To the editor:

It’s hard to imagine efforts to harm a community more than those described in “Chamber of Commerce submits economic white paper to the city” (Review, May 10).

Aside from its physical characteristics, Bainbridge Island is an attractive place to live because of its relatively limited commerce, industry and population. Yet the Review article describes efforts to attract more commerce and industry which, even though small, will detract from those characteristics that make the Island so attractive.

Among the arguments put forth in the chamber white paper is “more jobs.”  That means more people, which in turn means increased need for public services: law enforcement, judicial and penal systems, fire protection, expanded infrastructure and the costs of providing those services and building and maintaining that infrastructure.

As an aside, the obsession with attracting “CEOs” reflected in the white paper is amusing, as though there were something magical about CEOs.

All this, of course, appeals to the business community, but more commerce and industry detracts from the quality of life for the Island’s residents.

DONALD MARSH AND TAKAKO SATOH

Bainbridge Island