MVCC annual meeting
The Methow Valley Citizens Council hosts its annual members’ meeting (non-members also welcomed) on Thursday (June 29) from 4:30-7 p.m. at the organization’s office, 305 East Methow Highway, Twisp. Scott and Amy Fitkin will talk about co-existing with wildlife.
B2G Compost appeal hearing
Okanogan County Hearing Examiner Dan Beardslee will hear an appeal from B2G Compost owner Kate Wynne in July regarding the county’s requirement that she erect a wooden or slatted chain-link security fence around her compost facility.
B2G plans to process fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, spent grains, wood chips and sawdust in aerated composting bins at the facility at the end of Horizon Flats Road in Winthrop.
Okanogan County added the fencing requirement after receiving public comments about the B2G proposal, the majority raising concerns about odor, noise and visual impacts. Some commenters worried about safety risks associated with the facility.
Wynne has proposed an alternative that she says would address concerns raised by the county and members of the public — constructing an electric fence around the composting bins to exclude bears and erecting berms or hedges that would screen the facility without blocking wildlife.
Evidence will be presented at the hearing by Wynne and by Okanogan County.
The appeal hearing is Thursday, July 13, at 10 a.m. in the commissioners’ hearing room in Okanogan. The public can attend the hearing or listen online. A link to attend remotely will be on the Planning Department website at okanogancounty.org/government/planning.
School board candidates’ forum
A candidates’ forum for the only local elective race that will be on the Aug. 1 primary ballot — Methow Valley School District board of directors Position 5 (at large) — will be held on July 13 at the Mazama Community Club, starting at 6 p.m.
Invited to the forum are incumbent Frank Kline of Winthrop, and challengers Michael Liu of Twisp and JT Sawyer of Winthrop. According to organizer Ann Diamond, Kline and Liu have agreed to appear but Sawyer will out of town.
All three candidates have been sent a few preliminary questions to answer at the forum; Sawyer will have the opportunity to respond in writing and his answers read at the event. Additional questions will be solicited from the audience.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for mingling; the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Fiber optic service
Want to find out if you can qualify for a free fiber optic internet service connection? Methownet and Okanogan County Electric Cooperative have partnered to bring federally funded fiber to up to 2,600 homes in the co-op’s service area. Visit https://okanogancountyconnect.com/FiberMap.html and enter your address to see if you are in the service area. Methownet will contact you once they determine the terms of monthly service and give you the opportunity to schedule an installation when work is being done in your neighborhood.
