BLOGS

We the people, who value living in our homes and value privacy on our property, have no advocates within the ranks of the county commissioners. Chelan County is rapidly developing into a reservation of tourist activities. Our Country Commissioners display a dangerous tolerance policy toward any activities having a revenue generating function. If you own a home in the unincorporated portions of Chelan County, our County Commissioners are not your advocates unless you rent your home to tourists. Our Chelan County Commissioners have apparently decided that residential living has a lower priority as compared to any activity designed to increase county taxes and benefit local entrepreneurs.

Just recently the noise issue surfaced in the Manson area with the Deep Water Amphitheater at Mill Bay Casino. Commissioner England’s response to complaints indicated that noise is a problem in various parts of the county but there is little that can be done. The least the commissioners can do for “we the people” is to work with entrepaneurs responsible for the source of noise. Mitigating actions can always be taken, but our county commissioners lack the will and courage to preserve civil living around our family homes. Aren’t County Commissioners elected to solve problems or is it their function to enjoy an ego boost from holding hands with the entrepreneurs?

The Chelan County Commissioners have recently side-stepped the problem of sanitation and privacy rights concerning property owners along the Icicle River. Many property owners must deal with commercial tubing concessionaires’ successfully marketing river tubing without provisions for bathroom stops along the way. Too many tourists assume that they will tube the river once and never be seen again, so why not disregard private property and relieve themselves when and where convenient?

The least the County Commissioners could do is work with jurisdictions such as Mill Bay Casino or those who license commercial tubing activities. Why aren’t the county commissioners advocates for the residences and private property owners?

The serious problem of Vacation Home Rentals continues. Keith Goehner has displayed no interest in working to maintain the serenity and privacy of living in the county. The incorporated cities have strong rules against vacation home rentals and for a good reason. Our Commissioners who list their highest priorities in terms of core values as “place Public Need First” and “Protect and promote quality of Life” have consistently refused to act on behalf of county residences. They refuse to consider vacation home rentals commercial activities even though some of these rentals go for $800 to $1,000 per night. Because they refuse to consider vacation rentals commercial activities, they make a mockery of the zoning that protects residential living. They make a mockery of safety since no health or safety inspections are required. There are no limits as to the number of people who can temporarily occupy a vacation rental. The county commissioners have no concern that many of these vacation homes are on septic systems designed for four to six people but often accommodating twenty or more individuals.

The private property owners and family residences should have advocates in our County and in our cities. Keith Goehner, Ron Walter and Doug England refuse to place public needs first to protect and promote quality of Life. I suggest that if the commissioners disregard their own core values they should at least eliminate these core values from their web site.

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