Community needs jobs to keep hope alive

To The Eagle:

It is beyond disturbing to me that others have such an "I got mine" attitude in this county. I have only written one letter to the editor in the six years that I have lived, worked and run a business in the Cathlamet area. But the letter from Kristin Lee last week was just too frustrating for me to ignore.

When someone that has their own agenda then accuses business leaders of "secret and private meetings" without justification, I have to question their motives. Are Kristin Lee's motives to make sure that development and jobs do not happen in Wahkiakum County? I find this very typical of those people that say "I have mine and I don't want anybody else here." I believe that she made the following quote: "A few extra jobs, some new emergency equipment would be devastating to the county."

That makes me wonder: So if one does not want jobs in our area or along the river then who is next? Wauna, Longview Fibre, Weyerhaeuser? How about the hotel that is about to open--maybe that will bring too many cars to town? I think it is easy for somebody that has a job, or their retirement to say we don't want those jobs. Ask somebody that has lost their job and is looking at losing their home and trying to feed their children if they want the jobs.

I know that there are plenty of people in this county and young people that have had to move out of this county that would love to have a good family wage paying job. I also can assure you that the school will take all the kids that they may bring with them. The Realtors will be happy to sell them a house. I can assure you the shops and stores in the county will welcome them to shop here. When that kind of money circulates around our area, it turns into millions. You see economic development affects everybody.

Our sheriff had to lay off officers last year. How wonderful would it be if he could hire back some of those that have lost their jobs? It is very hard to create jobs in Wahkiakum County. We create jobs one at a time. Can anybody tell me the last time anybody came to town and hired seven people at family wage jobs? And then tell me how many jobs have been lost the last year.

These chances for development only come about once every 10-15 years. We missed the state prison, we missed the state park in Skamokawa. Along with these jobs come $500,000 a year for 20 years; this money will help Emergency, EMS, non-profits and children's programs, etc. And now if we're not careful, we will miss this chance too.

We have operated our business for the last five years and I do not agree with Kristin about hiring these officers and taking this money. "It would be devastating to the county and its people." I think having more officers and more jobs will help the county grow and prosper. But you see, I want growth and I am willing to have new people move in even though I have mine.

For all of you that have all the money you need, good for you, but for the rest of the people that have to work for a living, please do not stomp on our hopes.

Richard Erickson

Cathlamet