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Letter
to the Newspapers that was not Published
from
pensioners Club
(not printed)
In regard to the article appearing in the Seattle
Times, "Stagen Sticks to his Vision ...", 4/4/04, in which he
advocates replacing Pier 46 Hanjin shipping terminal with condos and commercial
development, we wish to endorse the position of Herald Ugles of Seattle ILWU
Local 19 in opposition to Stagen, who says,
"You can build biotech, condos or a coliseum
anywhere but you can't build a deep-water terminal anywhere. They are part of
our national security."
In addition, Seattle would suffer commercially by
replacing a thriving and increasing cargo terminal with condos, restaurants and
the like which would replace 1400 high paying jobs with low pay janitor and
restaurant jobs. Add the reduction in taxes likely from a high-finance cargo
operation to Skagen's proposal, and you see how harmful it is to Seattle's
economy. For instance the New York Times, 2/21/04 reports that:
"Perhaps more than anyplace else in the
country, this port lives or dies by trade. The Seattle area and Washington State
earn more per capita from trade than any other area of the country - $5,875 in
2002. One of three jobs in the state is tied to trade. And with its deep
historical ties to northern Asia, Seattle sees China more as a customer than a
competitor."
Finally, it needs to be pointed out that high-rise
condos will obstruct Seattle's view of the sound more than the viaduct. If you
combine the two, Seattle's waterfront view will be lost forever.
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