Hatchery’s legacy

I heard that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was planning to close the Tokul Creek Fish Hatchery in about two months.

Budget, the old “hatchery versus wild steelhead” fears, and a newly-found desire to return the whole Snoqualmie River Basin back to a natural environment were the cockamamie reasons I heard.

What are these people thinking of? Are they out of their ever-loving minds and want to test how many times sport fishermen will be stabbed in the back before voting the current administration and commission out of office? Do they want to destroy one of the best-producing fish hatcheries in the state, one which has a cost-free, gravity-fed supply of water for fish rearing — an establishment that has a well-earned, sterling operational reputation over a century, and is a valuable resource for local and state fishermen?

This is a hatchery operated at minimal cost to the public and efficiently run by a minimum staff of three persons who have willingly given the state and the public dedication, cooperation, information, and countless hours of service far beyond “8 to 5” hours. I have seen the work they do and enjoyed the results they achieved. I cannot praise more highly manager Darin Combs, and staff Debi Sanchez and Duane Richer. They are assets to the state, county and local community.

Close Tokul Creek Fish Hatchery? Go back to the drawing board, WDFW, and come up with a better budget and better plan. Forget or delay some of the 50 or more expensive and extensive work projects you and various state and county departments would like to do in the Snoqualmie Basin, and instead better serve the citizens of this area properly, and keep the money, personnel and fish at Tokul Hatchery where we need them.

Milt Keizer

Fall City

For the children

In regards to Snoqualmie Railroad Days, my family has been in the Snoqualmie Valley for a little over 100 years. I remember my mom letting us decorate our bikes or whatever our favorite toy was, to be in the parade. It was exciting and fun for my sisters and me. We then went over to where the school district building is now, to the carnival. There was a ferris wheel, fun house, merry-go-round, riding on little cars, face painting and lots of kiddy rides. The game booths were great — so many things to do for the whole day and into the evening for the kids. I even brought home a goldfish or parakeet that I had won. Everyone looked forward to the drill teams from out of town, pirates, Mount Si High School Band, clowns throwing candy and putting smiles on everyone. As I’ve raised my children, they too were involved in the weekend festivities.

I have wonderful memories of those days, and fortunately, my children got to experience it, too! Unfortunately, my grandchildren will not be so lucky! They got to see a ‘Political Parade.’ Fortunately, they also got to see some horses, fire trucks, Boy Scouts, K-9 dogs, and of course, Mr. Tepper’s group of talented kids. The grandchildren left with political stickers! Great souvenirs for kids — Not! I couldn’t wait to go home, my cousin and family agreed. There were a lot of people that were complaining. I have a great idea — next year let it be for the kids!

Here are just a few of the booths along the parade route: Funeral homes, house builders, windows, religious, insurance and don’t forget, political booths! Hopefully, “Formerly known as Alpine Days” will be for the kids!

Stephanie Adams

North Bend

Rooster news?

Geez! How does a rooster rate front page (Raucous Rooster Round-up, July 23 edition)? I have a bug that bites any unprotected feet! Maybe send out the news crew for live coverage! I have to wonder if business has gotten slow for the Spotted Owl again, and also if Bob Antone pays you guys for these hare-brained marketing ideas? Oh, that’s right, it’s the Antone clout once again!

John Lewis

Carnation

Income tax

I’ll make this short. Here’s my voice concerning what’s happening with the Valley:

Two mistakes don’t fix a problem. The school district is short on funding, and that is more or less due to the booming population in the Valley. But trying to fund it by placing an enormous property tax bond on the ballot won’t solve the problem. Well, it may, but imagine how many it will force to leave the Valley, negating the benefits. If it doesn’t benefit all of those who are current residents, I don’t see it worth doing.

Not to simply complain, I think one idea for a solution would be to create a state level income tax to help fund school districts based on population. Of course, the fear behind an income tax is that the government will go out of control with it, which means there’d have to be safeguards in place. If an income tax is only for education, as I said, and if there is an adequate standard deduction to offset the effects on the poor, I see no harm.

I would suggest others who are reading this to think of ideas, and send it in to either a local newspaper or contact a local news station. It’s an election year, after all, and maybe they’ll step up to the plate and try hitting this problem head on.

Tony Parker

Snoqualmie

Circle to nowhere?

Where is that mystery reporter when I need her? I only wish I knew her location when she asked the question, “What do you think about North Bend’s newest roundabout?”

After a pretty colorful conversation with [city administrator) Duncan Wilson two weeks ago, he promised me the new roundabout near Les Schwab would be a great traffic thoroughfare. Ha! Has he or anyone else from the city administrator’s office gone through this second badly flawed roundabout? Exit 30 would be the first, but that’s the Department of Transportation, not North Bend’s, problem.

I’ve seen several semi-trucks painfully maneuver through this roundabout. The attached second truck trailer actually jumps the curb and drives directly over the huge inner “decorative” concrete circle that was constructed, leaving nice black tire marks on this brand new multi-million dollar roundabout. You really need to see this to appreciate how ridiculous this is. I asked Duncan why massive semi-trailer trucks would attempt to drive through this new traffic debacle. Duncan’s answer was that the trucks use this route as an alternate to I-90 and they are actually supposed to drive over the inner circle… that’s what the sloped curb is for.

Aaahhh, I get it now: Take my hard-earned property tax dollars that we all pay each year, build roundabouts in town that no one knows how to navigate, and then to rub more salt in to the wound, make it impossible for semi trucks to actually drive through these roundabouts and materially and aesthetically destroy the actual roundabout that everyone in North Bend just paid for. City government at its best. Thanks, Duncan, and city council and mayor. Can’t wait for the next roundabout to open next to the Snoqualmie Casino. I would love to hear what the drivers coming off of Cedar Falls Way have to say about this new circle slowdown. I see them from my left eye, but I also see they never attempt to enter the circle, because of fast moving traffic that won’t let you in.

Next time someone needs to spend our tax dollars, please ask for our opinion. I would gladly spend it on something more productive than a traffic circle to nowhere.

Brian Murphy

North Bend

Valley changes

I am writing in response to Kyle Anne Matthews’ letter concerning the recent changes to the Valley.

As someone who has lived in this beautiful Valley my whole life, I was more than frustrated by her letter. The way I see it, she is the part of the problem. While change is hard and very rarely welcomed with open arms, it is necessary when you have a population base that is continuing to grow. To point a finger at the “fathers” of North Bend is laughable.

She talks about the raping of Mother Nature and mentions her displeasure for the roundabouts. I happen to be a fan of roundabouts. Although there is a learning curve, they are effective. Roundabouts use less energy than stoplights and help prevent excess carbon emissions from idling cars. Most people think that they are more aesthetically pleasing than stoplights hanging everywhere around town. Does anyone remember when there were no stoplights in town?

She mentions the new bridge on Mount Si Road, calling it a “Metal Monster.” I would like to know what she would suggest in its place? She also blames those same “fathers” for the “awful, disgusting” Casino. This is actually in Snoqualmie, get your facts right.

Finally, she complains about the new proposed park and ride to accommodate the commuters out here. Please explain to me how this is a bad thing? Less cars on the road, making commuting easier for the citizens of the Valley, helping to make other areas more accessible for those that can’t drive. You’re right, you got me there. That is an evil, illogical plan by the leaders of the community.

Do I agree with everything that is happening out here? Absolutely not! I do think that change can be good. I am extremely frustrated and angered, though, that someone that has lived here for such a short time can hold such a strong opinion of a place, that I have watched go from a quaint town to suburbia in what seems like overnight!

Personally I think the leaders are doing the best they can with the hand they were dealt. Perhaps you should take your own advice and move away!

Liz Schomber

North Bend