The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Group walks routes to school

As part of Safe Routes to School program

Photo by Sverre Bakke

GETTING OUT THE VOTE — Klickitat County Auditor Brenda Sorensen (above) empties 2012 General Election ballots from the White Salmon Drop Box Monday evening and places them in a canvas bag (left) for eventual transfer to the Auditor’s Office in Goldendale, where they would be counted Tuesday morning. Sorensen told The Enterprise Monday that more than 56 percent of the county’s 13,057 registered voters had returned ballots through last Friday. Last week, Sorensen predicted a turnout of 80 to 85 percent. In 2008, 84.71 percent of county voters cast ballots in the General Election.

November 06, 2012

A group of 11 volunteers braved the wet weather to complete a walking audit on the streets of White Salmon on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Collecting data from the audit is an important step towards designating walking routes for Whitson Elementary, which is a goal of the collaborative efforts of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) working group.

By providing support for walking and biking to school, SRTS groups around the country are improving health and safety for children.

Participants in the group represent the Klickitat County Health Department, White Salmon Valley School District, White Salmon Police Department, City of White Salmon, State Department of Health, Healthy People Alliance, and the community at large.

Once results of the walking audit are compiled and analyzed, the SRTS working group will hold an open house to get public feedback on recommended walking routes.

Persons interested in joining the group can contact Becky Williams, the Klickitat County SRTS coordinator, at beckyw@co.klickitat.wa.us or 493-1558.