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Betty Hagenbuch
Betty has lived in the lower Methow valley since 1969 and taught school
in Pateros for 26 years until her retirement in 2002. Betty and
her husband Ralph raised three sons in the valley. "Our
family has appreciated the positive environment, healthy outdoor
recreation opportunities and the friendly supportive rural community.
We enjoy hiking, skiing, bird watching and bicycling, all of which are accessible
at our doorstep. We value what is available and want to contribute
to maintaining it as much as possible.
Al Hymer:
Owner of the SweetRiver Bakery in Pateros; Fourteen years as Regional
Director (Denver) for the Dept of Energy, retired; Attended Pateros
and Brewster schools, graduate of Brewster High School; Graduated
from EWSU, Business administration degree, major in accounting; Serve
as Planning Commissioner for the City of Pateros; Raises and trains
Quarter horses; Certified horse appraiser, Living in the Methow Valley
since 1999.
Alex Kerr:
Born and raised in the lower Methow valley. Grew up on an apple
ranch on McFarland Creek. Started a career in construction at
age 19, now proprietor of a general contracting business of ten
years. Received a Construction Management Degree from WSU in 1990.
Alex worked for a developer and contractor on Whidbey Island and
in North Central Washington. “I have seen a lot happen with
land use in the last 20 or so years in the Methow valley and the
state and would like to be part of the lower valley planning effort.
I believe we will be able to preserve our way of life and still
allow development”.
Karen McAndrews-Luft:
Resident of the Methow Valley since 1977. Owned, built houses
and lived on Twisp River, Middle Fork Gold Creek, Buckhorn Mountain
and Alta Lake. Karen and her late husband Wayne Luft started Sweet
Grass Paso Ranch, which introduced Paso Fino horses to North Central
Washington. For many years their ranch was the largest breeder
of Paso Fino Horses in the Northwest. Karen and Wayne helped produce Tales
of the Methow, a five volume CD collection of stories about
Wayne's adventures as an Outfitter in the Methow Valley. Karen
currently owns 34 acres on Buckhorn Mountain. Karen’s
background includes work in education for the North Central Educational
Service District, Brewster and Wenatchee School districts, Methow
Valley Counseling, and numerous volunteer activities. She is also
a member of the Washington Backcountry Horseman’s Association.
Ken Orford:
Methow Valley landowner for 17 yrs; Residing in Lower Methow past
12 yrs; Business owner: 26 yrs (currently employ 9 people); Member
of Okanogan County Search and Rescue ( 4 years as chairman, 3
as Vice chairman, 6 as Southend rep.); Tri-river Back country
horseman 3 yrs; Methow Valley Back country horseman 6 yrs; Tri
River snowmobile club 8 yrs; Part time developer. “My concerns
are the impact the development of the valley will have on water,
scarring of the land with roads and utilities. Development will
continue, it just shouldn't be so damn ugly.”
Gloria
Royse:
Raised in the Methow; graduated from Winthrop in 1972. A Methow Valley resident
for 33 years she is now a dental hygienist in Brewster. She is the owner of
44
acres
of
agricultural
land near Methow, on which she raises cattle. “Being away for 20 years
brought me a better understanding of how fast growth to a small community can
run one over if not protected.... I used to live outside BattleGround, WA. when
it was quiet and relatively peaceful and grew in 20 years to be sadly overwhelming,
overpopulated, congested.... To make a long story shorter it is disheartening
to have peace taken away.... and it can and will happen with out guidance.”
Arlan Ruf:
Ten year resident of Lower Methow Valley; Thirty plus years Forest
Products management experience; MBA, with finance and management
emphasis; Small time rancher and horse lover. Passion for preserving
the rural character we all hold so dearly; Ability to help sort
the vital few key issues, from the trivial, many distractions,
and find an acceptable compromise.
Isabelle Spohn:
Resident of Methow Valley since 1978, including time in Mazama,
Carlton, Gold Creek and Twisp. Owner of property up Gold Creek
since 1994. Professional degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in
Literature, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a paralegal certificate
from the University of Washington. First employed in the Methow
Valley as a fire lookout and forestry technician and patrol by
the Forest Service for 10 years; during the past 20 years she
has been commuting to Brewster, where she teaches 6th grade. Experience
with development issues, negotiations, and development of regulations
regarding growth was gained through her membership and activities
on the Methow Valley Interagency Committee during the mid 1980’s,
when the Methow was preparing for growth due to the proposed Early
Winters Resort. In addition, Isabelle assisted in writing the
Washington state air quality regulations adopted in the 1980’s,
as a representative of the Washington Environmental Council in
Seattle.
Stennes Family (Keith and Kevin, reps):
5th generation homestead founded in 1894; Active agricultural company,
growing 25 varieties of organic and traditional tree fruits; Bachelor’s
degree WSU Agricultural Economics (Keith) Bachelor’s degree
CWU Business Administration and 3 associate degrees (Horticulture,
Computers, Business) (Kevin); “Encourage economic growth
and development but want to retain values and atmosphere of the
Valley;” Owners of multiple businesses in the area including
land company, orchard production company, fruit sales and marketing
company, and commercial and retail building in Pateros; Interest
in advisory role to the committee and possibly more active position
if possible—we have a lot of business growth occurring and
seem to remain very busy.”
Bill Tackman:
Resident of Lower Methow Valley since 1996. Graduate of Oregon Institute
of Technology B.S. in Geomatics; employed with Local Survey company
for Seven Years, then licensed as Professional Land Surveyor in
2001. Self-employed business owner for three years (employing
4 people). Member of the Land Surveyors Association of Washington
for 10 years; past president of the North Central Branch of the
Land Surveyors Association of Washington. Raises registered Romney
Sheep “to supplement the local predators’ diet”.. “I
would love to keep the valley just the way it is for the foreseeable
future, but realize that is an unreasonable expectation. I believe
we need to do all we can to preserve as many of the qualities
as possible that make the Methow such desirable place to live.”
Kathie Windle:
Lifelong resident of Okanogan County; raised in the lower Methow
Valley. Registered Counselor. Property owner/manager in French
Creek, Methow and Brewster Flat. Co-Owner and past manager of
a water well drilling business. Orchardist since 1980; also active
in insurance business for 20 years, including crop insurance. “In
1995 I managed a timber harvest on our French Creek property which
included working with the DNR permitting process, the Department
of Fish and Wildlife, the logging contractor and a professional
forester to insure that this thinning project was carried out
in such a way as to protect the forest health and wildlife habitat…I
have many fond memories of hiking the hills of the Methow Valley
and enjoying the Methow river…I must admit to a level of
discomfort a the rate of change, but I believe the change is inevitable
and can be handled in a planned, responsible manner as we did
with our timber harvest.”
Beverly Zwar:
Beverly and her husband Jeff Zwar have owned and operated Hungry
Mountain Ranch, in the McFarland Creek drainage, since 1972. During
that time, they have raised cattle and hay, and marketed certified
organic garlic, onion and dried flower products from the farm.
They raised two sons who graduated (with honors) from Pateros
schools; Beverly served four out of five years on the Pateros
School Board as Chair. “I have always had an acute interest
in land use planning and the positive results proper planning
can have on the collective quality of life. I have honed my ‘people’ skills
working in sales for the past three years and have natural diplomatic
skills utilized while school board chair.”
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