If you’d have told me a Washington State city had the 4th worst gap between the rich and poor, my first guess would have been Seattle. Maybe Tacoma or Everett. Possibly one of the gaudy suburbs has a large needy population hit by the economic downturn. So I was surprised to read:
Using the Gini Index, a statistical measure that determines the amount of economic equality within a community, Cle Elum was ranked the least equal of any Washington community, and fourth most unequal in the nation, in terms of the gap between the wealthiest and poorest residents.
The article doesn’t do much to explain why that might be the case. It may have something to do with the housing bust in a former drive until you can buy community. But that still doesn’t explain the wealthy part of the equation.
It’s this:
But, Suncadia’s not actually in the town.
Yes, I agree, it’s Suncadia. The tipoff for me was when I recently attended a legal seminar there on real estate-related issues. The speakers included a high-priced corporate lawyer who has moved his/her office from Seattle to Cle Elum. When you see lawyers who follow the big money setting up shop in a place like Cle Elum, you know there’s big money nearby. Suncadia pulls in rich out-of-towners; it’s basically big-city money transforming a scenic community into a pricey resort area.
My dad grew up in Cle Elum, I have lots of fond memories of childhood visits.
@3 So did Douglas Munro, the only U.S. Coast Guard recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He’s buried there. Did your Dad know him? He would have had to be there in the 1930s – early 40s.
Maybe 1800 is a small sample size?
Carl, “gaudy,” really?
@4
I’d forgotten about that. My dad was born in ’32, so I doubt it. I’ll have to ask him about that, I’m sure they must have talked about in high school and such.
@4
My dad never met Munro, but his dad helped out with my dad’s Boy Scout troop.
Weird bit of synchronicity… Parts of the Milwaukee Road railroad were electrified and Munro’s dad work at one of the substation for that. I’m reading a blog about a couple of guys bicycling across the state on the John Wayne Trail, which used to be the Milwaukee Road and todays post had pictures of an abandoned substation. The Cle Elum substation was turned into a restaurant and hotel, but I’m not sure if it’s still going, haven’t been by it in several years. http://26inchslicks.blogspot.c.....day-4.html
How could anyone forget Douglas Munro?
“For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy’s fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country.”
“Aged 22 at his death, Munro is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Park in Cle Elum, Washington.” — Wikipedia
His grave is easy to spot once you find the cemetery: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-.....Ipi=279045
@9
I’ve been there, it’s pretty cool.
I trust that ‘Suncadia’ has not outsourced their golf-cart maintenance. I heard that their carts are specially made by Harley-Davidson and are pretty badass carts.
That signature Pocketta Pocketta Pocketta HD engine noise is almost to the point of noise pollution in Cle Elum.
The locals almost had to arrest Rod Stewart for drunkenly tripping around like twinkletoes kicking a soccer ball — and this on Easter Sunday!
Grow up Rod! You’re not 58 any more!
@5,
Good point about small sample size, but I stand behind gaudy. It was either that or posh.
Gig Harbor’s more gaudy than posh. Which is unfortunate.
Cle Elum! Republican paradise!
Total inequality is in your grasp. You can do it Cle Elum!
Paid for by Rob Mckenna for Governor – F*CK the poor!
@14
Cle Elum, home to a whole bunch of WA DOT employees that work on the pass, Forest Service employees, a handful of rail road guys, and a growing number of healthcare workers to take care of the rich old folks at Suncadia.
Democrats, we’re everywhere!
The biggest obstacle to getting Democrats elected in areas like Cle Elum is the Washington State Democratic Party.