As the setting sun on Washington Street shines directly into my eyes, temporarily hindering my sight, I search for my sunglasses before my car reaches the concrete-rimmed potholes recently created, no doubt at great expense by the powers that govern our cherished city of Port Townsend.  Which powers I am a little foggy about as I am not one to follow local politics as I should.

But even to my not-very knowledgeable-self I realize that this street is not large enough for two unsightly “roundabouts” and a fierce set of iron stakes on either side of the road. I wonder to myself, “Who in the world thought this was a good idea for driving safely?”  

While we are distracted by the hardships of living through a terrible pandemic, a great many other strange and questionable plans are in the works. And those in power charged with making decisions for the rest of us may not be stopping for community guidance. For example, plans are in the hopper for cutting down the stately poplar trees that have lined both sides of Sims Way for decades.

If not “native trees,” they have earned their right to be a traditional part of Port Townsend, so long have they enchanted us with their golden fall leaves, vacuumed the air along our major thoroughfare, and hidden the sometimes messy workings of the shipyard.  

Unfortunately, someone with the “power” has decided to not ask for community input.

Unfair, I think!

Every time we drive down Sims what will we see instead?  For a few extra feet of shipyard a decision has been made. A poor choice that will influence our lives. I very much doubt it will be a splendid walkway promised to replace the trees.  After the expense of cutting down a great many mature trees, if the lesson of the “roundabouts” has taught us anything, it is likely we can expect to see a stump and weed pathway lining Sims instead. 

And a few more feet given in great expense to the shipyard. Which, of course, is the point.  

So many reasonable ideas on paper never come to fruition in reality. 

Too much is being neglected along the Sims Way for reasons never clear. Of this I cite the formally lovely street divider opposite the winery so brilliantly landscaped and then not watered during the dry season. Most of it now dead. The fabulous sculpture outside the Visitors Center, half landscaped and half unsightly weeds.  

I request that our community leaders open up the decision —  making and allowing our residents to voice an opinion. To allow a vote for decisions that will affect all our lives is only fair. After all, what is there to be afraid of?  

Arlene Sudol
PORT TOWNSEND