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1 , Gary K. Billingsley 1060 Lambert Road Cle Elum, WA 98922-9157 December 12, 2013 Kittitas County Commissioners: I am writing to express my concerns as a resident of this county regarding the Board of County Commissioners' consideration of recent requests to allow the growing of marijuana in Kittitas County. I moved to Cle Elum in January of 2006 after having observed this area for all the years from 1977 to 2006 wishing and hoping for the opportunity to live here. As soon as all the details preventing this move had been cleared away I immediately moved here from the Seattle area. In order of priority, my reasons for wanting to live here are: 1. The stable, solid, principled people who live here; 2. The high percentage of God fearing Christians living here; 3. The "take care of each other mentality" of the people who live here; 4. The low level of crime with nearly no violent crime in this region; 5. The absence of gangs and their accompanying violence; 6. The pristine beauty of this agrarian environment; and 7. The quiet roads with generally sane and sober drivers. Now, because the voters in this state voted to allow the growing of marijuana and because certain parties apparently seeking their personal financial fortune have taken the first steps toward starting such growing operations here, the Board of County Commissioners finds itself faced with the need to make decisions regarding this distasteful activity and the ramifications it will hold for our quiet and pristine region. The adverse ramifications of allowing such marijuana growing and possible retail activities (to list a few) include the impact these activities would have on: 1. The Social Environment: With the presence of an element of society, heretofore generally foreign to this region, bringing with it crime that hasn't required the attention, to any great degree, of our local law enforcement agencies until now; 2. The Security of Our Children and Adolescents: With parents unable to allow their children to use the streets and roadways of our county without fear for their security; 3. The Impact on the Quality of Education and the Production of Excellence at Central Washington University: With ready availability will come increased use, and with increased use will come decreased effectiveness of our local University to produce excellence; 4. The Aesthetics of this Region: Including the appearance of the security systems that would be required (i.e. Security Fencing, Surveillance Systems, Lighting Systems, Security Guards, etc.), and the traffic generated on our presently quiet rural roads; 5. Property Values: With the value of lands and homes near these growing operations deteriorating dramatically; and 6. The Added Cost of Law Enforcement: This cost has apparently not yet been calculated, but it is likely to outstrip any tax benefits that might inure to the County.