by Richard Uhlhorn
Manson Community Council is hosting a Candidate’s Forum on Wednesday, October 28, at Northshore Bible Church’s community meeting room beginning at 6 p.m.
The Sheriff’s, Chelan County Clerk, and County Commission races are being contested in the County.
Sheriff Brian Burnett is being challenged by Deputy Mike Morrison and while Burnett came out on top in the primary, Morrison is still a viable challenger to the position.
The Chelan County Commission seat has Anne Hessburg and Shon B Smith challenging each other with Hessburg in the lead after the primary.
Sandra Arechiga and Marty Young are both battling for the County Clerk position with Arechiga leading that position after the primary.
Three areas of concern will be addressed at the forum; rapid growth in the Valley, the lack of affordable housing, and infrastructure issues. Each candidate will be allowed five minutes to state their positions and will have an opportunity to answer written questions from the floor. The floor will also be opened up at the end for further questions.
The Community Council is asking Valley residents to submit questions for the candidates to communitycouncilmanson@mekeithley
It was reported that RUN (Residents United for Neighbors) is expanding its mission beyond the Short Term Rental issues. It’s new mission is to work with residents on future growth and development issues in the County to perserve and and enhance life style qualities. They are changing their name to Residents Coalition of Chelan County.
Manson Community Council has struggled financially for many years. Using Island County as an example, the Council has requested funding from the Community Service Club to purchase equipment to add ZOOM to their meetings. “This would open up more of the community (to our efforts),” stated Kathy Blume. They also requested office supplies.
They are also considering applying for 501 (C) 3 status so they can effectively ask for donations. “We are just an adhoc group and sounding board for the County Commission,” said Blume.
“It was a very nice meeting and they will get back to us in a week.”
Chelan City Councilman John Olson requested five minutes to address the Council. He told the Council that for the first time, Chelan is adding a North Shore Bypass route to its Capital Improvement Plan. “It won’t happen overnight,” said Olson. “It took about 25 years to get the roundabout,” he added.
Olson stated that Chelan’s 2020 population was 4,800 and Manson’s was 4,600. “Those figures do not include the South Shore population.” Olson added that Chelan is the only City in the State that has two state highways inside the city limits, both of which pass by the city’s schools.
A short discussion ensued regarding the efforts of the Chelan Basin Conservancy to purchase the 900 acres available on Chelan Butte.
Manson Community Council meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Manson Parks Building beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 