Let someone else do the dirty work

To The Eagle:

It is beyond disturbing to me and others that the ongoing meetings, both secret and private, between NorthernStar, Fred Johnson, David Goodroe, Sheriff Bardsley, the county commissioners and others have been taking place. Fred Johnson has already signed a non-disclosure agreement with them; David Goodroe wants to turn our Elochoman Marina into a base for NorthernStar's armed vessels; Sheriff Bardsley has been negotiating a contract and to quote Lisa Marsyla at a meeting September 15, she had met with William Garrett of NorthernStar and was hoping for a "quick settlement of the security arrangement."

This is just a drop of what has been going on behind and in front of Wahkiakum residents for some time. Commissioners will be meeting with NorthernStar in a closed session January 21 at 9 a.m. The reason this is closed is because it is a matter of national security: Meaning tankers and plants are targets for terrorists. Why would Wahkiakum County even consider such an agreement? For a few extra jobs, some new emergency equipment, promise of more money? This contract would be most devastating to the county and its people financially and in any future development that would offer the area's natural beauty.

If the people involved in all these negotiations think that everything will be covered by NorthernStar, they need to take a closer look. For one, most people agree it will not be NorthernStar who builds, operates, or owns this proposed facility. Their original proposal of importing LNG only is fiction. They are well on their way in making this an export facility as well. With all the secrecy and lying that NorthernStar has done, why would any town, county, city, etc., in their right mind have anything to do with them?

I say let them find someone else to do their dirty work. This is not the direction Wahkiakum should be taking. Wake up and let your commissioners know this is wrong. This is not a done deal.

Kristin Lee

Puget Island/Portland