Moving forward
Dear Editor:
A tip of the hat to Ashley Lodato’s column of June 16. Not only did she bring to the forefront some of the frustrations or quandaries many of us have who have called the Methow Valley home for quite a while (along with her own brand of humor), but she also has asked all of us to examine how we can participate as we move forward as to sustainability. Bravo.
Michael Pruett
Winthrop
‘Restoration’ setbacks
Dear Editor:
In the Methow Valley, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is moving “forward” (?) with “restoration” projects that will open the forest overstory, removing shade from intermittent streams. This will result in earlier snow melt, reduced stream flows and elevated water temperatures in the hotter summer and autumn months. This can only bring a setback to “restoration” efforts to reverse declining spring chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout populations.
Don Johnson
Libby Creek Watershed Association
Wait to sell wood
Dear Editor:
To the valley’s firewood vendors — when we have fire danger this high, it is my opinion that we do not sell campfire wood at stores or from neighborhood vendors. It is not worth the risk. Please take the responsible option of waiting to sell your wood until the fire danger diminishes.
Or offer it up to people who do burn wood in their homes for heat. It is always in short supply.
Kirsten Ostlie
Twisp
Bad review
Dear Editor:
Re the public bathrooms in The Merc Playhouse building: Open all night, never locked. Maybe the town cares less about the property that belongs to our nonprofit live theater but I feel deeply disturbed by the fact that the door was open after 9 p.m. and before 6 a.m. this morning. One would assume that the door was never locked.
After not ever touching it for over two years this is how it’s treated — shameful. If I leave my car on the side of the road for two years it’s considered abandoned and I lose possession.
Why does the town have the right to abuse a nonprofit when they are clearly in breach of contract? Yeah, it’s “clean” enough, as the paper stated — for a 24-hour rest stop! I guess they didn’t notice the boot mark and other drip marks around the door.
I felt semi-neutral before today, now I’m pissed. I actually care about preserving the building, not to mention the public safety factor, and the town clearly does not.
The organization doesn’t even have a key to lock a door on its building. Next time I find the door unlocked I won’t sleep until I track down someone that can lock it up.
An unhappy performance review by concerned citizen and arts lover.
Sharla Lynn
Twisp
Editor’s note: In an email response, Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow said he had overlooked locking the bathroom entrance “as I had been on vacation and it is a very new process.” Budrow said he reviewed security camera footage and did not see anyone entering the restrooms overnight.
