What growth means for all of us

Dear Editor:

 Weiser city residents, it matters who wins the contested County Commissioner race!

 Growth is here but more is coming. How it’s managed in the county will dramatically impact the quality and culture of life for all of us in town. We’re already seeing an uptick in new businesses and existing business sustainability.  This has been achieved through the traditional interpretation of our county land use codes which have been upheld in past legal challenges. More recently, conflicting legal interpretation of these codes has already set off a multitude of county building permit applications, saying nothing of the unpermitted ag buildings being used as private residences.  

 Each candidate states they care about protecting ag land from being developed, but what that means is considerably different if you look beyond the candidate.  Mom used to tell us, you’ll be known by the company you keep. The disrespectful behavior at our recent candidate forum and public spaces I’ve personally witnessed pales when compared to what’s being posted on social media, nearly all with a direct line to one candidate’s base.  

 I personally believe some growth is good if it works for everyone. But this isn’t just about folks who want to live in the county and enjoy city services without paying the taxes to support them.  It’s about increased traffic, congestion, and a suburban culture who feel entitled to a less respectful co-existence that will supplant the traditional ag values and economy which made Washington County a place we want to live.

Tony Edmondson

Weiser, Idaho

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