You recently published a letter signed by a number of my Shaw Island neighbors expressing support for Public Works converting a residential property to an industrial site. The last paragraph of the letter expressed the hope that if Public Works’ proposal is endorsed by the County Council it would work with the Shaw community to enable us to continue to use its existing work site, adjacent to our community center and fire station, for essential parking and our recycling bins.

That’s a telling hope. It exists because Public Works has said it will fence off its existing site unless it wins approval for its proposal from the council. In other words, if you don’t let us do what we want, we’ll make you pay. Is this kind of threat an acceptable way for a county agency to get what it wants?

It’s almost understandable given the speciousness of Public Works plan. It took a windfall of little more than a million dollars from the sale of a surplus property and bought a home and acreage for an industrial site it admits it won’t need for at least 20 years. Meanwhile, the county is short of money for basic services like law enforcement and actual road work. It’s past time for the Council to kill this needless project and instruct Public Works to work collaboratively with the Shaw community to find a solution, should one actually be needed in 2045.

Alex MacLeod

Shaw