My father was, among other wonders, a successful banker. I learned lots from him, hence never failing as a builder/developer. If my father were alive today and living in Port Townsend, he’s wonder what in God’s name are the people in charge thinking.

They’ll carelessly invest $250,000 in a plan devised by others that would transplant a building across rough water and rolling land to Port Townsend in an unduly complicated and singularly foolish attempt to address the affordable housing crisis hereabouts. Given the details of such, well-experienced souls like myself can only shake their heads in disappointment and disbelief.

Who’s to say that once all the costs have been tallied, we’ll have something close to affordable rents without massive subsidy. Transport costs, site preparation, all-new underpinnings to accommodate lower-level apartments and much more. These don’t come cheap.

I’ve long promoted a more direct approach to the problem at hand – that is, revivifying the long-vacant Decker Building, developing what Californians call a “bungalow court” here and there, installing a row of collapsible shelters atop a boardwalk onside the fairground campground, and a good deal more.

Nobody listens.

TODD WEXMAN

Port Townsend