HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarijuana letter from Alan Gustafson to Pat Hopper.docxJune 26, 2017
To: Mr. Pat Hopper
Department of Community Development
621 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, Wash. 98368
Mr. Hopper,
I am writing you concerning the proposed marijuana growing facility that the Jefferson County Dept. of Community Development, County zoning commission, and the Jefferson County Commissioners
are looking at for the possibility of permitting such an enterprise to take hold of, there on Marrowstone Island, in Jefferson County.
I am the oldest son of, Hettie Jean Gustafson, owner of the property that shares a boundary with the proposed facility. I am also her Durable Power of Attorney. You should know that
my mother, an upstanding senior citizen of this state, is very upset about this possibility as the proposed facility is located right next to her property on Fort Flagler Road and her
property is already being negatively affected by this proposal. At the time of this writing we have learned that she has recently lost the possibility of a sale of her property when
a prospective buyer found out about the grow operation and pulled out of making an offer on her property. It has also come to our attention that some representatives of the operation
have been making statements to the affect that the property that is owned by my mother is timbered and creates a needed natural buffer for an operation such as this. The problem here,
is that it is not going to be true as the family has contacted several logging firms for estimates to log the property. This would, as a result, take away the “natural” buffer that
is being claimed as needed and remaining there to help that project. This is something that the commissioners should be made aware of.
She has asked me contact the appropriate agencies and representatives to voice her grave concerns for her property, investment, lively hood, and financial source of money to provide
safe and secure room and board for her life at the assistant living facility that she now resides at. This proposal is very ill conceived in the relation that it does not have any concern
for the citizens of Marrowstone Island or the citizens of Jefferson County. This proposal from the owner/investor of the operation has only one concern and that is of its financial
success, no matter how it is accomplished or who it negatively impacts or hurts.
Mr. Hopper, there is even a much bigger area of concern for the residents of Marrowstone Island and the residents and citizens of Jefferson County. This concern is the fact that the
citizens and the representatives of Jefferson County have a great treasure, a great jewel in their possession that is so rare and so valuable that it should be guarded with great care
and honor. This treasure is the one thing that very few counties or cities can claim as their own. It is a beautiful Island with a rich and historic past. One that cannot ever be duplicated.
The sad story here is that someone or several people that
have the respect and trust of its citizens may make the wrong decision and destroy this paradise and cast it away like it had no value. The romance, beauty, intrigue, and pride that
is intertwined in this wonderful oasis with in Jefferson County, could be forever lost, never to return if this proposal of a Marijuana Operation is allowed to go forward. Many of these
residents, citizens, and owners of Marrowstone Island have lived there for generations. They are a very proud and unique people that regard this island as a paradise and often look
to hand it down to their children. These people are the guardians of the past, present and future of their island and are very proud of its place in history and do not want to see it
sold out to the highest bidder or for a favor. It is important that everyone realize that this proposed industrial grow operation could be put in any of a thousand different locations
other than Marrowstone Island. I, like so many others, believe that the reason that the investors and owner picked this place is because they viewed the occupants of the island as being
push overs and they could push things thru without opposition. I am sure that you are finding that this is very far from the truth.
In reviewing this situation, I believe that the County government, county planning and zoning commission, and the Department of Community Development has a great and historic opportunity
to stand up and not let big money and big business control the game and get what they want at any cost to the wonderful citizens of Jefferson County. From this point forward, history
for the island will either remain rich and a treasure, and something to pass down to all of our children and the visitors and guests that come there or it will be forever changed and
become just another trophy in someone’s book and wallet.
In closing, I wish all those of Marrowstone Island and Jefferson County a bright future and those with the burden of having to wrestle with and make these decisions the strength to decide
carefully and wisely with their citizens and the law in equal balance for the best interest of all.
Thank you,
Respectfully,
Alan Gustafson