Support of Rezone: City Meeting 4/18/11

Erik presenting his statement to the City of Shelton Commission

HALL EQUITIES WILL BRING JOBS SHELTON NEEDS

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Erik Mason County Progressive

As I’ve said before, Shelton needs the jobs that Hall Equities will bring. This being the case, why is there a problem actually getting them in here? The answer lies with the focus of the Port of Shelton.

The pilots who make up the leadership of the Port are abusing their place of power, and their access to taxpayer dollars in fighting this project to protect their playground from a threat that doesn’t exist in reality.

Let me be clear – most people who support the Hall Equities rezone are not trying to shut the airport down. What they want is for Shelton to grow and improve, no matter what the pilots may think.

All this bickering is pointless, because there are already in existence homes in close proximity to the airport, and yet the airport still runs. If the airport is still standing with Hidden Haven senior housing right across the street from it, and with neighborhoods within a mile, then more residences in the Hall Equities area shouldn’t cause a noise-based issue for the airport. Thus it should be clear to everyone that some of the more vocal pilots are making an issue out of nothing.

We know that the Port of Shelton has been blocking this project for reasons that are miniscule in view of the big picture.

My message to the opponents is this:

You should not be the enemies of the people of Shelton, and vice versa. You should be standing with the community and supporting the rezone, because it will bring growth to our community where it’s needed most. Your precious airport won’t have to be shut down due to noise factors. You are doing yourselves and your airport more harm than good right now, by building up a feeling of resentment from the people who want Hall Equities’ jobs to come here, and that could lead to the loss of your airport.

Our community does need the airport, but it doesn’t need the pilots ganging up to stop progress in Shelton.

All of us, fly-boys, mariners, and landlubbers, need to stand together so Shelton, our town, can grow. Please support the Hall Equities rezone for the betterment of your community.

Thank you.

Photo by Christine