“The polarization in our community is slowly but surely killing us”, writes rat PAC(K) co-founder and former SCDC board chairman, Jon Barton. “Some” he continues, (apparently oblivious to the irony), are “intrinsically xenophobic” and anti-development and have created a development bogeyman while others are simply idiots on a “fool’s errand”. If statements like that aren’t polarizing, what are they?
It goes without saying that just because someone opposes Barton’s 19th century view of fossil fueled economic development doesn’t make them anti-business or anti-development. Barton employs more typical scare tactics about “collisions” and “disasters” and declining graduation rates in his missive to The World and claims, “Costs are rising at about twice the rate of revenues”, although he cites no authority.
Barton also tries to validate the biased and unbelievable advisory committee reports which really is a fool’s errand.
How long are you two going to keep sucking up to the bosses at the chamber/SCDC.
Mark we know your smart but you must be blinded by greed. Did they promise you their seats when they retire? You could have been a leader on the right side of these things, but you chose to get in bed with the devil when you went to them for your future. What a waste…
Feeding at the government trough draws some strange bedfellows.
Isn’t it amusing that these guys think that we need more bad ideas to get good ones on the table. Mark is the guy that thinks LNG poses no more threat to the towns of NB and CB then your local gas station.
Now he can spew all his nonsense about how our area should invest its children’s future in a dying industry. He can’t comprehend the facts about how fracking destroys the nations drinking water and that coal will be phased out in less than a decade. He has his marching orders and that’s all that matters to him.
I knew both shills representing both parties would be drawn out when LNG or exporting coal was mentioned. Good luck boys.
That 19th century view of fossil fueled economic development is doing pretty well in the 21st century global economy. No other source creates more energy or jobs on planet earth. It is not an anachronism.
LNG and coal present Coos County with an opportunity to develop our economy, expand our port, improve our infrastructure, while fighting climate change and strengthening green energy.
This is one of the reasons you lost the election, Mark
Let it not be said that I pandered for votes.
I say what I believe and believe what I say. I’m not party to conspiracy, collusion, or graft. I’m just thinking through the issue logically without prejudice. I welcome other viewpoints.
Not all Democrats agree with me. That’s OK. Hey, only Nixon can go to China.
Mary, your bravado is certainly inspiring. You remind me of those clever TV adds: “Are you a seasoned executive? No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.”
Barton just wants everyone to fall in line behind him. His answers for area development are all that matter to him. His gang has been dismissive of any other ideas. When coal exports and LNG are discounted they flare up and claim that those opposing are against local development. We all know that’s a load of crap. His posse holds those plans as the only thing that will produce jobs for the area. What else has SCDC proposed that didn’t involve serious negative liabilities for the area and the planet.
Wind, wave and solar power have been scoffed at by that gang. His frustrations are a sign that his sponsors are getting tired of his lack of ability to produce the results they want. Jon is the enemy of any plan for economic development that he cant put his greedy hands in the pocket of. That’s why he so desperately wants a county admin. The resources (timber,land,minerals and county contracts)that the county controls is the big prize that SCDC wants. His cut for making these deals will probably set him for life. If we all could see the dollar amount that he has scraped off the tax payers for all the years he’s been here, we would be very pissed off. What has that money produced for the area except public anger?
If SCDC wants the public to get behind them, then they should be promoting tourism and green energy jobs,not the opposite.
LMAO M, it took me several minutes to get past the picture. Priceless.
Thank you
It’s because of the big fella that this community is divided each and every time that the wounds begin to heal. The fellow has no business sense whatsoever. And yes, I am aware that he managed two relatively small companies years ago. The big fella was obvioulsy looking in a mirror when he commented. Perhaps he will accept the Al Pettit challenge. Yo big boy, what have you done to improve life in Coos County? Verifiable please.