Opinion - Letters to the Editor

POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

Says county needs to change course

I am a recent university graduate and have lived in Whatcom County my entire life. I am very concerned with the direction that the current County Council and planning commission are leading this county and am convinced that in order to ensure the long term success of this county, the direction needs to change.

The council should balance human and environmental concerns. The county cannot move forward with proposals that will destroy the economic viability of farming in the name of protecting farmland. The current council members seeking reelection say that they have been working to protect agriculture, but take a drive through this farmland, and you will see which candidates the farmers are supporting - not the "protectors".

The council also needs to balance economic and development concerns. In the midst of financial shortfalls in this county, the current council and planning commission are proposing measures to downzone certain areas of the county, reducing property values and thereby tax revenue. Who will make up the difference? Every property owner in the county, through heightened property taxes.

This direction cannot be maintained. Vote for a fresh, local perspective, not professional politicians funded from out of state.

Matt Buys

Custer