Message from the Chair and WACO Agenda—May 17, 2010

What wonderful weather and a great start to our summer season!

Thanks to you all for your support to the new and returning members of the WACO Board. The depth and diversity of background in our new members will be great for the issues that are and will be facing across the next two years. Take some time to get to know them. And they will be eager to get to know you and what you value.

Lots of activities are going on. We are sending a response to the Draft EIS (Environmental Impact Study) regarding the location of the rail spur to the STB (Surface Transportation Board). Watch for the letter on the website. Conversation at both the STB hearing here last month and again at the May WACO meeting were almost unanimous that a rail spur here would very negatively influence the water flow, the wildlife, the wilderness and our current economy which is heavily built on tourism and recreation. We remain invested in supporting Houston’s desire for the rail spur. This opinion has been the consistent opinion now for those participating at the WACO meetings across these last 2-3 years. We did however, also state support for the ‘No Build’ alternative after listening to serious allegations about the Port McKenzie’s impact on the water and water life. Grace & Mike Whidbee of Big Lake have spent hundreds of hours looking into the rationale for the rail spur, which is the Port and they presented a portion of their findings at the May meeting. If you are interested in their information, please let me know and I can connect you with them. I also attended, but did not testify, at the Borough’s Transportation Committee meeting last week. They are trying to decide which route to support for the rail spur. Committee members were unable to finalize their discussions and vote last week, and plan to meet again this Wednesday. I will attend and testify on our decisions and rationale at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting (May 17) and at the Assembly meeting (June 1), where the Borough’s recommendation to the STB is expected to be decided.

The company who will design the trails, etc. for our Summer Trails Project, a joint venture between the Trails Committee and WHO, has been hired and the contract about to be signed. This is such an exciting opportunity! To advance from just winter trails to summer trails – multiuse - so that we all have safe places to walk, run, bike, etc.

And the Airport Master Plan process is moving along. A number of Willow folk will be part of a citizen’s advisory group to continue providing feedback as the process unfolds. This is the first ever Master Plan for the Willow Airport. It is important to assure a good base is created for decisions that will need to happen over the next few years to support the air related aspects of our economy.

We had a nice turnout for the first Youth Forum. This was the first in a series of meetings of concerned adults who provide programs for support and development of our preteens and teens. I will do a better job at getting out information to everyone via email for our next meeting, likely in mid to end of June. The goal is to see what we have available, where the gaps are and to take small steps forward to do a better job for our kids. Watch for minutes on the website.

Comp planners are hard at it, doing the tedious work of finalizing their work, line by line. Soon it will be ready for presentation to the whole community. I love going to their meetings, and have learned so much. They meet the 1st Thursday of the month (almost always). Their work can be found on the Borough website and a link exists from the WACO website.

And last, we have a King and Queen: Darrel and Rita Godbee! The presentation of the Gold Pan Awards and the Coronation were held Friday May 7. This is a wonderful solution so that we have continuity to this long standing custom. This was a shared community group effort: Thanks to the Lions, the Chamber and to Mary Shreves who represented WACO for accomplishing the process and presentation of these awards.

Mary Shreves, Penny Cross and Madeline Goeke have teamed up to Chair the upcoming 50th year of the Willow Winter Carnival, 2011. They are really hoping for lots of us to take on a piece of the action. Please contact one of them to adopt your contribution!!

The agenda for the June meeting is not yet set. But I have been advised that the Houston police are using radar and ticketing folks here in Willow. So I will be trying to find out what kind of rules exists for this and we will discuss this at the meeting. Other issues will emerge so note the date on your calendar: June 7 at the WCC.

Enjoy the unfolding of spring and keep your eyes open for the little ones – I expect to see little moose following their moms soon!

Respectfully,
Linda Oxley