As I reported earlier, Surfside members voted overwhelmingly to put environmental issues at the forefront of our future. On Dec. 14, the Surfside board met and unanimously shouted down all member motions, quashed all member concerns over trees, wildlife and water. They shut down member input during board meetings (members are instructed to send letters if they wish to have a voice.

Board testimony clearly and repeatedly made the point that the environment is not our business. Surfside is now, as far as I can tell, the only corner of Washington state that is openly, proudly and vigorously anti-environment and hostile to any suggestion of concessions to Earth-friendly initiatives. The political party (yes, Surfside has a single political party) that spent time and money ensure election of all current board members, put out a position paper that said Surfside is urban and our environment is regulated with asphalt and concrete.

The board members only addressed one environmental concern. That was the amount of woodland creatures who invade our urban spaces and how to discourage wildlife from co-habitation. The board also made clear to members that The council of nine have complete power, members have no right to have any voice in government.

There is even talk (in a separate meeting I attended) of putting up a three-story building with a helipad and commercializing the space for income. The HOA going into business and a money-making enterprise?

The message is, if you miss downtown Seattle or Portland, we are bringing it to Pacific County.

STEVE WALLACE

Surfside