Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Town Trailhead and Ice Rink Community Meeting

There will be a community meeting regarding the Winthrop Town Trailhead and Ice Rink tuesday, November 14th, at 5:30pm at the Winthrop Barn. This is a community informational meeting in support of a Town Trailhead and Ice Rink Project to be completed by July of 2007. The project is a cooperative effort between the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA), Winthrop Ice and Sports Rink (WISR), and the Town of Winthrop.

In recent surveys of public opinion in Winthrop and the Methow Valley, trails and recreation development were among the highest ranked priorities. The current project is land purchase and construction of a permanent winter ski trailhead and ice rink. MVSTA has had a generous year-to-year easement on private land for the "Town Trailhead" for many years. However, due to the construction of a new hotel and cabins on the previous year's trailhead parking area, the "Town Trailhead" will have no permanent home without this project.

The project needs community support in the form of donated labor, materials, and funds to be successful. Please attend this meeting to find out how you can help make this project a reality.

For more information please contact: Winthrop Town Planner Rocklynn Culp at 996-2320 or Janice Dickinson at janice@winthroppt.com

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Thank You Volunteers!

Recently, the Town of Winthrop hosted an event at the Winthrop Barn to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that helps make the community of Winthrop such a special place to live, work, and visit. Twelve groups and nearly eighty individuals that have given generously of their time and support over the past year to improve the town for all were recognized.

The Town thanked a number of organizations that, while perhaps not all strictly volunteer, have contributed to the well being of the town and its citizens through a spirit of helping others. These organizations include the Winthrop Auditorium Association, Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, Shafer Museum, Sullivan Cemetery Association, the Cove, Winthrop Kiwanis, Moccasin Lake Foundation, the Abandoned Cat Team, Methow Conservancy, Winthrop Ice and Sports Rink Association, Methow Valley Sport Trails Association, and Aero Methow Rescue Service.

In addition to these organizations, a great many individuals have contributed their time and efforts to a variety of town committees and projects over the past year. The Town of Winthrop’s Westernization Committee, Planning Commission, Civil Service Commission, Tree Board, Parks Committee, and 2% Committee are all made up of volunteers. The Town of Winthrop Fire Department is manned by dedicated volunteers that put themselves in harms way to keep us safe. Other volunteers contributed their time and support to the planning and development of a community ice rink and trailhead facility, to construction of the Kathryn Wagner covered footbridge, and to other Town endeavors.

In appreciation of these generous contributions of time and effort, the Town of Winthrop wishes to thank Cody Acord, Phil Ager, Jennifer Argraves, Heike Baesecke, the Belsby Family, Darold Brandenburg, Duncan Bronson, Issac Buzzard, Ottis Buzzard, Kathy Carney, Jeff Chandler, Ernie Chenel, Lance and Jen Christensen, Mike Cook, Fred Cooley, Terry Cooper, Mark Crum, Janice Dickinson, Les Dyer, Don Elsing, Susan Eylar, Brad and Chris Garner, Mel and Chris Hartwig, John Hayes, Paul Hayne, Colleen Henry, Mike Hicks Sr., Mike Hicks Jr., Larry Higbee, Spencer Hutchinson, Don Johnson, Logan Johnson, Larry Kahle, Terry Karro, Levi Keene, Dan and Mary Kirkmire, Dennis Knutzen, Dan Kuperberg, Peter Larsen, Mike LaVergne, Kjell Lester, Jay Lucas, Jonathan Malone, Megan Malone, Brian McAuliffe, Carl and Roxie Miller, Lynn Miller, Doug Mohre, Mark and Gina Monteverde, Dottie Noyes, Terry Olson, Agi Ottlyk, John Owen, Jerry Palm, Margo Peterson, Lee Pilkinton, Mike Pruett, Roy Reiber, Ed Rhinehart, Dick and Sue Roberts, Evan Robertson, Marc Roberston, Dave Sabold, Paul Soodak, Richard and Dolly Stahl, Bill Tackman, Randy Thordarson, Dewaine Wallin, Krista Wallin, Don Waller, Fred Wert, and Bob Wilson.

In putting this list of groups and individuals together, it is inevitable that we have missed deserving parties. Please be assured that this is not intentional and the town appreciates all who have given of their time and efforts to make this such a special place to live, work, and visit.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Volunteer Recognition Event - October 25th

The Town of Winthrop invites the public to a celebration of the volunteers and groups that have given of their time over the last year to help the Town make Winthrop a great place to live, work, and visit. The event will take place on wednesday October 25th, 2006 from 6pm to 8pm at the Winthrop Barn. The evening will begin with a social hour from 6pm to 7pm with refreshments being served. At 7pm, the volunteer recognition presentation will begin. The evening will conclude around 8pm with cake being served. Please join us to recognize these generous individuals and groups. For more information, please contact Town Hall at 509-996-2320

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Weed Pullling Jail Crews

Monday and Tuesday, August 14th and 15th, crews from the Okanogan County Jail will be in Winthrop pulling weeds from along roadways and on some Town properties. Depending on the areas cleared during these two days, the Town may schedule some additional crews in the coming weeks. Please contact us at Town Hall at 996-2320 if you have any questions or concerns.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Tree Inventory

The Town of Winthrop's Tree Board will be conducting a tree inventory during the month of July as the first step towards the development of a Community Forestry Plan. The inventory is intended to identify types and numbers of trees in town, assess tree health, and determine maintenance needs. The Tree Board and other volunteers have formed two-person teams, each covering an assigned section of town. Where permission is granted, the teams will measure trees on private property. Otherwise they will estimate the size and condition of trees from the street. Where trees are too numerous to count individually, the teams will do a general stand assessment.

Once the inventory is complete, a certified arborist will look at any potentially hazardous trees along streets and public places and make recommendations as to whether certain trees should be removed for public safety. In general, the information will be used to help the community maintain and care for our existing tree population and plant new trees for the future in appropriate areas.

The Winthrop Tree Board is a volunteer group of citizens that advises the Town on tree care, preservation, planting, and removal. Anyone who is interested in the tree board may contact Dan Kirkmire, chairman, at 996-2368. There is no in-town residency requirement to serve on the tree board so all are welcome to serve.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Welcome to Town of Winthrop News

Welcome to the Town of Winthrop "Town News" blog. We hope that this will become an effective source of information and news regarding the Town of Winthrop for its citizens and visitors alike. Please don't hesitate to contact us at townhall@townofwinthrop.com to let us know what you think. ----Dave Acheson, Mayor of Winthrop