An interesting letter i found, since i'm stuck inside & can't go out. The weather they are making is horrible, with weird rain that blows in the wind like styrofoam. So this was a visit from Sec of the Navy to Seattle in 2008. I cannot get this letter to Copy/Paste or get it linked anywhere at all. So i am hand typing it. Here goes:
Remarks by Donald C. Winter (appropriate as he is in charge of creating winter in the NW all year round!) Secretary of the Navy
Seattle Community Development Roundtable / WA Athletic Club
Seattle, WA Monday June 2, 2008
Distinguished guest, Navy League members, ladies, gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here among this distinguished group.
Your leadership in the business community is critical to the economic viability of this great city and this region.
Real community development is not a product of government or of new bureaucratic arrangements. It is a result of the actions of private individuals- entrepreneurs, risk- takers with their own capital at risk, and the wise response to changes in the marketplace.
The Navy & the Marine Corps would like to continue to be a part of the communities surrounding the Pacific NW as we proudly serve in our nations armed forces in one of the most beautiful regions in the country.
Today I would like to discuss with you an issue that concerns me greatly- an issue that challenges the long- standing relationship between the Navy and our host communities - enroachment.
In that regard, I note that communities in the Puget Sound region have taken many positive steps with respect to that relationship, with many officials displaying an admirable perspective and understanding of the long term issues involved.
Such a perspective stands in stark contrast to what we have seen in many other areas, and I would like to thank you for your support for what we do.
It is my intent here today to impress upon you how important it is to the Navy and the country that you continue acting in such an enlightened and responsible manner.
Enroachment is often a result of different priorities and different agendas as they relate to economic interests associated with land surrounding military installations. Enroachment can also take the form of efforts to directly constrain military operations in the interest of environment protection or quality of life considerations.
Unfortunately, in either case, the impact on our ability to train and operate can be severe and threaten to undo the decades of partnership we have established with civilian communities across the U.S.
to be continued: