Mine should focus on gravel-yard permits, not threats to school

As a faculty principal, Bente Klatt is accountable for greater than 500 college students and dozens of academics and staffers at Fairmount Elementary Faculty in Snohomish County. She takes the accountability severely.

So when Mountain Loop Mine established a gravel yard a couple of toes from her college within the Mukilteo Faculty District and commenced trucking gravel out and in, she, workers members and oldsters have been proper to be involved and to complain.

The primary grievance to Snohomish County got here on April 7, 2023, with dozens extra to comply with. After an inspection the county gave the corporate three months to get the required permits wanted to function the enterprise.

Although the corporate’s operations are allowed beneath county zoning, the county knowledgeable the corporate that it wants a land-disturbing-activity allow, a enterprise park remaining web site plan approval allow and a state Environmental Safety Act overview. 

However as a substitute of sitting down with college officers and oldsters to work out an answer, and acquiring the permits, the corporate had its legal professional ship a cease and desist letter to Klatt that mainly mentioned cease complaining or else.

The legal professional representing the corporate said in her letter that if the principal continues to complain in regards to the exercise on the gravel yard, “Mountain Loop Mine can have no selection however to think about all obtainable authorized recourse in opposition to you and Fairmount Elementary Faculty.”

Unhealthy transfer.

Possibly the attorneys defending Mountain Loop Mine and its gravel operation simply don’t get it. However the academics, directors and oldsters of scholars from Fairmount Elementary Faculty clearly do. 

Residents are allowed to complain to their elected officers once they encounter public issues that want public cures. Petitioning the federal government for a redress of grievances is a proper assured beneath the First Modification.

When the schooling of scholars is jeopardized due to noise or mud, because the complaints allege, that’s an issue that wants a quick answer, not threats. County officers mentioned the corporate has one other deadline of Feb. 15 to indicate not less than progress towards acquiring the permits.

The corporate ought to spend the following few days attempting to get the permits they’ve promised the county, even granted extension after extension to take action — and fewer time threatening Fairmount and its devoted principal.

Clear up the issue, Mountain Loop Mine. Snohomish County officers ought to be certain that they do as quickly as doable.