Letter to the Editor

To the editor,

There is a group of citizens who are concerned about the impact of the proposed Touchet Valley Trail on Columbia County Citizens. We have approached and been approached by approximately 600 citizens who have signed a petition requesting that this issue that affects the property, livelihood and quality of life in our community be put on a ballot by the Port Commissioners. This will allow all the voting citizens of Columbia County to have a say in such an important matter that will continue to affect the County in years to come.

In a short period of time, excluding the holidays followed by bad weather, we have collected approximately 600 signatures that represent a small percentage of the community who we have been able to contact.

There are two requests:

1. For the Port Commissioners and staff to walk the actual proposed path of the trail to get a genuine understanding of the negative impact on the homes, businesses and farmers along the trail. In doing so, they will be able to assess the potential danger for safety of citizens due to multiple crossings and the potential for crime. Our local law enforcement has expressed a concern of being adequately staffed to handle the expected increase in calls.

2. We are asking the Port Commissioners to consider putting this issue on the ballot. We trust you will take into consideration the 600 citizens as well as those who have not had an opportunity to sign.

It was also asked that the Port Commissioners have a response to the above considerations at next month’s meeting.

Chuck Beleny

Dayton, Wash.