Landowners and residents near proposed clearcut sites in east Clatsop County have repeatedly asked to meet with Oregon Department of Forestry to voice their concerns, ask questions and get information. They were told the Astoria ODF would not meet with them until after July 1. Unfortunately, this was the date when the list of harvest sites would be finalized.

Bob Van Dyk, the newest appointee to the Oregon Department of Forestry Board, was willing to meet with residents and tour the proposed sites. The field trip was scheduled for June 27. We were surprised, and I was personally pleased that not one, but three representatives from Astoria ODF also showed up. I felt it was a positive and productive tour.

On June 29, I read the official Facebook account of my county commissioner, Courtney Bangs, not her personal Facebook page. On her official Facebook page, she presented incomplete information and statements about the tour, and about Van Dyk personally.

I’m discouraged Bangs didn’t speak up for her constituents. Even worse, as an elected representative to a nonpartisan body, these statements do not belong on Facebook as a county commissioner.

It is beyond shameful when elected representatives use their platforms to express personal frustration, instead of bringing people together and working for cooperation and solutions.

CHERYL JOHNSON

Astoria