Letter to the Editor: Lawmakers urged to put funds toward Tekoa Trail

An open letter to our legislators, state representatives Joe Schmick and Mary Dye and senator Mark Schoesler:

We have just heard some exciting news; there is now a surplus of $4 million dollars in the Parks Dept. budget through an unexpected increase in sales of Discover Passes and that plans are being made now to divide these funds for small parks and trails projects.

We visited Brandan Spencer’s property last week, and we now have a much deeper appreciation of the concerns of adjacent landowners. Though there is still much more to learn, we did discover common ground.

There are acute problems on the trail that both he and recreationalists face that, given your immediate attention, could be resolved quickly.

He and other landowners are frequently bothered by trail users who are in need of water. There is no water on that stretch of the trail. Sometimes he finds bikers and hikers drinking water from his cow troughs and once a whole troop of boy scouts knocked on his door.

Can we have approx. $45,000 to put in three small wells 15 miles apart near the Ritzville section of the trail. This would improve trail use and protect the property of adjacent landowners.

Also, may we recommend another $45,000 be spent on weed control. Currently, the state sprays the deck of the trail but often misses the embankments alongside it, which are also on state property.

We believe that if you were able to bring some of these now available resources back to the 9th district we could alleviate many of the problems that created the crises that caused you to close the trail in the first place.

By taking these relatively small steps towards improving the trail for both adjacent landowners and trail users this legislative session we might also be able to turn the tide on the now statewide current conversation regarding the trail.

With your leadership we can move beyond competition of problems and towards a collaboration of solutions. It would be very nice if we were able to resolve this situation by working together.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Ted Blaszak,

Tekoa City Councilman and president of Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association

Monte Morgan,

vice president Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association

Sandy Dehan,

secretary Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association

John Miller,

treasurer Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association