Dear Ron,

Please pass this letter along if there are more appropriate or multiple people within the borough who should get this information.

Specifically, on behalf of WACO I would like to request that our community be included in any and all processing that is and will occur about the route of the railroad corrider. It is our understanding that the currently preferred route will cut right through the center of some of our residential and heavily used recreation areas. It is also our understanding that significant issues exist with this potential route from water drainage, wildlife safety and other environmental concerns. As the local residents we know the details around many of these issues and can best speak for and about them.

I also want to add that this is simply the most recent in a series of potential development projects that have come to light that involve our community. Methane gas drilling, prison site, logging and now the possible rail corridor are the most recent. It is awkward, at best, to consistently be put in a reactionary position. Do you have suggestions about how WACO and Willow individuals vested with the interests of all the community with expertise be involved in the earliest stages of each developmental discussion? The theme so far seems to be to turn the whole of Willow into a resource extraction source rather than to highlight and promote what we believe is the most powerful economy for us and the Borough: tourism and recreation. Do we have a values conflict or simply a lack of involvement early enough in each process to help make decisions?

We value the working relationship we have with you and many borough employees. We have felt supported in many ways. We think that this can be improved upon with an earlier involvement in major decisions such as those stated above and hope that what we value here is also valued there.

Sincerely, Linda Oxley Chair