By Don Nelson
The intersection of White Avenue and Norfolk Road could be called Winthrop’s hot corner. News seems to happen there.
Little Star Montessori School’s new building is in the northeast quadrant of the unassuming intersection, its construction a major feel-good story in itself.
The Winthrop Town Council has authorized Mayor Sally Ranzau to negotiate the purchase of a parcel immediately south of the school, across Norfolk Road, as the site for a new public library — another feel-good story (see related article on page A1).
More-complicated issues arise at that corner as well.
Little Star was initially involved in a request to modify the town’s Westernization code to loosen restrictions on solar arrays. That issue, whose scope had broadened, is still working its way through the Town Council.
The Susie Stephens Trail pedestrian crosswalk at White Avenue is back in the headlines because of safety concerns. The trail runs between Little Star and the proposed library site.
The designated library lot is part of a larger parcel that has been under consideration as the new site for an Okanogan County Fire District 6 fire station. The town took action first.
And, all of the above are within the unintentionally controversial W-3 business zone — which is covered under the town’s Westernization code related to building appearances. Possible changes in the code are what the Town Council will soon be considering.
White/Norfolk is an interesting policy intersection as well.
The Westernization code changes are expected to spell out guidelines for solar arrays in the W-3 district — which could affect many properties owners in the area, including Little Star and nearby Winthrop Physical Therapy & Fitness.
The Susie Stephens Trail crosswalk turned contentious a year ago because of a dispute over whether flashing caution lights should be allowed. They weren’t, because of concerns about how the lights would clash with Westernization esthetics, but the question has come up again.
One concern District 6 had about the possible fire station site was that the building would be required to meet Westernization design and materials requirement, adding to the construction expense.
Under the current Westernization ordinance, a new library building would be exempt from Westernization requirements, as are all town facilities. But eliminating that exemption will be part of the upcoming Town Council discussion about code changes.
It wasn’t that long ago that the biggest problems on White Avenue were the persistent potholes.
It seems that the street is destined to get more use and hence more attention. Completion of the Susie Stephens trail will increase recreational traffic, and attendant safety worries. A new library would bring many more vehicles. Already, the nearby Winthrop Town Trailhead draws lots of people — some of them parking there to use the Winthrop Rink.
Everything happening, or possibly happening, at the White/Norfolk hot corner has a high likelihood for positively affecting the town. Some discussion will be involved to ensure good outcomes where the streets meet. Fortunately, everyone knows exactly where that is.
Full report
The story behind a complicated story is often complicated in itself. Such was the case last week with the article about a state agency’s order revoking the police officer certification of Winthrop Marshal Dan Tindall.
The whole thing seemed to come out of nowhere, although it clearly had to have been in process at the state Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC), which certifies the state’s peace officers. It seemingly flew under just about everyone’s radar, including ours.
It’s not like the issue was hidden from view or secretive. Information about the case is on the CJTC website. The CJTC administrative hearing in October, when the revocation order was decided, was open to the public. Anyone could have attended.
The CJTC’s revocation order itself was easily obtainable. After I learned about the revocation order I made two public records requests (to the town and to the CJTC) for a copy of the document. Both the town and the commission sent me a copy within 20 minutes. Again, anyone else could have done the same thing, with the same results.
Then the question was, what to do with it? I felt that we had to report the story thoroughly because the details were so readily accessible, and I didn’t want us to be accused of sweeping it under the rug and leaving it to the rumor mill. I relied on the public record. At the same time, the story needed the context of our previous reporting about the marshal’s hiring and his impact in a community that has come to appreciate his presence. Real news is rarely easy.
