To the editor:

I have recently received a political flyer from Mary Margaret Haugen, listing all the things that “she” has done for us. Well, my friends, ask Mary Margaret about where she, as the Transportation Chair in the Senate, pushed for the new law changing from 2,6000 pounds of gross weight, to 10,000 pounds of gross weight, with the requirement of stopping at the WSP weigh stations. This became effective on July 1, 2012.

This affects ALL small businesses, all of you with a pickup and trailer. The only exception is recreational trailers. If you leave the state of Washington without a DOT number, you could be subject to a fine.

As Transportation Chairman, Haugen would not allow ANY exemptions favored by agriculture or building trades. At this time, there is no charge for the DOT number, but as always, the state looks for money anywhere they can get it. So you can bet your bottom dollar that is is going to happen. It takes money to issue permits, enforce and inspect other such things.

I have talked with the State Patrol and they are going to stop vehicles that they suspect should have a DOT number on them, if they are over 10,000 pounds gross weight, including any trailer, and they will be ticketed. This includes you with a truck and trailer, rental truck with a trailer in tow, or your dump truck. This is going to overcrowd weigh stations where you have nothing better to do with your time than wait your turn in line. On the island, we do not have weigh stations, but the State Patrol has portable scales that they use.

Take a minute before voting for Mary Margaret Haugen and realize that she has done this for us. It is time for a change! She is tired and needs to be “re-tired.”

Len Engle

Coupeville