Opinion Saturday, August 25, 2012 • The South Whidbey Record
www.Southwhidbeyrecord.com
Page A5
Letters In response
Mask is really a Salish Guardian To the editor: The granite mask recovered from Perego’s Lagoon, that some readers have conjectured to resemble museum curator Rick Castellano, is in reality a Salish People’s Guardian or carrying stone. It is intended to protect a village or important gathering site and give definition to boundaries without need of title. Its Salish name is Schwa-sub and is most likely Whidbey Skagit. Others like it are known to exist and have been documented at village sites. To move it without proper words and ceremony, which makes it lighter to carry by young men, was a very grave transgression. Tradition says even to turn it will change the weather. And while one man’s curious anthropomorphic petroglyph is another man’s guardian stone, the most serious threat to archeological sites is the public and those who allow continuing disrespect, vandalism and pilferage of cultural assets to happen time and again in the name of collection. Now that it has been documented, return the guardian stone to the young Skagits, the sons of the men who placed it, that they may carry it back to the lagoon in which it belongs and from the which it has been removed twice. With all the handling I know why the weather has been so unsettled of late, and replacing it will undoubtedly improve the salmon fishing. George Lloyd Coupeville
Satirical reaction to Navy critic To the editor: Right on, Caralyn (Letters, Aug. 18)! The Navy should act like our guests. They do not pay taxes. They don’t live in Oak Harbor and surrounding area and shop at Walmart, Safeway, Albertsons or eat at any of the restaurants. Navy personnel and their families don’t buy cars, buy gas and their kids don’t go to the area schools. They are just a bunch of bums, throw them out, teach them who writes their paychecks ... you do Caralyn, right! While we are at it, there is a Coast Guard station in Bellingham and the Coast Guard tears up the waters and bothers people and are a drag for the same reasons as the Navy. Oh, let’s not forget the traffic jams on I-5 at Joint Base Lewis Lewis-McChord ... those airmen and soldiers are a real drag and they
do not add one dime to the economy. All the Navy does in Oak Harbor is fly around and go to war, jam radars and drop bombs! What a futile bunch. Caralyn, why don’t you climb back into the hole you came from?
We will continue to provide the exceptional and professional service you’ve come to expect and deserve. For any questions, please go to our website: www.whidbeygen. org/ems-home.
Perego Man suspect ID’d
Great fair, sick literature
To the editor: Anybody else see the resemblance? (“Perego Man stumps the experts, Aug. 15, Whidbey News-Times). It’s museum director Rick Castellano, his own self! Gary Blevins Oak Harbor
Kudos
Thanks for the great support To the editor: We’d like to thank the community for its ongoing support of our EMS levy, which passed with more than 70 percent!
The south whidbey record SWR code
Scan the code with your phone and look us up on-line! Keep the app and look us up anytime!
Deb Crager EMTs and Paramedics of Whidbey General Hospital
Jim Dyment Clinton
Published each Wednesday and Saturday from the office of The South Whidbey Record 107 S. Main St., Ste E101 PO Box 1200 Coupeville, WA 98239 (877) 316-7276 (888) 478-2126 fax On the Internet at www.southwhidbeyrecord.com
STAFF
welcomes letters from its readers. Send to news@ whidbeynewsgroup.com.
might prefer helping folks who need it over name calling and hate speech. Jill Yomnick Clinton
To the editor: The Whidbey Island Fair was great family fun, a wonderful slice of home. It was a gorgeous day with horse competitions, vegetable art, Chicken Olympics, kids crafts, hot dogs and ice cream. Returning to my car, I found a booklet filled with religious intolerance toward Muslims and racist hatred under the windshield. What a sad way to end the day. While I hope the person responsible is an off-islander, in case you are local, may I say I think there are better uses of your time. If you want so badly to espouse Christian ideals, then spend your time volunteering! We have a lot of local organizations who would love the help. And I suspect Jesus
Publisher....................................................................................Kasia Pierzga Assistant Publisher..................................................... Kimberlly Winjum Editor................................................................................................Jim Larsen Reporters .................Justin Burnett, Rebecca Olson, Ben Watanabe Columnists........................................... Margaret Walton, Frances Wood Administrative Coordinator............................................... Lorinda Kay Advertising Manager...................................................... Lee Ann Mozes Production Manager.......................................Michelle Wolfensparger Creative Artist.....................................................................Rebecca Collins
Write to us: The South Whidbey Record
Fair was Fairtastic this year To the editor: The Island County Fair Association did a wonderful fair this year. The grounds were friendly and clean each day. The fair staff was very accommodating to the patrons. My 6-year-old granddaughter wanted to throw darts and the staff member made it so she would win a prize. The midway shows were fun to watch and listen to. My granddaughter and I look forward to being part of the parade next year. Again; the 2012 fair was “Fairtastic” Tucker Stevens Langley
Identification statement and subscription rates The South Whidbey Record (USPS 682-200) is published semiweekly by Sound Publishing on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $19 for 3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in Island County from Coupeville to Clinton; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for two years in county mailed from Coupeville to North Whidbey Island. Out of county mail $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The South Whidbey Record, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The South Whidbey Record, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239.