It Worked for John Dobson and the WPA!

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Dj

In a recent message to the Washington Pilots Association, John Dobson, Executive Director of the Port of Shelton accused the Anti-Adage contingent of hijacking the process “with lies, intimidation and personal attacks...”

From where I sit, it is a couple of the Port Commissioners and Mr. Dobson who have attempted to promote their agenda, contrary to the wishes of the public, by using lies, intimidation and personal attacks.

Commissioner Jack Miles who opposes Adage has been told he’d better “watch his back”, and has been threatened with censure and physical violence. Peaceful observers at public Port meetings have been told that the Commission has the power to “clear the room”. Commissioner Hupp bangs his gavel to get his own way.

At a hearing about the Adage project, out-of-town thugs were paid to fill chairs in the Commission chambers during a hearing, forcing Port residents to be outside the chambers. Citizens were told they must follow preset ‘rules’ in their testimony if they wanted to be heard, but the members of the outside interest group didn’t have to follow the same rules. And instead of answering the scientific evidence against biomass, the proponents continue to circulate the same old tired lies they’ve been circulating since April.

I did some more research on the WPA website and I was thrilled to find their strategies for fighting the government. It seems the state Legislature was proposing a .5% Excise Tax on aircraft values, and the WPA didn’t like that idea. So they organized in opposition. The first thing they told the members to do was to contact their local representative and the Governor immediately and ask them to remove that portion of the bill, and tell them why the bill was a bad idea.

Quoting from the WPA website, “Also, stay on subject! Some of the chicanery (procedural tricks) while very frustrating are nothing more than a distraction. You risk your credibility if you stray. One subject at a time!” (emphasis theirs). And they were encouraged to show up! Contact their State Representatives and State Senators as soon as possible! Write them, call them, and if possible, visit their offices to tell them how this would affect them! Also attend the hearing even if they weren’t going to speak, because their presence would show their opposition. Then they were advised to “Throw the bums out...”

They united in large numbers and contacted their representatives, repeatedly, and they didn't stop until that legislation was defeated. This is what WE have all been doing in our battle against biomass. We have been hammering the facts, and letting our voices be heard.

So let's take heart that we are on the right track, and not grow weary. Let's avoid the distractions they try to throw in our way and stay on subject. Let's continue to show up and exert the pressure it is going to take to get our message across. And let's throw the bums out who won't listen to what the constituents want!

It worked for John Dobson and the WPA, and maybe he's worried that it will work for us...