Saturday, August 17, 2013 • The South Whidbey Record
WWW.SOuThWhidBeyRecORd.cOm
Page A7
More letters APOLOgy CONTINUED FROM A6
way to resolve or solve any of these issues. There are times and places for almost anything. There is never a good time to call a survivor of Hitler’s Germany a “Nazi,” let alone in a public forum. My friend deserves an apology in a public forum and the citizens of Island County and Central Whidbey deserve a higher level of leadership and respect. Name calling just won’t do it. DAVID DAY Coupeville
Nazi commentor admits mistake Editor, I need to begin by apologizing for calling an anti-OLF individual a “Nazi” Monday during the Island County Commissioners meeting. It does not matter it was
intended as a whisper to friends in response to a rude interruption. I did afterward e-mail an apology to said individual through a trusted intermediary to accept accountability for lobbing smears due to a misunderstanding of facts said individual gave on an anti-OLF video. Due to physically threatening bad behavior from said anti-OLF individual and her husband as well as my verbal misbehavior, I asked the pair to not contact me further. As such I sincerely apologize again to the Island County Commissioners and the people of Island County as bad behavior in response to bad behavior is just that: bad behavior – and I bet you won’t hear accountability from most anti-OLF advocates seeking victimhood as they hear whispers and harass pro-OLF advocates. That said, one thing my emotionalism blocked me from mentioning at that meeting is pro-OLF-voices have a
“Save OLF Coupeville” petition with more signatures than the anti-OLF petition. Our petition asks for an Environmental Impact Statement “in return for tolerance of OLF operations so that U.S. Navy representatives can finally discuss with the general public” the need for OLF Coupeville plus alternatives’ costing such as a third runway at NAS Whidbey Island, eminent domain, or a new OLF. A far better course of action than permanent confrontation and litigation over OLF Coupeville callously disregarding our military. Personally, I hope an EIS has two scoping meetings — one Coupeville-centric and one in Oak Harbor for the general public like yours truly. JOE A. KUNZLER Sedro-Woolley
Board missed mark with resolution Editor, From
the
Aug.
12
Commissioners’ meeting, here’s the bottom line on their resolution. Therefore be it resolved that the Island County Board of Commissioners expresses strong support for Navy Region Northwest Installations, in particular Navy Air Station Whidbey Island with its Outlying Field in Coupeville, to encompass the personnel, operations and training facilities, as well as express gratitude for the service of the personnel to their fellow countrymen and women. Allow me to offer what would have been a more balanced and reasoned resolution. Therefore be it resolved that the Island County Board of Commissioners expresses strong support for Navy Region Northwest Installations, in particular Navy Air Station Whidbey Island, and as well, we do strongly support the health and well being of all citizens of Island County duly affect-
ed by and understandably concerned about the attendant noise impacts, and realizing the complexity of this complex issue, we do hereby strongly support the environmental analyses, which are the only way by which a reasoned and credible solution may be achieved. Instead of that, what you got was arrogant thumbing of noses by two commissioners at the serious noise problem and an attempt to make those affected feel unpatriotic, which is an unjust and unconscionable promotion of a falsehood. MARK C. HARMON Coupeville Citizens Of The Ebey’s Reserve For A Healthy, Safe And Peaceful Environment
Sequester linked to OLF complaints
payer dollars are going to be wasted fighting this frivolous lawsuit? All of you people sitting at home loosing money because of the sequester should contact the Citizen’s of Ebey’s Reserve and thank them. One of the guys that started the petition stated in a video “personally I can not live here with this, if something does not change then I will have to leave.” My truck and trailer will be available to help him leave the island the day the jets come back to OLF. Just another small group of people that are more than willing to enjoy the freedoms provided by the U.S. Military and then complain about how they get them. JONATHAN MARTIN Coupeville
Editor, I keep hearing the news about closing OLF. Why isn’t anyone connecting this with the sequester? How many millions of tax-
Sound off Editor’s note: The following is a guest commentary submitted by Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard: The recent lawsuit, filed by a local citizen’s group, alleges the Navy has not complied with the National Environmental Policy Act in relation to its use of the Outlying Field south of Coupeville. We have heard talk in the community that the lawsuit seeks to close OLF, and that has caused concern for those whose lives are connected to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. We have read the complaint and, in reality, the plaintiffs have requested that the court: “1. Declare that the Navy has failed to act by failing to conduct appropriate environmental review of its activities at OLF Coupeville. 2. Issue an order compelling that the Navy conduct the required environmental review of its flight operations at OLF Coupeville. 3. Issue a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and/or permanent injunction requiring the Navy to cease all flight operations at OLF Coupeville until such time as it has conducted appropriate environmental review of its operations. 4. Award plaintiffs their costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expert witness fees incurred in bringing this action. 5. Grant any further relief as the Court deems just and
proper.” The rights of this citizens group to file such a lawsuit cannot be contested — they are exercising a remedy embedded in our constitution, exercised through our judicial system. We hope all residents of the Whidbey Island community will respect this group’s right to secure more environmental information and give the Navy time to provide the information. We trust the legal and environmental process will be followed to properly identify impacts of the use of OLF, and for the appropriate mitigations to be determined and implemented. Unfortunately, this action has caused tension in our island community. Some people believe that their lives are negatively affected by the operations at OLF. Others think that our local Navy community is being challenged or threatened. We value and respect the presence of the Navy at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Military and civilian personnel who work there are our neighbors and friends; they own and work at local businesses; their children attend schools with our children; they Open H ou
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