City of East Wenatchee

East Wenatchee raised car tabs and property taxes recently, as they were broke (they claimed), but suddenly they now have funds to purchase a $350,000 piece of land at 9th/Valley Mall Pkw. and make improvements on it as well. (that is the price they offered, not the price accepted or final price) It is conveniently located next to the hobo camps across the road so it should have plenty of visitors keeping warm at the visitor center.  No mention of if there are cleanup costs from underground storage tanks at the former gas station, but I am sure the illegal sign will come down. Perhaps the visitor center can provide tours of the many homeless camps along the trail. It is also doors down from adult porn shop.  The city is seeking public comment on this and this years budget- how about lowering our car tabs and property taxes if you have so much money? The internet is a far wiser way to do visitor information and there are meeting rooms in city hall and at the hotel, if people need to meet- why should I pay for more rooms? Maybe they will want to buy my house next?

East Wenatchee will finally end Panhandling, however It will be thru "Education"? Panhandlers love to sit at busy intersections and distract drivers with no accountability on where that money will be spent, or what other public funds you are giving them already. They enjoy not paying taxes, no business license and free use of your city/state right of way lands. I wrote Mayor Lacy this letter over a year ago, and still have not heard a response back from him, other than his comments on todays KPQ news. They are seeking public comment on that as well- again, I have commented, but still waiting for response. It will take a serious accident caused by a distracted driver to fix the problem?

From: Dennis Hendricks
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 8:23 PM
To: Steve Lacy
Subject: panhandlers
Perhaps you can tell me who would be sued if a panhandler is struck/injured or causes an accident, by diverting attention of drivers, on city right of way? I would think since they city has most money- they would be named first. They choose the busiest intersections- places where even hitchhiking is not allowed.

Why are they allowed to stand there without any safety vest as any other city worker would? They are actually flagging by holding a sign and directing people to stop- where are the required warning signs as required for flagging and again, the safety equipment? (L&I would fine me if I tried that- ok they did fine taxpayers for that recently) I personally think they are breaking laws already, without the council needing to pass new laws. I bet they do not pay tax on those earnings or have any permit to do business in city- yet the the business a few feet away must pay tax on income and have a business lic? I really wish the city would enforce laws on this before someone is hurt or sued. This has nothing to do with the poor or helping those who really need help- rather a safety issue and I know the city even gives tax dollars to help out the really needy. I know the state does not allow people to do business on state right of way-and they are conducting business. if this is a state problem, could you forward it or let me know what I need to do next? I find it ironic signs or sale of vehicle are not allowed on city or state right of way, but panhandling is?

Lastly, when will the 4 way stop signs at 5th/Eastmont be removed, and all Eastmont  to proceed without stopping there? Plans called to eliminating that 4 way stop, but somehow it has not happened. Can anyone help me out, and tell me why a 4 way is still needed there? No one from council has ever responded to my letter, the city engineer was only one who responded, and his excuses did not hold water. Guess the elected officials do not run the city or care to respond or listen.