Whatcom County Supporters Make Their Case to Seattle for the Gateway Pacific Terminal

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whatcom County supporters of the Gateway Pacific Terminal came to Seattle today to make their own impact at the seventh and final public meeting held to discuss what should be studied regarding the dry bulk marine terminal proposed by SSA Marine at Cherry Point.

The delegation included four elected officials, and business and labor leaders. They joined with labor and business leaders from Seattle to address the media and supporters at the Washington State Convention Center. Here are quotes from speakers present:

Gary Jensen, Mayor of Ferndale:

“The people of Seattle have long benefited from the products of the industries at Cherry Point, but my constituents – the people of Ferndale – know better than anyone that the industries at Cherry Point are great neighbors. They have provided excellent jobs and tax revenues while meeting our high expectations for environmental performance. Whatcom County has long planned for a fourth and final industry at Cherry Point – a bulk commodities terminal – and I’m here to tell you, we welcome our new neighbor.”

Leroy Rohde, International Longshore and Warehousemen’s Union Local 7:

“Sometimes people in the big cities don’t realize what it’s like to try to make a living in a smaller town. Like many local longshoreman, I’ve had to find work outside of my community. I’m requesting that the co-lead agencies consider people like us who are only asking for the opportunity to work and give back to our communities.

“We also want people to understand, our members know how to build and operate these facilities safely. Organized labor takes a backseat to no one on strong environmental standards, and none will be slighted here. We want to do this project right, and we call on the agencies to get on with the study.”

Scott Korthuis, Mayor of Lynden:

“All the mayors of Whatcom County’s smaller cities have endorsed the Gateway project. We have submitted a formal statement to the scoping agencies to take our views and concerns into account. Our communities understand the benefits of new industry, new tax revenues, and new good-paying jobs, and we know the project can be built to protect the environment. The permitting agencies should recognize that continued growth at Cherry Point is vital to our community’s economic sustainability, and to working families throughout the county.”

Ken Oplinger, Blaine City Council Member and President/CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“Whatcom County has a poverty rate that exceeds state and national averages and wage rates that dip below the state and nation, yet our families face a very high cost of living. Our community needs and expects high-wage jobs created under sound environmental practice. Over 10,000 local citizens have signed on to a petition supporting the Gateway terminal and requesting a fair review process, and these voices should not be ignored.”

Hugh Foulke, Ferndale School Board Member

“As a school board member from the area next to the Gateway project, I urge the decision makers to consider Whatcom County students and the unemployed as an important part of our environment. The Gateway terminal will be one of the highest taxpayers in Whatcom County, contributing millions of dollars in tax revenues to local services, including one and a half million dollars to the Ferndale school budget each year. Our local schools and public services depend on this tax base, and the many unemployed families in Ferndale are counting on this project to put them back to work.”

Contact information for Gateway supporter media event

The following people made statements to the media at the Convention Center on 13 December 2012 in support of the Gateway Pacific Terminal. They are available for follow-up comments at:

David	Freiboth	Executive Secretary, M.L. King County Labor Council	[phone]
Brandon	Housekeeper	Association of Washington Business	[phone]
Larry	Brown	Aerospace Machinists, IAM Local 751	[phone]
Lee	Newgent	Seattle Building & Construction Trades Council	[phone]
Gary	Jensen	Mayor, City of Ferndale	[phone]
Scott	Korthuis	Mayor, City of Lynden	[phone]
Ken	Oplinger	Blaine City Council Member and Pres./CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce	[phone]
Leroy	Rohde	International Longshore and Warehousemen’s Union, Local 7	[phone]
Hugh	Foulke	Ferndale School Board Member	[phone]