Check Out 14 More Lots on Salmon Run

It takes committment to keep up with all of the development going on. The editors apologize for not previously including the 14 lots stacked up against the hospital. We hope that the NEW WHITE SALMON PLANNING COMMISSIONER, BILL MASON takes a good squint at it (see the New Developments link to the right). This is the reality of R-3 zoning density. We doubt that this little rural town needs any more of this. The problem is that 'following the ordinance' can result in this ridiculous extreme. Is this what we really want?

Invitation Extended to All to Attend Town Hall from White Salmon Council Member Marx

Received today via WhiteSalmon2007@yahoo.com :

Editor,

I am extending an invitation to all citizens and public officials for a Town Hall meeting, facilitated by Richard Marx, White City Councilor, on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Your questions and concerns are open for discussion at the Mt. View Grange Basement meeting room at 1556 Estes Avenue, White Salmon. White Salmon's future is only as good as YOU help to make it! If additional information is needed, please call 541-490-0569.

Richard Marx

White Salmon Town Hall Meeting at Grange Hall: Discuss Issues about White Salmon.

Want to find out what is going on in White Salmon? Afraid to attend a city council or planning commission meeting? Not ready to speak 'on the record' at a meeting? This Town Hall is for you then. Some folks have alegedly felt shot down or not heard at regular meetings. Some concerned and braver soles who care deeply about our little town and environs are arranging to have elected and appointed members meet the public to discuss issues of concern and find out what is going on.

Please show up. That's half the battle.

When: Thursday, July 12, 7pm.
Where: White Salmon Grange Hall, Main St between Spring St. and Estes.

Candidates to be Interviewed for White Salmon Planning Commission!

The City Council has set a meeting on the night that the Planning Commission usually meets to interveriew the 3 candidates for the one open position on the commission vacated by Jim Kucena (developer of White Salmon Run, Spring St. and Bend's Old Mill District). Mayor Gaddis had nominated a candidate Leana Johnson, but three of the Councilors rejected her. He had then decided to have all three be interviewed in a meeting that is open to the public. Susan Benedict has resigned from the city council so there will only be 4 council members voting, though its not clear they will be voting this Wednesday.

The current candidates are:

Leana Johnson, Herb Hardin and Bill Mason

Interviews will take place this Wednesday, July 12, 6pm WS Fire Hall

Big Development on Tum Tum Mountain

Recieved in our our blog's new email file WhiteSalmon2007@yahoo.com:
" ...We need to look at the new housing development on Lyons Rd. in Husum. The project belongs to KC commissioner D. Struck. At this time, he continues his carnage of extremely sensitive habitat, unfettered, and, without jurisdiction. This area is home to the largest population of Western Gray Squirrel ( endangered species) in WA. It also lies beneath Tum Tum Mtn, sacred Yakama Native burial ground. It is this project, and others on the horizon, that are feeding the frenzy to change the zoning in the Husum /BZ corner region. Understand the hierarchy here...the Husum /BZ corner community council are basically 'yes men' for the county commissioner ( CC). The CC controls the lackeys on the planning commission, the planning department, and anyone else ."

On this blog we don't post folks email addresses we just act as a conduit. Anyway, we don't know much about this development yet. In the comments section of the June 12 posting, 'Should the Gorge Scenic Act be modified? ', EarlyRiser said there were 900 homes going in. SqeakyWheel thinks that might be an excessive number. Does anyone know?

Benefit Concert This Friday Night, White Salmon Senior Center!

Sources have it that it will be "Very Good Music". Starts at 7 pm.
Its for Debbie Burrell, one of our senior caregivers and volunteers whose husband was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 1.

Check out the Pucker Huddle Subdivisions

We obtained the preliminary diagram for the new "Hatfield Estates" in Pucker Huddle. The intent is for a 38-lot subdivision. The bare hillside where the trees have been removed can be seen from the other side of the White Salmon, up Cook-Underwood road. Check out our link on "New Development Layouts" on the right side of this page .

Rumor has it that there is an open house for "Salmon Run" on Thursday, June 21 st, 11- 2 pm. A free lunch too!! (Oops! Just heard from a reader of this blog that they cancelled. Maybe next week. Stay tuned)

Poster Contest... there's still time to enter...

Thank you to Janet Holen for this correction: The information about the poster contest at the website
http://whitesalmon.com is incorrect. She says that that website is not affiliated with the WSAC (which confused us, since the site is titled "White Salmon Arts Council" and contains information about the contest).

Janet writes: The link that you have posted for the White Salmon Arts Council is wrong. The official website for the WSAC is: http://www.whitesalmonarts.org The information on the poster contest is also wrong. The correct information is on the WSAC website. The deadline is June 15 and the contact person is John Mayo. Please correct the information. Thank you.Janet Holen, Treasurer, White Salmon Arts Council

Thank you, Janet for clearing this up.

On Anonymous Editors

I want to highlight the interesting comment by squeakwheel who has left a new comment on the post "Poster Competition... "Nights in White salmon" :

This has nothing to do with the poster competition, but rather the letter to the Editor in last week's paper. An individual thought everyone who posts on the Blog should identify themselves. That is the purpose of a blog - to share ideas and thoughts without any consideration to who is actually stating them. Isn't it weird that so much is weighted on who you are when you speak as compared to what you are saying? Well, here on this post, it is what you are saying that is being weighted - not who you are. Thanks for the Blog - whoever you are!!!

Thank you for that squeakywheel. Some people are just plain shy and don't feel they can speak out in a small town for various reasons. If someone needs to know who is saying what at all times, then they could go to other sources for information. This blogspot also allows for comments posted anonymously or not, too. The editors are just hoping to facilitate participation in the public life of our region.

Should the Gorge Scenic Act be modified? Voice your opinion at an important meeting on Monday

from: http://www.gorgecommission.org/recresorts.cfm
Second Gorge Commission Event onRecreation Resort Issues to Include Open Comment Period

The Columbia River Gorge Commission staff will host an event including an open meeting and small-group discussions to provide an opportunity to express views on a possible amendment to the Management Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Such an amendment would provide a framework with criteria to review conversion of an industrial site, the Broughton Mill property, to a recreation resort.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday June 11, from 4:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the PioneerCenter, 501 NE Washington St., in White Salmon. An introduction to the meeting and the evening’s agenda will be provided from 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This meeting is the second of a series of public meetings on this topic. The first, held May 30, featured panel discussions about issues to be considered as part of a plan amendment process. The panelists, who represented key stakeholder agencies and organizations, addressed questions about issues regarding recreation and other river uses, and potential positive and negative impacts to local communities and the economy.

About 80 people attended, and more than 130 comments were submitted through written comment cards during the panel discussions. Frequently-mentioned themes in the comments included: traffic congestion and safety, environmental impacts, the extent of economic benefits versus negative impacts, and possible demands to public services and infrastructure. A number of participants questioned the need for the plan amendment, and several expressed frustration at not having the opportunity to voice their comments verbally. A draft summary of comments, as well as a verbatim record of the comment cards, will be available for review on the Commission’s website prior to the June 11 meeting.

Based on the outcome of the May 30th workshop, the Commission has decided to modify its initial plan for a follow-up event to include additional opportunity for the public to comment directly on the possible plan amendment for conversion of the Broughton Mill site to a recreation resort. The June 11 meeting will feature a public comment period from 5:00 to 6:30, with small-group discussions on issues identified in the first workshop starting at 6:45. Additional time to allow anyone who didn’t have the opportunity to comment in the initial comment session will be provided following the small group discussion.

Gorge Commission Executive Director Jill Arens said “While we achieved one goal of gaining more information to help refine issues and potential impacts, we also heard clearly from a number of participants regarding their dissatisfaction with the workshop format and their desire to speak directly to the group.”

The Commission is asking those who wish to participate to make their comments concise (approximately 3 minutes), to allow as many people as possible to express themselves in the time available. Given the strong and diverse public opinions expressed thus far, the Commission wants to ensure ample opportunity to hear all views as it considers this complex and important issue.
See workshop agenda
See FAQ
If you have questions or comments, please contact Tom Ascher, Planner, Columbia River Gorge Commission: ascher@gorgecommission.org .

Poster Competition... "Nights in White salmon"

Attention all Gorge Artists! You are invited to try your luck at our 2nd annual Nights in White Salmon Poster Contest.
We’re looking for a poster that reflects the spirit of the event and our community. Keep in mind that your design needs to translate well in print for possible use on publications and tee shirts.
Size: minimum 8 ½ x 11” to 3’ x 5’Medium: watercolor, oils, acrylic, pastel, pencil Prize: $250 cashDeadline: May 15thSubmission location: Inn of the White Salmon172 W. Jewett blvd.; White Salmon, WA
The winning entry becomes property of the White Salmon Arts Council.
Questions? Email Julie at j@julieueland.com

For more information, check out the White Salmon Arts Council at http://whitesalmon.com/