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We are fortunate that Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad and the Sandpoint City Council responded in detail to the Washington Department of Ecology request for comments on the proposed silicon smelter. The mayor and council addressed the overall smelter project description, regional economic impact, air and water quality, transportation, noise, penalty structure, alternatives and so on, asking that Sandpoint and our region be included in the Scope of the Impact Statement. This is critical.

On the other hand, Commissioner Dan McDonald relies on Washington DOE officials who he said have a “comprehensive grasp on what they need to look at … This is obviously not their first rodeo,” McDonald said.

The smelter proposal is an important issue for all of Bonner County. I support Steve Lockwood for commissioner as Steve believes the county should be more involved and is asking the right questions on our behalf.

JUDY BUTLER

Hope