Re: MMR Munitions Cleanup - Letter to the Editor

[StellaVB@aol.com]

Original message from Stella Bourassa

Greetings Curt Gandy and Everyone Else:

I am a member of the RAB committee for the Camp Bonneville Base Closure in 
East Clark County, Vancouver, Washington.  Our group was fortunate enough to 
have Lenny Siegel speak at our last meeting.  

An issue, which seems to be a 'theme' with all base closures, is the public's 
involvement (or lack thereof) in the entire process.  It appears there are 
base closures that allow and embrace the public's input.  I can only base 
this assumption on what is 'put out' on the Net from others.  I would like to 
include my story with everyone else's, in the hope, it will benefit the 
process.

I have found the more documents, manuals and information I obtain the better 
equipped I am for the educated decisions that need to be made for the 
'benefit of the community and military.'  I have only ran up against one 
entity not allowing for public access to documents.  This was concerning a 
financial feasible study through Clark County's Commissioners and the project 
manager/Public Works department.  I recently ran up against this again with 
the EE/CA Draft.  Through several avenues, I was able (with other's help) to 
obtain this draft.  LTC R. Knight, commander of this base, and Fort Lewis, 
Eric Waehling, project manager as well as others, made sure we, who wanted 
this, had access to it.

There are several ways to obtain information and there are several reasons 
information is not 'readily' made available.  I encourage everyone involved 
with your local closures to persevere through the rough spots.  Ultimately, 
we all want to see the best for our communities.

Regards,
Stella Bourassa