Randy Johnson complains that Ron Richards, his Democratic rival in the race for Clallam County commissioner, has accused Green Crow Corp. of being involved in a “conspiracy” on timber arrearage and reconveyance of state-managed county trust lands to the county [“Carbon Tax Debate, Clallam Commissioner Hopefuls Differ On Issue,” PDN, Aug. 25].
I read the PDN story and did not find a single reference by Richards to a conspiracy.
But since Johnson has raised the issue, it is worth considering.
Randy Johnson has served since 1985 as president of Green Crow Corp., which manages and solicits investments in timberland.
His resume includes 11 years as director of forest products for the Rayonier Corp.
Already serving on the Clallam County Board of Commissioners is Republican Bill Peach, also a former regional land manager of Rayonier Corp.
Isn’t this a bit incestuous?
Two former top Rayonier employees with so much power over our county timberland?
I would expect Clallam County commissioners to exert their authority to force Rayonier to quit stalling and clean up the tons of dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, arsenic and other toxins they left behind when it closed down its mill in Port Angeles 19 years ago.
But putting cooperative politicians in office may be Rayonier’s way of stalling some more or even sleazing its way out of paying at all for the mess it created.
We need honest commissioners like Mark Ozias and Ron Richards who will defend our environment and our people’s health from greedy corporate profiteers.
Vote Ron Richards on Nov. 8.
Tim Wheeler,
Sequim
