Not funny
Dear Editor:
I was shocked and saddened to see the political cartoon by Len Baublitz in last week’s paper. In this day and age of increasing political hatred and violence, let’s not encourage it. A raging mob attacking a dam because it is named Nancy Pelosi is not funny.
Kathy Goldberg
Twisp
Resolve access issue
Dear Editor:
I want to add some information to Mark Miller’s letter regarding the Methow Housing Trust’s (MHT) proposed development (Cascade Meadows North) next to the Cascade Condominiums on State Highway 20.
First, to be clear, I live in the Cascade Condominiums. My wife and I along with many of our neighbors support the MHT’s plan to provide affordable housing in this location. We definitely do not oppose MHT’s plan, but do feel that there has not been enough attention to some of the details of the plan. In my mind it is clearly the Town of Winthrop’s responsibility to address and resolve to everyone’s satisfaction any and all issues before approving the development.
Foremost in our thinking is that there has not been sufficient attention to the impacts of traffic. The impacts due to an increase in traffic will be realized primarily at two locations: the intersection of Rabbit House Road and Highway 20 and along the main road through Cascade Condominiums, which is currently the only access to Cascade Condominiums and as proposed will be the only access to the Cascade Meadows North development.
From our perspective, MHT has given little or no consideration to the following:
• Currently there are 33 residences using Rabbit House Road. When Cascade Meadows North and other developments currently underway are completed, there will be approximately 108 residences using that access/egress.
• With build-out, Cascade Meadows North as proposed will have by far the highest residential density in Winthrop.
• There are no public roads in this area and none are proposed.
• The access investigation that was performed on behalf of MHT has math errors and dubious assumptions that cast doubt on its credibility.
All these issues may be resolved if the Town of Winthrop/MHT includes an additional access/egress point to Cascade Meadows North using the existing easement on the north side of the development. I understand that such construction might be challenging, but it is the right thing to do for the safety of all residents.
Harry Hall
Winthrop
Getting worse
Dear Editor:
The recent TwispWorks study is not really new news. In 1998, a local study was completed that showed similar statistics. Average family income generated in the valley: $19,300; generated outside the valley, just over $67,000. It’s dismaying that the numbers are proportionally even worse now.
Carolanne Steinebach
Twisp
