Reader asks for more Sonico coverage

While the Columbia Basin Herald did an excellent job in their recent Progress 2013 magazine to tout the expanding Aerospace Industry in Moses Lake, they neglected to note a 33-year-old aerospace company in Moses Lake named Sonico, Inc. Both Rep. Warnick and Gov. Inslee were present at the ribbon cutting for ATS's move here but where were they or the Herald when the Port of Moses Lake and the Commissioners rented the 'old JAL' building to ATS over Sonico?

Does either the Herald or our Representatives in Olympia care that the Port is proudly bringing in companies while ignoring and now evicting the same type of business? Does anyone in the community think that putting 40 people out of work will not affect our local economy? There is enough work in the Aerospace community for ATS and Sonico to both stay in business in Moses Lake, but to do so Sonico needs a building. When did it become the Commissioners right to tell a business what it can and cannot do? They have told Sonico repeatedly that our work does not require a Hangar, but we do the same work as ATS and ATS needed a hangar. Does anyone except the employees at Sonico see the irony?

From working in the corporate services department at Sonico, I know Sonico does $6 million in business each year, we bank and shop locally, and although we are not taking aircraft apart right now, we would like to grow and do that, but to do so we need a hangar. We now have in writing that the Port doesn't want Sonico renting from them and we will be leaving. But with Sonico leaving the Ports' property, 40 Moses Lake families may also have to leave the area. Is that what the Herald, our Representatives and the Governor want?

Elouise Coulston

Moses Lake