In reference to the Feb. 28 letter to the editor [“Port critic”] from the person who wants to fire the Port of Port Angeles:
The writer mentioned that “we” are going to open William R. Fairchild International Airport again.
Who is we, and what airline is the writer planning to attract?
Over the years, numerous airlines of various sizes have looked at service from Port Angeles to Seattle, and after doing the numbers, they determined that there were just not enough passengers to effectively operate air service out of Port Angeles.
It comes down to dollars and cents, not just because it would be something convenient for us to have here on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The port has the option of letting the land around the airport sit idle or leasing it to be used for businesses such as a log yard that, while not aesthetically pleasing, does provide jobs.
So which option makes the most business sense?
Yes, tourism should be one part of the economic strategy, but it should never be the only thing considered.
Tourism jobs are not historically family-wage jobs.
There are many agencies and organizations that are involved in economic development on the Peninsula: the counties (Jefferson and Clallam), cities, the ports, chambers of commerce, business associations, industry action committees, tourism bureaus and economic development councils.
Every one of these agencies and organizations plays a part in job retention, diversification of the economic base and business growth for the North Olympic Peninsula.
Susan Bauer,
Sequim
EDITOR’S NOTE: Bauer is a former planning and environmental manager for the Port of Port Angeles and, most recently, former regional coordinator for the Peninsula Development District, a two-county economic development organization serving Clallam and Jefferson counties.