October 28, 2009 • The Leavenworth Echo
Community
OKTOBERFEST: There were 32 DUI arrests Continued from Page 1
was severely intoxicated. The only description he or his buddy could give us was that the guys who approached them had really short hair and one of them had an eagle on his shirt. We looked all over but we really don’t have any leads.” The victim was taken to Central Washington Hospital for treatment. Kelly did not feel the incidents were Oktoberfest-related. She said the Washington State Patrol told her none of the arrests they made could be linked to Oktoberfest directly and that the festival was not to blame for the incidents or the DUIs. Projekt Bayern President Larry Meyer concurred. “I sell souvenirs at Oktoberfest, so I see it from the booth point of view,” Meyer said. “I thought the security was excellent. They were very good at clipping bands. They were very observant. They were very patient and they were very polite to the patrons when they clipped their bands.” Meyer said Oktoberfest employed more than 200 local people, including high school students. The food was great and in abundance, while the music this year was “phenomenal.” All of the improvements this year, he
Photo by Chelsea Gorrow
Projekt Bayern President Larry Meyer sold souvenirs at this year’s Oktoberfest, which drew more than 30,000 people, a record high. Meyer said Phoenix Security, a private agency, did an excellent job at the Festhalle. said, made it a big success. But while Projekt Bayern had a successful night, Sisson said the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has a successful night in other respects. “Around 11:30 at night when things start shutting down, people begin to move downtown to the core area and try to squeeze into the three or four bars that are already full,” Sisson said. “That’s when the fights, vandalism, and mischief really start to happen. And that’s when we get
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busy.” There was an incident on Oct. 15 where a woman was hit with Taser for not complying with the officers. She was intoxicated and would not allow security to escort her out. Sisson said she was jailed for disorderly contact and was belligerent throughout the whole ordeal. “I think we’re doing a better job of keeping statistics and this year’s festival was busier than other years,” Sisson said. “I don’t think more people acted out. More people were probably just dealt with because there was a boost in security. More incidents were dealt with and more people were removed and I think some of that related to Phoenix Security being there for the first time. The group is excellent in our opinion. They were very proactive with anyone who they felt was drunk or disorderly or didn’t need to be there. They didn’t hesitate to remove them and notify us. It’s an increase in statistics but also an increase in professional security.” Kelly said Phoenix was welltrained and amazing to work with. She said they would definitely be back. In all three weekends, 53 incidents were reported, including disturbances, assault, lewd conduct, malicious mischief, trespassing, weapon violations, drug possessions, hit-and-runs, and noise complaints. Additionally, the Washington State Patrol reported 32 DUI arrests during the three weekends. In total, more than 30,000 people attended the three-weekend festival. “We’ve felt it’s always been great. People really love it,” Kelly said. “We never really hear anything negative. The only negative things come from the Sheriff’s Office and they don’t really care for the festival, I don’t think.” Chelsea Gorrow can be reached at 548-5286 or reporter@leavenworthecho.com
Program works to improve Icicle Creek salmon habitat Submitted by Neal Hedges Stewardship Coordinator The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) in partnership with the Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD) is seeking volunteers to help improve fish and wildlife habitat along Icicle Creek near Leavenworth. With a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Community Salmon Fund, CDLT, Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD), and Icicle Valley Trout Unlimited (TU) are working with cooperating landowners to restore stream side riparian habitat along 1,800 feet of Icicle Creek and maintain a project along 1,500 feet of the Wenatchee River. Riparian vegetation provides shade for fish, browse and hiding cover for deer, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. It helps hold stream banks and eventually provides large woody debris for fish habitat and stream function. According to Bob Steele, regional habitat manager with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the project “would be truly a ‘win-win’ for both the landowners, conservation organizations, resource agencies and citizens of Washington State, and for the important fish and wildlife resources dependent upon this important ripar-
ian-shorelines ecosystem within Chelan County, Washington.” “We will have a series of three-to-four hour projects from Oct. 29-31,” said Neal Hedges, Stewardship Coordinator with the Land Trust. “With nearly 2,000 trees to plant we can use all the help we can get.” Projects include distributing and planting trees in prepared holes, placing mulch and weed barrier, and installing browse protection tubes. To volunteer or get further information about the projects, call 667-9708 or check the CDLT calendar: www.cdlandtrust.org/newsletter.html The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is a local non-profit working to conserve our land, our water, and our way of life through voluntary land agreements, education, partnerships, stewardship, and well planned growth. The Land Trust believes that trails, open space, and wildlife habitat close to where we live improve our quality of life, making North Central Washington a more attractive place for people and businesses. The Land Trust works corroboratively with local landowners and communities to identify and protect the region’s most important natural landscapes forever. For more information on the CDLT, visit www.cdlandtrust.org.
ACCORDION FEST: Future in doubt
File photo
The 2010 Leavenworth International Accordion Festival may be the last. The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce plans to replace the 16-year festival in coming years because of a lack of interest and funds. Continued from Page 1
make sure that it continues,” Forchemer said. “It has such a passionate following and it’s great for the local businesses. It’s one of the highlights of my whole year.” Forchemer, who owns Andreas Keller Restaurant, said both of her children were crushed to find out about Accordionfest’s demise. Max and Allie have both been playing the accordion for years. This year, Max performed a concert. “They’re so disappointed,” Forchemer said. “For me and my family and for the businesses, we all need to have a little fun and that festival is a lot of fun. I’m very surprised and disappointed that the chamber is planning to cancel it and I know that I am not alone in those feelings. A lot of us are pulling together to make sure it does not go away.” Calapristi says the chamber is
canceling the festival because of the lack of funds raised by the LIAC. “They said it doesn’t bring in enough funds for them. It doesn’t make them enough profit,” he said. “But they get nothing back from the more than $30,000 they contribute for Christmas Lighting Festival, for Maifest, for Icefest, or for Kinderfest. To my knowledge we are the only festival that pays them. They put in $30,000 and they get a return on it. This year, they lost $7,000 on it but the rest of the festivals lost the whole amount.” Darlington said the Christmas Lighting Festival, although it is considered a loss, does benefit the town as a whole in areas the Accordionfest does not. She said she is in favor of a new festival, as long as the chamber does not drop a festival in the process. The chamber is currently looking at options. Some ideas brought about at the new com-
The Chocolate Cup COFFEE & CHOCOLATE BAR
mittee meeting included a taste of Leavenworth, a hoopfest-style festival or a woman’s weekend retreat. “There were hundreds of ideas brought up,” Darlington said. “We’re looking into all of the options and what will best benefit the town.” Forchemer and Calapristi both said mixed signals have been coming out of the chamber, via email from several board members and employees, so they are in limbo waiting to hear final word. “This is a unique and educational festival that provides workshops and concerts and competitions for all ages to participate and all ages to watch,” Forchemer said. “I hope it stays. I’ve asked Nancy, at the very least, to not book anything else on those days because if they do cancel it, we’re going to find a way to rescue it. I’ve heard that it’s absolutely dead and that it’s going to be here until they find something else to replace it with and neither is satisfactory to me. It has a passionate following.” Forchemer said she was first invited and then uninvited to the Oct. 21 new committee meeting. Smith’s Oct. 23 e-mail to the Echo said, “Continuing the Accordionfest celebration is being reviewed by the accordion community and they have asked to speak to the chamber about it in a meeting sometime in the first week of November.” Forchemer said she is still waiting for word on when she can speak with a committee and plead her case. “Nancy said it was not an appropriate time so I’m waiting for a new opportunity to discuss the future,” Forchemer said. “Until then, the accordion community is praying for a miracle, that something will save the festival before it dies for good.” Calapristi says if it stays around, he will be surprised. Chelsea Gorrow can be reached at 548-5286 or reporter@leavenworthecho.com