On Oct. 31, Commissioner Jan Angel presented the first in a series of economic development events for Kitsap business and community leaders. The unfortunate first choice for the series was Mr. Wendell Cox.

The event had the feel of a property rights political rally. According to Cox, planning, the Growth Management Act, Smart Growth and public transit are detrimental to economic development. Public officials (who try to follow the law and accommodate community values) are possibly corrupt.

Mr. Cox’s polarizing presentation did nothing to help this community reach consensus on what can be done to achieve economic development within our collective values. I hope the Kitsap business and community leaders can move quickly away from the inflammatory and insulting rhetoric of Mr. Cox and those who support his extreme views.

Tom Nevins
Poulsbo