08/15/2005: "Mistake To Buy Land For New Dump."

(Editor's note: The following Guest Editorial pertains to the BOCC's plan to purchase 27 acres for a new public works yard and a re-cycling center. The land is flanked on three sides by existing residential homes.)

By Piet Visser

There are too many ways that this project could fail - and the seller has a first right of refusal to buy the site back (with a high probability of a substantial loss to the county) Who is going to buy a single 27 acre parcel? And why does McCauley not have to compete with them? If the price is too high, as everyone suspects, the county could lose $600,000 or more on the land purchase alone. McCauley does not have to bid, but gets shown the highest price and he gets to match it if he chooses.

The Trash to treasures design for the Transfer station used about 1/3 of the total lot - around 2 acres. So why now do we need 27 acres? At that time the SWAC found it to be the best site, it is adjacent to the current transfer station, what possible reason could there be to abandon the current site? Talks stopped because the Trash to Treasures site was purchased (without taking steps to see if it would work). Consignment Treasures now fulfills the function of the thrift store, and for a good cause. So we don't really need the thrift store portion of the transfer station anymore.

Shannon told us at our first meeting that the current site has (only) 7 usable acres. That sure sounds like plenty after looking at the amount of land Public Works uses now. The clean up cost for that site wont go away even if you buy the new site. The current location is big enough for all the Public Works buildings - if construction is done in phases.

The NEW site is on top of a ridge and the sound of operations will carry in all directions for miles into both Beaverton and San Juan Valleys. About half the population of San Juan Island will hear those trucks backing up in the morning, and moving things around and whatever else. Whatever anyone says about runoff, it will happen. It flows into the water supply for the entire island.

It is being rushed through with out public input.(Related story: "So Who Needs A Committee Anyway?" ) Trash to treasures was rushed through too, but had more public input than this transaction - result - failure. Not because of the actions of the public, but because BOCC and Public Works decided not to follow the law.

Not long ago a topic of a meeting of BOCC was emergency appropriations. Cause - not enough money. Is there an endless supply of money for expensive projects and fines for breaking the law?