John Postema’s letter in the Thursday Herald says that Initiative 933 would benefit farmers. If you read the text of the initiative, however, you’ll see that it doesn’t mention farms or farming at all.
The so-called Farm Bureau, of which Postema is president, is a large financial organization that long ago graduated from representing family farmers to representing agribusiness and other large financial interests, such as insurance companies. Postema hides behind farmers because he knows Americans respect farm families, as I do. Unfortunately, I-933 would help large land developers, not family farmers.
The initiative would allow a landowner next to your home to convert his land to a strip mall or commercial garage (for example) despite whatever zoning you have relied on to assure your quality of life. If your city or county government wanted to contest this plan, it would have to study how much money this landowner’s land value would increase in making this change, then would have to pay him that amount not to put in this strip mall or commercial garage. In other words, our tax dollars would be spent paying this person not to carry out plans that violate our zoning laws and affect your quality of life. The only other choice would be to let him carry out his plans, to your detriment.
Passing I-933 would benefit big developers and stick it to the little guy.
Cameron Johnson
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
