Town to join lobbying effort

The La Conner Town Council agreed to contribute $500 to fund a coalition of small municipalities that will lobby state legislators to provide money for costly infrastructure repairs.

Mayor Ramon Hayes said officials with City of Shelton, astounded at the cost of repairs to that city’s water and sewer system, asked other municipal governments to join them in hiring lobbyists to advocate for grant money and low-interest loans to help fund vital infrastructure.

Hayes said the cities have pooled about $27,000 for the effort, with their contributions based on their populations. Tiny La Conner could buy in for $500, he said, and the council voted unanimously to do so.