LETTER: Vote Ron Richards for Clallam commissioner this November

His opponent, Randy Johnson, would, as a former Rayonier employee, have too much power over county timberland.

Randy Johnson complains that Ron Richards, his Democratic rival in the race for Clallam County commissioner, has accused Green Crow Corp. of being involved in a “conspiracy” on timber arrearage and reconveyance of state-managed county trust lands to the county [“Carbon Tax Debate, Clallam Commissioner Hopefuls Differ On Issue,” PDN, Aug. 25].

I read the PDN story and did not find a single reference by Richards to a conspiracy.

But since Johnson has raised the issue, it is worth considering.

Randy Johnson has served since 1985 as president of Green Crow Corp., which manages and solicits investments in timberland.

His resume includes 11 years as director of forest products for the Rayonier Corp.

Already serving on the Clallam County Board of Commissioners is Republican Bill Peach, also a former regional land manager of Rayonier Corp.

Isn’t this a bit incestuous?

Two former top Rayonier employees with so much power over our county timberland?

I would expect Clallam County commissioners to exert their authority to force Rayonier to quit stalling and clean up the tons of dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, arsenic and other toxins they left behind when it closed down its mill in Port Angeles 19 years ago.

But putting cooperative politicians in office may be Rayonier’s way of stalling some more or even sleazing its way out of paying at all for the mess it created.

We need honest commissioners like Mark Ozias and Ron Richards who will defend our environment and our people’s health from greedy corporate profiteers.

Vote Ron Richards on Nov. 8.

Tim Wheeler,

Sequim

More in Opinion

PAT NEAL: A return to the Queets

Back on this day, Sept. 20, 1890, Private Harry Fisher, a member… Continue reading

PAT NEAL: The sting of bee season

By now, I think we’ve all had it up to here with… Continue reading

Congressman Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.
Point of View: Bill aims to aid rural hospitals

FORTY-NINE YEARS ago, I was born at what was then called Olympic… Continue reading

LETTER: Elegant column

Elegant column Although I am pro-choice, I wholeheartedly applaud the recent elegant… Continue reading

LETTER: Sound of freedom

Sound of freedom “Judge: Growler Flights Continue.” Which came first, practice flights… Continue reading

LETTER: No masks

No masks As a preemptive strike against the inevitable, I encourage all… Continue reading

LETTER: Mail delivery

Mail delivery The mail delivery along U.S. Highway 101 is the worst… Continue reading

PAT NEAL: Back-to-school drugs

BACK TO SCHOOL. I wonder if any if any three words in… Continue reading

LETTER: Not dead yet

Not dead yet I read Mona Charen’s column regarding President Biden’s age… Continue reading

PAT NEAL: Toki is free at last

It was another tough week in the news. A 57-year-old female orca… Continue reading

PAT NEAL: Why I did not go to work today

They say there’s a shortage of folks willing to work in these… Continue reading