Tacoma: Port official's remarks are shocking

As I continue to read about the escapades of the methanol debate between the citizens and elected officials, the comments made by Port Commission President Connie Bacon are quite shocking (TNT, 2-4).

She summed up what is wrong with our elected officials with her comment that “what we are elected to do is respond to economic development opportunities.” Really?

Is it not incumbent that everyone have a responsibility for our environment - especially elected officials? I find it abhorrent that this attitude exists in their lexicon.

This lack of concern for our community is distressing. She goes on to respond to the community, when asked about air pollution from the plant, “If they are that concerned, when are you going to stop driving your car?” Or, simply put, “Let them eat cake.”

While trying to be educated on the effects of the proposed methanol facility, I believe our elected leaders owe us a fair and impartial hearing process. I also would trust we elect our officials to be stewards with our environmental concerns, as our fiscal needs.

Bacon knows better, apparently. The electorate should remember this in the next election.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Tacoma: Port official's remarks are shocking."