Influential Letters in Opposing Local Decisions

Letters of Opposition Recipe for success

Who to send letters to? Zoning Issues Clark County Council Clark County Manager Clark County Land Use Department managers Also letters to the editors. The Columbian (200 words) The Reflector FOCV.info 2

State legislation issues Send letters to the Governor All State Legislators Members of the Senate Members of the House of Representatives All their names and contact info are located on the excel file or PDF that you can download from FOCV.info Look under download on the nav bar FOCV.info 3

Who do we need help from in Olympia? State Senators State representatives Clark County Legislative Districts in Olympia 17 Lynda Wilson is retiring / Paul Harris will be running for the Senate position 18 Ann Rivers is retiring from the senate 20 John Braun is the current Senator 49 Annette Cleveland is the Senator FOCV.info 4

Next send letters to: The Governor The Lt. Governor And the rest of the legislative body 50 Senators 100 house of representatives We must lobby for the end result we want! FOCV.info 5

Why are the letters essential? Many of these issues will be settled in the legal process. Attorneys from all sides will do a search of public records and letter to the editors. Letters are vital to our case in proving that we the public oppose the action or inaction of the county council and leaders. FOCV.info 6

Why not use a form letter? They do not have the same impact as a letter from your heart. You and your neighbors who live here, pay taxes here have a voice and now is the time for you to be heard and read. Form Letters get tossed in the trash can at the receiving end. We must build up the public record for our case. FOCV.info 7

Example of some of our issues.. Public Safety: a) Heavy industrial uses and even light industrial are incompatible with residential areas where the railroad currently goes through neighborhoods, b) Railroad operator says he must carry the hazardous materials under federal law c) Delay at crossings d) Railroad operator says he will take land via eminent domain e) Railroad operator has been sent multiple compliance letters by state and federal agencies and, as of January, the county recognized that the railroad operator was failing to cooperate with state and federal agencies how can you trust him with the safety of our children, our schools, our water, our air and our children FOCV.info 8

Step One Choose an issue to write about. We have many to choose from. a) Prohibit change of zoning to heavy industrial as proposed by PVJR, b) Prohibit heavy industrial uses in the overlay, c) Make IL a conditional use NOT a permitted use in the overlay, d) Oppose public sewer and water services in the overlay in accordance with the opinions of the County attorneys e) Encourage and promote trails and tourist and recreational use of the railroad FOCV.info 9

Different Issues Hit Home Depending on where you live you will have different concerns. Seismic activity Noise pollution Increase traffic congestion during the passing of long freight trains Public safety concerns regarding the challenges of first responders navigating the blocked roads during heavy train cars activity Environmental concerns regarding heavy industry next to a residential neighborhood and schools FOCV.info 10

What are our general concerns? Safe neighborhoods Safety on the roads Quiet neighborhoods Houses not shaking because of rail traffic Property values to be protected FOCV.info 11

Step Two Identify where your letter should go to. If it is a county Issue Send it to all the Clark County Councilors, managers and department heads Send a letter to the editor The Columbian The Reflector If it is a state legislative issue - Send it to ALL of our state legislators! FOCV.info 12

Step Three Addresses and email of everyone is located on our contact files. Jan has an excel spread sheet and we have posted PDF on the FOCV.info web site Our main legislative districts for the state of Washington are: 17 18 20 49 FOCV.info 13

Our County Districts are Different District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Glen Yung Michelle Belkot Karen Bowerman Gary Medvigy Sue Marshall FOCV.info 14

Step Four Draft your letter Dear Most Honorable_____________, Identify why you are taking your time to write this letter. I am writing to you today because of our desire for you to take action to repeal the FRDU senate Bill 5517 (Year 2017). FOCV.info 15

Letter continued: Why are we asking for this to be repealed? During the last 20 years that the County has owned the railroad there has been very, very little activity on the rail line and the county and various cities have approved many residential neighborhoods even within 50 feet of the rail line. Now the County is telling the public they do not care what the public has to say. The County simply wants to give the Railroad operator a free hand to do whatever they want and do not care if the County places the safety of our neighborhoods at risk from the movement of heavy freight on the rail lines lined by our neighborhoods and causing the loss of our existing quality of life and adversely impacting our property values while allowing heavy industrial uses next to our schools and homes and hazardous materials to pass next to where are children go to school, walk and play. Heavy industry is known for being a source of major pollution and destroying our water source for future generations. The County s history of failure to enforce their own laws has led a total lack of credibility when they tell their citizens that they have rules and regulations in place that will ensure safety for the residents. FOCV.info 16

Letter continued Do not make the letter long than one page. Be brief and be on point. Be clear about what your expectations are. FOCV.info 17

Step Five End your letter with a call to action. Ask them to support the idea of creating a trail for hiking and biking. While this might not work for all of the tracks, it would work from Barberton to North of Battle Ground. FOCV.info 18

What do we expect? We expect the county to choose better business partners. A company that cares about the environment and respects the residents. A company that adheres to ALL OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS and permit requirements. A company that is transparent and honest in the business practices. A company that respects and protects our water source and aquifers. FOCV.info 19

The time is now! Join us in our letter writing campaign. Make your concerns be known. Let the county and state legislators know what you expect from them. United we can make a difference. This work will take every ones efforts! FOCV.info 20