Bryan shows bias on rail road sale

Letter to the Editor 

A grateful thank you to the Waitsburg Times for your excellent coverage of the Port of Columbia Commission Meeting on January 8, where the Columbia Port Commissioners discussed selling the owned Rail Line.

Seth Bryan has an obvious agenda when considering this sale: to continue to oppose the Touchet Valley Trail construction despite the Trail construction support of most of the Valley Stakeholders. Bryan’s opposition to the trail has juxtaposed him against economic development, farmers, and shippers.

The port’s ownership of the rail line offers protection for business and agriculture community use- a port functions to benefit their electorate’s economic development. A port does not make decisions for its economic benefit but rather for the economic well-being of the businesses, shippers, farmers, and consumers in the district they serve.

A private business functions for the profit and benefit of its owners and shareholders. It has no obligation to protect, invest, or ensure a transportation asset will be available for other businesses in the community to deliver products, benefit tourism, or aid agriculture production. It could liquidate or sell parts for salvage for short-term gain without considering any long-term negative impact.

Government entities, such as the Port of Columbia, must strive to provide sustainability and positive environmental impact for the communities they serve. As a port property, the rail line will provide both for the community as it navigates through potential dam removal, highway maintenance, and increased traffic.

Just considering a sale of the railway shows an anti-business, anti-tourism, anti-agriculture, and anti-shipping bias by Mr. Bryan and some of his supporters. That consideration is very shortsighted. 

Joy Marie Smith

Waitsburg, Wash.