By Sam Lucy

As a community here in the Methow, many of us pride ourselves on being friendly to the environment. In large, I’d say we do live with a solid “land ethic” here. The surrounding landscape may not be the first thing that brought us here but it surely is why some of us stayed. That said one of the more environmentally unfriendly traits we share is that we all drive a lot. Often much further and more frequent than our urban counterparts and definitely more than we’d like.

Another nationwide habit we’re not immune to is that of trying to cram too much into the day be it work, pleasure, volunteer or the combination of thereof . Thus, efficiency becomes paramount and we’re forever trying to “make up” time as we go. One of the places we favor for this catching up seems to be behind the steering wheel. We’ve taken it even further by taking and making phone calls at the same time. This marriage has lulled us into a complacency that fairly makes us forget the fact that driving is the single most dangerous undertaking most of us perform each day. Not just hazardous for ourselves but perhaps more importantly, for others and their families.

Another thing that tends to numb us are statistics, as if these numbers are too much to put together or don’t pertain to us or worse, we find them boring. Yet I can’t help but repeat a few that haven’t improved much. An average of 621 citizens meet their death on Washington roads a year. 61% of these deaths occur on rural roads where only 30% of the driving happens. And of course, the highest death rate per 100,000 drivers is our teenagers. This isn’t folklore, nor does it include the number who sustain life- as- they –know- it ending injuries and the resulting psychological residue.

You can get from Mazama to Twisp 3.5 minutes faster by driving 70 mph as opposed to the legal 60 while burning more fuel. And 2.2 minutes faster from Mazama to Winthrop. The braking distance to a full stop is 30 feet less at 60mph than 70. We’re kidding ourselves if we don’t think that 30 feet can make a difference.

One of the unintended consequences of where the roads run in this valley has to be the death toll of deer. Granted, some of us have mixed feelings about the well-being of the local deer herd; many of us sacrifice gardens, fruit trees and various other crops to them annually. However, I don’t believe anyone particularly wants to see animals suffer and aside from those that get out-right smashed on the road, most scramble off to die a raw, slow death elsewhere. Oh, and lest we forget the monetary damage to one’s vehicle (I can’t help but always read this token number with general disregard.) Since deer are relatively light, there are few actual human fatalities that result from these collisions. Except for some unfortunate motorcyclists, we get off easy when compared to those driving around in elk country. Or where I grew up in the Northeast where you simply did not drive certain roads at night for the moose.

The fact that our roads separate prime ungulate range from their main water source in our rivers so that the deer pay for it in blood is not lost on the turkey vulture population. But I doubt this is the main roadside attraction most wish for – scavengers tearing away at freshly mangled carcasses. To be sure, it is not the part of our landscape we’re most proud to share with visitors.

I’ve missed clipping several Methow deer over the years by 20 feet or less. Fortunately, the only two I’ve hit have centered my bumper and they died instantly. Otherwise, I don’t want to add up the number hit by less fortunate travelers that I’ve dispatched with everything from a gun (at best) to a spade to the biggest rock on hand. Certainly, I’m not alone. And though I know my personal driving luck won’t hold forever, I’m willing to drive 60mph or less trying to extend it the best I can. Deer, grouse, chipmunks and birds are one thing. But what about our pets? What about our families?

Back in the day, I used to enjoy walking my dogs on the dirt road I still live on. After too many close calls, I switched roads for walking. A few more years have passed and I’m looking for another, but that is to be expected. Since having children, however, my tolerance for race- car drivers has weakened considerably and I’ve never had a great deal of it to begin with. I hold negligent driving in even poorer regard than night long outside lights! And so when someone in a car I didn’t recognize actually passed me right before a treacherous corner here on the Rendezvous as I returned from school with my daughters aboard the other day, I said some “naughty” words. Truth to tell, I almost stepped on it, by-passed our driveway altogether and ran the bad Bi--- down. But that would be road rage, wouldn’t it? The very thing I’m trying to guard against. Instead, I just turned down toward the granary - a bit hot - and apologized to the kids while pleading for them not to repeat anything they’d just heard.

Meanwhile, I go on wondering when and why did we grow so damned impatient, anyway? I include myself at the top of the list. How did we let a distracting impatience cultivate in us this assumed stupidity? I mean, is it not taken for granted that we’re going to pass someone driving way to fast or talking on their phone or both, each trip to town -like it’s cool or something? Yet those dull statistics at the beginning of this ditty don’t lie, and the needless death toll keeps stacking up and I can’t think of two more related things.

Even if our frustrations result from being over-tasked day in and out trying to make ends meat, raise a family and chip in a moment or two for ourselves, justifying this idiocy is a hard sell when weighed against the dark reality of consequence. Think of all the things we do in this valley to improve our health for crying out loud. We eat well, read, volunteer, exercise, exercise, exercise…. and continue to drive around like maniacs! Instead, perhaps we should experience this time in our cars as relaxing, odd as that sounds. After all, we’ve spent a bunch of money on our ride –our worst investment of all. Add up that sticker price, then the fuel and maintenance (which is far more costly the more we rare and tear around) to keep rolling, and we’d better enjoy it. We live in this valley of unparalleled countryside, rather than dreading the time in our car zipping from one place to another perhaps this should be our time off to take stock in the good we have and not constantly be tempting it?

I have much respect for those who diligently carpool, regardless of inconvenience. And even greater for those community members such as Eric B. or Susan C. who I often see afoot. Those during the dry months who bike to work are equally commendable. And I also have neighbors who regularly drive our road slower than anyone.

Neighbor Bob drives our road like he’s experiencing it for the last time. By so doing, he sees what the rest of miss like the scampering coyote and the hunting harrier; the fresh fawn pair, the buck with tangled antlers, the resident bobcat and certainly the gathering of afternoon shadows as they work into the coulees of Lewis Butte. His wife Janet is even more observant. When she’s behind the wheel she picks up on the scurrying ermine, the doodling vole; Janet watches salamanders crawl across the road. Some up here are more annoyed by their driving habits than others. I speak of them with genuine envy. Truth to tell, they’re getting to town about 58 seconds slower than the rest of us.

So I challenge us all the next time we head out, to drive more like Bob, even if we can’t quite get it down like Janet. In the end, driving at more reasonable speeds may just be the very best way of preserving not only the valley we love, but all of its inhabitants as well.

Disclaimer: Please, if you happen upon me while we’re slowly towing a 6 ton implement somewhere – PASS! So long as it’s safe, of course. Believe it or not, I do pull over when I can, but don’t wait.

By Katharine Bill

It was 4 degrees out this morning when I fed the dog. As I appreciate the fire next to me, I am, once again, amazed that all 5,000 residents of the Methow Valley (and many visitors) are all, in one form or another, working to stay warm this morning.

Under the surface of the spectacular natural beauty of this valley, an infrastructure including water, wood, electricity and community literally sustains our lives. While the magenta sunrises and sparkling fields go on dazzling people day after day, over the past few years there has been a less beautiful fact lurking in the shadows.

Here it is in the light of day-- in Okanogan County, from 2003-2006:
• median home prices increased an average of 32% per year
• median household income levels increased an average of 3% per year.

Take note that those numbers are for our entire County. It is likely that the Methow Valley median home price increases outpaced those for the County as a whole. Meanwhile, the wages for our teachers, nurses, cooks, shopkeepers and even doctors remain low in comparison to urban areas (the median income for the County is 33% less than the statewide average).

Some call it being paid in quality of life rather than in annual income. Here in the Methow Valley we have clean air, water, silence, recreation, little traffic, and immense beauty. However, when it comes to mortgage payments or property taxes, the increase in real estate values equates to a real cost for working families, and making ends meet in the Methow Valley has become harder.

Granted, by the third quarter of 2008, according to the Washington State Real Estate Research Center, median home prices in Okanogan County had dropped 10% from the same quarter in 2007, and building permits were down by 45%.

The wild inflation of prices, the building speculation, and the families taking risks to live in the Methow Valley has slowed in recent months. The number of for sale signs has increased. Great properties are on the market. Like a game of musical chairs, the music has stopped. Some are sitting on fine homes, while others are left standing with debt and a slow market. What comes next?

As Bertold Brecht said, “because things are the way they are, they will not stay the way they are.” If anything, the wild variation in prices and values over the past four years has shown the value of attending to basic needs: food, water, shelter. For individuals, and for the community as a whole, these basic needs can be met in a variety of ways, from self-sufficient production and hard work, to efficient distribution of affordable goods and services, to smart development, to regulation that supports local innovation and leadership.

A few examples of these kinds of projects give me hope that the seeds for affordable life in the Methow Valley are already well-sowed.
• The Classroom in Bloom project provides thousands of dollars of food to our public schools each year, along with involving kids from grades K-12 in food production. Not only does this project teach ways to keep food affordable and independent, it also serves up lessons in health, nurturing and physical work for all in the public schools.
• Small building renovation and building in the towns. Over the past three years I’ve observed numerous individuals rehabbing old houses in Winthrop and Twisp, and building new small houses. These people are quietly plugging into the idea of clustered housing, decreasing traffic and increasing time spent walking. Also, these builders are showing that affordable housing can exist in the Methow Valley.
• Community infrastructure supports affordable building. Many local contractors and architects are willing to meet with prospective homebuilders and share advice and insight; there is a growing building materials recycling center in Twisp; Methow Arts, the Methow Conservancy and the Confluence Gallery have provided programs and resources to help families conserve materials, build efficiently, and learn from others. Also the towns of Winthrop and Twisp, along with the County, are striving to keep taxes and requirements to a manageable level.

According to the Washington State Real Estate Research Center, ‘affordable’ means that no more than 25% of a family’s income goes to paying the mortgage or rent. Given the 2007 median income for the Methow Valley of $42,670 (city-data.com), the median families can, in theory, pay up to $10,700 per year ($889 per month) in housing costs.

The following example illustrates this so-called affordability:
• Assume a lot in Winthrop costs $50,000,
• Assume building a 1,000 square foot home costs $100 per square foot (with sweat equity included). Then the cost to build a small home (including the lot) would be $150,000.
• Given current mortgage rates of around 5.3%, and a 20% down payment, monthly payments on a 30-year fixed mortgage would be roughly $830 per month. This does not include utilities, property taxes or insurance.
• This example assumes a working family can come up with a 20% down payment ($30,000 in this example).

Several alternatives exist to increase the likelihood that affordable housing will happen as the Methow Valley continues to grow. Affordable housing is not a new problem, and luckily there are many solutions from other places that might be tailored to the needs in the Methow.
• Create a low-interest revolving loan fund to help qualified working families make down payments on their first property.
• Create several sets of plans for small houses that are pre-approved by the County, and ready to build. Include specific provisions in these plans for winter-living (smart roofing and entryway designs), adequate insulation, locally milled wood, energy efficiency (and rebates), solar options, and low-cost plumbing and electrical designs. Offer these free of charge to qualified people.
• Start a Builder’s Guild (including architects, lumber yards, concrete companies, builders, planners, etc.) that might promote affordable, smart building practices. Such a guild would be good marketing and would also benefit families dreaming of owning their own home.
• Start a Community Land Trust that would offer long-term leases for qualified families, similar to those in Leavenworth and Chelan.
• Offer property tax reduction options to certain types of working families (teachers, nurses, etc.).
• Work with the Towns and County to streamline the permitting and review process for small houses, particularly in the Towns. Offer fee reduction and technical assistance to qualified families.

Already here in the Methow many people will pitch in to loan tools, put on roofs in blizzards, share recycled materials and generally do what needs to be done. This approach takes a certain willingness to be patient, be frugal and accept help. To date, that is the affordable housing ‘program’ for the Methow Valley, and I believe it has worked quietly and effectively even through the wild storm of real estate speculation over the past five years. But will this volunteer spirit continue to be enough, or is it time for more?

This community pulls together every day around one cause or another. Shelter is one that shouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated in importance as the Methow continues to change.