Take a closer look at members

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, February 2, 2005

The Jan. 23 letter from Arlington City Council member Steve Baker about the county GOP leaders laments the “barrage” of letters from misinformed environmental “extremists” about the Island Crossing rezone. Apparently an extremist is anyone who would dare question the “balanced, common sense” approach the County Council took when it broke state law and subjected the county to a possible $9 million in sanctions by the state.

Let’s take a look at the Republican council that has been “demonized” by these extremists. Former council chairman John Koster accepted $4,200 in campaign contributions from Dwayne Lane. I’m sure that has nothing to do with his dogged determination to get Lane’s car dealership built at Island Crossing. Current council chairman Gary Nelson was quoted as saying “we welcome the lawsuits” that will be filed by the state and environmental groups. Too bad it’s our money that will be defending those lawsuits, not his. Council member Jeff Sax tried to build a 2,500 square foot house without a permit. I guess county laws don’t apply to County Council members.

The Island Crossing rezone is going to bring unprecedented development to a flood plain. The traffic in the area is already at capacity. While any development will include some infrastructure improvements, it’s not going to include a multilane freeway overpass. If John Koster, et al., truly loved the north county area, they would adhere to the Growth Management Act and start representing the citizens who live there, not the businesses trying to pave it over.

Steven Haynes

Arlington