Dear Editor:

While I very much enjoy your publication, I was disturbed by the article on Ace Landscaping. Columbia County, and in particular Dayton, needs all the commercial business we can get. Bringing jobs to the county is of vital importance

Ace Landscaping is trying to improve our county. Their business property is very well done and improves that portion of Highway 12. It will look even more attractive as it progresses. The Palmers are very knowledgeable in the nursery and landscaping business, having been doing this for a number of years. They give good customer service and advice on their product. This type of business is very hard, back-breaking work and involves much more than eight hours a day, seven days a week.

Mr. Richard Hendricksen [Senior Columbia County Planner] seems to be trying to discourage this business and others from doing business in Columbia County, when in fact he should be doing everything to help.

I can see no reason why this business should be stopped from doing business while the proper permits are obtained. If shut down, they stand to lose thousands of dollars in destroyed plant stock. You cannot start a business like this overnight. It takes lots of time to get plants to an age where they can be sold, sometimes years.

Mr. Hendricksen needs to encourage businesses to come here, especially one as well ran as this one. Walla Walla County doesn't seem to be as tough on business owners as seen just down the road in Waitsburg. Mr. Hendricksen seems to want to hinder rather than help. People like me, who love Dayton and Columbia County, want to see it prosper.

Mr. John Palmer is within the law that presently exists, but now they want to change the law so they can prevent him from doing business. From what I understand, Mr. Hendricksen is bothering other businesses in this area such as the cheese place (Monteillet Fromagerie). There will be a meeting at Mr. Hendricksen's office on Thursday, July 14, 2011 about this matter. I urge all who would like to see this business prosper to attend. Help businesses to come here. Don't chase them away.

Sharon Spenard Dayton