Reporter needs to dig a little deeper

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 13, 2004

The reporter who wrote the April 5 NASCAR article quoting Mayor Donnetta Walser and County Councilman Jeff Sax pushing for NASCAR in Monroe should have dug a little deeper. (“Communities weigh track risks and benefits.”)

First the thought of no opposition to the track is a smokescreen by Walser. Hardly anyone out here really knew where they were proposing to put the track. The Monroe Monitor was the only paper that had indicated the proposed sites, however, few people read that publication.

Second, when Walser and Sax proposed that the Evergreen State Fairgrounds be eliminated and a race track built, did the reporters think to ask these brilliant leaders (an oxymoron) just where a new fairgrounds would be built and at what cost ? No. And I’m sure Sax and Walser don’t have a clue either but they are willing to destroy this existing facility. I would be surprised if the 4-H organizations, livestock groups, dog shows promoters, horse show people and commercial groups don’t bombard both of these people with e-mails, phone calls etc. protesting their brilliant plan for Monroe and its immediate area.

The second choice of building a track just west of Lake Tye in the Frylands and behind the now defunct Diamond M Dairy puts the track in the flood plain, drainage districts, etc., and would impact about 900 acres of agricultural property. Bringing dirt in or building more dikes would just wind up pushing floodwaters onto someone else’s property. And where do they get these income figures? I believe one of The Herald’s articles said the Evergreen Speedway generates $20 million in income for the community. I would certainly question those figures. Vickie Mullen’s opinion should not represent the communities. She has a local restaurant, of course she wants more people in town.

Snohomish