I was thinking the other day about what brings us to and keeps us here in Whatcom County. I think it's easy to agree about the benefits of living here, but why would we leave?

The first reason might be for employment. And now, we have at our doorstep, the potential for employment opportunities if the Gateway Pacific Terminal should be permitted. The proposed project is causing serious division in our community. I believe everyone concerned has a valid perspective.

Today's news reported an "airpocalypse" in Beijing. China Youth Daily reports, via the New York Times, "This choking, dirty and poisonous air forces the Chinese to rethink the widespread, messy development model."

"Monday morning," reports NPR, "Beijing's main children's hospital was packed to overflowing, with rows of infants hooked up to drips in the corridors outside the emergency clinic, and queues of patients waiting to see doctors. According to official media, recently this hospital has seen 9,000 patients per day, a third of them with respiratory diseases."

Beijing is vowing to cut air pollution by 15 percent over the the next 3 years. Judged as the most dangerous for health, suspended particulates are caused mainly by coal and car exhaust.

I propose that we actively recruit clean industry that would improve our quality of life and perhaps even contribute to a cleaner, healthier world.

Lee Willis

Bellingham