Check the facts about tourism

While talking with a proponent of the junk vehicle ordinance that is being looked at for Wahkiakum County I was informed that logging, farming, fishing and recycling, to name a few types of businesses in the area, were all things of the past and that the only thing that can sustain this county financially is tourism. So we better get busy and make this county look pretty for the droves of tourists who will be coming to replace the income we have been feeding our families with for the past umpty years.

It was interesting to me that this viewpoint was based on the experience and considerations of a person who has lived here for 2.5 years.

I guess about all I can say to the above is, “check your facts.” Then you realize you moved here from wherever you came from. Doing so does not constitute the right to tell local folks what they can or cannot do on their own property.

It is called due diligence, you are expected to look the area over carefully to see if you would fit into and agree with what was already here prior to you becoming interested in the area.

It is not a good idea to move here and then decide you are offended by someone’s old vehicles, nonmoving farm, fishing or logging equipment or anything else you may not like. I do not complain about people wanting to retire here, so please grant those of us who live and work here the courtesy of not complaining about how we make our living and feed our families, much less try to pass ordinances trying to regulate what can or cannot be done on our own property.

Live and let live!

Ben Elkinton

Cathlamet