Having chosen Bellingham to spend my retirement; I keep busy by enjoying the outdoors, taking classes at the university and staying active in the community with the medical reserve corps. Although I come from a struggling local economy similar to Whatcom County's, I believe the toxic political atmosphere here in Bellingham does not reflect the pro-business/family/community sentiment needed to improve the social and economic status of our county.

This mentality of continuously subsidizing city services, especially non-line budget items, off the back of taxpayers is the wrong approach to resolving our financial issues. Private investment and industry are the missing pieces to the puzzle; and I believe SSA Marine and the Gateway Pacific Terminal are those pieces. Family-wage jobs and a huge source of tax revenue coupled with the best environmental securities and practices is something I fully support.

For these reasons, I'm appalled by the Whatcom Docs and their egregious stance towards GPT. It is beyond logic to apply their approach and their authority should be called into question. Bellingham has had coal trains since the late 1800s and at times much heavier rail traffic. Whether a true believer or a careless endorser; the irresponsible nature of the letter highlights the toxicity exuding from the local Sierra Club funded activists. I choose to support, not obstruct!

Allen Brown

Bellingham