Over the years I’ve read (and read) about land owners rights becoming nothing more than a bunch of words. I watch as property owned is reclassified to a point that its owners can’t even make changes to sections of what used to be their property. There is never compensation of course, only the taking away and restrictions that will require owners to go hire lawyers in order to make changes (or pay for new licenses etc). It’s all being done in the name of management or growth.

This week there was an article about a transfer station being planned on city owned land near land owned by a taxpaying citizen. While I don’t know the specifics about the property, or the owner involved, it irks me that a citizen is going to possibly have to deal with the smell of rotting garbage steaming from “its neighbor,” the city. All to save some money.

Isn’t that the attitude that got us in the financial mess in which we find ourselves in the first place?

To me the city of Poulsbo should be a better neighbor, the type of neighbor it wants to see in the community.

Looking at ways to save money is admirable. But so is looking for ways to buffer citizens from odors, noise and other such legitimized complaints. Why should a hearing be needed on this issue when it’s more about the city looking to be a good neighbor?

Maria Marsala

Bremerton