Music won't stop in Coupeville

Despite brief thoughts about eliminating Concerts on the Cove summer music series, the organization’s board unanimously voted to continue the events next year.

Concert officials thought of ending the summer series, which is held in the Pavilion at Coupeville’s Town Park, after experiencing what some interpreted as growing community support to eliminate the Sunday concerts.

“Basically everyone is in agreement that what we’re doing is right and good for the community,” said Vin Sherman, Concerts on the Cove president, following the vote.

The concert board, comprised of residents throughout Coupeville and Oak Harbor, decided to continue the series during a meeting last week.

The vote stemmed from a letter to the editor in the Whidbey News-Times that Coupeville resident Sally Hayton-Keeva wrote defending long-time concert opponent Ed Spromberg’s right to protest what he considers the noisy concerts.

Sherman said he interpreted the letter as a respected member of the community encouraging Spromberg’s actions. Hayton-Keeva denied that, saying she was just expressing understanding of Spromberg’s concerns and defending his right to protest, while she personally supports the concert series.

Sherman added that several members of the board resigned this year because they haven’t found the experience rewarding.

Currently the concert board is looking for four new members while planning for upcoming concerts continues.

Spromberg, who was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and violating Coupeville’s noise ordinance in August after he revved his riding lawnmower to protest a concert in progress, is scheduled to go to court later this month.

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