Angus Ranch ideas include golf

Sandpoint Developer Ralph Sletager has purchased the Angus Ranch at the base of Schweitzer Mountain and is considering future uses for the property, including a golf course.

“We think it’s a really good piece of property, and since I live out there, I didn’t want to see a high density subdivision go in,” Sletager said Wednesday.

A map, with an 18-hole golf course and housing units, has been circulating around town. But the concept is still preliminary, according to Sletager. The map encompasses about 350 acres, and would require adjacent neighbors buying into the idea, he said.

“We’re looking at whether a golf course would fit there, and what the neighbors would think,” he said.

With the purchase of the ranch, Sletager controls 175 acres at the mountain’s base. Some of the land borders Sandpoint’s city limits, and some borders Ponderay’s city limits. Both cities need land for residential development, he said.

Division off-ramps to close tonight

Interstate 90 drivers take note.

The Division Street off-ramps in Spokane will be closed tonight at 8 and remain closed until 6 a.m. Friday. The closures are necessary to make way for paving at Division Street and Third Avenue.

Also today, Qwest repair work at Third Avenue and Maple Street will require the closure of some lanes on Maple for about two hours, starting at 8 p.m.

Spokane Symphony names new director

The Spokane Symphony on Wednesday named Brenda Nienhouse, who has been an administrator for several arts organizations in Michigan, as its new executive director.

She replaces John Hancock, who left in September for a position with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Nienhouse, most recently president and CEO of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra in Muskegon, Mich., has a master’s degree in woodwind performance from the University of Michigan.

As an American Symphony Orchestra League Orchestra Management Fellow, she worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She also has been an arts management consultant since 1990 and developed a national music program in Nicaragua.

She starts her Spokane job on June 28.

“We are excited about the strategic vision and experience Brenda Nienhouse brings to the Spokane Symphony,” Bill Simer, president of the symphony’s board, said in a press statement.

“As an ASOL Fellow she received valuable training,” Simer said. “She has proven to be a strong leader in strategic, production, education, outreach, personnel and artistic matters.”

The hiring of Nienhouse completes the turnover at the top of the symphony’s management team over the past year. Music Director Eckart Preu just finished his first season with the orchestra.

Following a national search, Nienhouse was selected by a committee made up of symphony board members and musicians along with Preu.

STA approves one-year contract for new CEO

E. Susan Meyer is officially Spokane Transit Authority’s CEO.

The STA Board of Directors unanimously approved Wednesday a one-year contract with Meyer, who will be paid $109,000 a year to lead the agency.

The contract calls for a six-month performance review, and also gives Meyer 18 days of combined sick leave and vacation.

Meyer, who has never worked for a transit agency, said Wednesday that she has two weeks of meetings scheduled with STA employees to begin her “immersion” into the world of transit in general, and STA in particular. She doesn’t plan any immediate changes at STA.