In response to “Why does anyone want the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to acquire John Wayne Marina,” many of us believe that the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe would be the logical owner of the marina.
For those who have forgotten the history of the Olympic Peninsula, the S’Klallam Tribe has inhabited this area for thousands of years and has a history of environmental projects that have benefited our community.
As part of the Dungeness River management team, the tribe is involved with habitat restoration and water conservation.
In partnership with the Dungeness River Audubon Center and Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, the tribe developed a public park and natural history interpretive center at the Railroad Bridge Park along the Dungeness.
In addition, the tribe has provided a medical and dental center, both of which are open to all in this community.
As for the tribe receiving any preferential treatment, I suggest that we, as privileged white newcomers, remember who took care of this land long before we arrived and claimed “property,” water and resources, much of which we have taken for granted.
As for “a bold politician to approach this subject,” we would be wise to consider all of the community members, not just the special interest groups.
Regarding the collection of taxes, maybe focus should be directed to the companies like Amazon which according to a report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, will pay nothing in federal income taxes for the second year in a row.
Terri Tyler,
Sequim