Pasayten's Methow Valley Bulletin Board

I received this via a PM here from Potatoshed.

"Have you really looked at what has been happening in Twisp lately? Tourists and art galore, brand new mega civic center. You are living in the old days if you think Twisp is a working man's town. It is as big a tourist attraction as Winthrop. And no there was never a $500,000 renovation with matching grant money. The town of Twisp didn't even want to open the pool this summer. Friends of the Pool and volunteers stepped in to open it up. Why don't you old timers get your facts straight instead of spewing BS you pick up at your coffee Klatch."

My reply:

I see alot of hard working people in Twisp. Have you been into Hanks market lately where many "oldtimers" are working hard to make ends meet while serving our community?

Those are just some of the people the FOP wants to take tax dollars from or force their rents to increase to fund a luxury tourist attraction.

The FOP doesn't just want a pool for the children, they want a 21 million dollar Indoor air conditioned/heated mega 2 pool and spa facility with a $500,000 yearly maintenance fee.

That yearly tax payer bill that includes servicing an enormous bond debt, fat cat salaries for the FOP board members who will take turns on the MPD board, energy bills etc.

One will have a home built for them to manage the pool. That tax payer money will be used to fund Civil Service pensions of former employees. Its a blank check and they want us low income and disabled "old timers" to fund their pleasure palace.

And good luck if you think this mega spa will be built in Twisp. If that was the case, don't you think the FOP would be transparent and tell you that instead of providing ambiguitous information to the voter?

BTW, This "oldtimer" doesn't hang out at any "coffee klatch". I still have to work.

But let me know how much of my money you need to fund your pleasure.

Here is a quote from the link provided in the Op.

"QUICK FACTS
WWRP Applicant: Twisp Town of
Category: Local Parks
WWRP Grant: $248,719.81
Applicant Match: $248,719.81
Project Type: Development
County: Okanogan
Legislative District: 7
Status: Closed Completed
RCO Project # 98-1203
LOCATION DETAILS
The Wagner Memorial Pool is located at the east side of the entrance to the Twisp Town Park."

Yes... The Aquatics District is a classic cart before the horse situation...

No approved final design yet...
No true calculated operations costs yet...
No interlocal agreement yet...

They just want a guaranteed big fat Blank Check right now...

How can Proposition 1 verbage legally reference an Interlocal Agreement that has not been created yet???

From reading their ballot proposition proposal, it states that "the Methow Aquatics district is to provide ongoing funding to develop construction operate and maintain the Methow Aquatic Center and related and existing facilities."

The Wagner pool is an existing facility although it's not specifically defined.

So money can be used to maintain the Wagner pool as well building the Mega Spa in Winthrop or Mazama or both. Pools for everyone.

I did just get done talking with the Okangan County prosecutor's office Legal Assistant. According to the auditor's office, the prosecutors office is in the process of reviewing this proposition to see if it's consistent with Washington state law.

It was pointed out to me, as I was expressing my concerns that the proposition as worded on the petition is not consistent with Washington state law, others have also expressed concerns about the legality of the proposition.

On the proposition petition it says that the five member board would be appointed by the Okanogan County Commission ( I think they mean commissioners) and the Twisp and Winthrop town councils.

Previous to that my understanding was that an Okanogan County Commissioner would serve on the board along with the mayors of each of those two towns.

So will five FOP board members serve on the MPD board? The voters were not presented with any type of interlocal agreement between the three jurisdictions to determine how board members will be appointed.

Hydro power still has a greenhouse gas impact. Anything we do at an industrial scale certainly does.*

Its fairly obvious by looking the FOP projected non tax payer Revenue that this proposed Mega Spa is intended as tourist attraction that just doesn't fit in with the real working town look of Twisp.

Winthrop has been changing it's look for a long time and a mega spa fits there.

Also consider from reading realoldtimers link, Wagner pool recently received a $500,000 renovation if I read that correctly with matching grant money. That has me wondering if the pictures I saw of the rusty Plumbing were old photos used by whoever made that FOP YouTube video to sell this new mega carbon footprint.


*"Hydropower energy has the fourth-lowest carbon footprint of all energy types. Per kWh produced, hydropower emits 24 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) on a life-cycle basis. It combats climate change and has various environmental benefits, but is still responsible for some greenhouse gas emissions."

If built outside of the Twisp area which it would be served by Okanogan PUD, it would be served by the Okanogan County Electric Coop... A new large single load... Would most likely be using Tier 2 power... Not BPA/dam hydro "green" power as the coop is already maxed out on that... Tier 2 would probably be sourced from natural gas... Hmmm... Can you say carbon footprint???

realoldtimer wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2023 10:20 am Having read, and heard, a number of comments and claims that Wagner Pool is on its last season and that it's beyond repair, I began to look for the latest 'survey' or analysis of the facility.

Haven't found one yet -- did find this old article:
https://wildliferecreation.org/projects ... enovation/

Anyone have a link to any recent survey or analysis.

That pool still looks great but some of the photos I've seen show the pump piping with a lot of rust. Looks like those pipes haven't seen regular maintenance in awhile.

Seems they have a big leak problem that they can't find. Fortunately all that leaking water is just returned right to the aquifer.

My guess is that the a new Aquatic Center will be built in Mazama, maybe Winthrop if this thing passes voter scrutiny like the harm done by taking much needed money from disabled, low income, senior, citizens.

The Wagner pool is in such a beautiful location that I'm speculating that Twisp will keep it going for the neighborhood children and lower valley residents with children, to have fun in the sun.

Its interesting to me that people who take pride in recycling bottles, cans and cardboard desire a new mega playground with a huge carbon footprint for construction and energy consumption. Funny that the FOP bills their air conditioned, heated pool, heated building in colder months proposed mega luxury spa as "energy efficient".

Having read, and heard, a number of comments and claims that Wagner Pool is on its last season and that it's beyond repair, I began to look for the latest 'survey' or analysis of the facility.

Haven't found one yet -- did find this old article:
https://wildliferecreation.org/projects ... enovation/

Anyone have a link to any recent survey or analysis.