Support transit system
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the informative article about Proposition 1 and the Okanogan County transit system. We at The Cove Methow Valley Food Bank have seen first-hand the need of transportation for our seniors, low-income and conservation-minded patrons.
For years, The Cove has been engaged in trying to provide transportation locally, to Omak, Pateros and Wenatchee, especially for medical and social services. The volunteer drivers face many challenges due to liabilities, economics and time constraints. A system of county-wide transportation would be helpful in providing services, especially employment, medical, educational and social services.
As the Methow Valley town representatives have joined together in the district [transportation] committee, they have stated that “one of the biggest factors in people being able to improve their lot in life is access to transportation.” Please join us in voting “yes” on Proposition 1 for a county-wide transportation system.
Glenn Schmekel, The Cove board of directors, Twisp
Sad to see
Dear Editor:
As I read the article “Advisory committee works to promote Winthrop tourism” (Oct. 9), I became very sad. Sad because only one person showed up to comment at the capital facilities public hearing. Great job, Kristen Smith.
I spent many years as a chamber member and secretary/treasurer of that great organization. My husband spent 14 years on the council and westernization committee for the town. This was all done when Highway 20 first opened and the town changed its storefronts.
Reading about the upcoming public projects also made me sad. At the beginning of the “new” town (1972), Winthrop was to be depicting a town of 1890 to 1910-ish. Everything done was put up to that standard. Everyone (not just one person) would ask themselves, “was that what a town of 1890 would look like? Would the town have that name/color/design in 1890?”
In my thoughts, not many 1890 towns would qualify with the upcoming projects. The only carved figure found in an 1890s town might be a wooden Indian in front of the tobacco store. The Indian would not be carved with a chainsaw. If the wooden marshal at Town Hall is the “most-photographed item in town,” it says to me the beautiful storefronts have become pretty crappy and are no longer attractive.
I don’t doubt that both projects are very well done and excellent craftsmanship. But were they found in a western 1890s town? I don’t care if it’s Dollywood, Mollywood or Hollywood, I see the fight against the Knott’s Berry Farm syndrome has been lost. As someone who still cares for the town, that’s what makes me the saddest.
Carol A. Lester, Winthrop
A business vote for Filer
Dear Editor:
I have known and worked with Dwight Filer for the past 18 years since moving to Twisp and starting a business here. We do not agree on everything but Dwight always listens and thinks about what is being discussed and, in my experience, then makes decisions that are in the best interest of the community.
Dwight and I agree on the government’s responsibilities to the community and the need of each citizen to participate in order to make it work. You only have to look at our federal government today to see dysfunction and personal priorities being more important than community responsibility. Dwight works and lives in this community and will do a good job for all of us.
Terry Larson, proprietor, Methow Valley Inn, Twisp
Real food option
Dear Editor:
Regarding Initiative 522: Monsanto is running an expensive ad campaign that compromises your right to know what you eat and where it comes from. Labeling genetically modified food is the only option to consider. If you feel it is fine for you to eat genetically modified products, go ahead. The ad campaign makes it seem like you’re going to pay so much for the label when in reality the Monsanto company doesn’t want to compromise their monopoly on food, seeds and farming. Do the research. Why do they sue farmers when their genetically modified seed gets into a neighbor’s field? Our ancestors ate real food that grew in good dirt and lived healthy lives. Vote yes on I-522.
Kirsten Ostlie, Twisp
Saddened and surprised
Dear Editor:
I am saddened and surprised at the editorial two weeks ago (Oct. 9). Many fought and died for our two-party system. The Founding Fathers were so afraid of a government of one party, that they wrote our country’s sacred documents to ensure the rights of people to have a difference of opinions.
Mr. Nelson is certainly entitled to his views, as are we all.
However, for the editor of our paper to resort to name calling—“Obama-haters and scorched-earth zealots” and “the extremist ideological posturings of the Republicans who have caused it. And make no misstake, they caused” was inappropriate.
Please note that a great part of your readership does not agree with Obama politics. Does he not have any culpability in this matter? Maybe it is a reluctance of both sides of the congressional aisle to compromise. To say one party has the truth and the other the evil party screams against the two party system which sets our country apart from those with single party dictators.
An enlightened reader will note that all fault does not lay at the Republican’s feet. Some believe raising the debt limit and printing more money is not in the long-term interest of our country’s financial future. When President Obama took office our national debt was $10 trillion. It is now $17.8 trillion. How refreshing to someday elect officials who honor campaign promises to lower the debt and our dependence on China, who owns the largest amount of that debt. One pundit quipped, “if we went to war with China, who would pay for it?”
Further I was surprised at Mr. Nelson’s statement: “fire cannon down Riverside and Glover Street … and turn everything over to the ATV riders.” This is another statement of bias and name-calling.
Name-calling is not allowed in our schools and should not be in this paper. As the only paper for our community, such vehemence against those with opposing views is unacceptable. This finger pointing does not help the sorrow felt by us all during this shutdown.
Susie Heller, Winthrop
No on I-517
Dear Editor:
Don’t be fooled by the summary of Initiative 517 in the voters’ pamphlet, which implies that this is a measure that will give all citizens more voice in state government. It won’t! This initiative makes it easier to gather signatures to get initiatives on the ballot, which sounds good. In reality, initiatives are often submitted by big corporations and out-of-state interests that pay people to gather signatures for initiatives that favor their interests. I-517 is also designed to increase the profits of people who write and promote initiatives, like Tim Eyman.
Under I-517, signature gathering would be allowed inside (or outside) all public buildings, including libraries and at public school events, and directly in front of store entrances and exits. Business owners could not protect customers from aggressive signature gatherers. Most complaints to the Secretary of State about signature gathering have been from citizens and businesses being harassed by signature gatherers, not by those trying to get signatures. Vote no on I-517.
Melanie Rowland, Twisp
Thanks for inspiration
Dear Editor:
We are so fortunate to have a great connection with Dr. Richard Rapport, clinical professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery and Department of Global Health at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Rapport has been instrumental in setting up an outreach education program with emergency responders and health care professionals in the Methow Valley.
This year, joining Aero Methow Rescue EMTs and paramedics were Kathleen Manseau, RNP, and Erica White, RN, from Methow Valley Family Practice and Mark Love, DC, from Methow Valley Chiropractic.
This year, chief residents Michelle Chowdary and Ryan Morton were our guest speakers. Dr. Morton spoke about traumatic brain injuries and vascular neurosurgery and Dr. Chowdary discussed cervical spinal injuries. Dr. Rapport, our local liaison and friend, talked about the biological basis of memory. Leading the afternoon session was our own locally grown and now national speaker Shaughn Maxwell, captain of Snohomish County Fire District 1, paramedic and medical service officer. Shaughn gave a very motivating and informative lecture on the purpose of our job, use of checklists and the current status of the development of the Community Paramedic Program (a new level of training and service).
We all left inspired, informed, educated and motivated to continue to provide quality care here in the Methow Valley. We extend a very special thank you to Shaughn Maxwell and Drs. Rapport, Chowdary and Morton and for traveling over the mountains and keeping us current and in touch with new developments.
We are very grateful.
Cindy Button, paramedic/director of service, Aero Methow Rescue Service, Twisp
