MARINA: Hard to take withdrawal seriously

As one of the community members affected by the proposed marina expansion, I was encouraged to see the application withdrawn. I agree with Jan’s point about the need for genuine community involvement if a future application is submitted, but based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s fair to question whether that will actually happen.

It’s difficult to take the process seriously when a marina representative — speaking anonymously of course — dismisses legitimate community concerns instead of addressing them. If the proposal can stand on its own merits, why hide behind anonymity?

And the comparison offered — that you wouldn’t ask your neighbors for approval before building a home — is not just flawed, it’s entirely beside the point. A private residence is not a commercial enterprise. Expanding a for-profit marina is a decision that affects far more than a single property — it impacts traffic patterns, safety on the water, and the overall character of Hayden Lake.

That distinction is obvious to the people who live here. It should be just as obvious to those proposing to reshape it.

DAVE ASHWORTH

Hayden