was a (simulated) train verses a semi-truck carrying diesel (accident).” 

The public works department is looking at fixing the showers at the pool for next year.  

Both items on the agenda under unfinished business, review of chapter 4 ordinance billing and wellness program were tabled for next month’s consideration.  

During the Planning Board report Corey Booth, board chair, spoke about McGowan’s expansion. McGowan’s will be expanding into the old Mountain West Clothing and Bean Bug locations starting in November.  

Booth also commented on four tiny homes being built near the intersection of McGowan and Hubbard streets.