Manson community expresses speeding and noise concerns to Sergeant Foreman

MANSON – Kari Sorensen who was selected by the community to fill the open position as council member for the Manson Community Council back in December, joined Kathy Blum, Sarah Cushing, Chris Willoughby and Jorge Valencia on the first meeting of 2019.

On Jan. 15 council members nominated and voted on three members to be officers for the year. Without any opposition Chis Willoughby was voted as Chair, Sorensen as Vice Chair and Cushing will be the Secretary and Treasurer for the council.

That evening, Chelan County Sergeant Chris Foreman stopped by to speak about what the Sheriff Department is doing and seeing in Manson and to also answer questions from the board and community members.

“Nothing has really changed from years past. We heard from business owners on mainly the downtown corridor on the complaints and the frustration with the speeders … most of the people speeding are local and in off season, the summer time people who are vacationing,” said Foreman.

On their “free time” the Sheriff Department patrols the Downtown Manson and writes infractions and warnings to those who go over the speed limit.

Foreman also spoke about the Marine Patrol, for the most part he stated that the patrol stays on the lake mainly in Chelan, however they do check out the Manson area. “One of the things we are trying to do is break up the lake into different zones, so we can document what we are handling and where. Then we can look at those numbers and see the issues are and then adjust accordingly from there,” he said.

The Sheriff Department operates with seasonal changes. For example, during the summer times they deal with alcohol related issues such as DUIs, fights and domestic violence.

Neighbors in the Lloyd Road expressed their concern with people speeding through the neighborhood. Foreman suggested to place a portable speed trailer to collect data in the area from the cars that drive by. This area is of concern to the Lloyd Road residents because a lot of kids walk to and from school and the road has no shoulder and it is also a blind turn.

“When it comes to our kids in the community we take that very serious,” said Foreman.

Sorensen asked a question regarding noise complains in vacations rentals. According to Foreman, based on County ordinance, there’s no time frame for quiet hours. Before that quiet hours started at 10 o’clock.

If someone calls with a noise complaint, Foreman stated, “we will go out there and verify that it’s noisy and we will contact them … whatever they are doing that’s noisy needs to stop, then at that point if we get called back the next time they are getting cited.”

The frustration with noise complains in vacation rentals is the fact that every week there’s different people, therefore talking to different people every week.

Foreman explained that during the busy weekends if the Sheriff Department gets a call over a noise complaint, it could be pending for a couple of hours based on the priority of other calls.

On average during the week there are five officers patrolling from Entiat to Manson and three during the weekends. During the summer time four to five officers patrol the areas.

The council also reviewed Council Bylaw changes and came to the conclusion to make a few more changes before fully adopting them. It was determined that letters that contain public comments to the County by the council will be posted on the website for the public to view.

Blum will contact the Peshastin and Malaga Community Councils via phone call to set up a meeting time to discuss questions the Manson council members have for them. The idea of meeting with Peshastin and Malaga came from Manson’s concern with soil contamination.

Manson Chamber of Commerce Director Jeff Conwell spoke to the council about the acquisition of Leffler Field. After explaining details on the project, he went ahead and ask for a letter of support from the board members. The council agreed to write the letter in support of the acquisition.

On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the council hosted an informational meeting on the Master Planned Resort Antheia of Chelan. After the town hall meeting, the council met and wrote their comments to the County on the MPR based on what they heard that night from the area neighbors.

“The Manson Community Council passed a motion based on information available, to recommend the application for the MPR 2018-283 Antheia of Chelan be denied due to parts of the application, and information provided by Antheia of Chelan does not meet State of Washington Growth Management Act, Chelan County Comprehensive Plan, or Chelan County Code requirements.”

To read full comments made by Manson Community Council visit https://mansoncommunitycouncil.com/2019/01/16/mcc-response-to-mpr-2018-283/.