Bellingham and Whatcom County are at a crossroad between prosperity and continued economic stagnation. Local activists whom spout anti-development, anti-growth and anti- industry rhetoric only hinder the process of progress and lessen the opportunities for future generations of families to become successful locally. This has to stop! The next generation of our community will need jobs and without projects like the Gateway Pacific Terminal, I fear we are in for a bleak future. For the next generation to survive and to remain part of our community then growth must happen.

I believe it to be foolish to think that by preventing this terminal the use of coal globally will end or that it will have any effect on the amount exported and consumed. These commodities come through now and will continue to do so at whatever rate the world market demands. These Sierra Club-funded anti-groups continue to sling mud and illicit fear but provide no facts; just conjectures and and what I believe to be biased studies. Coinciding with logic, by building this terminal, the process of exportation will have less of an impact environmentally; modern facility, stricter regulations and better environmental practices. I believe GPT and the almost billion dollars' worth of private investment will be a great addition to our community.

David Feldberg

Bellingham