Letters to the Editor for Jan. 28, 2014

Levies are important investments in education I am proud of the quality education that my two children received from Washougal public schools. Without hesitation I will support the M&O and technology levies. These dollars will be directly used to support campus security, student health, performing arts, sports teams, technology, facility maintenance and community education. I can't think of a better investment in our community and in our future. Roger Daniels Washougal Proposed terminal is not good for the community The Port of Vancouver, relying on limited information, executed a lease with Tesoro-Savage for the purpose of building a terminal on the Columbia River with the potential of exporting 350,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Bakken oil fields. TS represented the process to be safe. The highly volatile nature of Bakken crude was ignored. During the past six months: One oil train derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec killing 47 people and leveling the town (July, 2013). One oil train derailed in Alabama (Nov. 2013). Another train blew up in North Dakota (Dec. 2013). Another blew up in New Brunswick, Canada (last week). I do not wish to see the cities of Camas and Washougal added to that list. The "Safety Plan" covering terminal operations is still problematic and will be centered around POV concerns, absent public comment. It will be years before adequate standards for rail car safety will be implemented. The fact that volatiles from rail cars carrying Bakken crude are vented to the air was not considered. Resulting hazards and air contamination were overlooked. Safety and emergency response measures and associated costs in surrounding communities were ignored. Rail capacity and traffic congestion were not considered. Citizens are strongly in opposition. Residents of the community have unanimously denounced the scheme. The proposed terminal is the antithesis of economic development investments in the region. Proposed revitalization of the Vancouver waterfront has been placed in jeopardy. POV commissioners and staff are intelligent, well-meaning people, with the best interests of the community at heart. I predict that the POV will terminate the lease with TS and abort the permitting process. Further, I will strongly applaud such action. Bill Ward, Port of Camas- Washougal commissioner Camas Levy funding gives students important tools There is a replacement school levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. Levy dollars represent 20 percent of the operating budget for Washougal School District. These levies are not new taxes. The levies would support more security in our schools, provide all-day kindergarten for all Washougal children, community education, facility maintenance, student safety, performing arts, athletics, maintain small class sizes and put powerful technological learning tools in the hands of students. As a graduate of WHS and a longtime resident of Washougal, I know how important it is to support our schools. Without that support, our students will be at a disadvantage when they graduate, and the community itself will suffer. I am asking you to vote yes for Washougal schools maintenance/operations and technology levies on the Feb. 11 ballot. Pam Mason Clark Washougal

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