Editor,

We are writing to express our dismay with the two Island County commissioners who refused to approve a grant for the Coupeville community greens project.

This grant is not to be used as a political ploy.

We attended the Coupeville Town Council workshop on Jan. 31.

In our view, the council members were responding to citizens of Coupeville who expressed concerns.

These included shopkeepers concerned about tourism, which their livelihood depends upon, farmers who work the fields in Ebey’s Reserve, teachers in classrooms and others living under the flight path.

These concerns were expressed at an earlier workshop conducted by Commissioner Helen Price Johnson in Coupeville a number of years ago.

We commend the town council for addressing our concerns and moving them forward.

We suggest that commissioners Rick Hannold and Jill Johnson take a closer look at the people who are affected before labeling Coupeville as “anti-Navy.”

Robert and Elizabeth Nichols

Coupeville