The Methow Valley knocked it out of the park AGAIN! Out of 143 comments submitted in response to the Okanogan County Zoning Update, the vast majority came from people who live, work and play in the Methow.

This Methow Valley News article summarizes the key issues raised, but we recommend reading some comments for yourself as a reminder of reasons to love this community – people of all ages, from Mazama to Methow, shared their heartfelt thoughts about why it’s important to them that the Valley’s skies remain dark, our towns serve as centers of commercial activity, avoiding sprawl along the highway, and the entire valley is connected in policy as one watershed, where local concerns can be addressed more effectively at the community scale.

With so many people taking the time to study and understand the issues, and share their informed opinions with the county, we are hopeful that our representatives will take notice, but we need to make sure!

What else can we do to ensure the Methow is HEARD?
We can show up in person and tell the County Commissioners ourselves at the public hearing, coming up on Monday, December 2 at 5:00pm in Okanogan.

The hearing is scheduled at the Agriplex, which does not have a remote attendance option, so there’s no Zooming in with your PJs on. This one requires a dose of courage and camaraderie to be present and make sure our united message of care for this place is fully understood. Let us know you’re coming, and we’ll help to coordinate carpools from our Twisp office (305 E. Methow Valley Hwy). If you’ve already commented, you can still provide verbal testimony. If you haven’t commented this is your last chance!

If nobody from the Methow attends, the commissioners will most likely hear from the same loud but vocal minority of county residents (not necessarily living in the Methow) who routinely oppose all forms of regulation and dismiss Methow Valley residents attempting to protect important, local rural values.

If enough people from the Methow show up and, without need for devaluing or rebutting others’ opinions, share our own unique comments, we have a much better chance of getting through with a united voice to our decision-makers:
Pay attention to us. Protect this place from the ravages of unplanned growth. Let us have a say in how we protect the things we care about into the future.

It can be that simple. Who’s in?

Okanogan County Zoning Hearing

Monday, December 2nd, 5pm

Okanogan County Agriplex (at the fairgrounds)

How to Prepare for Commenting: You will likely have 3-5 minutes to deliver your comment. Think about what your comments will be ahead of time, be clear and concise, and practice delivering them. Be respectful and professional and remember that your audience is the County Commissioners who are there to listen to everyone’s opinion. When you step up to the mic, try to stick to the issues you came to comment on rather than rebutting the claims of those you disagree with.

Carpool Options: Let’s make this more fun and share rides! Carpoolers can park at the MVCC office at 305 E. Methow Valley Hwy. We will meet between 3:40 – 3:55 pm and depart at 4:00pm sharp for the meeting.

Written Zoning Comments: Take a look at some of the 143 comments submitted on the zone code here.

Methow Valley Citizen’s Council Comment Guide: Take a look at our Top 3 concerns in our last blog post or read the full comment guide here.