Opinion
In February I took an extra week off before coming back to present the Whistle you’re reading today. I was far away for an annual visit to a best friend and a chance to get warm and gain perspective. Reentering our bustling community, I’ve reached some conclusions about how we can proceed in 2023....
The weight of representing our community can be challenging for the City Council. When it comes to our residential zones, streets, alleys, structures and services, motions passed have been at odds with the will of the people. Why? This week The Whistle calls it. City Hall is not comfortable...
The river flowed around the bend below Wenatchee River Institute last Wednesday night, January 11, the roar of rapids muting our icy footsteps as we approached The Barn. Jammed with locals, elected officials and guests, the crowd listened respectfully as Erin McKay, Senior Natural Resource...
Welcome to a New Year, a time for dreaming and fresh beginnings. In that spirit, The
Whistle has several announcements and changes that should prove refreshing in the
months ahead.
Pardon the chilly reference, but feel free to view me and this column as the tip of a
community iceberg in 2023. I...
Seasons greetings! In our time presenting The Whistle to the Upper Valley, we admit
we’ve served up some spicy observations. It hasn’t always been easy to take our
elected officials and the workings of City Hall to task, but we believe that thoughtful
opinion in the local press is key to a healthy...
The last Whistle blew long and strong for a more comprehensive, altruistic, and diverse membership on the Leavenworth Planning Commission. This week, the Whistle is blowing to petition the Planning Commission and City Council take a step back to view the big picture and the impact of multiple...
The Planning Commission (PC) is a crucial group in any town. PCs deal with codes around land use and legislative policy, as well as comprehensive and long range planning. It’s a complex and challenging mix, most effective when membership includes qualified residents who represent a broad range of...
Anne Hessburg Submitted Photo
Shon Smith, who is running for Chelan County Commissioner, lead over Anne Hessburg after the second round of ballot counts were released Thursday, Nov. 10th. According to Chelan County auditor’s office, with 50.2% of the vote, Smith, a Republican, lead his opponent, Independent Hessberg by only 143...
Let’s get this PC thing out of the way. It’s probably not politically correct to say so but as
far as this columnist can tell, the PC (aka Planning Commission), while advertising for
diversity, is ideologically skewed and scoots along the edge of conflict of interest where
some of the membership is...
Disclosure: I’m odd. I don’t take sides unless absolutely necessary and I have never strongly affiliated with political parties, even in today’s a politically polarized fun house. I have faith in great ideas from diverse sources, innovation, and most of all collaboration. Odder still, I am fiercely...
NCW Media Newspapers
- The Leavenworth Echo | Leavenworth, WA
- Cashmere Valley Record | Cashmere WA
- Lake Chelan Mirror | Chelan, Manson, Entiat, WA
- Quad City Herald | Brewster, Pateros, Bridgeport, Mansfield, WA
- Wenatchee Business Journal | Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan Counties, WA