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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM (Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday) REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: gOCC REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: CEMANELL CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: CEMAN ELL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ❑YES ® NO DATE: 5/5/2026 PHONE: 2931 ❑Agreement / Contract ❑AP Vouchers ❑Appointment / Reappointment ❑ARPA Related ❑ Bids / RFPs / Quotes Award ❑ Bid Opening Scheduled ❑ Boards / Committees ❑ Budget ❑ Computer Related ❑ County Code ❑ Emergency Purchase ❑ Employee Rel. ❑ Facilities Related ❑ Financial ❑ Funds ❑ Hearing ❑ Invoices / Purchase Orders ❑ Grants — Fed/State/County ❑ Leases ❑ MOA / MOU ❑ Minutes ❑ Ordinances ❑ Out of State Travel ❑ Petty Cash ❑ Policies ❑ Proclamations ❑ Request for Purchase ❑ Resolution ❑ Recommendation ❑ Professional Serv/Consultant 0 Support Letter [:]Surplus Req. ❑Tax Levies ❑Thank You's ❑Tax Title Property ❑WSLCB 1= im - --- I ------- ------ - Letter of Support for the 70th Anniversary of the Lawrence Welk Show If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? ❑ YES ❑ NO Fm_1 N/A If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? ❑ YES ❑ NO 0 N/A DATE OF ACTION: ,S = DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO: APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN D1: D2: D3: 4/23/24 WITHDRAWN: o , Outlook Request for Letter of Support from the Grant County Board of County Commissioners Re: Lawrence Welk Show 70th Anniversary From Scott Wheeler <wheelerscott77@yahoo.com> Date Sat 4/25/2026 7:58 PM To Commissioners <commissioners@grantcountywa.gov>; Barbara Vasquez <bvasquez@grantcountywa.gov> **EXTERNAL EMAIL* This email originated from outside Grant County's network. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello, My name is Scott Wheeler, I am 38, live in Tallahassee, Florida and would like to see if it is possible to have an item placed on the agenda for an upcoming county council meeting: to request a letter of support for my project regarding Lawrence Welk and the 70th Anniversary of "The Lawrence Welk Show"s national debut. Welk was a longtime national television and musical celebrity known among other things for patriotism, family friendly entertainment, his show's performance of music from a variety of genres, including Country, Polka, Jazz, and Patriotic, and he performed at a 1957 Presidential inaugural ball for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This year is the 70th Anniversary of "The Lawrence Welk Show"'s national debut (July 2, 1955), its original run was more than 25 years, and repeats shown to this day in many states across America. Washington has a direct, long time connection to the show: the late Norma Zimmer who was born in Larson, Idaho, and grew up from age two in Seattle, Washington, part of the show more than twenty years and one of the show's popular performers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norma Zimmer . Since beginning in January 2025, there have been letters of support/proclamations/resolutions approved by county commissions/equivalents across 22 states: (GA, FL, AL, MS, NC, NY, ND, SD, KS, NE, UT, MN, IA, MO, MI, OH, IN, PA, WV, MD, NH, ME including Detroit, MI's Wayne County, Winston-Salem, NC's Forsyth County, Tampa, FL's Hillsborough County, Cleveland, OH's Cuyahoga County, and Montgomery, AL's Montgomery County) in some way commemorating the anniversary from former Congressman Collin Peterson who was chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, the respective native counties of Lawrence Welk (Emmons County, ND), his wife Fern (Morton County, ND), and Myron Floren (Day County, SD) as well as Floren's hometown of Roslyn, the city (Abilene, Kansas) and county where President Eisenhower grew up, (Dickinson, KS) the Agriculture Department and Division of Performing Arts respectively at North Dakota State University, the National FFA Organization, the Northarvest Bean Growers Association, and other organizations. Myron Floren, one of the show's biggest stars performed with the US® during World War 11 and was honored by the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in 1971. I care about this in part because I am the third generation in my family to watch the show as my mother grew up watching it in Pennsylvania my grandfather, and I have had many opportunities to watch repeats here in Florida. When she would watch the show, sometimes when the tap dancer Arthur Duncan performed, she would go in the kitchen and pretend to tap dance. On my father's side by way of his parents (he was born in Florida), I have Midwestern heritage and my grandmother on that side grew up on a farm in Juda, Wisconsin. In addition to enjoying the variety of music on the show, it's an impressive feat that the show was on television more than a quarter century originally, and then over 40 years later repeats are still shown in many states; a national treasure, and the show should be treasured as a positive, significant contribution to the nation. Please find below a draft letter of support text that can be modified if desired, and I am happy call into a meeting whether by phone or video to be available to try to answer any questions anyone may have (this is optional).When I started, the focus was on honoring Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren during the 70th Anniversary, but I decided later this could be a great opportunity to include the cast overall as well. If you have any questions please let me know. I am happy to provide letters, resolutions, etc so far received. Please know I am not requesting any money from the council. Ultimately, the goal is national, I am reaching out to all 50 states and believe for these and other reasons it would be both relevant and an honor if I can include Grant County, Washington as part of this nationwide goal in America's 250th year. Thank you. Sincerely, Scott A. Wheeler, Jr. (850) 728-7618 Tallahassee, Florida Draft Letter of Support We, the Grant County, Washington County Commission are happy to support your efforts in Washington and nationwide to raise awareness of and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of "The Lawrence Welk Show"'s national debut; and the positive contributions to American culture and television of Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, and the cast and staff of the "Lawrence Welk Show" from across America who made positive contributions, and believe these contributions are worthy of recognition by way of a resolution by both houses of the United States Congress. The stories of both men, each sons of Midwestern farmers are examples of what someone from anywhere in America can achieve with perseverance.We are proud of Idaho's connection to "The Lawrence Welk Show" by way of its long time "Champagne Lady" Norma Zimmer who was born in Larson, Idaho and grew up in Seattle, Washington. "The Lawrence Welk Show" played a variety of genres including Country, Jazz, Polka, and Patriotic, included tap and other dancing, and sought to be family friendly entertainment. It's original run including syndication was more than a quarter century (1955-1982), and repeats are still regularly aired across much of America. We respect Lawrence Welk and "The Lawrence Welk Show", and recognize its long lasting contribution to American music and culture, hope it and his memory will continue to be treasured and handed down to future generations, and that he and the show will be a source of unity and inspiration for Washingtonians and other Americans. Sincerely, Here is the draft text of my proclamation proposal, of course it can be modified. Whereas, July 2nd, 2025 marked the beginning of the 70th Anniversary of the national debut of "The Lawrence Welk Show" on television; a show which aimed at family friendly variety in acts and music which spanned numerous genres such as Country, Jazz, Pop, Polka, and Patriotic, and a long time, prominent performer of the show, Norma Zimmer was born in Larson, Idaho and grew up in Seattle, Washington Whereas, Lawrence Welk, a native of Strasburg, North Dakota took to the national stage values and love for music that started like crops in North Dakota soil and the harvest benefited generations of Americans during times of war and peace, prosperity and difficulty allowing an opportunity for Americans across regions and backgrounds to come together for an hour for a common shared experience.. Whereas, Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren were each the sons of Midwestern farmers, and as first generation Americans with sincere gratitude and love of country, took advantage of the opportunities America offers and in so doing have made it a better place through sharing their gifts. The success stories of Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren are among the examples of how far Americans from anywhere in America can go with hard work and perseverance. Whereas, repeats of "The Lawrence Welk Show" are still aired regularly across America in a number of states. Whereas, his aim at family friendly entertainment is an example of a worthy goal in any generation as is the idea of bringing together quality from the past and present. NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Grant County, Washington County Commission do hereby extend our congratulations for the 70th Anniversary of "The Lawrence Welk Show"'s national debut. As we celebrate our country's 250 year history, we proudly support keeping his legacy alive for future generations to enjoy, including raising awareness of the 70th Anniversary, the positive contributions to American culture of Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, and the cast and staff of "The Lawrence Welk Show" who made positive contributions, including the goal of congressional (House and Senate) resolutions to this effect. GRANT COUNTY O FFiCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P O Box 37 EPHRATA WA 9BB23 (509) 754-201 1 May 12, 2026 Scott Wheeler, Tallahassee, Florida RE: Lawrence Welk Show, 701h Anniversary Dear Mr. Wheeler, We, the Board of Commissioners of Grant County, Washington are happy to support your efforts in Washington and nationwide to raise awareness of and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of "The Lawrence Welk Show's national debut; and the positive contributions to American culture and television of Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, and the cast and staff of the "Lawrence Welk Show" from across .America who made positive contributions, and believe these contributions are worthy of recognition by way of a resolution by both houses of the United States Congress. The stories of both men, each sons of Midwestern farmers are examples of what someone from anywhere in America can achieve with perseverance. We are proud of Idaho's connection to "The Lawrence Welk Show" by way of its Long time "Champagne Lady" Norma Zimmer who was born in Larson, Idaho and grew up in Seattle, Washington. "The Lawrence Welk Show" played a variety of genres including Country, Jazz, Polka, and Patriotic, including tap and other dancing, and sought to be family friendly entertainment. Its original run including syndication was more than a quarter century (1955-1982), and repeats are still regularly aired across much of America. We respect Lawrence Welk and "The Lawrence Welk Show" and recognize its long-lasting contribution to American music and culture, hope it and his memory will continue to be treasured and handed down to future generations, and that he and the show will be a source of unity and inspiration for Washingtonians and other Americans. Thank you for your leadership in preserving and promoting this important chapter of American entertainment history. Please accept our best wishes for the continued success of your efforts. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Kevin R. Burgcg,Chair Kevin R. Burgess District 1 (Rob , Vice -Chair Rob Jones District 2 f f Cindy C6ter, Member Cindy Carter District 3 "TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDSy SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES9 WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."