Seems that Dave Warren, the long time labor leader and vocal advocate for the coal port at Cherry Point, is on the take from SSA, the proponents for the project.  Craig Cole admitted as much at the Northwest Business Club meeting this noon.  And this confirms a report I got earlier this week from a person close to the process.  Dave Warren has been getting money from the Gateway Pacific companies in exchange for his backing the project. 

So - now the question is who else is on the take?  We know Craig Coal is being compensated - and hopefully very well given how he is trashing his local reputation.  It is time for others - Ken Oplinger of the Chamber of Commerce, for instance - to inform us of any monetary payments or contributions of any sort  to himself or his organization by SSA or their partners or others.  This is not to suggest Ken is on the take - but he and Dave have appeared together in many ads by SSA.  So it is reasonable to ask him to make a full disclosure.  

It is time for any others in our community to come clean.   Dave Warren is invited to send an explanation for posting on NWCitizen.  Indeed, we would appreciate hearing his side of all this.  Dave?

Update:  To clarify.  SSA has just announced that Dave has joined their "team." What Dave should tell us is when he started receiving payments from SSA or their partners. Did he receive any last week, or prior to last week?  It was last week that he presented himself at the public meeting as representing labor interests in Whatcom County.  Was he then already signed up to receive payments from Team SSA?