By Vini Samuel
To cut through complicated political issues, ask yourself a simple question: “Who benefits?”
That question comes into play at the main entrance to Montesano, where there’s political pressure to sell publicly-owned land — gateway park — for private development.
With so much misinformation, it’s important that citizens have the facts:
1) A previous mayor and city council designated that city land as an official city park. If the city sells our land, it goes to the highest bidder who’ll seek the highest possible profits. So, it’s not strange to hear potential buyers would like to buy it and generate maximum profits through a Burger King or McDonald’s.
2) A marijuana vendor approached me to express interest in locating a pot store near entrance park. The park designation stood in the way because the law does not allow marijuana stores to locate near schools and parks.
3) If the city sells the land — or changes the designation away from a park — pot sales become possible at the entrance and nearby downtown locations.
4) Political agitation from Doug Iverson and Ken Estes about opposing a “rest stop” is a red herring.
5) The original idea was for public bathrooms at Fleet Park, and we sought state funding in 2016 for that because it would give 8 to 10 million people the only public (city owned) rest stop on the road from Olympia to the ocean beaches.
6) When that funding didn’t happen, we were approached later that year by Grays Harbor Hospital about locating a health clinic next to the entrance park, which we would develop into a pseudo rest stop /welcome park in conjunction with the clinic. Given their finances, we determined in mid-2017 that plan was no longer feasible with Grays Harbor Hospital—though we’re still exploring options with other partners because our city and county face a desperate doctor shortage.
7) We moved back to the original idea of public bathrooms at Fleet Park—and today, it’s a reality. Because there’s no quit in Monte.
It got done as a team, with the funding for Fleet Park happening thanks to the support of the Monte Chamber of Commerce, the votes of county commissioners Vicki Raines and Randy Ross and a generous donation from the Kelsey Foundation. The permanent restrooms will help us hold events downtown like the Festival of Lights, Fish and Brew Fest and the Saturday Morning Markets.
Since public bathrooms are installed at Fleet Park, who benefits from continuing to rile people up and generate controversy about a “rest stop,” the initial idea which is long gone?
I know who wouldn’t benefit.
Montesano wouldn’t be well served by pot stores and Burger King when people first come into our beautiful little town. It changes the character of our town.
What makes Monte special are the unique local businesses you don’t find elsewhere. We embrace and support our mom and pop stores like Crow’s Nest, the Fishing Hole, the Beehive, Geppetto’s and Savory Faire.
As for gateway park, we should keep pushing forward on different ideas to benefit all citizens and gives our town the beautiful front door it deserves. There’s been interest in a dog park, a park focused on outdoor recreation, visitor’s center or a living history of tree farms. If you have a great idea for that space, please share it.
The gateway park may move forward along with an urgent care, teaching clinic or other health care facility, with health care a pressing need for Montesano and the surrounding area, particularly seniors.
It all comes back to that simple question: “Who benefits?”
We can let the powerful push of money turn Montesano into a town that looks just like any other, with the same fast food chains, pot stores and strip malls. Or we can work together to do something different, that benefits the many instead of the few.
That’s a harder task, a bigger dream which requires effort and teamwork.
I believe that dream worth it — and I won’t stop pushing for something better for our kids and our community.
Vini Samuel is the mayor of Montesano.
