Show your commitment
Dear Editor:
Like all of us, I am saddened by the many homes lost to this summer’s fires. But I am also amazed at the number of homes and cabins that did not burn. I know that a large part of the credit for that goes to the volunteer firefighters of Okanogan County Fire District 6 – our local firefighters.
Time and time again, as the fires spread through this valley, these men and women answered the calls. Day after day, week after week, they left their homes, their families, their jobs, and badly needed sleep to protect us and our property. And they don’t do it for money – although the chief and his staff are paid employees, our volunteer firefighters are paid next to nothing. They do it out of their commitment to you and me; their commitment to this community. I think they are heroes.
And now this community has the opportunity to show our commitment to them. Let’s build them a fire station and training center in the Winthrop area that is safe and serves the needs of a modern fire district. Let’s give them a proper place to train and learn the many skills required of today’s firefighters. Let’s give them a place to clean their equipment and clothing rather than take that contamination home to their families.
Let’s support our local firefighters. Support Proposition 1.
Please do not be misled by the poor choice of words on the ballot. We are being asked to approve an increase of 17.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the Winthrop station and training center. The total of 79 cents in the ballot language includes all funding for the district.
Byron Braden, Carlton
Bad spot for sign
Dear Editor:
I understand that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is planning to place a digital sign that will report road conditions on Highway 20 atop the current “Welcome to Winthrop/Happy Trails” signs near the baseball park. Perhaps such signage is necessary, but must it be placed at the entrance to our town distracting visitors from the current welcoming message?
Because last summer I was concerned that the flowerbeds beneath the signs were full of weeds, I have been planting and maintaining flowers in the planters. I am often out there watering and spraying deer deterrent. Many times I have seen visitors stop at the rustic welcoming signs to take photos to document their visits to our town. Recently a visitor stopped and began to take a photo of the arch/sign on the right coming into town but commented to me that it was too bad that the speed limit monitor was placed so close to the sign and they left without taking the picture. Even I am influenced to slow down by the speed limit monitoring sign. It is a good thing, but does it have to sit so close to our welcoming arches?
Now there is a proposal to add another distracting digital road information sign to what was supposed to be a rustic and welcoming introduction to our town. Couldn’t this sign be placed elsewhere along the highway? Certainly the Westernization Architectural Committee (WAC) would not allow a shop owner to install a flashing digital sign.
I would like to suggest that the Town Council and the WAC meet again with the WSDOT and try to brainstorm other locations for these signs that are indeed of value but should not be competing for attention with signage welcoming visitors to Winthrop.
Louise Stevens, Winthrop
New facility needed
Dear Editor:
We have the deepest gratitude to the crews of Okanogan County Fire District 6 that came on Aug. 1 during the Rising Eagle Road Fire. They stood their ground in an amazing and dangerous firestorm, and saved our home. Their work, and yes, heroism, in this trial was beyond the call of duty, and volunteer duty for many.
We visited the facility in Winthrop last Saturday to thank them, meet the crew and see their equipment. It is a significantly inadequate building for the fire district. The engines barely squeeze in the bays, and there is scant room for storing anything, much less training or getting ready.
The proposed property levy would help fund the building of a new facility on Horizon Flats road.
If we are to be well-served during inevitable future fire, accidents and other emergencies, this facility is needed.
Please vote for the levy to support high-quality fire protection.
Fire is not an if, it is a when.
Ken Bevis, Twisp
After Burn says thanks
Dear Editor:
We would like to take the opportunity to thank the people and businesses that helped donate their time and services to Washington After Burn, a benefit show for the victims of the Carlton Complex Fire and the slides that took place on Sept. 19 and 20. With limited advertising and virtually no overhead costs, we were able to meet our goal and raised $1,016 in donations to give to The Cove Food Bank. Without the help and generosity of the following individuals, businesses and organizations, this event wouldn’t have been possible: Jeremiah Fosness, Corey Schmidt, Larry Smith, Rob and Sue Risley, Ron and Lucy Bryson, Brandon Oosterhof, Jimmy and Tracy Gariano, Stephen Shiles, Brandon Ferreira, Beverly Ferreira, Harmony Ferreira, Destiny Ferreira, Dawson McCoy, Alex Sandoval, Lawrence Chatman, Nolan Loucks, Kristin Hosler, Aaron Studen and the Twisp River Pub, The Methow Valley Community Center, Pumpco of Okanogan, Hank Konrad and Hank’s Harvest Foods, Laurie Dowie, Jennifer Zbyszewski, Virginia Hammer and the rest The Methow Valley Ranger District. It was a privilege to be able to host an event like this and hopefully we can do it again next year!
Lindsey Bryson, Michael Broussard, Washington After Burn
