Editor,

I am responding to several letters in the Whidbey News-Times as well as an editorial written by Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson, and the reporting of actions taken by Johnson and Commissioner Rick Hannold relating to Coupeville Town Council replying to the Navy’s request for comment letters to its Environmental Impact Statement.

First, in the interest of fairness, does the News-Times intend to invite Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes or Whidbey Camano Land Trust Director Pat Powell to write guest columns explaining their positions?

Second, regarding Mr. and Mrs. Bess’s characterization of COER’s “junk science,” I suppose you have equal disregard for Consumer Reports, one of the most trusted publications in the country? Because, in the March 2017 issue, it cautions people not to play their televisions and music devices above 45 decibels in order to insure health in their homes. The Navy’s own testing has measured the sound emitted by Growlers at over 80 decibels, while other reputable companies have measured it at 115 decibels inside the homes of residents.

Are you now characterizing Consumer Reports as junk science, too?

Third, relating to Jill Johnson’s guest column, so glad to see that she approves of Coupeville’s town council members’ right to ask questions. However, where does she get the authority to punish them and their constituents for publishing the answers they received when those questions were asked? The EIS process is one where the Navy requests comments, not just questions. That is why it is called a “comment period.”

Fourth, Johnson’s comments about the potential loss of tax revenue in Oak Harbor — How about the potential loss of homes and businesses in the second oldest community in the state of Washington, when Coupeville residents are driven out of here by Growler noise increasing to a minimum of 12 hours per day, at least five days per week?

And tax revenues? Her comments are not even accurate for Oak Harbor. Navy personnel and their families use the same services as other businesses on Island County, but if they live or shop on the base they are exempt from local taxation. That means that other residents wind up underwriting a significant part of the Navy’s presence. For example, the county is losing $5.7 million per year in sales and property taxes that it would otherwise collect from employees of an equivalently sized private industry.

That is just the start. Shortly, an islandwide group will release a study conducted by a highly respected economist on these very issues that will prove most of Johnson’s allegations false. I urge every resident of Island County to read this study.

As for Johnson’s business friend who feared the loss of business from Oak Harbor residents? That’s an easy one. Oak Harbor has far more residents than Coupeville. I will tell you what the Navy folks tell Coupeville residents … move!

Babette Thompson

Coupeville

Editor’s Note: Prior to receiving this letter, Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes was, in fact, invited to submit a Sound Off guest column on this issue.