A political flip-flop in Wahkiakum County?

To The Eagle:

I know this is a crazy time in politics not only in Washington DC, but also here in little Wahkiakum County. I am very disappointed in one of our county commissioner's comments in the May 27 issue of The Eagle.

Commissioner Blair Brady said at a meeting three weeks ago that he was going to study the National Heritage Area issue before he makes a decision. Then he said that he had "concluded the NHA wouldn't have the adverse impact that the opponents predict." Then he said, "residents of my district are overwhelmingly opposed to it. They put me into office, therefore, I will vote no on this issue." So was Mr. Brady elected to study an issue and make a decision for what was best for the county, or to let his Westend district tell him how to vote?

We must remember that each commissioner comes for a district, and Mr. Brady's includes Skamokawa. However, they are elected county wide. During Mr Brady's campaign, I do not remember him saying that if elected he would only represent the Westend. I don't remember him saying that if he had a tough vote he would check with the Westend people and vote how they tell him.

We elect our commissioners to study all issues that come before them and make a decision on what is best for the county, and not what is best to get re-elected. You might think Mr. Brady has been watching the politicians in Washington DC doing anything they can to get re-elected. Is this a Washington Flip Flop? First I was for it, and now I am against it?

Mr. Brady represents all 4,500 people of our county, and so if his "constituents" are against the issue then that must be over 2,250 people.

When asked to have a public hearing in the Westend, Mr. Brady said no. I wonder if maybe those in the Westend are not "overwhelmingly opposed to it." It sure does not sound like that when you read the letter from Krist Novoselic, talk to business owners, the Friends of Skamokawa, the Farmers Market people and the B&B owners who support of the issue. After visiting with some people on the Westend I was reminded that it was the Westend people that brought the NHA designation to the commissioners' attention and requested that the County be included.

So, is Mr. Brady going to represent the people of Wahkiakum County or is he going to let a few people on the Westend call the shots?

Richard Erickson

Cathlamet