Artist of waterfront mural in Maple Hall will be honored

You can’t help but notice the striking mural of the La Conner waterfront that’s a permanent fixture at Maple Hall.

Christi King, who until recently co-owned Tillinghast Postal & Business Center, and Town of La Conner officials agreed to work toward developing a plaque commemorating the mural and presenting it to painter Bob Patterson, who now resides in Snohomish County.

King spoke at the June 28 town council meeting. She offered to cover its costs, but Mayor Ramon Hayes, a longtime admirer of Patterson’s work, insisted the Town do so.

King and Hayes said Patterson spent about 700 hours working on the mural, which depicts the La Conner waterfront as it appeared in 2014.

“It’s a rendition of the town from the waterfront side,” said Hayes. “When you look at the level of detail, it’s truly a masterpiece.”

King said the mural represents the passion Patterson feels for La Conner.

“I really feel we need to honor him,” she said.

Councilmember Mary Wohleb suggested the arts commission play a role in the process.

Public Works Director Brian Lease offered brief updates of the Town’s six year transportation improvement plan and the storm water capital improvement plan, each through 2028. He noted some of the projects have been listed for 20 years and are not ranked.

La Conner residents Linda Talman and Dan O’Donnell, meanwhile, made the case for the Town to prepare more extensive minutes reflecting council meetings. Talman said that would be of great aid to future generations researching the town’s history and others, like herself, who request access to documents related to pressing current events and issues.

Hayes and council members received those comments without making a response.

In other business, Councilmember Marylee Chamberlain was unanimously installed as mayor pro tem for the next six months. She will serve as the lead executive in the mayor’s absence.

Chamberlain said the facilities committee studied the prospect of mounting security cameras along Commercial Street, which was scene of recent vehicle vandalism, but determined the cost outweighs potential benefits.

“It doesn’t pan out as hugely beneficial,” she said.

Additionally, Wohleb said necessary repairs to the fish slide at Conner Waterfront Park will be made by volunteers, but the project “might be quite a while” before it is completed.

She confirmed the Town had submitted a grant application for the proposed Maple Avenue Park, but no word has yet been received as to whether it has been accepted.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas summarized the process for placing item on the council meeting agenda. He said residents wishing to have a topic discussed in an open meeting are invited to contact either himself or a council member with the agenda request.