In the Friday, Sept. 11 issue of The Daily Astorian, on page 5A, there was a full quarter page used to advertise for the Open Forum. In that advertisement was the claim that “A good newspaper is a two-way street. You learn from us and we learn from you.” Let me be the first to say, “What a farce.”

Anti-liquid natural gas letters far outweigh the pro-LNG letters, not because they are not written, but because they are not published. It sickens me to watch how The Daily Astorian is used to support the editor’s own personal views and agendas.

The editor chooses to publish sappy letters such as the ones written by Joe Miltenberger (“Fishing among tankers,” The Daily Astorian, Sept. 11) and Anne Phillips (“Where to shop,” The Daily Astorian, Sept. 11). Miltenberger seems to think a fish of a lifetime will be lost due to LNG tanker traffic on the Columbia River. Phillips won’t shop at any local stores that support LNG or Bradwood landing.

Let me remind the editor, Miltenberger, Phillips and all of Astoria and Clatsop County of one simple fact: Astoria was built by waterfront industry. Shame on all of you for forgetting that.

Bradwood Landing will create many family-wage jobs for our local economy. There will be plant operators, millwrights, electricians and security jobs at the plant. Warrenton, Astoria, Knappa and Clatskanie will get full-time firefighters. There will be three tractor tugs to guide the ships upriver, each tug having full crews.

There will be jobs for three-plus years for construction workers while the plant is being built. Yes, these jobs will go away once the plant is completed, but that’s what construction workers do – they finish one project, then move on to the next. That’s hundreds of construction workers spending money in our local economy for three years.

Ms. Phillips, I hope you have to drive 100 miles to buy groceries because any local store is crazy not to support family-wage jobs. Mr. Miltenberger, you need to tighten that star drag on your reel and support families and family-wage jobs. I am absolutely sickened by the “I have mine” attitudes.

A special thank you goes out to the county commissioners who are facing a recall. Thank you for supporting family-wage jobs. You are my heroes.

PAUL JOHNSON

Knappa

Managing Editor’s Note: The Daily Astorian is delighted to publish letters about many topics, including the liquefied natural gas controversy – pro and con – and certainly does not select them for publication according to whether the newspaper agrees with the viewpoint. Letter writers must be contacted to verify the writer’s identity and letters are published if they meet the criteria for length and are not extreme personal attacks, obscene or potentially libellous, and do not contain claims that cannot be verified. Preference is given to local writers. We hope this clarifies the issue.