La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

The quaint Town of La Conner has drawn people from the world over. The Skagit Valley, on the whole, is a very special place. The location, climate and the beautiful vistas that come with the changing seasons bring people here every year.

What vision are we seeking for the special area that we live in? Do we want to be memorable for what is here? What is the memory we want our visitors to take away from here? When I first heard of the plans for the apartment building going in on Center Street behind The Slider Cafe, I found myself disheartened. I wondered if the property will look like the rest of our charming little historic town, or if it will distract from that charm.

I became alarmed reading of the “marketing icon” plan that was put forth, and I had to let my mind be known. I decry the idea of placing an 11 x 5 foot letter in Gilkey Square, to show that La Conner is loved, as ludicrous. How will this structure be in harmony with the town that I love? Wasn’t the selfie display used last year much more appropriate in style and size with the rest of the surroundings?

I have to wonder why some individuals want to take away from the aesthetics of this area. When making plans for permanent changes here please consider that people come to Skagit Valley and our little town for the simple splendors they discover here. They remember these treasures, come back to enjoy them again and to search out more.

Laural Stevenson

Shelter Bay