The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Bob- cats aren't always cause for alarm. In the case of Waitsburg's City Crew, the new Bobcat tractor has been a welcome addition to the City Shop.

The shop's '78 Massey tractor was traded in last month, on the purchase of a lightly used Bobcat. The compact tractor has a full cab, air conditioning and had about 275 hours on it when purchased, according to Public Works Director Dan Katsel. It came with a sprayer, brush hog, backhoe, front bucket and forklift implements. "We'll need the forklift for lifting the cardboard bales out at the new compacter," said Katsel. "They'll weigh about 1100 pounds."

The crew has kept the tractor busy and is espe- cially appreciative of its size and maneuverability, which make it ideal for working in the cemetery. "We used to have to shim over the tomb- stones," said Katsel, "but the Bobcat has no trouble maneuvering around them." Katsel is planning to use the tractor to replace a leaking 2" water line inside the Don Thomas building next and is glad to have a piece of equip- ment that will leave a small footprint.