To Rep. Whisnant: Get Involved - Rebecca Hardesty, Boise, ID

Dear Representative Whisnant,

The reason an appeal is being made to the legislature is because the only purpose for the proposed rezone of this pristine area is to promote private developer interests and limited county economic interests at the inordinate expense of all Oregonians and nature itself. This shocking subsidy requires legislative intervention. Frankly, your constituents didn't elect you to sit back and not get involved in local issues when local decisions reflect promotion of private party interests at shocking public expense. The local agencies who are overseeing this decision are subordinate to the commissioners who made the decision in the first place so there is little reason for confidence in the objectivity of agency or appellate review.

I ask you one question - what is the benefit of this proposed rezone to Oregonians? Now consider the cost - the irreversible loss of the natural, pristine and untarnished Metolius River Basin, a cost which is completely unacceptable to your constituents. Your constituents want you to explain why you would support a local measure which is so clearly out of balance with the public good. Your constituents want you to explain why you, the person they elected to balance such questionable displays of power at a local level, won't stand up and do what they elected you to do.

Nature has value. It has much more value to your constituents than private profit for a couple of developers. We expect you to stand up and defend our values and protect our beautiful Metolius River Basin from being destroyed forever.

Please consider taking a hard stand on this issue and suporting SB30 as your constituents desire.

Rebecca B.W. Hardesty
Boise, ID

[Sent In Reponse To:]

Thank you for your message. I appreciate that you took the time to contact me.

The Metolius Basin is a beautiful area, and I do understand your concerns. Senate Bill 30 is currently in the House Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee awaiting a hearing. I am opposed to the bill as written because I do not support using the Legislature to overturn local decisions. Also, the decision by the County Commission to allow the two proposed developments has been appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeal. I believe we should give the courts time to sort out the issue.

I would support a compromise to ensure the protection of this pristine area but I cannot support the bill as written.

Gene Whisnant
State Representative
District 53
503.986.1453