Environmental angles
Chris Dunagan writes:
As the Kitsap Sun’s environmental reporter, I’ll follow those issues that touch the land, water and air, plus all the related creatures, including people.
Land-use issues are a little vague right now, since International Speedway Corporation has not identified the precise bounaries of its project, not to mention the design.
I’ve already examined and reported on the general area south of Bremerton National Airport. But I’ll keep talking about the environment in more detail as time goes on.
This blog offers a unique way to talk to people outside the formality of a newspaper story. We can discuss unanswered questions and touch on some of the behind-the-scenes activities as the project works its way — or not — through the Legislature and county permitting processes.
As a reporter, I’ve spent nearly all of my 30-year career here in Kitsap County, covering local government, health and the environment. This proposed racetrack is just one of the many projects that could change our landscape forever.
Can this noisy speedway be compatible with the community’s vision for this undeveloped section of South Kitsap? Some people already have made up their minds. For the rest of us, we’ll need to study the environmental issues carefully over the coming months and years.
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December 7th, 2005 at 1:59 pm
We live in Port Orchard,approximately 5 miles from the track site. We do not want our life style to change, for this noisy, polluting sport. We have deer in our backyard, lots of birds and even a raccoon or two. They will all disappear, as will our peace of mind. NO, NO, NO to NASCAR.
July 26th, 2006 at 11:51 am
The answer to “can this noisy racetrack be compatible with this community’s vision….”
The answer is a resounding “YES”.
There is a time when the minority must compromise a bit for the benefit of the majority. This track would add greatly to the economy of the entire area….could finally give all of us some relief from high property and other taxes and fees imnposed by liberal tax and spend politicians. Let’s not pass up this opportunity. As much as our economic development agencies try to bring in more industry and commerce it cannot match one that is knocking on our door. Let’s not lock that door and regret it for generations to come.
July 26th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
Jack, you say: “This track would add greatly to the economy of the entire area….could finally give all of us some relief from high property and other taxes and fees….”
The ISC/GWS proposal, if enacted by the legislature, would exempt the speedway facility lessee (GWS) from the leasehold excise tax which would ordinarily take the place of property taxes.
How could giving ISC/GWS a virtually rent-free and tax-free place to do business relieve the tax burden on the rest of the people in South Kitsap?
When none of the tax burden is picked up by the new guy in town, the others must carry the same burden as always.
If ISC/GWS paid market-value rent and the leasehold excise tax based on that rent, then the tax burden on everyone else could be reduced. But, that isn’t what ISC/GWS proposes to do.
July 27th, 2006 at 12:14 am
Ah, Mr. Welch, you miss the point. There is little economic benefit from such a track (at least for local residents). On the other hand, there will be great expense in loss of personal mobility, environmental destruction and eventual massive upgrading of our transportational infrastructure at taxpayer expense just to support the traffic, increased population and wear and tear on our increasingly crowded highways. Your “minority” is really the taxpaying majority. In sum, there’s “no there there” if you live in Kitsap or Mason counties. Please move to Detroit if you’re seeking industry and commerce.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Jack Welch,
What makes you think a majority of people in Kitsap County support the track? I read somewhere in here that Tim Sheldon polled his constituents about the track and over 70% opposed it.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Jack, Couple of things here. How much are you willing to sacrifice for this track? The track will not give any property tax relief, in fact, the property taxes being paid now on that land will go away. You might want to do a little more research, the stuff you are saying just isn’t right.
July 29th, 2006 at 5:49 am
To Kent’s suggestion to Jack: don’t move to Detroit, as industry and commerce here aren’t doing too well.
I will say that I don’t getting to the point in a debate of “if you don’t like it, just move out of town.” Like I said in another post, I think we are only at the tip of the iceberg on this issue. I think everyone will be surprised how this debate goes once a formal proposal is introduced at the state legislature and the general public gets involved.
July 29th, 2006 at 10:25 am
I moved to Kitsap County seven years ago to enjoy the quiet, beautiful lifestyle. Coming from the desert, my appreciation of the trees, ocean and mountains just increases every day. It saddens me that I have seen tree after tree, and swathes of land multipled by the hundreds, chopped down in the name of “progress.”
I believe that the NASCAR track idea is so wrong for this county, and the communities here. The very things that make this a great place to live are being destroyed. STOP NASCAR!
It would be interesting for the Kitsap Sun to poll a WIDE group of residents of the county, and see what the results are. I really think the NASCAR fans should watch their sport somewhere else.
August 6th, 2006 at 1:13 am
Linda Hinton states the case so eloquently. The proposed track is so much a very inappropriate assault on all of us who chose to live here. The best view of NASCAR events is on the TV, and there’s even a volume control there! Don’t tread on us!
August 6th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
See my post in the “Talladega Nights” thread regarding the likely environmental impact of the track.