“A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth” Albert Einstein observed. This is so true in Ilwaco.

The mayor is attempting to close an airplane taxi lane in Vandalia for the city administrator, Holly Beller. Holly is my neighbor across the taxiway. 2007 Century West Engineering drafted an Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Port of Ilwaco airport. The ALP describes taxiways as being a minimum of 50 feet wide and serving airplane hangers. There are seven hangers in Vandalia. The taxiway joins a taxi lane, which is a minimum of 79 feet wide parallel to the airport, to taxi “as necessary” to the end of the airport before crossing the airport property line. Wind direction determines which direction we taxi. Airplanes take off and land facing the wind.

Also, the ALP stated there was a “through-the-fence” (TTF) agreement. Neither the city nor the port can find that agreement. The port needs to start that process. The city’s title says it is subject to easements. Also, when signed, all landowners in Unit Number One agreed to the terms of Tract “D.” The mayor has spent over $31,000 in attorney fees on this problem. As taxpayers, we are paying for this.

I now wonder how much we are paying for what the mayor has paid in attorney fees for the Beacon RV Park, which the mayor sold to the current owners. There should be a complete investigation into the sale of the Beacon RV Park, the maintenance thereof and criminal activity. Did he lie to the tenants? What is the mayor’s responsibility? Has the mayor encouraged his friends to be on the city council and all committees, both the city and port, to control the vote?

Some Ilwaco taxpayers believe the mayor should be impeached or recalled. The city council could start this process. If you feel the same way, contact our city council members or Don Berger.

DON BERGER

Ilwaco