In a politically inflammatory alert, the Northwest Jobs Alliance asserts that “…Cherry Point industrial job base,…was the result of decades of careful thought and planning…” and that “We must have both… ...economic prosperity and environmental quality.” Notice which comes first?

So-called careful planning at Cherry Point wiped out more than half the herring production of all of Puget Sound. That injected some serious imbalance on the environmental side of their equation.

NWJobs says that threatening or interfering with industrial job growth at Cherry Point will hurt “…our community’s economy…” and that “…our schools and local cities would suffer from a decimated tax base and diminished services…”, claiming, “Industry now carries much of the tax load.” Someone should check that fact.

NWJobs says, “We reject the thinking that we can’t have both economic prosperity and environmental quality.”

Well, that policy has produced a lot more jobs but a lot fewer herring at Cherry Point. How about if NWJobs proves they “…seek Balanced Community Solutions.” Restore the herring at Cherry Point before issuing permits for more pollution. The best environmental policy is always the best long-term economic policy.

Tip Johnson