Dear JOLT Readers:
According to an article in The Olympian, the Port of Olympia is dragging its feet on getting substantial public input for its next contract with Weyerhaeuser when it expires later this year. So far, they have refused to hold a public meeting to address this issue. This is unconscionable. The port can not operate without taxpayer money.
According to the Assessor’s office, the Port receives over $6 million yearly from our taxes. If they are happy to take our money, they should be happy to have a meeting and listen to us.
An earlier article in The JOLT by H. Wheatley contends that we, the taxpayers, actually subsidize many of the costs underlying the export of Weyerhaeuser’s logs. In addition, Weyerhaeuser is one of the most rapacious logging companies in the history of the US. Its practices degrade the environment, contribute to global warming, put workers’ health at risk and, here in Olympia, bring dirty logging trucks chugging through a vulnerable downtown, all in the name of economic development.
In the 21st Century, this no longer makes any sense. Export of raw materials is a strategy used by struggling economies trying to make it in a global market. It does nothing to help regions like ours.
The port MUST do a better job negotiating its contract with Weyerhaeuser so that it covers ALL the costs—not just loading the logs, but environmental, health and social costs.
People will argue that Weyerhaeuser will simply turn to another port. Which raises the question: Why aren’t they using the Port of Longview for all of their shipping? Their own maps show that most of their acreage is in SW Washington. Is that port closer for their trucks? Are they using the Port of Olympia because it’s cheaper?
We really need the answer to these and other questions before the port makes another deal with an environmentally destructive company.
A. R. Kirschner, Tumwater
The writer's opinions are her own and not necessarily those of The JOLT's staff or board of directors. Got something to say about a topic of interest to Thurston County residents? Send us up to 1,000 words -- see the Contribute your news button at the top of every page.
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Southsoundguy
The port should be charging rent that profitable. I don’t agree that exporting raw materials no longer makes sense, that’s a pretty ridiculous statement.
Thursday, September 29, 2022 Report this
psterry
It may or may not be true that Olympia needs to re negotiate its lease with Weyerhaeuser company. But to say that Weyerhaeuser is 'one of the most rapacious logging companies in the history of the US', and that its practices degrade the environment, etc etc' is a serious charge that comes from someone obviously unfamiliar with the company and its work in sustainability. 'Dirty logging trucks chugging through a vulnerable downtown'? Give me a break. How else would they get to the Port? Not all those logs are Weyerhaeuser's. Some are purchased from local tree farmers who cannot find their own markets, and if it weren't for Weyerhaeuser, might very well be selling their tree farms to developers. All of you who live in houses made of mud or steel or concrete, please raise your hands. Those of you who live in houses made of wood, please do me the favor of looking very hard in the mirror. What you will see is the face of someone who does not think deeply or seriously and shoots off his/her without having any idea of the idiocy emanating therefrom.
Thursday, September 29, 2022 Report this
BobJacobs
Port staff have been very candid about the Weyerhaeuser contract. Weyerhaeuser used its economic muscle to get a sweetheart deal from both the Port District and the longshore union. Weyerhaeuser threatened to to go elsewhere (Longview or Grays Harbor) and the Port of Olympia caved to keep them. Otherwise the Marine Terminal would lose even more money and face closure -- which is what should happen. This is not an economically feasible location for a marine terminal, lacking all the characteristics needed to be successful and break even. It's long past time to shut the Marine Terminal down and save all those tax dollars. Certainly better things can be found to do with this land -- things that benefit the whole community.
Bob Jacobs
Olympia
Friday, September 30, 2022 Report this
pbaron1902
Perhaps the question to be answered is whether or not the port is essential to the Olympia area - or even favorable.
What benefits accrue to our area from the port, versus costs to the taxpayers. The Port could lay this out for everyone and then the people would have a better idea of the answer.
Friday, September 30, 2022 Report this
northbeachcomm
Sept 30, Friday
To; The JOLT
Downtown OLY., at the Port of Olympia Log yard entrance (near Farmers Market), are workers on strike.
The LLW 40 (?) Woods workers, are on strike against Weyerhaurser (WEYCO) Corp. (unloading the log ships for the Port).
These men on strike, are on their lawn chairs for the last 3 weeks!
They sit in front of the Port entrance to the log yard. They are asking WEYCO for a contract.
(CALL 360-359-6779, Dillon for the workers, for more information).
Please interview them.
Please give their efforts some forum with your newspaper.
We support your efforts to "get the word out". They have waited and waited for a WEYCO contract!
WEYCO has made billions off of the Pandemic. But they will not help their workers.
Thank you;
L. Riner
Friday, September 30, 2022 Report this