Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
It was on to Olympia Tuesday for members of the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association to advocate to keep the John Wayne Pioneer Trail fully open.
City councilman and association president Ted Blaszak and member Monte Morgan had meetings scheduled with four state legislators, with hopes for more interactions at a series of events, culminating with a press conference on the capital steps Friday.
On Wednesday, Blaszak was set to attend the Association of Washington Cities City Action Days, followed by joining with Morgan and a group of John Wayne Trail supporters from around the state Thursday at Great Outdoors Legislative Day and Reception, hosted by the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and Washington Recreation and Park Association. As citizens, the group will have the opportunity to lobby various legislators directly for the trail.
“So we'll have a rather big presence on that day,” Blaszak said.
To prepare for the trip, Blaszak sent letters to every state legislator asking if they would like to meet.
In addition, he planned to bring 400 of his wife Debra's Tekoa trestle-shaped shortbread cookies to deliver to each legislator's office, along with literature about Tekoa and the John Wayne Trail.
One of the main points he and Morgan will push is to discontinue the requirement of a permit to access the trail – which is an act only the legislature can perform.
“We hope to drive the point so at least there is some debate as to why the special permits are so important that they are willing to hurt small farm-town economies,” Blaszak said.
On Wednesday night, Blaszak and Morgan were set to attend a reception at the governor's mansion to honor Jon Snyder, Gov. Jay Inslee's new policy advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development. Snyder, who leaves his post as a Spokane city council member, was instrumental in the city passing a resolution in support of the trail last September.
“He is the perfect guy to get the perfect job,” said Blaszak. “It's really cool for us. He was one of our first big backers.”
Blaszak, Morgan and others stepped into action last fall after a budget proviso went awry in the state legislature that would have closed a 135-mile stretch of the almost cross-state trail from the Columbia River at Beverly to Malden.
A misstatement in the proviso nullified the plan, which was supported by Ninth District Reps. Joe Schmick and Mary Dye, along with State Senator Mark Schoesler. Reasons cited for the closure included lack of use, trespassing, liability, weed control and other maintenance, lack of funding and additional concerns of landowners along the trail.
In December, Washington State Parks appointed a John Wayne Trail Advisory Committee to explore the trail issues. Blaszak is one of the 12 members of the committee.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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