Editorial

Those mysterious flying machines

You would think that one week after the fact, the News could find out the reason why several helicopters were flying all over the valley last Tuesday night, Aug. 24. After all, the Methow isn’t Baghdad or Kandahar. Though we do have our share of helicopter traffic deriving from fairly obvious activities and events – like firefighting, skiing, pesticide application, personal flying, search and rescue and, of course, marijuana eradication efforts – what occurred that night sometime between 9:30 and 10 p.m. was quite out of the ordinary.

One would think it would be straightforward to get a few answers as to what was going on.

The helicopters that night were not hard to hear, although they may have been difficult to see. It seemed two or three of them were flying without lights. The machines motored up Lost River Road past the Mazama Store and minutes later headed down valley. If they crews were doing anything in particular, aside from seeming to be lost, they didn’t spend much time doing it. Other reports from around Big Valley and the Wolf Ridge area noted one or more of the helicopters using a spotlight at times.

It would be easy to assume that the helicopters were involved in some sort of drug bust operation. Helicopter activity has been evident around the valley the past few weeks as part of operations headed by the Washington State Patrol’s Cannabis Eradication Response Team. Perhaps the big heli show was part of that response, but the sheriff's office denies it was law enforcement and it sure didn’t appear to be a normal operation. Flying at night with several helicopters seems like an ineffective way to spot outdoor growing operations, especially those large ones on public lands that have become popular the last few years around the region.

As with the recent pot grow busts up Black Canyon and Boulder Creek, as well as others in the past, the familiar protocol used appears to be: fly around during the day, spot the operation and then send in the ground troops for eradication and, if lucky, the apprehension of illegal immigrants from Mexico. This nighttime operation was quite different from that.

As the News approaches its deadline, it seems some folks in the know have indicated that the U.S. Marines were in the valley doing some training. Apparently, flying low at night over rural residences with several helicopters, shining searchlights across private property while giving the public no warning whatsoever as to the occurrence and reason for this activity is a valuable exercise in some way.

We are generally used to military jet planes zooming through the valley airspace from time to time. There seems little need for advanced public notice for the occasional jet flying through, nor does it seem practical. However, if nighttime helicopter training operations are going to become more frequent in the Methow, maybe prior notification for residents would be appropriate.

Or would that take the mystery out of it?
– Paul Butler
 

 

Letters to the editor

Enforce noise law
Editor,
    Loud noise is considered torture by our military, and is against the law in Okanogan County. Yet our county sheriff will not enforce Okanogan County Code Title 9 Section 9.16.010 “Public Disturbance by Noise – Unlawful.”
    My wife and I purchased our dream riverfront property on the Methow River in 2005, where I could fly fish and teach others to enjoy the tranquility and harmony of fly fishing. We followed the county rules, spent a lot of time and money, applied for and received a special use permit to open and build a fly fishing school, which brings tax dollars to our community.
    Two years later, a motocross track was built within 100 yards of our door. Four or five adults ride for four-plus hours every Wednesday evening, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., March to November. Youngsters ride most Saturdays, Sundays and many times during the middle of the week. We cannot operate our business, let alone enjoy our property due to the deafening motorcycles roaring around the track hour after hour.
    None of the neighbors want to keep children from enjoying a sport they like. We just don’t believe a motocross track belongs in a residential neighborhood.
    Sheriff Rogers, please enforce the laws of Okanogan County. Help us live together and respect our neighbors’ right to peace and quiet. Don’t let this motocross track drive our business out of Okanogan County.
Larry Hill and
Mary Redman-Hill
Twisp

OCEC rates off the dial
    The following letter, addressed to Okanogan County Electric Cooperative manager Ray Ellis, was sent to the News for publication.

Hello Mr. Ellis,
    My wife and I own a home in Mazama as well as one in Stanwood. The Stanwood home is serviced by Snohomish County PUD, the Mazama home, as you can guess, OCEC. Our home in Mazama was finished six or seven years ago and in the summer months we are generally there every other weekend.
    I’m writing today to question the cost of power through OCEC and perhaps even vent a little. I’ve read with interest some of the changes taking place within OCEC and know everyone in the valley (or perhaps most people) are less than delighted with the power bill they receive each month. For us and our use of the cabin, the cost of power is sinful. OK, perhaps not this bad, but certainly “off-the-dial.”
    Let me explain. Last year, our power bill for May, June and July was $180.31. The same period this year, our bill was $319.01, a 77 percent jump.  Please understand we are talking about a house that gets used two to three weekends a month, and otherwise has a refrigerator running and a hot tub at 80 degrees. I shut the hot water tank off as we leave each weekend we are there. I might also point out, in July of this year my hot tub was removed for some slab work and wasn’t used at all. This represented only $15 to $20 reduction in my monthly bill.
    Our home in Stanwood has electric hot water too, and two people living in it. With everything blazing, our last bill (they bill every 60 days) was $145, or roughly $217.50 for the same three months. We have friends with a home up the Entiat River Road and their summertime power bill is less than $25 a month.
    Power cost last year through OCEC was comparably really high to all other sources in the area, but this year something has happened to nearly double our cost. I no longer have the bills handy to determine our usage, but based on or consistent use of the cabin, I doubt this is the cause of the spike. So in simple terms, please don’t bury me in a whole bunch of acronyms and noise to explain this away, what’s happening, why and how do we fix it?
    I look for your response....thanks!!
Dave Crosby
Stanwood

Government is enemy
Editor,
    To the responder worried about whether violence is imminent if you don’t vote certain ways (“Vote the right way… or else!” Mud, Dust, Smoke and Snow, by Patrick McGann, Aug. 11), let me start by saying violence is not condoned or wanted and I am not suggesting that violence is the answer. In fact, I faithfully pray it doesn’t come to that.
    Had my entire letter been published instead of edited to keep from bringing to the attention of readers how close this country is to a dictatorship, it would have made much more sense. (I was told my letter was edited for length because it exceeded the 350-word limit. It was 477 words, however I noticed that your entire letter was published and it exceeded not only 350 words, but 800 words.)
    Here is some of what was cut from the original letter:
    A free nation of the people, by the people and for the people will no longer exist and it will be replaced by a government that controls where you live, what you do and what you say for the purpose of ensuring government control.
    Dictator: 1a. A person granted absolute emergency power; b. one holding complete autocratic control
    Autocrat: 1. A person ruling with unlimited authority; 2. one who has undisputed influence or power
    Dictatorship: 1. The office of dictator; 2. Autocratic rule, control or leadership; 3a. A form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique; b. a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated
    Czars: 2. one having great power or authority
    Czarism: 1. The government of Russia under the czars; 2. Autocratic rule
    Dictatorship of the proletariat: 1. the assumption of political power by the proletariat held in Marxism to be an essential part of the transition from capitalism to communism
    Well I was going to say a lot more but after reading these definitions and reviewing what this current president has done with his appointment of czars that answer only to him without congressional approval, appointment of directors of departments without congressional approval and the fact that the current Congress and Senate have rammed his health care and financial reform through without even bothering to read what was contained in the bills, maybe it is too late already.
    You make accusations that in some way threats were made or implied. Well, you might be a regular contributor to this paper but it appears that you read what you want and read into letters. The Constitution of the United States of America is under attack and it is from domestic enemies, and they are the current politicians serving in the federal government.
Vern Herrst
Winthrop

    Editor’s note: To allow room for all letter writers, the maximum length of letters is 350 words. That guideline is posted weekly on these pages. Mr. Herrst was notified before publication of his edited letter, but did not respond. This letter came in at 443 words, still above the maximum allowed. As a courtesy, the entire letter is being published.
    Regular columnists, such as Mr. McGann, and My Turn authors are not held to the 350-word limit. Letter writers are asked to please abide by the length guidelines, as a courtesy to other writers – as well as readers.


Double the reading
Dear Editor,
    Thanks to the generosity of the Methow Valley community, the Twisp Library Friends are pleased to announce the success of the campaign to double the size of the Twisp Library.
    Community members donated a total of $67,000 to the project, exceeding our original goal of $60,000. The additional funds will enable us to cover some unbudgeted expenses, such as adding an emergency exit to the old library room and creating a more comfortable space to house the library’s extensive periodicals collection.
    When the shelving and furnishings are complete, we will hold a celebration and open house to show off what your donations made possible. In the meantime, please stop by the Twisp Library to see the new children’s section, shelving, librarian’s station and more.
    Librarian Terry Dixon reports that she is already seeing many new faces in the library, and that both rooms are well used every day that the library is open.
    Thank you to all the contractors, volunteers and donors for supporting this valuable community resource!
Twisp Library Friends
Board of Directors
Sally Gracie, Sharon Cohen, Jan Ford, Flora Abuan, James Donaldson, Laurie Dowie, Janet Shannon, Amy Stork, Val Sukovaty and Cheryl Wrangle

Too much fun
Dear Mr. Editor, sir:
    Just a note to thank all our friends for their support and rockin’ volunteers for their help. Thanks also to our contestants and judges. All made the 12th (or 13th) North Cascades Oldtime Fiddlers Contest too much fun.
    Here's to Sean and Matt, the 20-somethings who showed up like we used to with a crummy old car with sleeping bags, some potato chips and their instruments, hoping to win enough gas money to make it back home. They did.
Again, gratefully,
Brad Pinkerton, Chair
North Cascades
Oldtime Fiddlers Contest
Winthrop


 

My Turn

Dispatching the enemy

By Linda Hoerling
Best buddy, Kay, and I have had our husbands’ blessings for nearly 18 years for gals-only summer excursions. Generally, we find a cabin near a beach, a less expensive room near hiking, or a state park to enjoy. No phone or families; scrap booking and reading. Our theory is these mini-vacat-ions produce better moms, spouses and teachers. However, these summer forays rarely embrace a clear and present danger.

Kay and Mark own and maintain property and cabin near Carlton, so would be considered locals to the Methow Valley community. I would be more of an occasioned camper, non-hunter, fisher type who lives and works in an urban setting near Puyallup. Confronting the ubiquitous rattlesnake may be considered normal for residents of the area, but killing a 16-year-old stretched my more pacifist nature, highlighted my outdoor inexperience and created some self doubts along the way.

Being invited to the cabin for several days in early August; we reveled in the sun, reading and basking in basic relaxing. After a lovely dinner, Kay suggested a walk up the overlook butte about twilight. The quiet calm, pine aroma and softened repetitious “sha-chuck” resonance of irrigation greeted us atop. During that interlude with tranquility and without our consent or knowledge, a rattler had made camp near the cabin to greet us upon our return.

Since being out after dark is not in our two-women outdoor code, we moved quickly down the dry, rocky butte, chatting the way commonality allows. Before the heat of the day, I had split wood and stacked it under the porch. My eye admired the single-split cuts – but a snake had placed the back half of its body into the woodpile. Kay was on the porch landing ahead of me, but the cliché “dead in my tracks” had gripped my feet to a solid position of no-go. Kay recollects my voice as calm, but that was just the terror talking when I tried not to shout, “snake!” She backed down the porch, watching which way my gaze was steeled and moved to locate the offender. I backed away to meet Kay at the fire pit seat, making the binoculars our choice for visual engagement.

Kay’s voice became thin and high, something I had not heard in our two decades of friendship. It became apparent that this was not an animal to be trifled with when she went in to get her cell phone both for photos, and to call her husband, Mark. His voice was a calming influence for us both. When speaking directly to him, I understood my place was to kill the snake. This snake seemed almost docile. He reassured me dispatching it was the best course of action.

Not feeling confident about having Kay load the firearm, Mark instructed Kay to get a rake and a shovel. With Kay nearby consulting on process, I coaxed the rattlesnake with the rake to move, all the while trying to judge just how far way the head of the snake was so I could manage a shovel-to-snake smack down. I misjudged my first thump, whereas the snake regrouped, coiled and rattled with its head partially smooshed. I remember telling Kay that I think I just,”pissed it off” at which point Mark had Kay shout, “finish it off!”  It was coiled, but damaged, so I took the opportunity to swing again, this time with two hands on the shovel. The snake twisted up and around in a moving ball of sorts; it was over.

Approaching the snake together, we got a closer look at the evening’s nemesis. Mark insisted we cut the head off. I employed the business end of the shovel and removed the head, at which time our cell-phone champion instructed us to bury it. Neither of us understood that the head could still be dangerous and involuntarily snap down.

Kay brought out a sharp knife to cut the rattle away from the tail as I recall that to be the custom. She described me to Mark as a “Mountain Mama,” since I wiped the blade on my jeans after detaching the rattle. I did consider skinning the snake, as I know people do eat the meat of the rattler, however, both Kay and I were emotionally whooped after our excitement and it was nearly dark. We ambled down the dusty road to throw it into the small ravine to feed the night criers.

Kay and I joke about having one brain between us and together we believe we can manage any problem presented. Our shared snake experience has reasonably cemented that belief. I would not have killed the snake, but it truly disturbed my friend and was dangerous. When I asked Kay afterward if killing it was the right thing to do, she reported she would not have been able to sleep that night knowing it may still be under the cabin floor. Mark referred to the snake as something to be taken care of and since it was usually his job, it was gifted to me in abstentia despite my gender, and lack of experience.

Currently, the rattle is residing with Mark for show and share; apparently a 16-year-old rattler is a “big‘un.” Perhaps if the rattle is displayed in a small baggie on the bulletin board near the sink of the cabin, it will remind the less snake-savvy that even though rattlesnakes are ancient vermin, they are the regional residents; humans are the guests.

Linda Hoerling is a World History instructor and football coach at Stahl Junior High in Puyallup, where she lives with her husband, daughter and cat.


 

Writers on the Range

Medical marijuana trips up Montana

By Joe Barnhart
The state of Montana is frantically backpedaling six years after voters passed Medical Marijuana Initiative 148. (Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for it.) One of 10 states now with medical marijuana programs, Montana has fallen into what might be called pot-plant purgatory as it struggles with blurry laws and even blurrier implementation plans, stalling what might well become a legitimate and major homegrown industry.

In this economy, it’s encouraging to witness any business spring up so quickly from a tiny seed. For marijuana outlet stores, business is flourishing, though some residents have become alarmed. Towns like Lewistown, Kalispell, Great Falls, Montana City, Belgrade, Havre and Billings are suffering runaway growth in dispensaries and have passed moratoria limiting new establishments.

It’s as if toddlers dumped sugar cubes on an anthill while state officials, legal pot users, caregivers and law enforcement officers all scurry about trying to figure out where the boundaries are. The biggest loophole in Montana’s medical marijuana law allows non-residents to obtain legal authorization to use medicinal cannabis in the state. Such permissiveness contributed to over 23,500 registered patients by the end of July. And was this large group mostly older and infirm? Not a chance – more than 25 percent were between the ages of 21 and 30.

The Montana Legislature will attempt to better define the state’s marijuana regulatory scheme when it convenes in January 2011. It might also look south for help. In June, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed two bills into law instituting complicated licensing requirements on dispensaries and cracking down on unscrupulous doctors handing out marijuana prescriptions like lollypops.

Meanwhile, opening the pot-filled Pandora’s box has already resulted in an outbreak of drug-related arrests. One of the more interesting occurred earlier this year in Missoula, where a man was arrested for growing nearly 100 marijuana plants in a labyrinth of hand-dug grow rooms under his house. The marijuana plants, flourishing under artificial lighting, had become four-foot giants. In the garage were pickaxes, shovels, a cement mixer and glass jars filled with marijuana. On a table was a stack of business cards promoting “Organic Goodness.”

The Missoula entrepreneur, who was a registered medical marijuana patient, apparently got carried away and far exceeded his quota. Yet once those cute seedlings break through the soil, who can resist cultivating more? Remember planting a bean in a Dixie cup back in third grade? You’d check the windowsill everyday until a green shoot appeared, releasing the overwhelming joy that all gardeners feel. Deep inside, we’re all horticulturists.

The underground grower exhibited some admirable traits: (1) He was hardworking – digging out a crawlspace isn’t easy, because your head’s always banging into floor joists. (2) He was industrious – all those supplies like potting soil, seeds, grow lights, electrical wires, and business cards, point to a stellar retail plan. (3) He was competent – with four-foot high plants, this guy knows fertilizers. And (4) He showed foresight. A cement mixer and extra jars means he was ready for a teeming business.

Some potential medical pot users, less confident than the Missoula gopher, find themselves in a quandary. They pose questions like these on the state website: “I don’t have the money for the registration fee. Can I make installments?” Times are tight, but we’re talking a measly $25 fee here.

Or, “Where do I get seeds? Where do I get plants? Where do I get a bag of medical marijuana?” No doubt an only child. Or, “Do I need to tell my employer and does he have to accommodate the use of medical marijuana while I’m at work?” One can only hope this person does not drive a truck carrying nuclear waste.

Can Montana’s MM program survive the political climate changes that lie ahead? Many chronic pain sufferers hope so; scientific evidence indicates that the active ingredients in marijuana can relieve symptoms from illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS. They’re willing to overlook negative side effects including possible lung damage, potentially impaired short-term cognitive ability and “amotivational syndrome,” a condition defined basically as the loss of get up and go.

But long-term help for Montana, as well as other states, can only come if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gets into the business by regulating marijuana’s active ingredients. What we need is the definition of a legal drug that meets accepted standards for drug purity and potency and clear rules about who gets to grow, sell and consume marijuana.

What we now have is a crapshoot, with vague laws creating legal loopholes big enough for illegitimate pot users and growers to capitalize on.

Joe Barnhart is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a service of High Country News (hcn.org). He lives and writes in Dillon, Mont.