MORE ON "CAVE" LETTER TO JOURNAL

ADVOCATES FOR A BETTER LIFE IN MASON COUNTY

Further comments on Dennis E. Frost's letter to the Editor, Shelton-Mason County Journal, 4/21/11, titled "Citizens against virtually everything come out of the cave", read at the Port of Shelton Commission Meeting on 5/3/11.

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Pat Vandehey Mason County Progressive

After first reading the “Citizens Against virtually everything” letter to the Editor, Shelton-Mason County Journal, 4/21/11, I dismissed it as an inept attempt to belittle the people not in step with the Port’s Agenda and should be ignored. But then I decided it would an egregious error not to respond.

The people Dennis E. Frost is demeaning in his letter are not "kooks" or troglodytes. They are people of the community who applaud all positive aspects of local, state and federal government that promote and maintain the health, security and prosperity of Mason County citizens. They are for clean air, water and soil. They advocate open and transparent government, good non- polluting jobs, and enhancing the natural attributes that are available in this area.

The Shelton Hills Project is regarded as a plus for the community. The new Solar Power project proposed by PUD3 sounds very promising. The possibility of making Shelton and Mason County a destination instead of a gas or fast food stop before going on the Olympic Peninsula is a dream for these people.

The things that are not acceptable, are polluting businesses that seem to be the main projects proposed; the lack of input from agencies about what is going on and what is being pushed under the radar; the closed group of individuals rotating from one post to another on agencies, boards, commissions and committees that control permitting and voting for pet projects.

These citizens object to the “Good Old Boys Club” that, with a wink and a nod, grease the wheels for pushing through proposals by changing ordinances, rules, and granting special permits that are completely against the well being of the community.

Citizens have a right to have complete information on what is being proposed, to be heard and have their input really considered, and not merely tolerated and then disregarded. So instead of being called “CAVE” people, they should be called ADVOCATES for a better life in Mason County.