REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS MEETING

At least forty residents of Cathlamet, Skamakawa, and Puget Island met with Wahkiakum County Commissioners on June 6, 2006 to ask the question: What are you doing for us? Forty-two questions were submitted to the commissioners, and it was agreed they would be read at a later time in order to give those present at the meeting time to speak. The following are impressions of the commissioners' position on LNG issues:

• The commissioners believe Northern Star's advice and word are reliable.
• The commissioners believe Fred Johnson's knowledge of filing for intervener status is correct, and that the commissioners should not file because the cost is prohibitive. No reasoning or information about the difference between filing and litigating would convince them otherwise.
• The commissioners believe they are correct in having county people meet with Northern Star during the prefiling stage because this means they are putting things into place for the county. This equates to doing the county's business, and "doing the county's business" was the answer to our question of what are you doing for us?
• It appears that the commissioners have not met with Northern Star although it is possible that Fred Johnson has done so either as the city's legal representative or representative for the fire department.

Wahkiakum Friends of the River asked for a public information forum between the people of the county and the commissioners. There was no decision made at this meeting.

A transcript of the meeting can be obtained through the commissioner's office.

What next? Any ideas? Make a comment on the blog or e-mail Paula Carlson at wahkiakumfriendsoftheriver@yahoo.com