Grays Harbor candidates vow to take access fight to state level

[fireweed]

Incumbent and challengers for Grays Harbor Commission agree to keep fighting on land access--Check out their answers when questioned about the Grays Harbor county vs. Big timber lawsuit dismissal and path forward

  http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/grays-harbor-county-district-1-commissioner-seat-will-be-primary-ballots-august

Cromier: "The cost to the county had already been incurred for our summary judgment, and appointed legal counsel had been working on our defense for several months. The lawsuit could have been stopped following the conclusion of the summary judgment. To be fair, there was a potential that the county would have to pay the other side’s attorney fees. To give perspective, the county spent twice the amount of money on the deferred maintenance of Twin Bridges Park, the three County Commissioners spent more on travel in a year, and the lawsuit cost less than a part-time custodial position. I have been a steward of the people’s money and waiting two more weeks to have our day in court I believe was a worthy cause.

One of the primary roles of a county commissioner is to oversee land use. Zoning, variances, environmental health, and building and planning are all under the purview of the commission. This particular issue is without a doubt a county responsibility. Moving forward, I have a bill written that will be handed to our Washington State Legislature for consideration. I will continue to fight for the residents of Grays Harbor."


Dem Challenger Nichols: "I think we may have jumped the gun on this issue. The laws that govern these tax breaks were written in the 1960’s and significant breaks were given, based partly on the idea that these lands would be open to the public. (Taxes used to be collected yearly, rather than at harvest, which has severely declined, contributing to our budget woes).

While littering, dumping, and theft have been an issue, the big timber companies cannot expect to get a favorable tax break and then charge access fees. The issue needs to be resolved at the state level, with the force of every county behind it.

I’ve talked specifically to state representatives about this issue. It absolutely needs to be resolved, and I would work closely with Olympia to see that it is."

[Curly]

Interesting that all 3 candidates seem to agree that the state legislature needs to address the issue and it seems they all agree that the tax structure needs to change.

[fireweed]

Ooops.. I missed the third candidate's answer (Smith)

"Absolutely; from a fair taxation standpoint the taxpayers are getting the short end of the stick. History will show and prove timber barons of the past raped the ground and did not replant. Further, history will also show they did not pay taxes due after harvesting and thus the state took over many of the properties and started replanting.

Economically; the only economically feasible approach to this issue is through our legislature. If elected as commissioner this matter will be a priority. My position is that we all should be treated equitably when being taxed, including timber companies."

[headshot5]

It'll be interesting to see how much fighting the winner will pursue after the election.

 

[JDHasty]

If the timber companies were not getting crapped all over by people who dump &c on their lands and then have the courts let those caught dumping off with a slap on the wrist it would go a long way toward them not having to charge for access.  Legitimate sportsmen and women and other recreational users turn in those scumbags who are causing timber companies this loss and then the damnable courts let them go scott free. 

[fireweed]

If the timber companies were not getting crapped all over by people who dump &c on their lands and then have the courts let those caught dumping off with a slap on the wrist it would go a long way toward them not having to charge for access.  Legitimate sportsmen and women and other recreational users turn in those scumbags who are causing timber companies this loss and then the damnable courts let them go scott free.

The garbage dumping problems are only linked to vehicle access, but these companies are also charging to walk, bicycle and ride a horse.  Why? They are charging double if your kid is 18. They make a family pay for each generation in the car, and they don't follow the same rules as other recreation providing businesses (have you ever seen a gate a wheelchair bound person could open?)  But they still have folks convinced this is all about "garbage dumping". 

[hoof rot]

Its about shareholders wanting more profit not garbage

[pianoman9701]

 . MT dealt with them. Now let's see if WA's legislature has the cajones.

[Special T]

How did MT deal with Wharehouser?

[logger]

weyhauser just closed a mill in columbia falls mt, rumor is that some of their holdings are going to be broke up into 20's like they did around eatonville.   /thats just rumor I heard at a weyco safety meeting

[fireweed]

How did MT deal with Wharehouser?

The governor strong armed them into promising to keep their land open to the public--which will be meaningless after Weyco sells Montana (which will happen because they really don't want it anyway)

[bowbuild]

If the timber companies were not getting crapped all over by people who dump &c on their lands and then have the courts let those caught dumping off with a slap on the wrist it would go a long way toward them not having to charge for access.  Legitimate sportsmen and women and other recreational users turn in those scumbags who are causing timber companies this loss and then the damnable courts let them go scott free.

I live near one of these gates, and the idea the timber companies are doing what they can to defend their land from these issues is BS. First the garbage......to punish hunters for All the misdeeds of the public is unfair at best. Why are their gates open year round??? Who is out there during the summer (how many law enforcement officers do you see at this time of year?) You think the gammies are spending their time driving timber company lands, or down at the river writing easy tickets? Although timber companies have security, how many times have any of you seen them taking a active role patrolling their lands......for me it has been almost non-existent...I would be happy to see them.

I have personally turned in garbage dumpers to law enforcement with addresses from the dumped garbage.......said they could not do much, no way to prove THEY were the dumpers. The idea that hunters are the enemy is a excuse for their laziness, and the lack of a padlock in the off seasons when NO eyes are in the woods. Since when do people pack garbage on their backs to the woods?? They don't, you know it as well as I do. Denying motorized access from March to August would eliminate a lot of problems, and if you need a woods "fix" during this time......walk! Also it would be a good break from humans for wildlife.

[haus]

weyhauser just closed a mill in columbia falls mt, rumor is that some of their holdings are going to be broke up into 20's like they did around eatonville.   /thats just rumor I heard at a weyco safety meeting

It doesn't need to be a rumor it's simply a logical outcome to all of this. It will be the end result if there is a successful effort to push back on the access fee's. I know people don't like the fee's, I don't either, but I also know that challenging corporate bottom lines always has a ripple effect.

[pianoman9701]

weyhauser just closed a mill in columbia falls mt, rumor is that some of their holdings are going to be broke up into 20's like they did around eatonville.   /thats just rumor I heard at a weyco safety meeting

It doesn't need to be a rumor it's simply a logical outcome to all of this. It will be the end result if there is a successful effort to push back on the access fee's. I know people don't like the fee's, I don't either, but I also know that challenging corporate bottom lines always has a ripple effect.

That doesn't mean you don't do it.

[haus]

That doesn't mean you don't do it.

I'm not arguing the morality of it. The majority of the land holdings are held by large national and/or globalized corporations, their only care is the bottom line. Any increase in their operating costs places them closer to the threshold where the selling of parcels for residential and commercial use becomes the desired business direction.

Presently the only method we have to counter those standard realities of capitalism is to use our conservation organizations to get in front of that eventual scenario, purchase those lands and then transfer them over to a state or federal government agency.

[dreamunelk]

Ooops.. I missed the third candidate's answer (Smith)

"Absolutely; from a fair taxation standpoint the taxpayers are getting the short end of the stick. History will show and prove timber barons of the past raped the ground and did not replant. Further, history will also show they did not pay taxes due after harvesting and thus the state took over many of the properties and started replanting.

Economically; the only economically feasible approach to this issue is through our legislature. If elected as commissioner this matter will be a priority. My position is that we all should be treated equitably when being taxed, including timber companies."

He is flipping.  His buddy commissioner Gordon is getting the low vote because he is the one who fought to back out of the case.  Pretty big issue down here.  The voters are angry.  Interesting to listen to local talk shows.  It is a hot topic.

[fireweed]

Cromier trounced his competition in primary, so it looks like this issue stays front and center.
  http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/graysharbor/

[fireweed]

http://www.king5.com/mb/news/politics/grays-harbor-county-commissioner-accused-of-removing-opponents-sign/315714900

And it continues...