Koster’s approach balanced and fair

After reading the letter slamming John Koster on Sunday (“Koster should take some responsibility”), I’m reminded once again of how important it is to “read between the lines” — and to stand up to the bilge peddlers! The letter writer, a local Democrat Party officer, launched a multi-faceted criticism of Koster’s land-use policy in what appears to be a partisan effort to deceive Herald readers.

The misleading information describing Koster as a “hypocrite,” an “advocate for over-development in our rural lands,” and as someone who “opposes legislative efforts to rein in development in rural areas,” is simply not true and way out of line.

In truth, Koster’s honest, balanced approach on land use issues has been a success over the years because of his respect for community interests, environmental concerns and the rights of property owners. For example, Koster supported Arlington’s efforts to annex the Island Crossing property but opposed the McNaughton Group’s development plans for Lakewood. He opposed the new Surface Water Program &Tax Increase (we cannot afford a 273 percent tax increase during an economic downturn) but favors tightening certain regulations on developers for rural cluster subdivisions.

While we can expect some minimal development (as allowed by law with environmental impact scrutiny) of certain rural properties to continue, we can certainly expect to hear a lot of noise in the coming election year from the partisans and radical environmental agitators.

As a dairyman, a state legislator and a county councilman, John Koster has spent his life in service to Snohomish County. Nobody knows north county as well as John, nor does anyone care more about our communities than he. It is important that Herald readers remember these things as the partisan smear campaign gets under way.

Larry Stickney

Arlington