Make your vote count An advantage of local taxation is that you know, with some specificity, what you’re supposed to get for the money. You can make your own assessment about whether the expense is worth it, based on the evidence of its effectiveness (or failure). That’s one reason local tax increases often are more-tolerated […]
Editorials
A win for open government
Nearly 50 years after the state’s voters overwhelmingly approved an initiative creating the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), we’re still relying on interpretations about how it should be enforced and what exemptions are legitimate. There’s hardly any better clarity than that offered last week when the Washington Supreme Court affirmed, in a 7-2 decision, that […]
Methow at heart of Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board’s success
By Rufus Woods One of the more powerful examples of overcoming animosities and finding common ground and mutual trust and respect can be found in the work of the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Turn back the clock to the late 1990s, when declining salmon numbers triggered the listing […]
Editorials: May 1, 2019
Out of session Often in the past, the best thing you could say about the Washington state Legislature’s biennial budget-setting session was that, at long last, it was over. Extended sessions, and extended extensions, have been the norm as legislators staggered to a frustrated finish weeks after their putative deadline. This year, the lawmakers finished […]
Hiding in plain sight
Would you rather get mugged from behind in the dark by an anonymous attacker? Or be knocked senseless in broad daylight with the readily identifiable assailant looking right at you and smiling? Some of our state legislators apparently are ready to do either, and call it good for you. In last year’s session, you may […]
Educational experience
It’s a little early to say goodbye to Deborah DeKalb, Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School’s retiring principal. There will be an appropriate time to thank her for the many contributions she made to not only the education but also the well-being of the Methow Valley’s children. But we can start getting more familiar with Crosby […]
Editorials: Withdrawal pains
December, and 2018, ended on a flat note for proponents of a federally imposed moratorium on industrial mining in the upper Methow Valley. After three years of vigorous effort that involved a cross-section of the community, and generated almost unanimous accord on what could have been a divisive issue, the application for a 20-year hold […]
Guest Editorial: November 21, 2018
Methow Valley bridges in need of repair and replacement By Sen. Brad Hawkins Transportation continues to be one of my top priorities as your senator because its infrastructure and operations are critical to our area’s economic growth and quality of life. Not only is having an efficient and effective transportation system important for getting our […]
Guest Editorial: November 7, 2018
Methow Headwaters critical to hunting, fishing and our economy By Patrick Button As deer season winds down for most of us, I hope that all of you were successful, whether that success was measured by harvesting a nice buck or by simply sharing the pursuit with friends and family in this amazing landscape. Regardless, I’m […]
Needed: cold cash
The elders among us will remember that the late Sen. Everett Dirksen was said to have quipped, “a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you’re talking real money.” His point was that unchecked government spending adds up quickly. On the local level, where elected and appointed officials handle much smaller sums, the principle still […]
