Editor’s note: The Courier-Herald normally declines to publish letters from writers who do not live on the Plateau or who doesn’t have a subscription. We made an exception for this letter, because Ms. Roach was recently mentioned in a column and is involved in the Plateau airport discussion.
The Enumclaw community has always been special to me. It stands out through its people, its farmland, and its small town atmosphere. And, after suffering the severe down zoning of the early 1990s, we want to keep it that way.
Millions of dollars vested in farmland were lost to landowners and their descendants when King County passed the Enumclaw Community Plan. Farmers were no longer allowed to short plat. Government guaranteed open spaces at the expense of others through farmland preservation.
Now, just a generation later, outsiders are hankering to bring an international commercial airport here. Eleven unelected members of a governor’s advisory committee have Enumclaw at the top of the list for selection.
Of almost a dozen sites (none suppose to be in King County) the farmland here is at the top of the list.
There was virtually no interaction with local leaders as this list was compiled and the window for comment is minuscule. When government acts like this they have already made up their mind. They want to catch the citizens flatfooted.
First rule of politics: Leave nothing to chance. Do not think that we won’t be picked just because you heard a rumor or you don’t think the choice is logical. You must fight the proposal and stay right on it until another site has been signed, sealed and delivered.
Someone said, “Well, the tribe doesn’t want it.” Really? Then why was it on the list in the first place? Would a panel of Democrats have put it on the list without inquiring? Do not discount anything. If I were the tribe I might want it. I would lease my land to the airport authority and make a whole lot of money. I would move the elk herd to the land east of Enumclaw and build a hotel or two.
Right now nothing is known. We were purposely kept in the dark. Have a full on 25 mile radius committee and fight this if you don’t want it.
On another note, Richard Elfers recently complemented me (“Fortunato may be extreme, but he’s helping us fight against the airport”, published Aug. 17). Thank you. Then he went on to bash me with pontifications that I would love to publicly debate. Elfers would lose.
Elfers then stated he would vote for “Independent” Chris Vance over Republican Senator Phil Fortunado. I have known both men for over 30 years. Vance is not to be trusted.
Elfers would vote for Reps. Stokesbary and Robertson but not Fortunato yet they have the same positions and voting records. Go figure.
Day one in Olympia the most important vote for leadership is taken. Vance told the Spokesman Review (March 19, 2022) that if elected he will vote for Democratic leadership. That’s right, the very team that has us No. 1 on the list for an airport. Vance would have Democrats chair all committees, direct all Senate floor action, and make all rules.
Senator Phil Fortunato is honest, hard-working, and right on the issues. Quite simply, Vance is not. Fortunato has the integrity.
Pam Roach
Sumner
