Proposal would close statewide trail without rhyme or reason

Editor’s note: The poem below refers to an attempt earlier this year by state lawmakers to close a 130-mile section of the 250-mile John Wayne Trail that runs from Seattle to the Spokane Valley.

The legislation failed because of a typographical error.

State Reps. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, sought the closure claiming the trail is little used and is prone to crime. Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is Senate Majority Leader.

Save the John Wayne Trail

Washington state is justly renowned

As a place where natural beauty is found.

Islands, peaks and rainforest glens

All delight the photographer’s lens.

Admittedly, these places are great,

But there’s much more to our fair state,

Such as cliffs and canyons, sheer rock walls,

Remains of mammoth waterfalls.

Lyric hills of windblown soil

Provide a quiet, soothing foil

And a welcome and serene retreat

From crowded cities of concrete.

It’s where one can regain perspective

Enjoy a chance to be reflective,

And at the same time get to know

This region that we cherish so.

Where once the mighty railroad train

Traversed the undulating plain

Carrying a massive load—

The Milwaukee main line railroad

Connected east and furthest west

For a century, then laid to rest;

A corridor right through the state

Just what was to be its fate?

Then someone had a brilliant plan

To create a trail that would span

The width of our fair Washington,

And pretty soon the job was done.

That trail is a state resource

For those who love to ride a horse

Or bike or walk through scenery

Of farms, badlands and greenery.

Named for a giant of the screen

It offers much that can be seen

Only at a gradual pace —

Not like the freeway’s roaring race.

But now there’s been a shameful act,

A secret politicians’ pact

To sneak some lines into a law

(Lines the public never saw),

Hidden from the public’s eyes,

To cause the John Wayne Trail’s demise—

Devised by Schoesler, Schmick and Dye

To let the John Wayne Trail die.

As decades pass and cities grow,

More and more will wish to go

On treks just like the John Wayne Trail —

Speak now, or it will surely fail.

But whether you are pro or con,

Remember — when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Yes, there’s expenses for the path,

But don’t toss the babe out with the bath.

Attend a meeting, talk, debate,

Don’t let cabals and cliques negate

The peoples’ interest and desire —

Throw out those who would conspire

To pull off legalistic tricks

All in the name of politics.

Attend a meeting, take a stand—

This land, remember, is your land.

Ted Blaszak is a member of the Tekoa City Council and the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association. The poem was written by Blaszak and fellow trail supporters.