My freedom is not so much about what I want to do, but as my opportunity to do something right.

In 2003, we bought property in Vandalia, unit #1, because I have an airplane and can taxi to the airport. The realtor told me I was responsible to remove the trees to be able to get to the airport. I had the realtor remove about 35 trees as part of the contract.

A few years later I wanted to put an airplane hangar on my property. I was charged $200 for a development permit. I was the first person ever to be charged for that permit. I did pay for a building permit. I sued the City of Ilwaco and got my $200 back. The clerk in the city office asked me to run for city council. Mike Cassinelli was running for mayor and we were good friends. I worked on his campaign, putting up signs and paid the local bar for the first drink of anyone wearing an “I like Mike” button.

Later, one council member died, another resigned, and a third did not run again. At the time I applied there were two open seats. The mayor would not accept my resume. After 90 days, Pacific County appointed me and Butch Smith as council members for the City of Ilwaco.

I was unable to correct the development permit problem. But as of today, the development permit has been changed to a flood plain permit, and there is no charge. This is also incorrect because Vandalia has never been flooded. We have king tides. The elevation of a high tide can reach 12 feet above mean sea level. A home next to me has had 8 inches of water on the first floor. The insurance would not pay the flood insurance claim, saying it was not a flood but a high tide.

Now, I have another first.

I am being sued by the City of Ilwaco for maintaining tract “D” next to the airport, for which the city issued a quit claim deed stating it is subject to “an easement for airplane taxi as necessary on tract ‘D’ for the benefit of adjoining landowners.”

City Administrator Holly Beller has said to me, face to face, that airplanes are not allowed on city property, and also by letter has said tract “D” is for recreational open space, green belt, greenway, public right of way, and road. And landowners are responsible for maintenance.

Holders of easements are responsible for the maintenance of the easement.

So there are two legal requirements to maintain tract “D.”

Meanwhile, another landowner has placed a flagpole in the middle of the taxi lane of tract “D.” I believe this is a violation of the law. The mayor has said the flagpole stays. He may also be liable.

I have a small claims court harassment case against the city administrator on March 10 in South District Court and another versus the mayor March 24.

DON BERGER

Ilwaco