Rick Larsen Hears About Shipping, Growlers and Immigration

 — by Margie Doyle —

Orcas voters hang on to Larsen’s response at his kick-off campaign appearance

Representative Rick Larsen of the  2nd District kicked off his campaign for re-election  in a public appearance at the Odd Fellows Hall on Sunday, June 1. Community members from Lopez and about 20 Orcas Islanders, mostly expressing environmental concerns, spoke to Larsen and heard his responses from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

A highlight of the meeting occurred when Eleanor Hoague introduced Ben Nunez, the undocumented worker at Helsell’s sawmill, to Larsen, and thanked Larsen for his efforts in securing the stay of Nunez’ deportation.

Benjamin Nunez thanks Congressman Rick Larsen for his efforts to prevent Nunez’ deportation this spring.

Larsen appeared taken aback by the handful of sign-bearing clean-energy advocates outside the hall. He answered questions one-on-one for most of the meeting, and the group clustered tightly around to be able to hear the questions and the responses.

He was introduced by Jamie Stephens about midway through his appearance and addressed the whole group to announce his efforts in the U.S. Congress. He explained that he was feeling under the weather, still recuperating from a fall from a ladder in January, and suffering from seasonal allergies.

Energy and environmental advocates greet Representative Rick Larsen.

He staunchly defended his support of the expansion of the Cherry Point terminal, saying it would create “thousands of jobs.” Sharon Abreu countered that now was the time to lead both labor and environmentalists in an effort to work together, rather than pitting the groups against each other. “Energy efficiency retrofitting creates jobs,” she said and asked that he work on a federal level to promote what is happening on a local and state level.

Larsen said that, as a House of Representatives member, he voted for the Cap and Trade bill, which was voted down by the Senate. “All we did was rile up Republicans. It’s difficult to step up if we’re just going to get hit.”

Geri Turnoy asked, “What’s the alternative?” and Larsen said, “The grassroots are going to have to help build up support. The only way to do this is to get the majority [of Congress].’

David Turnoy questioned whether grassroots support is likely when elected representative don’t support the issues their constituencies want.

Larsen ticked off the work he has done in his 15 years in Congress:

• supporting marriage equality;
• promoting immigration reform with a path to citizenship;
• passing emergency unemployment compensation;
• challenging voter identification laws (which he called “voter suppression;”
• raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10;
• sponsoring a Constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court funding decision in Citizens United, which asserts the rights of corporations in regard to election campaign  financing;
• passing a “robust” federal transportation bill that would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in roads, trnasit systems and infrastructure repairs;
• increasing safety standards for rail shipments.

Larsen said he understood the opposition to coal exporting, but asked why people were opposed to oil shipping. He seemed surprised to learn that Canada’s energy plans call for four-fold increase in shipping from west coast terminals through the Salish Sea.

Larsen encouraged those present to return sitting Democrats and keep the Republican party from adding to their membership in Congress so that his work could be more effective.

Cynthia Dilling and others from Lopez were there to confront him about the Growler jet noise issue. They questioned Larsen at length about what could be done to address the constant noise and disruption and safety concerns due to the aircraft flights. The Lopezians are not asking to close the base, but they complained that legislators should be working to reduce the number of Growler aircraft, instead of allowing more flights to happen. When asked directly, “What can we do?” Larsen responded:

1. Residents can document the Growler disruption through the San Juan County website set up specifically for that purpose;
2. He is working with the Navy on publicizing when it is conducting the Growler flights so people can be prepared;
3. San Juan County Council members should work with Island County Commissioners to address the problem.

“To be clear,” said Larsen, “I don’t support closing OLF [Coupeville].” Those at his campaign kickoff protesting the effects of the Growler flights said they didn’t want to close the base, but repeated that the increasing flights are “degrading” life in the San Juans. They complained of legislators like Larsen who continue to authorize more of the flights.

Larsen urged that citizens seek local and state support for “the things locals care about: funding for roads and affordable housing.”

A clearly frustrated Larsen spoke of the limitations of his office to act on a federal level: the Constitutional safeguards of states’ authority; Supreme Court legal rulings. He repeated his assertion that the best way for him to work for his district and the country, is to “get the [Democratic] majority back int he U.S. House of Representatives.”