Hostility won’t foster discussion

As one can see from Mr. Pickard’s letter in the June 3 News-Times, “Tyranny rules in Coupeville,” the argument over development of Coupeville’s shoreline along Front Street has now moved to the opinion pages. Which can be good for local newspaper circulation, but personal opinions have a tendency to lack factual truth on which decisions of great importance should be made.

With all due respect to Mr Pickard, he has a long history of demonstrated uncompromising opposition towards Coupeville’s Town Hall over the years, in particular the Conard administration. One has to ask, are his comments directed for the good of the community or to divide of the community? I would truly like to believe that Mr. Pickard made his comments for the good of the community. Unfortunately what appears to be an uncompromisingly hostile nature to his comments suggests division.

No one can deny development of shoreline in this day and age is important. I believe deciding the shoreline issues from a argumentative opinion rather than a fact driven discussion of the issues will adversely impact the community for generations to come. With any argument the overriding question becomes will a resolution be thought out or shouted out? Most importantly, we must let wisdom surface to mitigate the argument to a discussion so that a compromise can be found to satisfy most of the folks involved?

If the community can discuss the shoreline development issue rather than argue the issue then hopefully the community of Coupeville will benefit for generations to come. Expressed hostility never inspires partnership nor compromise rather the opposite.

Thomas F. Strang

Coupeville

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