Regarding the Sonico, Inc. eviction

Sonico has been asked to evacuate Building 408 that has been leased from the Port of Moses Lake for 33 years because of two structural evaluation reports, one in 1998 and one in 2012. It concerns me that the commissioners of the POML really do not have an understanding of the aerospace business. If they did, they would understand the FAA regulations that would have to be followed in a move like this.

I pose this question to the current POML Commissioner, who was also a commissioner from 1999-2007: You've had personal knowledge of the initial report. Why now are you concerned about my and my co-workers' safety? If the building is a hazard and the POML has known about it for 15 years, isn't that negligence on the POML's part? Risking our lives every day for 15 years? If it is not a hazard and POML just wants the building, then why not give Sonico the time needed to move properly without an interruption to business, loss of jobs, and possible relocation out of the area? Is it because you have no intention of repairing the building? Has the building been offered to other businesses? Might it be because the POML has moved in a direct, big-name competitor of Sonico? How many employees does that company have that will make their permanent home in the area? Yes, their non-local employees spend money locally but how many of them pay local taxes, vote on school bonds, and are invested in our community? The reason of "public safety" does not make any sense to me, nor should it to any of the people of the community. Sonico isn't refusing to vacate. They have asked for adequate time to do so. As a community, we should be concerned that the POML has no regard for a home-grown small business.

Karmel Ovregaard

Moses Lake