Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, July 05, 2012

Page 1

Murray Retires

Historical photo albums presented at the library

Detective checks out of service after 39 years

See page A8

SERVING WASHINGTON’S

OKANOGAN VALLEY

SINCE 1905

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IJC seeks comment on lake levels Meetings to be held in Oroville and Osoyoos BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR

OROVILLE/OSOYOOS – The International Joint Commission is seeking comments from the public regarding the regulation of water levels of Lake Osoyoos at meetings planned in Oroville and Osoyoos, B.C. The first of these public meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 24, at the Oroville High School Commons, 1008 Ironwood St., at 7 p.m. The second public meeting will be on Wednesday, July 25 at the Best Western Plus Sunrise Inn at 5506 Main Street, Osoyoos, at 7 p.m. Since 1946 the commission has regulated water levels in the lake under the Lake Osoyoos Order which provides for the regulation of water levels for the benefit of agriculture, tourism, municipal interests and fishery protection. In 1946 the commission approved alterations to the old wooden Zosel Dam which was downstream from the lake. In 1987, under orders of the IJC the new Zosel Dam was constructed to replace the old dam. The orders set maximum and minimum lake elevations of 911.5 and 909 feet during normal years. During a drought year, water may be stored to lake elevation as high as 913.0 feet. The current Orders of Approval for Lake Osoyoos are set to expire on Feb. 22, 2013, unless renewed. The commission asked its International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control to present a report of recommendations for renewing the Osoyoos Lake Orders. Drawing on the results of eight studies commissioned by IJC, the board recommends that the scope of a renewed Order remain limited to the management of lake lev-

Okanogan County recipient of federal dollars

Roads and schools to benefit from funds BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR

Photo by Gary DeVon

Constructed in 1987, Zosel Dam replaced a wooden structure that served Zosel’s Sawmill. The current dam is used to control water levels on Lake Osoyoos under the Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District as authorized by the state Department of Ecology. The water level is set by the International Joint Commission which will be holding meetings in Oroville and Osoyoos, B.C. later this month. els with only minor modifications that ing goals for Osoyoos Lake elevations also eliminate drought/non-drought are primarily related to a revised lake- and limits on releases that are possible declarations and would limit the maxilevel rule curve (i.e. prescribed lake from Okanagan Lake in southern British mum lake levels to 912.5 feet in the water level elevation limits over time Columbia. summer. More detailed discussion of the per an IJC Order). The board also recThe Board recommends a pub- proposed rule curve and the Board’s recommends that the Commission should lic review of a proposed rule curve. ommendations on renewal of the Order encourage the continued cooperation The proposed rule curve would pro- are contained in the Board’s Report between British Columbia and the State vide additional seasonal flexibility in entitled Recommendations for Renewal of Washington to balance flow needs achieving targeted lake levels, and would of the International Joint Commission’s across the International Border and accommodate multiple uses and users of Osoyoos Lake Order now posted on the downstream of the dam, while respect- the lake. The proposed rule curve would IJC website at www.ijc.org.

Todd Hill selected as new school board member One position left to fill for Oroville School District

to the community and through my life experience. I feel I can contribute to the board,” said Hill. Regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the district, Hill said he felt that the curriculum was a strength, having BY GARY A. DEVON heard several positives about it. He said the maintenance of the buildings seemed MANAGING EDITOR to be a negative. The new board members said he OROVILLE – Todd Hill, an Oroville police officer and father of four, was would be available to the citizens to talk selected to fill the seat vacated by to them about board issues and listen to Christina Rise on the Oroville School complaints and bring them to the board. He was asked if he was willing to Board. Hill was chosen by the current school spend extra time to learn how to be an directors, Amy Wise, David Nutt and effective board member. “I have time to do the reading or go Rocky DeVon, at their meeting on Wednesday, June 27. Hill and Anne online or attend a workshop. My wife is Marie Ricevuto both expressed interest very supportive and my police chief is also supportive,” in the posiHill said. tion and W h e n were interasked what viewed for special skills the job, he would being asked bring to the to answer board, Hill six quessaid, “I have tions each. the abilAfter the ity to deal interviews with difand a short ficult deciexe c ut ive sions and session, keep my Wise made emotions a motion Photo by Gary DeVon out of it. I to choose Hill and it Todd Hill takes the oath of office for the Oroville School Board. also have was sec- Hill was selected to fill the spot vacated by Christina Rise, who the ability onded by resigned her position after moving from her region of the dis- to listen to people and Nutt and trict into another from which she wasn’t elected. understand passed. Hill has lived in Oroville for nine what they are telling me.” Hill said as a supervisor at the police years and grew up in Okanogan, moving into law enforcement through Explorer department he is also used to dealing Scouts, he said. He was a reserve officer with tight budgets, learning to get trainfor Okanogan and Tonasket before join- ing for his fellow officers when money was tight. ing OPD in 2003. “I believe I can help the board through my experience with the police in service SEE BOARD | OG. A3

OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 108 No. 27

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Okanogan County will receive about $2.25 million in Secure Rural School funding through an amendment to the transportation bill cosponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The amendment extends for one Sen. Maria Cantwell year two important programs that provide support for rural schools and roads, according to Cantwell. Washington State is typically the fourth highest recipient of Secure Rural School (SRS) funding. Okanogan County is a top recipient of these programs and will receive roughly $2.25 million in SRS monies as well as $2.1 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes funding as a result of the deal. Okanogan County is third in the state in SRS funding and second in the state in PILT funding. The amendment also continued funding for key state transportation projects. In recent years, projects that have received this sort of transportation funding include a rock slope stabilization project on SR 97A between Wenatchee and Lake Chelan; safety improvements to the SR 529 Snohomish River Bridge

“This vote is welcome news for 100,000 Washington students who faced dramatic increases in loan rates.” Sen. Maria Cantwell

Brent Baker / staff photo

There’s nothing resembling “fun” going on at the Tonasket City Pool this summer after it was shut down last fall and condemned this spring. The Tonasket City Council is trying to build a community-based coalition to spearhead the construction and long-term viability of a new pool.

Tonasket seeks area-based council for new Tonasket pool BY BRENT BAKER BBAKER@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM

TONASKET - The Tonasket City Council was in agreement at its Tuesday, June 26, meeting that the city swimming pool needs to be replaced -- not just repaired. How to go about doing that was the subject of a lengthy discussion at which the council made clear it felt that would best be accomplished by a broad-based coalition of the community, including neighboring towns outside the Tonasket city limits. Though the decision not to re-open the pool was made last fall, it’s only been since the pool remained empty this summer that council members have been getting significant feedback from residents. Mayor Patrick Plumb said he’d been approached by an increasing number of

people. “We need to decide on a direction,” said city clerk Alice Attwood, asking whether the pool should be rebuilt or repaired. And if a new pool is built, asked if it should be an indoor or outdoor pool, or in the same place (at History Park) or a new location. Before the council started its discussion, Attwood referred them to an article from The Seattle Times that referred to problems with funding existing indoor pools in the Seattle area, which cost an average of about $650,000 annually to maintain. Council members Jean Ramsey, Jill Vugteveen, Selena Hines and Scott Olson agreed that building a new outdoor pool in the same location was the preferred option. “I’d really like to see a new pool in the

SEE COUNCIL | PG. A3

SEE MONEY | PG. A3

INSIDE THIS EDITION

CONTACT US Newsroom and Advertising (509) 476-3602 gdevon@gazette-tribune.com

and a rock slope stabilization project on the west section of Stevens Pass to reduce rocks from falling on US 2. “Washington state businesses rely on our transportation infrastructure to support jobs and stay competitive in a global economy,” Cantwell said last Friday. “This critical transportation bill will support Washington jobs by investing in our roads, bridges, ferries, and railways. Today’s vote helps to build a network that will support Washington’s future economic growth.” A provision backed by Cantwell and fellow U.S. Senator Patty Murray from Washington State, also prevented student loan interest rates from doubling last Sunday. In Washington state, a doubling of the student loan interest rate from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent and would cost Washington state college students $83 million more in loan payments. “This vote is welcome news for 100,000 Washington students who faced dramatic increases in loan rates,” Cantwell said. “In stopping these loan rates from doubling, we are sending a message that America is focused on investing in its future. Today’s vote will help more Washington middleclass families to afford college and technical education.” Cantwell joined with a bipartisan majority of her colleagues in voting to approve the transportation bill which included Senate Amendment 1825, the

Community A2-3 Letters & Opinions A4 Valley Life A5-6

Police Stats A7 Obituaries A8 Local Sports A9

Classifieds/Legals A10 Business & Services A11 Valley Life A12


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