Friday, March 29, 2024

Friends of Leavenworth Responds

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Friends of Leavenworth Responds

We were a bit surprised to read the Echo’s editorial about our non-profit organization—Friends of Leavenworth—in the March 13 edition of the Echo, since the Editor has never met with any of us on the board to verify the statements he made about us.

Over the past year, we have shared our group’s objectives in several open public meetings, including the one we held on Friday, March 15, where the fire hall was filled to standing room only. We have held these open meetings to better understand the concerns of the residents so that we can advocate for their issues. In addition, we have met with business owners, local employees, and City Council members to understand their perspectives.

Perhaps it would be helpful for us to clarify here what we are about, by sharing with you our mission statement and objectives;

    Mission:  As Leavenworth area residents, we seek to work together to preserve our quality of life and unique environment for present and future generations.

    Objectives:

    •      To protect the health, safety, and quality of life for residents, now and into the future.

    •      To promote sustainable tourism and diverse economic growth.

    •      To work cooperatively with city, county and state agencies to ensure balanced policies that allow growth while protecting the unique qualities of our community.

    •      To partner with the business community on shared goals.

    •      To preserve and protect the natural environment.

We are not against tourism or against growth. Rather, we are for preservation of the quality of life for residents and the quality of the experience for tourists. We understand there will be growth in our community. The challenge is how to grow wisely, so as not to destroy the small-town character, beauty, and natural environment that is valued by residents and tourists alike.

In January, we took a poll of the 750 people who subscribe to our mailing list, almost all of whom live within the 98826 Zip Code.

About 230 people took the survey. We asked people to list their top concerns about the issues facing our community. Here, in rank order, is what they told us: Traffic, Parking, Lack of City focus on residents’ issues, Environmental damage, and Outside money influence on development. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the people who responded to the survey have lived in the community for more than 10 years. Forty percent (40%) live within the city limits and 60% live in the unincorporated area.

In Ted Price’s book, Miracle Town, Pauline Watson—who was one of the first building owners in town to adopt the Bavarian theme—is quoted as saying, “I think the greatest challenge is still ahead of us—that somehow we have got to figure out how to have growth, and yet how to keep being a village.”

We invite residents who are interested in the future of our valley to join with us. And, we invite Mr. Forhan, who is also the President of the Chamber of Commerce, to sit down over coffee and begin a dialogue with us.

 Kirvil Skinnarland

Friends of Leavenworth

 www.friendsofleavenworth.org

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