White Salmon Blog

Mayor David Poucher and the White Salmon Pool

2008-07-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

My children have passes to the white Salmon Pool again this year after a bad experience last year with a very irresponsible staff. They have used their pass two times when another kid rummaged through everyones belongings and stole items from everyone including my childs money.

I don't hold the city personally responsible for this but I do want to be refunded for the pass that we will no longer use. I called the Mayor numerous times with promise of a return call - nothing - finally he called and informed me that they do not issue refunds even if never used no exceptions. That policy is not written nor spoken when you purchase the passes.

I feel robbed by the City of White Salmon which in affect makes me feel very unsafe. Where is the city headed? What will they do next to make a buck? Unfortunatly I feel after speaking with our Mayor I feel he has no control over the city or he greatly encourages greed in our small town. I am losing hope for hummanity. Please everyone in this (what used to be a close friendly) city lets pull together and take our city back. thank you for reading this.

Mary England

CBS 60 Minutes: Columbia & Snake River Salmon Problems

2008-06-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

I thought this might be of interest to some of our readers...

"This coming Sunday evening, June 22, CBS News 60 Minutes will feature an expose on the severely depressed salmon populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The story will spotlight the tremendous amount of taxpayer dollars our federal government continues to spend on ineffective programs that are failing to restore an endangered national treasure - wild salmon of the Columbia and Snake Rivers."

CBS News - 60 Minutes
Sunday Evening, June 22, 2008
Check Local Listings For Time

From: Joseph Bogaard "Save Our Wild Salmon" 206-286-4455, x103

My Property Assessment Is....What?????

2008-06-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else astounded by their new property assessment?

Vandalism at Heinkle middle school

2008-06-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Sometime on the 7th or 8th of this month, people (presumably students) vandalized our Middle School. Pictures of the vandalism are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27509435@N08/2562794088 * http://www.flickr.com/photos/27509435@N08/2561964541 * http://www.flickr.com/photos/27509435@N08/2561958543

My unsubstantiated guess is that this is because White Salmon won the baseball game against Hood River last week. It is highly unfortunate that someone would do this considering the amount of money it will cost to clean the paint. I don't know that it can be cleaned without damaging the murals that the students worked so hard on.

Joshua Drake

White Salmon Water Advisory Info

2008-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Follow this link for detailed information on White Salmon water restrictions:

City of White Salmon

Presidential Candidates And Their Spiritual Advisors

2008-05-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

So much has been made of remarks made by pastors Jeremiah Wright and John Hagee and their relationships with Barack Obama and John McCain. Is this really what we need to focus on when we choose a presidential candidate?

Are these relationships of equal importance when compared the issues that face our nation?

Is Obama's relationship with Wright more of an issue than Hagee's endorsement of McCain?

Jonathan Blake
White Salmon

Clintons in HR Tonight! Obama in Portland Tomorrow!

2008-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

FYI:

Tonight -- May 17th!!!

Bill and Chelsea Clinton
Hood River Library

Rally starts at 7pm

Tomorrow -- Sunday May 18th!!!

Obama in Portland
Waterfront Park

Rally starts at 12:30 pm

Common Grounds Community Gardens in Bingen and White Salmon

2008-04-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Two community garden sites will open April 28th for gardeners:

Humboldt in Bingen across from Daubenspeck Park
Skyline next to Rhine Village

Garden plots range in length from 10-25 ft. and are all 4 feet wide. The cost is based on the length and includes water, tool use and soil amendments. Four by four fruit bins are available for children, seniors and physically challenged gardeners at $5. Registration for the plots began yesterday.

The gardens begin to fulfill the first priority identified by the Horizons program - to provide safe, sustainable food sources - and Common Grounds' sponsor WGAP (Washington Gorge Action Programs). Future plans include expanded sites, farmer's markets, communal food preservation site and more.

Gardeners registering yesterday represent a broad community with a strong desire to teach children to both garden and give as a third of the plots were dedicated to children's gardens and the Food Bank.

The volunteer Common Grounds team will have some non-GMO seed and starts available for the gardeners in the next few weeks. Organic practices and materials are utilized as much as possible.

Registration continues next Saturday, April 26, at both sites from 10 to Noon.

Volunteers are welcome!

Timi Keene

Police Response to Pharmacy Shoplifter

2008-04-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

(Moved from comment section to a new topic)

Last Thurs. evening, while we had no police coverage in the city due to the mayor's decree, the pharmacy had a shoplifter. 911 was called, Mgr. Paul Doty chased the guy down after running all over the city. The police, finally getting authorization, dispatched an officer over a half hour later to respond. Turns out the guy was wanted on a parole/probation violation from a murder charge.

Is this what we're paying for?

Anonymous

Tonight Earth Hour 8:00 PM Lights Off!!

2008-03-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

*** Earth Hour on March 29th ***

If you are reading this before 8pm on March 29th, you might consider joining in on Earth Hour.

On March 29th, whenever 8pm rolls around, over 350 cities in 35 countries, millions of individuals, the Sears Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and 2,100 corporations including HP, Coca Cola and McDonald's, are all turning off their lights <http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1485/71/> .

It's less a measure to save a small amount of energy than it is to demonstrate solidarity with others about making a visible statement and agreeing that something needs to be done. Take some time to remember what darkness is, it's good for you. And when you turn your computer back on on the 30th, be sure to check back at EcoGeek for pictures of darkened skylines from around the globe.

Last year, Sydney Australia turned off its lights for an hour in order to, I guess, save some energy. Mostly, however, it was a statement. To see the combined effect of a lot of people agreeing that something needs to be done. The event was such a success that the World Wildlife Fund decided to take it global in 2008.

So on March 29th, whenever 8pm rolls around, over 350 cities in 35 countries, millions of individuals, the Sears Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and 2,100 corporations including HP, Coca Cola and McDonald's, are all turning off their lights

From Ecogeek.org

Isn't It Time We Ended This War?

2008-03-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

With the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War having come and gone, is it not time for us to end the senseless killing that has taken place over the last 5 years?

What have we accomplished with the 4,000+ American Soldiers dead, 29,000+ American service men and women wounded and the 89,000 Iraqi civilians killed?

In 1922, Winston Churchill, in a letter he wrote to David Lloyd George, termed Iraq an "ungrateful volcano"........what has changed in 86 years?

Jonathan Blake
White Salmon

Anyone Know The New Water Rates?

2008-03-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Speaking of accountability, does anyone have a clue what their new water rates will be?

Anonymous

Make Elected Officials Accountable

2008-03-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

No matter what our political affiliations are, we have a responsibility to make elected officials accountable once in office.

If you want to find out how your senator or representative voted on recent legislation, check this page out every Sunday in the Seattle Times....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004285705_rollcall16.html

If you see something you don't agree with then write them a letter or call their office!

If you are against supporting pork projects like the bridge to nowhere in Alaska, Patty Murray & Norm Dick's $4.5 million boat the Navy didn't even want or Doc Hasting's $300,000 pork barrel project the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, then we need to speak up!

With the price of gasoline and other goods and services increasing, citizens are all forced to cutback in their personal spending........why shouldn't our elected officials in Washington DC do the same?

I am tired of "Business As Usual"!

Jonathan Blake
White Salmon

Presidential Race -- Truth, Fiction, Myth or Subterfuge?

2008-01-25T12:09:00.000-08:00

FactCheck.org

In the run-up to the last presidential election, the false accusations, totally deceiving ads (not even mentioning Swift Boat Veterans for Truth) and dubious news sources, etc., made it extremely difficult to verify the credibility of anything said or reported.

That's when I found "FactCheck.org". This is truly a non-partisan information center for political fact-checking.

"The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels."

I recommend checking out this site and either subscribing to their newsletters or adding their feed in preparation for the upcoming primaries (or/and caucuses) and the presidential election.

http://www.factcheck.org/

ShadowGirl

Electronic Voter Registration

2008-01-18T22:16:00.000-08:00

While doing research last Fall regarding the laws for issuing drivers licenses in the State of Washington, I came across a loophole in our Washington laws, RCW 29A.089.210 which governs drivers license and allows voter registration as well for illegal immigrants.

This is the letter which will appear in The Enterprise this week.

A while back I contacted our State Representative Dan Newhouse about drivers licenses being issued to illegal immigrants. One of the major problems about this is that the issuance of the driver's license generates the "Motor-Voter Bill" which allows the new licensee to register to vote without providing documents that prove they are indeed a citizen of the United States. Imagine my surprise when I read in the White Salmon newspaper "The Enterprise" on January 17 that the "State has joined Arizona and launched On-Line Voter Registration" which one can do if they have a driver's license. It says to learn more go to www.sec-state.wa.gov

Basically, the on-line registration allows anyone to register to vote as long as they have a valid driver's license or ID card. This has Voter Scam written all over it. I'm confused as to why the State of Washington allows illegal immigrants not only the right to have a drivers' license, but also an easy way to fraudulently register to vote. RCW 29A.089.210 allows the applicant to register to vote without a birth certificate or social security number. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to have a Washington Drivers license period. And, no one registering to vote should be allowed to register without providing a birth certificate proving they are a naturalized citizen or citizenship documents. I want the Real ID passed by US Congress to be put into place in the State of Washington.

No wonder there were accusations of voter fraud in the last election, because there were in fact so many loop holes in this regard. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue -this is a US citizen issue.

I received notification from Rep. Dan Newhouse that he is co-sponsoring a bill to close the loophole but the bill doesn't have a number as of yet. The bill must include an "in person renewal clause" in order to weed out from our voter registration those currently holding a drivers license who cannot prove their US citizenship. This is especially important given that Oregon has now quit issuing licenses to illegal immigrants so they may come into Washington to obtain a licenses.

I urge everyone to contact State Rep. Dan Newhouse and support him in rectifying this loophole. His e-mail address is newhouse.dan@leg.wa.gov

We must control our borders and our voting booths.

Dorothy Herman
White Salmon

Adding a New Topic to the Blog

2008-01-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

This is a community blog. Anyone can start a new topic for discussion or post comments related to White Salmon and surrounding community and county issues.

Just send an email to: whitesalmon2007@yahoo.com

Please indicate how you would like to sign your post: using an alias, your name, or as an anonymous poster. I'm not a spy -- I just monitor the blog for inappropriate language or out-of-bounds comments. After your topic is posted, I delete your email.

Try and stay with the original topic when adding comments or please start a new topic. This free Google blog won't allow me to move unrelated comments to a new topic.

I try and check for new posts at least once each day. Please be patient if your post doesn't appear immediately.

If you have any suggestions or questions send an email to: whitesalmon2007@yahoo.com This is not my blog, it's a community blog.

ShadowGirl

Nepotism

2008-01-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Is it true that the Clerk Treasurer newly hired by the City of White Salmon is the sister of Bob Landgren, a member of the White Salmon City Council?

Janet & Roger Holen

Money to Schools, Easy as 1, 2, 3!

2007-12-28T17:32:00.000-08:00

School parent organizations are seeking your support.

White Salmon schools utilize various programs to raise money that are simple to join and do not cost any money. When you shop at Thriftway, Safeway, Amazon.com, Target or others, these companies will donate a portion of the sale back to the schools FREE!

Many of these programs allow you to support more than one organization by checking the appropriate boxes during sign-up. Substantial donations will come from these companies with increased food and gift shopping for the upcoming holidays. All you need to do is sign up.

When you shop with local retailers you are also doing the same thing. They support our schools year round.

Thriftway Bucks. A percentage of your purchase goes to Project Graduation. They are also available for sale every day at Collage of the Gorge.

www.escrip.com (Columbia, Whitson). Register your SAFEWAY card number (Call 877-SAFEWAY if you’ve misplaced your card). You can also shop through the online mall.

www.schoolpop.com (Henkle) links you to 100’s of your favorite online stores. Just sign up online, choose the school(s) you want to sponsor, and then when you want to shop online just go to http://www.schoolpop.com/ first and link to your store.

www.boxtops4education.com (Project Open Door, Whitson) Cut out and bring in to your school(s) box tops/labels from grocery item packaging or shop online at the website.

Target (Columbia) Sign up and a percentage of sales goes to the school.

www.amazon.com (Whitson) To insure Whitson receives a portion of your Amazon purchases, go to Amazon by clicking on this link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/whitselemepar-20
After the page opens, bookmark the site as your amazon site for easy access. You can also place the link with the amazon logo on your desktop (Win - right-click > Create shortcut). There will be no changes to how your view or use Amazon.

Campbell’s Labels (Whitson). Cut out labels from food packaging and drop off at the school.

Remember, the businesses don’t give money out unless you sign up. There is no cost or junk mail associated with this process. If you sign yourself up online, remember to click the box to “opt out of e-notices”.

Contacts:

Whitson Elementary School WhitsonPTO@gorge.net or 509-493-2086

Henkle Middle School HenklePTO@yahoo.com or 509-493-4013

Columbia High School Ronda.Hardisty@esd.112.wednet.edu

Project Graduation crewroberts@embarqmail.com or 509-493-3381

Courtesy of The Enterprise (published Nov. 15, 2007)

White Salmon Might Be $100,000 Over Budget?

2007-11-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

It seems as though the City of White Salmon might be as much as $100,000 over their budget but their bookkeeping is in such a state that they can't say how much money they do or do not have.

Haven't we been down this road before?

Anonymous

Prayer at Senior Center

2007-10-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

If one does not agree with the sectarian prayers at the senior center, he is asked to leave.

From:
constitution supporter

Developer Proposal for West Side of City Shed Property on NW Spring St.?

2007-10-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Subject 1:

I understand that there is a proposal by a developer (Webb) on the west side of the City shed property on NW Spring St.

Is this true? If you recall, NW Spring St. is a steep and busy collector street with poor visibility and is not up to state fire code. This has got to be a concern to citizens, especially in the light of cumulative effects of the developers (Melby's) alleged plans to develop on the north side of the street as well.

Subject 2:

Where is the Comprehensive Plans??

According to RCW 36.70A.130 subsection 4(d), Klickitat County and all the cities in Klickitat County are required to complete a review and evaluation of their comprehensive plan and development regulations no later than December 1, 2007 and every 7 years thereafter. Only those counties and cities complying with RCW 36.70A.130 will be able to receive grants, loans, pledges, or financial guarantees.

Thanks,

Squeaky

Finally! Get Your HR Bridge "BreezeBy" Transponder

2007-09-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Bye, bye to HR Bridge tickets!

It's a good idea to subscribe to their email list. You'll get up-to-date news on all closures, etc. In case you are not on the Port of Hood River email list, here is the email they are sending subscribers:
--------------------------------

Apply Now--Set up your personal "BreezeBy"

ELECTRONIC LANES BreezeBy, the Port of Hood River's new electronic tolling system is almost ready to go! If all goes well, testing will end around the first part of November and all commuters will have the opportunity to BreezeBy the toll plaza in the OUTSIDE bypass lanes.

The Application, Credit Card Authorization Form, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy are available on the Port's website, along with "Frequently Asked Questions": http://www.portofhoodriver.com/ETC/ETC%20INFORMATION.htm

Just open the forms, print them out, complete either the personal account or the commercial account (if you own a business) and submit them to the Port office. You can send them via U.S. mail, fax, scanned image through email, or walk them in (M-F / 8-5). Get your account setup and be ready to go. Once BreezeBy is operational for everyone, only vehicles with BreezeBy transponders may use the bypass lanes. Transponders are good in ALL lanes, however, so you may choose the shortest line when you arrive at the toll plaza.

If you are currently using tickets, you may continue to use them (they do NOT expire) but you must drive through the center toll plaza lanes only. If you would like to turn in any unused tickets to the office, the value of the remaining ticket book will be placed into your BreezeBy account. There is a 20% unlimited discount for all transponder users, for both personal and commercial accounts.

We look forward to having you become new users of the BreezeBy system soon! This will facilitate your travel through the toll plaza. As always, we welcome your questions, comments and feedback on this process.

Submit your application now so that your account will be ready to go when the system goes live!

MAIL:
Port of Hood River
PO Box 239
Hood River OR 97031

Physical address:
1000 E Port Marina Drive
FAX: 541.386.1395
EMAIL: porthr@gorge.net

To unsubscribe from the Bridge Closure Update List, send a message to bridgeupdate-request@portofhoodriver.com in plain text format with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the BODY of the message.

To email comments or information to the Port of Hood River, please use: porthr@gorge.net. Office hours for the Port of Hood River are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5 pm. Telephone: (541)386-1645

Port of Hood Riverhttp://www.portofhoodriver.com/

Underwood Fire: Brooks Family Fund Raiser

2007-09-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Online Fox 12 Article: http://www.kptv.com/news/14205420/detail.html
Video from Fox 12: http://www.kptv.com/video/14179090/index.html

POSTED: 7:04 pm PDT September 25, 2007UPDATED: 7:20 pm PDT September 25, 2007

Fund Set For Family Who Lost Home In Gorge Fire

20-year Underwood residents had no insurance

"WHITE SALMON, Wash. -- A fund has been up set up at Wells Fargo banks for a family who lost everything in a Columbia River Gorge wildfire.

The home of Dale Brooks and his family was one of six homes that were destroyed by the Broughton Fire last week.

Brooks said his family and pets narrowly escaped the fire, but all of their belongings, including two cars and a truck, were destroyed.

There is still no word on what caused the fire.

The Brooks family lived on the 20-acre property for the past 20 years, but didn't have insurance.

A fund has been set up to help the Brooks family get back on their feet, according to Brooks' employer. You can contribute to the fund at any Wells Fargo Bank."

(I think there's a Wells Fargo Branch in Rosaurers)

-------------------------------------

From The Hood River News
Link to Article: http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/77_news_1.htm

Fund will aid displaced family
September 27, 2007

"A fund has been set up to help the Brooks family, whose home was destroyed during the Broughton Fire.

Dale Brooks Sr. works for Walsh Trucking Company in Troutdale. The company has established the Brooks Family Fund at Wells Fargo Bank to help the family rebuild their lives.

The family escaped with their two dogs and a few pictures but lost everything else, including clothing."

Kudos to White Salmon Thriftway!

2007-09-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Save a nickle and get much more!

For the last month or so, our local Thriftway has been selling reusable shopping bags (totes) for just $.99 each! They are black, good quality and good looking. Bring your own bag for grocery shopping and Thriftway still deducts $.05 for each bag at checkout. I say "still", because Thriftway has been giving a bag deduction for several years. Since they carry these good looking, affordable totes, there's no reason not to bring a bag each time you shop!

Since my husband and I have used our own shopping bags for well over twenty years, we've known that most supermarkets and large grocery chains deduct $.03 to $.05 for each personal bag used at checkout. It doesn't sound like much, but all those nickels add up to real savings.

So far this year, in the US alone, approximately 590,000,000,000 (and rising) plastic bags have been used. This number (for just 9-months) represents a lot of oil, energy, transportation and disposal costs. Oh, so you say you use all your plastic bags for trash? Then maybe you produce more at home then you consume. Uh, so you use then all for kitty litter disposal? You may use some plastic bags, but if you fill then a bit higher you'll use less, and if you use other types of plastic bags (veggie or bread wrappers) you'll need fewer still.

Next time you're in Thriftway, buy a few of those $.99 cent totes and simplify your life, save a few cents and reduce your personal energy consumption.

Rural Initiatives Conference, Oct 25 to 27

2007-09-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

Rural Initiatives conference scheduled for Skamania

From Hood River News
September 6, 2007

"Rural Development Initiatives Inc. opens registration for its fifth annual conference, “Regards to Rural V,” a gathering to “inform, inspire and celebrate ... all that is rural,” according to an RDI press release."

October 25 -- 27

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/71_news_05.htm

This looks like it might be an interesting and timely conference for our rural neighbors. Read the entire article by clicking the above link.

Anyone want to rate or expound on last year's conference?

Wind Farms Moving Closer: Remember the Energy Overlay Zone?

2007-09-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Lumber company will apply to build Skamania wind farm

The ColumbianWednesday, September 05, 2007
BY KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian staff writer

"SDS Lumber Co. plans to apply for a permit before year's end to build a wind farm in Skamania County that would produce up to 70 megawatts of power."

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/09052007news192087.cfm

White Salmon Enterprise, Sept 6th

SDS and Broughton planning wind project near Willard

Does anyone know what this might mean for Klickitat and those energy overlay zones the County Commissioners created?

The Columbia Gorge Future Forum: What's it about?

2007-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

Forum will seek a vision for gorge

Wednesday, September 05, 2007
BY KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian staff writer

"With proposals for a destination resort on its Washington side, a tribal casino across the river in Oregon and towering wind turbines on its borders, the future of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is fraught with uncertainty 21 years after its creation by Congress."

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/09052007news192086.cfm

The forum will be held at the Discovery Center, in The Dalles, Oct 29th.

Register for Gorge Forum
To register for the Columbia Gorge Future Forum, contact Jessica Metta at 509-493-3323, ext 228.

WS River, SDS, Klickitat Rezone in The Columbian

2007-09-05T21:40:00.000-07:00

In case you don't read The Columbian, here's a recent article about the Klickitat rezone, SDS, the Forest Service, the WS River, et al!

Aptly titled:

River Ruckus

Monday, August 27, 2007
BY KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian staff writer

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/08272007news189373.cfm

Environmentalists, developer dislike proposed gorge amendment

2007-09-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press Sep 4, 2007
VANCOUVER, Wash. — A proposed change in the Columbia River gorge management plan to allow construction of a destination resort at the site of an old timber mill has upset both environmentalists and the developer. http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/207458.html

Proposed restrictions anger resort planners

2007-09-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

From The Columbian, Mon. Sept 03, 2007 BY KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian staff writer
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/09032007news191812.cfm

Cleaning out your garage? Closet? Check Gorge FreeCycle!

2007-09-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

There is a local FreeCycle Yahoo! group you might want to check out.

It's a terrific place to list your items that aren't usable by charities or suitable for garage sales that someone might want--keeping it from the landfill! You can also ask for items (never hurts to ask).

A lot of WS residents participate in the Gorge FreeCycle Yahoo! group. Check it out and bookmark the spot. Ya never know...

Gorge FreeCycle

ShadowGirl

Posting removed... map of properties

2007-09-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

The map and textual content for this post has been removed by the editor due to the request of a commentor who contends that it is unfair to post maps showing property owned by city or county officials. I have retained the comments, however.

Upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission Committee Meetings

2007-09-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission Committee Meetings:

Rules Committee ---September 5, 2007 at 1:00-2:00 pm
Gorge Commission Office
#1 Town & Country Square
White Salmon, WA

The Rules Committee will be discussing 2007 legislation concerning open meetings, public records, conflicts of interst, financial disclosure, and administrative procedure.
______________________________

Executive Committee --- September 5, 2007 at 2:00-3:30 pm
Gorge Commission Office
#1 Town & Country Square
White Salmon, WA

The Executive Committee will be discussing the workplan, annual reviewprocess for the executive Director, and budget review for 2009-2011.
______________________________

Assessment Committee --- September 6, 2007 at 1:30-3:30 pm
Gorge Commission Office
#1 Town & Country Square
White Salmon, WA

The Assessment Committee will be discussing updates on progress and decision points for the indicators project.

Submitted by anonymous

Hello White Salmon Blog

2007-09-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am one of the new editors --GorgeGirl-- along with ShadowGirl.

I am a long time resident of White Salmon and care deeply for this place. I would say I am for only well thought out planned development of our area.

I know we all have slightly different philosophies. The important thing is that we agree to disagree, respect each other's opinion and are willing to make compromises for the betterment of the community. Stay tuned. And please remember to send NEW TOPICS FOR POSTS to WhiteSalmon2007@yahoo.com! We are very open to new ideas and info to distribute.

Important Gorge Commission Meeting Sept 11

2007-09-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

I encourage everyone to attend!

September 11, 2007

Columbia River Gorge Commission
Hood River County Administration Building
601 State Street
Hood River, Oregon

You can find the complete meeting agenda at the link below.

http://www.gorgecommission.org/meetings.cfm

On Development and New Bridges

2007-08-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a growing concern that we might have reason to be worried about our beloved Hood River Bridge --face it, us Washingtonians feel that it is ours, we paid for it after all. The concern is that it is the under water structure subjected to 5 knot current of chemical soup for the past 85 years or so may not be in the best of shape.
I share this concern, especially in light of what happened in Minneapolis to what seemed to be a pretty solid bridge. One can only imagine what would happen if this bridge fell into the river.

However, I am also concerned that a freeway style replacement bridge would open up the floodgates, encouraging rampant growth on our side of this magnificent gorge. Everyone on this side has friends on that side who hesitate to come over here to visit because of the toll, the shakiness, the narrowness or whatever. We know that we are lucky to have that wonderful, scenic trip to enjoy when we go shopping for big stuff.

So if you are concerned about our side becoming high density townhouse land don't be in such a hurry for a new bridge. At least be ready to do your part to make sure it is of a reasonable scale.

More Hood River Bridge Studies!!

2007-08-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Anonymous asked us to post this:

Question to WDOT:

If I recall, it was 1994 that WDOT began studies to see about replacing the Hood River Bridge which crosses from White Salmon Highway 14 to Hood River, Oregon I-84. What happened to the plans to replace the bridge? In the past couple of years, the Port of Hood River, which owns the bridge built in 1928, has slapped a new deck on it, a layer of new paint and lets everyone cross it say a prayer that they will make it across.It seems as though the plans you had to replace it went into a back file when you began plans to build a new bridge between Portland and Vancouver. I want to know what happened to plans for our bridge replacement.

WDOT Answer:

My name is Karyn Anderson and I've been forwarded your email in hopes that I can provide you with some information. You are correct, there was a study completed on SR-35 Hood River Bridge.The study that I'm referencing was called the SR 35 Columbia River Crossing Project. Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council(RTC), the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposed to build a new bridge that would cross the Columbia River between Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington.

Three alternative alignments were under consideration during this Draft Environmental Impact Statement study(DEIS). The SR-35 Columbia River Crossing project also received an earmark to complete an Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). RTC is currently working to organize meetings and get discussions started regarding the SR-35 Columbia River Crossing FEIS and how best to move forward. These meetings will include local agencies and state departments of transportation from both Oregon and Washington. I've included RTC's website in which you can obtain an electronic copy of the earlier study findings.

http://rtc.wa.gov/Studies/SR35/

I've also placed a phone call to Dale Robins (RTC) who was involved on the earlier study and he is available to help answer any questions. You can reach Dale at the above email address or if you prefer you can call him at (360) 397-6067. I've also included my contact information below as well.

Thank you and I hope this information is helpful,

Karyn Anderson Southwest Region WSDOT Box 1709 Vancouver, WA 98668-1709 Phone (360) 905-2080; Fax (360) 905-2098 andersonk@wsdot.wa.gov<mailto:andersonk@wsdot.wa.gov>

Why Does White Salmon/Klickitat Co. want the Mega Destination & Housing Resort?

2007-08-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

And we don't even get the tax base, just more traffic and pollution.

The devil is in the development details AND WHO PRESENTS OR PREDICTS THEM (like full-time paid development lobbyists?) Exactly how many new cars will be on the road between the proposed Broughton/SDS Destination Resort at the Hatchery during the summer? What is this going to do for commerce in White Salmon?

Exactly how many permanent living wage jobs will be created? And who is going to follow up that they actually did? Will they be low pay service sector jobs such as cleaners and grass cutters. Skamania lodge (a federally subsidized development) has a hard time keeping the kids at the jobs, and the adults have no place to live. Where are the workers going to live in Klickitat? How far are they going to have to drive? There sure isn't any workforce housing available in Underwood. One can see perhaps out of work orchard workers from Hood River valley crossing the bridge every day. Gosh, we may get a new bridge out of this!

And How many of the 150-200 proposed permanent residents are going to drive up Doc Grade and pay 7.5% sales tax to ACE hardware when they can zoom across the HR bridge for $1.20 (without stopping anymore) and go to Roseauers and Highschool in the heights as easily?

What about the nascent Arts Community in White Salmon? Face it. Most of the arts community are hobbiests and aren't forced to make their living at their crafts. Hoping that the well heeled tourists will come up and buy art is not promoting living wage jobs. Instead of endorsing the Mega Resort Development as good for the citizens of White Salmon the city would be wiser to spend its money on signage on highway 14 and I-84 to promote the town's art. The added traffic from this development is not good for the natural environment of the gorge, or for our town in general.

Open Letter to (Ex) County Commissioner Struck on the Husum/BZ Plan:

2007-08-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

Received from Anonymous:

Thanks, Don Struck, for proving our points. I'm sure we all appreciate your
advice to get informed. Isn't that what we've been asking you and your
Planning Commission to do? Come to White Salmon and HELP us get informed on
the plan? Thanks, too, for telling us that the lawyers say you have to
remove yourself from the discussions about the Husum/BZ Plan since you have
a conflict of interest.

We knew you did, but it's nice to hear it from you.
So who are you going to appoint to be your proxy on the Commission? Do you
all really think it's going to be okay to approve this plan to make you rich
just because you aren't on the Board? And what about your friend Rick
Graves? Shouldn't he have removed himself from the Planning Commission?

We the Blog Editors say:
The plan should come back to the Husum/BZ Council for revision, before the BOCC holds a hearing. People should should quickly contact the Council members (politely and with offers of help) and ask them to withdraw the Plan. Also contact County Commissioners with the same request.
Husum/BZ Council:

Jerry Smith, 493-1934. Chairman. PO Box 221, Husum, WA 98623
Bill Anderson, 493-3022.
Billy Gross, 493-4970.George Mersereau, 493-2590.
Jim Fritchey, 493-3175.
Kenny Burrill ,493-2240
John Riggleman, 493-1527

The Husum Council, at their meeting on August 7, refused to consider withdrawing the plan, so the September 6 heaing is on.

Board of County Commissioners, Klickitat County 205 S. Columbus Goldendale, WA 98620
Fax 509-773-6779 .

Donations are needed for legal and expert assistance.
Send donations to:
Friends of the White Salmon River p.o. Box 382,
Trout Lake, Washington 98650

Showing Up is Important: Next Broughton Mega Resort Discussion Gorge Commission Meeting

2007-08-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

At the next Gorge Commission meeting there will be two opportunities
to make comments about the Broughton Landing Destination Resort
proposal to the Gorge Commission, at 9:10 and again around 10:45.

The Commission staff will be presenting their report on the proposed
Recreation Resort Plan Amendment. It should be interesting given the
public comments at the previous two workshops.

The more public comment on Broughton we can provide at every Gorge
Commission meeting the better - so please come out and share your
views if you are available next Tuesday, August 14, in Cascade Locks.

16 Concerned Citizens Show Up to Round Table With White Salmon City Council

2007-08-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

In the first of what are supposed to be round table with the city council, approximately 16 citizens showed up to yak with the city council. Almost all of the councilors were there: Susan Gookin, Mayor Francis Gaddis, Brad Roberts, John Mayo and Timi Keene. Tom Smith from city works was there also. Ricky Marx reportedly had car trouble and was absent.

The circle was comprised of all of the councilors on one side except Mayo who was in with 'the people" around the rest of the circle. Councilor Brad Roberts, in his usual gruff way opened with "Well, here we are, any questions?". Mayo interjected with a plug for this blog, stating that it was great format for dialogue (we think so). Then the citizens, given a free rein at last, began to voice a series of concerns, questions and solutions.

The exchange was free flowing and open between the citizens themselves and Mayo, Roberts and Keene, with Keene taking the lead on almost all responses. Gaddis and Gookin were noticeably silent.

Among issues brought up was the apparent massive 30,000 gal./day water leak from the city swimming pool. A great discussion followed including Mayo's idea of a parks and recs levy district to help pay for the pool in a wider area. Another was the filling up of parking spaces downtown by downtown business employees. Crashes at the bottom of Dock Grade was discussed. The treacherous middle turn out from the park and ride was hashed out. The issue of the actual price on the 'cottages' of the Wyers End (Tim' s Trailer Park) and workforce housing was brought up.

When a citizen asked if the round table was going to be a regular occurrence Councilor Keene pointed out that if she had been there she would have heard Mayor Gaddis read the statement that this was to happen before every regular council meeting. Wake up, citizen.

In sum, it was good for the citizens to hear from each other and voice a few of their concerns and ideas for solutions. It was a fairly non-threatening environment. Highly recommended to attend, even if you are a shy person.

Yes! The County Commissioners Have Listened!

2007-08-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Husum/BZ Corner Sub-Plan Hearing has been rescheduled to be held on Thursday, September 6 at the Pioneer Center beginning at 1 PM.
Please try to make it to the hearing to express your concerns on the scope and planning of this very large change to our little county.

Broughton-Call to Washington Residents

2007-08-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

(post from Laurie Lyman Balmuth, of Hood River)

Washington Residents, it is time to contact your representatives and let them know that Destination Resorts are bad for the Scenic Area and bad for local economies. If you are not a Washington resident please forward this message to at least one Washington resident if you can.

If the Gorge Commission is questioning the wisdom of allowing destination resorts in the Scenic Area why are Jim Jacks, from Gov. Chris Gregoire's staff http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact ; U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.; http://murray.senate.gov/contact/ Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash http://www.house.gov/baird/contact/contact.shtml pushing hard to allow them? Why, after the Gorge commission listened to, and heeded, the public outcry against it, is the Gorge Commission Staff being pushed hard to produce an amendment to the Act by the October deadline ? Is it a cynical dismissal of the bottom end of Washington State and its residents now that timber income and Federal timber payments have dried up? Is it simple pandering to big money developers who stand to make many millions of dollars from the resorts? Or is it willful ignorance of the fact that From Colorado to the Caribbean it is no secret that destination resorts and a reliance on tourism dollars Is bad for local economies and the environment and does not provide family wage jobs.

The theme of development, totally recreation-oriented, with the accent on resorts and second homes, creates problems associated with densely populated cities: sewage and garbage disposal problems, traffic congestion, air and water pollution, and overall environmental decay. The Citizens of Skamania and Klickitat Counties deserve a real economic development plan that will provide year round family wage jobs and a solid tax base. The study reproduced in part below outlines Summit county Colorado’s experience. Scroll down to read relevant parts of articles on Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University http://dare.agsci.colostate.edu/extension/pubs.html

This report provides an overview of a study that estimates The role of ski tourism in the Summit County economy. In addition to providing original research insight On Summit County, a classic ski tourist economy, the method should also aid other Scholars and development practitioners in their attempts to understand tourism and its Impacts on local economies.

Summit County: Mining drove Summit County’s economy for the first century from its original Settlement. Like much of the mountainous region of Colorado, Summit County’s population fluctuated with the mining industry’s substantial booms and busts.However, over the past half century, the local economy has responded to another Boom -- recreation. The potential negative aspects of a recreation-led economy in Summit County were noted almost three decades ago (Ulman 1974), underlining the importance of understanding this, Potentially unique, economic growth process in informing local decision-making. The theme of development, totally recreation-oriented, with the accent on Resorts and second homes, is creating problems associated with densely populated Cities: sewage and garbage disposal problems, traffic congestion, air and water. Pollution, and overall environmental decay. Only through a reversal of present trends. Can stress be reduced, thereby preserving some measure of environmental quality. (Ulman, 1974, 55)

The same natural amenities that attract tourists are fueling a high rate of population growth only tangentially related to skiing. As technological innovation allows people to become less tied to the physical location of their workplaces and as these same people are acquiring substantial wealth, second home purchasers and younger, more active retirees are flocking to the Rocky Mountains. Colorado’s population is growing at twice the national rate, and Summit County is growing half again as fast as Colorado (Census, 2001). Summit County continues to outstrip official projections for its growth, and depends on substantial inflows of commuters to maintain labor market balance Part-time seasonal labor drives the local labor market. The combination of escalating living costs and relatively low wage employment opportunities within Summit pose challenges for county employers to find workers. The labor shortage is so problematic that the observed minimum wage in the county is approximately double the federal standard, the ski companies make ample high season use of foreign laborers, and affordable housing planning is becoming critical to the continued economic vitality of the ski economy.

The county’s mountainous terrain and land tenure exacerbate local planning challenges brought on by population growth and the county’s economic portfolio. Only about 1/4 of Summit’s 396 thousand acres is privately owned. More than 307 thousand acres are under federal management, mostly U.S. Forest Service. Thus, non-local land use decisions are likely to have important local economic in order to work toward federal biological diversity preservation objectives. Consistent underestimation of Summit growth trends hinders the ability of local officials and principal employers to anticipate future labor, housing, and public service demands. This also places the county at a considerable disadvantage in attracting new and diversified resources to the area.

Some Jamaicans Feel the Islands Majority of All-Inclusive Resorts Shuts Out Local Business By Melanie Eversley, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Sep. 22, 2003 - NEGRIL, Jamaica -- In the United States, Jamaica is promoted as a sunny playground of sandy beaches and azure water, featuring all-inclusive resorts that cater to people looking for a tropical escape. But critics say the resorts II that dot the island are neglecting local culture and perpetuating a kind of separatism that keeps tourists and Jamaica’s residents from mingling.

"There is a hostility to tourism and tourists because they perpetuate the relationship of servants and master in Jamaica," Barnett said. "When the all-inclusive came in, it then denied people local access to the economic benefits of tourism, and again segregated and separated the tourists away from the local people, the way the whole plantation economy did."

Resort owners say they are providing jobs in the financially ailing country. One-third of Jamaica's 2.7 million people live below the poverty line. Clayson Payton of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, which represents hospitality workers, said the pay --- ranging from $60 to $90 per week --- is about average for Jamaica and that the jobs at the all-inclusive resorts are sought after.

Something else has evolved in these last two decades, too: the Jamaican economy's increased dependence on tourism. Since the 1970s, Jamaica has taken out a series of international development loans to stay afloat. Today, the country is $53 billion in debt. At the same time, global trade liberalization has spread, increasing competitive pressure on traditional Jamaican products. The effect has been a greater reliance on vacationers. About half of Jamaica's foreign exchange now comes from tourism, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board. In 2000, 2.2 million visitors spent $332.6 million on the island. The popularity of the all-inclusive resorts has stoked resentment among some locals as other means of income have disappeared. Jamaicans who aren't employees are not allowed inside.
Laurie Lyman Balmuth
Hood River, OR

Kudos to WS City Council for Posting Meetings Minutes

2007-07-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Thank you guys. This makes it much easier for us folks to participate and stay informed. You have promised the draft minutes be posted within 4 working days. What will Jesse have to report on? wink wink.
You have also posted the agendas. No more trips to the post office to wade through the announcements on the wall. Just notice the date on the list, cause they have the previous year up too. SEE THE DIRECT LINKS ON THIS PAGE TO THE RIGHT. For you convenience.

HOW ABOUT POSTING THE PLANNING AND COUNCIL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS TOO, since the agendas often aren't put out until quite late.

We also notice that WILL KEYSER is still listed as the Planning Director. Is this a fact? How about putting the current commissioners on the city website as well?

Postpone the August 9 Hearing on the BZ-Husum Sub-Plan!

2007-07-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

We need to have the Klickitat County Commissioners and the planners present an INFORMATIONAL meeting to the public. And do it on the WEST SIDE! We need to slow down the process to get the needed environmental, traffic, economic and water studies done before a change of this magnitude goes through. Let the people help the county and the Husum Community Council achieve a plan that will not go to court and/or be sent back to them. The plan has been more or less continuously under revision or litigation since 1986, apparently. It's time for people to work together on a plan that will stick.

PLEASE CALL AND FAX the Husum Community Council and the Klickitat County Commisioners and request a POSTPONEMENT OF THE AUGUST 9 HEARING in Goldendale.

County Commissioners
Donald G Struck District 1
David Sauter District 2
Ray Thayer District 3

205 S Columbus,MS-CH-4Goldendale, WA 98620
Fax: 509 773-6779 Phone: 509 773-4612
Email: bocc@co.klickitat.wa.us

Husum Community Council:
Jerry Smith, 493-1934. (Chairman).
Bill Anderson, 493-3022.
Billy Gross, 493-4970.
George Mersereau, 493-2590
Jim Fritchey, 493-3175.
Jim Rhodes?

More on White Salmon Town Hall Meetings: Why Didn't Councilors Come?

2007-07-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Anonymous sent this to the editors:

I have been waiting for someone to refute the following: "The problem with more council members showing up as opposed to just Ricky is that you end up (by law I believe) having a council meeting and must adhere to their procedures, of which is what I assume you guys were trying to get away from. So really, in t

he interest of free flowing exchanges of idea, wasn't it best for you that none of the other council members showed up? But again I am not sure what your CONCERNS are, other than not being heard.........that means there are issues you want the council to hear and those issues are what I am trying to get from you."

But no one has. First a town hall meeting as advertised for discussion (no decision making) and is allowable for everyone to attend. Hog wash on all this bull.... from the city attorney about no more than 2 councilors at a time or it is a meeting. No, decision making was not a part of the process. Check with other authorities such as MRSC, and other local attorneys. Do you not believe that this was researched before the meeting was called? Relying on "the attorney's advice" is a remark the council members need to remove from their vocabulary and begin to think for themselves. Perhaps the city could be in better shape than it is, financially, comprehensive plan, (now years out of date) zoning wise, water hookups, (they'll sue, the lawyers that violated the codes in the first place) short plates, variances, and yes, the police situation that is yet to be decided.

Second, special to this remark, "interest of free flowing exchanges of idea, wasn't it best for you that none of the other council members showed up?" The answer is NO. Council members needed to witness honesty, truth and proper exchange of ideas. Third, what a brush off, "Your Concerns- not being heard-- Get from you?" The councilors elected in 2005 have proven to be a huge disappointment! Thanks, Ricky, I believe your point was made with this latest policy, mandate, whatever it is that will happen at 5 p.m. before the formal council meetings. A rather illogical time. Well, it is a set up for failure with poor planning.

Public Apathy, Developer Wins?

2007-07-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

In attending last nights meeting with 80 other people stuffed in to the White Salmon Library, I am hard pressed to think there is public apathy around here. The meeting was to address the Klickitat County's proposal for the Husum-BZ Sub-Area Comprehensive Plan which will allow over time, the transition of some 18,000 acres of Resource Land into residential. With almost no public input. A presentation was organized by The Friends of the White Salmon, among others.

After the meeting, I went to a party and engaged in a conversation with a college professor who has spent 4-5 months of the year in the gorge recreating for the past 20 years. On the topic of citizen participation in the development process vs the developers' interests, he flatly intoned that the developers always win. When I pointed out the huge attendance at this meeting he shrugged, "Its always the landed interests of the developers and builders that get on the commissions and councils. It doesn't matter." In the meantime I'm thinking , well with that attitude, they will win. I don't belive that this public is apathetic, just uninformed. And according to the information given at the meeting last night, it isn't by accident.

My conversation with this fellow highlights of one of the problems. He lives here part of the year. If he lived here all of the year he might have more time and energy to get informed and involved. You might feel you have a bigger stake in your community.That is how your concerns get addressed.

White Salmon City Council Institutes Round Table Meeting Before Each Regular Meeting

2007-07-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

In a positive move toward encouraging more citizen participation, the city council has decided to hold round table town hall meetings before each city council meeting. The city council meetings are every first and third Wednesday at 6 pm at the fire hall. The town hall meetings will be at 5 pm and last for 45 minutes. They will be set up in a more informal arrangement than the rather intimidating 'public comment' portion of the regular meetings.

This time frame may be problematic for many of the working public, not to mention the councilors themselves and the public hoping to attend the regular meeting who hope to eat supper first. It also may take some time for folks to be aware of this new opportunity. If this forum is less than well attended we hope that the Mayor and the City Council does not interpret this as apathy. Let us believe this is not a set-up and that this is a gesture in good faith.

In another good gesture, the council voted to have the draft minutes of the last meeting up on the city's web page within 4 working days. A meeting attendee requested they post the upcoming agendas as well. This blog is currently posting the upcoming agendas on the link to the right as well as the council's web page.

Gookin Returns to City Council at Least til November

2007-07-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

On a 3-0 vote (Mayor Gaddis doesn't vote), Susan Gookin was returned to city council. Gookin has been on the council before and was beat by Timi Keene two years ago. Graciously, Keene voted her in to fill Susan Benedicts term until November. Benedict still had 2 years left. Leana Johnson interviewed valiantly for the position. Hopefully she will file for the general election. Perhaps all of Gookin's volanteer work on the budget committee was in her favor.

So 3 out of 5 positions PLUS the Mayor are up for vote this November!

Note that ALL terms in White Salmon are 4 years. Seems like a long time for this small town.

Bob Landgren (who owns the nursery on the waterfront) has filed for John Mayo's position.
Dave Poucher (retired forester) has filed to run against Mayor Francis Gaddis (business owner Hood River).
Susan Benedict's (now Gookin's) position will be open. Filing closes July 23.
Ricki Marx's (local roofing business owner) position is open and Susan Gookin (Stevenson computer business owner) has filed for it.

Hard to keep up with it all. If anyone has any updated info, please let us know!

Wyers End...New White Salmon Development

2007-07-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

Construction has begun on a unique community designed by architect Ross Chapin, a leader in the cottage development movement. Three blocks from the center of town these new homes will have both river and mountain views. You can see photos of the houses being planned at their website:
http://www.smartdevelopment.com/thebuilding_wyers.cfm
the site plan of the development is at:
http://www.smartdevelopment.com/wyers_siteplan.cfm

Interview for City Council Position 3 Seat City Council This Wednesday

2007-07-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

And among other things: water moratorium enforcement provisions to be discussed at City Council Meeting.

The agenda is often posted in the library and in the post office by Friday before the next meeting. We hope they can be posted on the city web site some day.

See the link to the RIGHT ON THIS PAGE (White Salmon City Council Upcoming Agenda) to see where the editors have posted a copy to our webpage.

Public Meeting on 20,000 Acre Husum/BZ Corner Rezoning

2007-07-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Proposed Klickitat County Rezoning would affect 20,000 acres and would make possible hundreds of new homes & hotels & destination resorts lining Hwy 141 from the mouth of the WhiteSalmon River to 3 miles north of BZ Corners.

Are you curious about the impact …?
• on traffic
• of hundreds of new wells and septic tanks
• on fish and wildlife
• on fire danger
• on rafting and recreational use

Please join us for an informational meeting sponsored by the
Concerned Citizens group.

When: NEXT WEDNESDAY, July 25, 7 pm
Where: WHITE SALMON LIBRARY

Questions? Contact Beth McCullough (509) 493-2685

White Salmon Art & Wine Fusion, Next Sat., July 21, 5- 9 pm

2007-07-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

The third annual White Salmon Art & Wine Fusion takes place on Saturday, July 21, 2007, 5:00-9:00 pm, in downtown White Salmon, and will feature wine tasting from several local wineries, local artists working and selling art, three stages of music, and local, high-quality food and drink vendors. There is no charge for attending. A wine-tasting "passport" is available at the event for $10, and includes a commemorative wineglass, tasting tickets, and entries for local merchant prizes.

Trout Lake Festival Of The Arts Next Weekend, Sat. July 21 & Sun. July 22

2007-07-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

The 12th Annual Trout Lake Festival of the Arts presents a weekend of art and music in beautiful Trout Lake Valley located beneath Mt. Adams. Forty-five artists will be jury selected to display fine art in the rustic barn, outdoors, or garden setting. In addition to the art, visitors enjoy continuous live music, outstanding variety of foods, local brews and wine. The Festival anticipates 2500 to 3000 visitors. 10 am - 6 pm Saturday 10 am - 4 pm Sunday

Don't Forget WS Town Hall Tonight

2007-07-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

6:30 PM, WHITE SALMON GRANGE HALL

Ricki Marx WS City Councilor called this meeting to fascilitate a dialog.

How to give yourself a Blogger Name on this blog

2007-07-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

It might not be obvious, but below the comment box that pops up when you go to write a comment you have several choices on how to sign your self. If you check 'other' you can give yourself a pseudo-name like 'CitizenJane' or whatever. To the editors and readers its still annonymous. So when your comment is posted, that name appears in the comment header so its easier to see who is saying what.

And remember that you need to refresh the entire blog page if you have it bookmarked (hit the F5 button or click the White Salmon, Wa title) or you might be viewing a nonupdated page and missing all the new stuff! Also, hit the title of the post that you are following, and all the comments show up below.

Of course you also start your own topic by sending it to whitesalmon2007@yahoo.com. The editors are pledging to keep people anonymous if they want. We just want dialog and information, for the good and bad. We want this to be a community blog. Hope that helps.

Blog shows ignorance of the community

2007-07-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

... from the Enterprise.. letter to the editor:
Regarding the "White Salmon Blog" web site, I would like to quote Oscar Wilde: "There is so much to be said in favor of modern journalism. By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, it keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community." - Roger Holen, White Salmon

Area Population Growth, Energy Consumption, Environment. Any Common Ground?

2007-07-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

There is lot of new construction, land rezoning, plus public service infrastructure upgrades and additions in our area. Once predominant industries and business have closed or are leaving the area, replaced by entirely new industries and businesses.

The pace of these changes will only increase as the population grows and the numbers of affluent individuals continue to relocate to our communities. Residents born and raised here have been forced to deal with enormous changes, both economic and cultural. We all realize the values of new residents can dramatically clash with the values and norms of our long-established residents. A person's affluence, religion, education and upbringing strongly influence how they view their neighborhoods, politics and the world.

That said, I'd like to start a conversation on finding some common ground to prepare for this growth in terms of energy efficiency and independence, greater opportunities for small, home-grown businesses and reduction of future infrastructure expenses and taxes.

We’ve all heard the cliché “penny wise and pound foolish”. I’d like to look at making a few changes to our zoning, land use, and construction regulations to prepare us for the future. Clear and unemotionally investigation of the small decisions we make today that can create a large economic and environmental difference down the road.

If you are interested in contributing to this thread, I have only two requests:
1). No interjection of any religious beliefs into this process.
2). Abstain from ridiculing the opinions, viewpoints and ideas of others and no “bad-mouthing”.

I’d like to find solutions--not demons.
...this posting was email'd to whitesalmon2007@yahoo.com by "ShadowGirl"

Columbia Gorge Future Forum...save the date...

2007-07-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Columbia Gorge Future Forum is a one-day event on October 29, 2007 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center to stimulate regional discussion about the future of the Gorge in 2027. Please see the details below or visit the website at http://www.gorgecommission.org/futureforum.cfm. This Gorge experience reaches across city, county, state and tribal borders in an effort to approach the future of this magnificent area in an integrated way. A keynote speaker and expert panelists will spark an interactive dialogue about how Gorge citizens and stakeholders influence the next twenty years. The Future Forum is sponsored by a partnership of organizations and businesses with an active stake in the future of the Columbia Gorge. The event will be attended by 150 community members and leaders.

Attend This Event To:
Directly participate in guiding the future of the Scenic Area
Discover opportunities for Gorge communities to work together as a region
Learn how key trends from beyond the Gorge impact our lives.
Identify regional goals for quality of life, environment and the economy
Provide input for the Gorge Commission Indicators Project, which will evaluate how effectively the Scenic Act has been implemented and guide future decision-making.

Become a Sponsor Today!
Depending upon the level of support, there are a variety of benefits available to sponsors:
Dedicated session with keynote speaker Rick Smyre for your high-level employees (presentation or interactive work session)
Name recognition on:
materials advertising the event (event website, registration brochure, storefront flyers) Sponsors who have pledged support by July 30 will have their name on the registration brochure.
materials at the event (signage, attendees’ packets)
materials generated from the event (summary report, video)
Opportunity for a display at the event
Access to reports generated from the event: written summary report, video
Thank you to our early sponsors: Columbia River Gorge Commission, Washington State, the US Forest Service - Scenic Area Office, and Bohn's Printing, Inc.
For more information, contact Jessica Metta at 509-493-3323 ext. 228 or metta@gorgecommission.org.

Revised Agenda: Gorge Commission Mtg...

2007-07-03T21:05:00.000-07:00

Revised...Please note that public comment...has been added to the agenda

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
July 10, 2007
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon
9:00 a.m. Call to Order
9:05 a.m. Approval of Minutes – June 12, 2007
9:10 a.m. Public Comment *
9:25 a.m. Opportunity for Tribal Nations to address Commission
9:30 a.m. Commissioner Work Session on Proposed Plan Amendment for Recreation Resort
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session
2:30 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session
4:25 p.m. Other Business
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS

External Affairs Committee
July 10, 2007, during the lunch break
Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, Oregon

The times on the agenda are approximate. The chair of the Commission reserves the opportunity to change the order and time of the items if unforeseen circumstances arise.

The Commission welcomes public comment on issues not on the agenda during the public comment period. With the exception of factual questions, the Commission does not immediately discuss issues raised during public comment. The Commission will either refer concerns raised during public comment to the Executive Director for a response or will request that the issue be placed on a future meeting agenda.

Starred items on the agenda (*) are open for public comment. The Commission chair reserves the right to set time limits on public testimony. People distributing copies of materials as part of their testimony should bring 15 copies. Written comment on issues of concern may be submitted to the Commission office at any time.

If you have a disability that requires any special materials, services, or assistance, please contact us at 509-493-3323 so we may arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Columbia River Gorge Commission, PO Box 730, White Salmon, WA 98672
509-493-3323, Fax: 509-493-2229, e-mail: info@gorgecommission.org, http://www.GorgeCommission.org

Anonymity is poor policy... enourages slander, untruths

2007-07-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello! I just learned of your White Salmon Blogspot and checked it out. Looks informative. I do have one problem with it - anonymous input. Historical ethical standards require that if you are not willing to "put your money where your mouth is", keep quiet.If one can't back up his/her position or allegations with fact and hard data, then it is nothing more than gossip or unsubstantiated opinion or malicious untruths from an unknown source. Anonymity encourages slander, libel, spiteful comment, absolute untruths. Why? Because the anonymous originator does not have to accept responsibility for his/her words and the object of that irresponsibility may have no recourse. Not taking responsibility for one's actions has become a major problem in modern society. (Yeah, I am old fashioned.)I submit that anonymous commentary may be ungentlemanly, in the least, is typically a refuge of cowards and often venal in the worst. It is unworthy of being disseminated by any media and reflects poorly on the disseminator.I urge you to rethink your policy on anonymity. Herb Hardin

Gorge Commission Meeting: July 10

2007-07-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
July 10, 2007
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon

This regular meeting of the Gorge Commission includes a work session
for Commissioners to discuss issues related to a proposed Plan Amendment for
recreation resort. Although there will be no public comment at this meeting,
the Commission encourages comments via email, fax, phone, and letters. There
will be ample opportunity to comment about recreation resorts in the coming months.

9:00 a.m. Call to Order
9:05 a.m. Approval of Minutes
9:10 a.m. Commissioner Work Session on Proposed Plan Amendment for Recreation Resort
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session
2:30 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. Continuation of Commissioner Work Session
4:00 p.m. Other Business
4:05 p.m. Adjourn

Check Out 14 More Lots on Salmon Run

2007-06-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-06-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-06-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-06-13T10:55:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

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"

2007-06-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

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/

White Salmon Zoning Map and Some Current and Planned Subdivisions Now on the Web

2007-05-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Check out the color coded map of the zoning of White Salmon on the link to the right. This may help you think about what may be coming next to you. The map is from 2004, so is a bit out of date. For example, the Melby annexation on the north side of Spring St. is not indicates. The map is slightly off as well, specifically where is says C-2 near the hospital is alledgedly R-3 and encompasses the new Salmon Run. City hall has a giant one that may be a bit more helpful. We are hoping for a new map that shows the existing lots as well.

We are also in the process of putting up some images of the Salmon Run development as well as the Spring St. Matt Melby development. Its kinda takes your breath away to see the density of the Salmon Run right off of a busy street like Jewett.

The Melby development was scaled back due to citizen and planner concerns from 5 to 4 units, based on the storm water run-off problem. Spring St. is a steep and busy collector street with poor visibility and is not up to state fire code. This is still a concern to citizens, especially in the light of cumulative effects of the developers alleged plans to develop on the north side of the street as well as all of the upcoming development up Spring St.

The City council is holding a hearing on the development next Wednesday, June 6 at 6 pm at the Fire Hall.

Comprehensive Plan and the Role of the Planning Commission

2007-05-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

So we are ALL INVITED to find out what the heck is the use of a Comprehensive Plan for Towns in Wa. State. Maybe we can start thinking about its purpose and how we can use it to benefit ALL of White Salmon residents. Our Comp Plan was last written in 1991! Its probably out of date big time. I've looked at it. Its pretty cool. For example. It calls for *increasing* lot size to 7,500 sq ft (from 3-5,000) to sustain the rural character of the town. Alas, this has not happened and new lots are being annexed in at R2 (allows Townhouses on 3,000 sq ft) and R3 (Apartment buildings). How about affordable housing?

The Planning Commission is getting a presentation on "The Legal Basis of Planning in Washington State: Comprehensive Planning Basics and the Role of the Planning Commission". This Wednesday at 6 pm at the Fire Hall. We all should get trained on this one. Rumor has it that is being presented by Jim Kucena, real estate attorney and former planning commissioner for White Salmon, and original developer of the Salmon Run subdivision on Jewett. Should be interesting...

Finally, Klickitat County will hold next vote by mail

2007-05-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hopefully it will encourage all you guys to vote that tend to leave our beautiful gorge for the winter to go to some place warm and sunny (who would want to do that?) and forget to ask for an absentee ballot. Maybe this will encourage actual involvement! Especially when we see the county becoming more like Hood River, where 75% of the homes are second homes. I wonder what their voting rates are, with Oregon's all vote by mail?

This is good news for the county and the city financially too. Of course, folks had been calling for this for some time. One of the reasons we didn't get it before apparently was that the county got some grant to put in Diebold electronic voting machines that would help the disabled vote at the poll. One poll observer mentioned that no one used the machines all day. The other benefit is a rather large savings to the county. Maybe some of the savings could be used for say, voter education. So Yay! for Klickitat county, no longer in the minority in Wa. State. Only three counties now remain under the polling-place system -- King, Pierce and Kittitas.

What's Happening at the Broughton Mill Site?

2007-05-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Broughton Mill is the site of a controversial development project in Underwood Wa. near the Spring Creek Fish Hatchery State Park and world famous windsurfing site. This is an issue of vital concern to everyone interested in maintaining the natural beauty of the Gorge, and who wish to continue enjoying this beautiful stretch of the Columbia River. Let us not allow this to become one more huge sell-out to huge developers at the expense of the majority of State Park users.

The property is owned by the Stevenson family, owner of the SDS lumber company and the Broughton family. The site was zoned to include 35 units and an RV park nestled in the woods. The current proposal is to expand it to almost 250units (it was going to be 450 units), that is over ten times the size that was planned in 1986 under the Columbia Gorge Scenic Act. A destination resort. It is being developed by a destination ski area. Think Aspen. Right here where we sail. Why did they call it a scenic area when they don't plan to keep it scenic? Our White Salmon City council has endorsed it as well as the Klickitat County Economic Development commission. Keep that traffic coming our way! Heck, there are 3 other 'commercial recreation' sites left to develop in the Gorge after this one. Lets add a Casino while we're at it. Think how valuable our land will be when we can sell out and move away. The Columbia Gorge Windsurf Assoc. CGWA is hoping to get some scraps from SDS by 'asking' for parking space for RVs so they won't be parking at the Hatch.

Check out this link to a local website on what's happening from a local point of view: http://whitesalmon.freeservers.com/

Here's a link to the p.r. from SDS/Broughton that the CGWA has posted on their website. http://windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa/broughtonlanding.pdf

Broughton has information at http://broughtonlanding.com/

Here's a write-up on one of the Gorge Commission hearings: http://www.topix.net/content/newwest/2753007227266627404028909111400544457783

Check out the discussion among windsurfers at:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/GORGEwindsurfer/

To get on the Gorge Commissions mailing list go to: http://www.gorgecommission.org/

Great News! Lyle Point goes back to the Yakama Nation.

2007-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Nanainmi Waki Uulktt-- place where the wind blows from two directions.This is Lyle Point -- where the Klickitat and Columbia rivers meet.For thousands of years area tribes called it their own--Then---the developers came.
But wait, this story has a happy ending. Heard on the net today:

Lyle Point, a culturally significant 33-acre peninsula on the
Columbia River, considered sacred by the Yakama Nation, will be returned to the
Nation. The conveyance will end a decades-long effort by the Yakama to regain
land they have used for fishing for thousands of years, The Trust for Public
Land announced Tuesday. “Today, marks the return and protection of sacred land
known as Nanainmi Waki ‘ Uulktt (place where the wind blows from two directions)
to the Yakama people”, said Charles F. Sams III, Director of TPL’s Tribal &
Native Lands Program.
“Lyle Point, was once a village of the Cascade and Klickitat bands and is now a protected burial site of the Yakama Nation.”
"This is a great day for the Yakamas--to get the land returned back for
access to our fishing right areas. The younger generation will continue to
exercise their Creator-given right to our very important salmon. The U.S.
government Trust for Public Land (TPL) began its effort to protect Lyle Point in
1992, in response to a controversial proposal to build a 33-unit gated housing
development on the scenic promontory. When Klickitat County approved a
subdivision of the site into 33 lots, Tribal members and environmental groups
began a series of protests that included a nine-month encampment on the site and
litigation. In 1994, the Yakama and Warm Springs Tribes filed a lawsuit against
the landowners.
Protestors organized large marches in the state capitals of
Oregon and Washington and picketed the offices of realtors listing the lots. TPL
continued negotiations with the landowners, Klickitat Landing Partners, and held
discussions with Tribal members to investigate potential options to protect and
steward this sacred site.
In 2000, TPL acquired 27 of the lots from the original owner, and two years later, TPL acquired the remaining four lots from another party. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers purchased two lots for an in-lieu fishing site for Columbia River Tribal fishermen as part of the
settlement of the litigation. After TPL acquired the majority of lots in 2000,
Klickitat County passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of this property for
park purposes. TPL and the Yakama Indian Nation have entered into a contract to
convey Lyle Point to the Nation..

I don't yet know all the details, but it looks like the Gorge 1, Developers 0.

Affordable housing?? Sale of trailer park??

2007-05-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

SqueekyWheel asks: "Does anyone know anything about the plans for the Washington Street Trailer Park? It has a sale pending and I was just wondering if there are plans to move all the mobiles out from there and build condos? What will happen to all those people if they do that? Where is our affordable housing?"

That's an excellent question. Are there any readers who know the story is about this trailer park, (or other trailer parks), and what is happening to the former residents? Are they being forced to emigrate to other communities? What is White Salmon's policy re: affordable housing?

Organizing Grant Comes to White Salmon Bingen

2007-05-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the largess of the North West Area Foundation (JJ Hill money see: http://www.nwaf.org) we have an opportunity to get a bunch of people trained in local organizing/activism/leadership to fight POVERTY. Right on. (See May 10 post here: seeking-volunteers-for-ws-poverty)
Tell everyone you know. Stay tuned.

Horizon's Local Leadership Training Schedule
June 11 to 15, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., probably in White Salmon
Saturday afternoons, 2 to 5 p.m., June 2 to July 28, in Bingen
Tuesday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon, 9 weeks beginning May 22, White Salmon.
Thursday evenings, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 9 weeks beginning May 24, White Salmon.
CALL Zoe Campbell at: 509-493-8202

On Blogging and Rumours

2007-05-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Wellcome to the BlogoSphere!
Anon. commented yesterday that SteelHead's post about the reason for Kucena's resignation from the planning commisson contained some NON-FACTUAL (good gawd) information, and brought up the issue of credibility. Right on. I can't agree more, especially if the poster is trying to maintain that they are an expert. The poster and /or commenters should clearly state that this is their personal understanding. Or at least they should indicate that this is a current rumour going around. Frankly, if I were the one being talked about, esp. if Iwere a public official, I'd kinda like to know its happening. And if someone actually knows that something isn't factual that has been posted, it is great if they can bring it to our attention. What is or is not in the muni code is an excellent example. It can be looked up.

I haven't myself seen the muni code (I don't live in a library- the darned code isn't online.)Certainly many people believe that only one out-of-towner is allowed on the planning commission. I myself don't even know if Kucena did resign for that matter. I myself 'heard' more stuff on how the resignation came about than Annon has referred to but that might be beating a dead horse so to speak. I also 'heard' yesterday that he sold out of The Salmon Run. Don't know fer sure. Just a rumour.

This issue of course is about blogs vs letters to the editors or 'articles' . Timing is often important in public issues, or current events. The turnaround in a weekly paper like the Enterprise is often just too long. In this case, maybe they have already appointed someone for the commission before anyone even knows there is a vacancy.

My biggest concern is that people get involved for accountabilities sake. I want a dialog to go on around here. Most people weren't party to the goings on about the Mayor Holen issue and felt pretty out of the loop and could only peer through the 'window' of the letters to the editor. If rumors are flying around, lets get them aired out and be refuted.

Planning Commission

2007-05-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jim Kacena, developer on the White Salmon Planning Commission, was forced to resign from the planning commision last week because it was revealed that he is not a citizen of White Salmon. Kacena is the brains and money behind the Salmon Run (off) development on that steep hillside on Jewette Ave.

If you are a citizen of our town now is the time to think about stepping up to the job. It is now more important than ever too help shape the living future of our town - the way it will grow for all its citizens - not just out of town developers.

Standing Up to the Developers

2007-05-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Local folks are beginning to wake up to the what has become a stealth attack on the quality of life in the White Salmon by outside developers. Residents of Spring Street had been broad-sided by the White Salmon Planning Commission's staff approval of a wall to wall high density subdivision on a city lot on a very narrow steep and high traffic volume street.

Now the word is out, and residents are pushing back by are showing up at meetings and writing letters demanding a sensible approach to city development.

Showing up and getting informed is the least we can do.

Check out this story in the Enterprise:
http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/WSENews2.shtml

Welcome to Our New Community Blog!

2007-05-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

We are a bunch of local citizen editors who are interested in having a two-way discussion with the White Salmon, Bingen and wider Klickitat county community. This is a trial balloon for open communication. How it works: An editor posts a discussion topic and readers are invited to post a reply comment which they do by clicking the word comment. Another window opens up and the writer is prompted to sign in either anonymously or with a Google account if they have one. To view all of the comments at once click the title of the post.

Seeking volunteers for W.S. Poverty initiative

2007-05-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Horizon Project is a White Salmon initiative to address the issue of poverty in the area. They are seeking volunteers to participate. The next step is a training program scheduled for May 2007. Help make a difference. Call Zoe Campbell with questions... 509-493-8202