Clearing up the wording
Dear Editor:
Okanogan County Fire District 6 has received a few calls from citizens about our ballot measure to build a new Winthrop fire station. The wording of the proposition on the Okanogan County Auditor’s website, which will appear on the November election ballot, is causing some confusion.
You currently pay 61.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for fire protection service. Voters are being asked to approve a levy lid lift for an additional 17.5 cents for 20 years to build the new station. The 79 cents, which will be on your election ballot, represents the combined rate that would start being collected in 2015.
I hope this helps clarify what is written on your election ballot. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions at 997-2981 or dwaller@okanogancountyfd6.com.
Don Waller, Chief, Okanogan County Fire District 6
Ensuring our safety
Dear Editor:
We have had the privilege of seeing the firefighters of our Okanogan County Fire District 6 at work protecting our own property and that of others. We believe we are very fortunate to have so many able and dedicated people in our community who will devote so much of their time to the safety of all of our citizens. They often put their own lives and well-being at risk.
We believe that 17.5 cents per $1,000 of property is a very small price to pay to see that our firefighters have an adequate fire station, one that will be up to code and will provide a safe environment for the fire fighters and adequate space for the necessary equipment.
We ask all eligible voters to come out on election day and to vote yes on Okanogan County Fire District Proposition 1. Voting yes will help to ensure the safety of our community and property.
Lynette Westendorf, Richard Hart, Winthrop
Not the time
Dear Editor:
In 2008 the residents of Okanogan County Fire District 6 voted against a new fire hall for Winthrop. They voted against it because the need was not made clear.
There are 14 fire districts in Okanogan County. The other 13 fire districts combined operate on an annual budget of $753,449. Fire District 6’s 2014 budget was $724,242 and now they are asking for more than $200,000 in addition.
Building a $4.4 million fire hall northwest of Winthrop without proper planning for the future will not help the lower valley and use up all revenues for the next 20 years.
It’s time to be inclusive with the towns of Winthrop and Twisp. They do not have a vote in this matter and their citizens are going to be involved in paying for this for 20 years.
Let’s start with proper planning that includes all of the Methow Valley. Now is not the time. Vote no on Proposition 1.
Mike Port, Twisp
Grateful for help
Dear Editor:
We want to thank the men who helped us out during the mudslide on the side of a hill where we were trapped with about eight other locals. We are very grateful that they saw to it that the mud got plowed off the road and timber was cut up and removed. It all took several hours. We were on our way home to Wisconsin from a vacation, traveling through the Twisp area, when mudslides occurred after a summer of fires and that evening’s downpours.
It was early evening when this happened. The moral of our story is to never travel in unknown territory at dusk, but get a room early. As it was, when we finally were off the hill and out of danger, we had to drive back to other towns to find a room at midnight. This occurred about Aug. 21. We consider ourselves very lucky to get home to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Wisconsin.
Bob and Barb Marin, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Don’t dump on us
Dear Editor,
This morning my dog and I donned our hunter orange and headed out for the hills. We went jogging along an old familiar trail enjoying the beautiful morning.
We passed several friendly hunters, some of them dragging a huge buck behind them — a successful hunt!
Then I began to see it — three times to be exact, right next to the well-worn trail — human excrement and piles of used toilet paper.
Now, I know every living being must relieve itself. And I know these hunters start early, perhaps fueling their day with lots of bowel-stimulating coffee. Suddenly one might find oneself having “to go” pretty bad out in the middle of nowhere. What should one do? Simply drop your drawers and poop next to the trail or:
• walk a distance away from the trail.
• carry and small shovel or trowel and dig a small hole, easily burying the evidence.
• pack it out — carry a small bag just like people do with their dog feces in cities.
• If you don’t have a shovel, use a stick or flip over a rock that made a hole. Cover your feces.
• Remember to do your business at least 200 feet from any water source.
• If possible, pack out your toilet paper in a baggie.
Human feces carry more than 100 types of bacteria, protozoans and viruses that cause illness including giardia.
Also, many dogs like to eat human excrement if they can get ahold of it.
I’d also like to say that is just down right disgusting to see human poop and paper out in the open like that.
While you are visiting our beautiful valley please remember that while you may feel like where you are is remote and nobody ever goes there, you are probably wrong.
We are a valley of people who hike, bike, run and ride our horses over every hill and dale. I think I can speak for most residents when I say we would prefer to see our hills free of human feces and the paper trail left with it.
Please carry a small shovel or pack it out.
Consider this a sincere etiquette tip.
Emily Post, Twisp
Acts of kindness
Dear Editor:
I’d like to tell you about our Saturday, a day filled with tragedy and what Robert and I call “God” winks of compassion, unbridled acts of human kindness.
Around 10 a.m., my daughter Robin and I drove down Witte Road, where we found our beloved collie, Leo, by the side of the road being comforted by a delightful young man, Cory, recently hired by the Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife. Cory witnessed a driver rush down the hill toward Winthrop, strike our dog and drive away.
As Leo was struggling in the road, Cory was shocked by all the drivers swerving to miss Leo but not stopping to help him. Cory, however, stopped and took Leo to the side of the road. He comforted Leo, took off his collar and called all three local veterinarians.
I had time to stroke my beautiful dog’s head and thank him for being our puppy for 10 years, and tell him that he was the best dog in the world, and to remind him of how very much we love him, before he closed his eyes. Our family took our boy home and buried him in a place of honor in our garden. Cory was our “God” wink to remind us how lovely people in our world can be.
Later, Robert and I headed towards Spokane for a dinner with close friends and a comforting evening enjoying the fine music of the Spokane Symphony. On the way, we suddenly blew out the right front tire.
As Robert struggled with the lug nuts, I learned that AAA’s road assistance would take about two hours to reach us. As I looked up, a large pickup with three strapping young hunters pulled in ahead of us. Within minutes they had the tire changed. They gave us huge bear hugs all around. Again, “God” winks for us in our time of sadness.
Our day taught us that we have so much to be thankful for, even though we painfully feel the loss of Leo. Our “God” winks reminded to focus on those wonderful acts of human kindness. It is what makes our world go around.
Charlotte Nelson, Winthrop
