2017-03-16 Meeting with PacMtnMeeting with PacMtn
March 16, 2017
Start time – 3:30
Attendees: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Bob Guenther,
Jim Larson, Jason Reid, Ann , Cheryl (timberland), Cheryl Fambles, Peter Lahman, Mark Sullivan,
Sean Murphy
Recorder: Rachel Hunt
Commissioner Stamper began the meeting with introductions.
Jim Larson gave an overview of the organizational structure of PacMtn.
Cheryl Fambles dispersed a handout addressing the PacMtn strategic plan. PacMtn is one of 12
councils throughout the state.
Cheryl (timberland) discussed current committees she is on and how they relate to PacMtn.
Furthermore, they are asking residents within the five counties in the PacMtn what they would
like to see within the workforce as a whole. She mentioned current innovative projects
Timberland Libraries are working on. The current project is in Pacific County.
Ann with employment security- discussed the future, the needs, and services of Worksource in
Lewis County.
Peter Lahman also added WorkSource provides job recruitment services as well.
Commissioner Stamper asked about the potential for using Centralia College East to work with
WorkSource.
Jim Larson added Morningside will be working with the school districts in Lewis County to help
students with disabilities.
Commissioner Stamper added there is a gap within school districts in regards to kids with
disabilities getting into the work force.
Jason Reid added his office works on eligibility for TANF state benefits. He added an overview on
what applicants for TANF benefits are required to do while receiving state benefits to work
towards gainful employment.
Commissioner Fund added that the service model for larger areas doesn’t always work for Lewis
County.
Bob Guenther discussed the time he has spent on the PacMtn Board. He also added he thinks
adding Timberland Regional Library to PacMtn has been extremely beneficial. He says his
emphasis on the board is education.
Cheryl (timberland) added Timberland has subscribed to two ELearning programs.
Pete Lahman- added apprenticeship is an individual sport. To have that apprenticeship there has
to be a job. He reiterated the board is balanced in terms of job experience.
Bob Guenther added Cheryl Fambles is an integral person of the Discovery Teams in Lewis
County.
Cheryl Fambles transitioned the discussion to forest products industry. Through various
discussions it was discovered there were not enough log truck drivers currently within the
industry. She continued to discuss current unemployment rates and the five counties in the
PacMtn being higher than the national average of 5%. Cheryl also mentioned a future meeting
with Representative Jaime Herrera-Beutler.
Meeting recessed at 4:35 p.m.