Deepening a divide between Oak Harbor and Coupeville helps no one.

The Island County commissioners from North Whidbey unfortunately ramped up the drama by deciding not to give Coupeville an economic development grant, stating they feel town officials and residents are not supportive enough of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

It’s understandable that Commissioners Rick Hannold and Jill Johnson want to take a stand and send a strong message about the importance of NAS Whidbey, but the way they chose to send the message is counterproductive.

With the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement on the EA-18G Growler, the Pentagon is keeping an eye on Whidbey.

It’s important for Oak Harbor to show the broad support on the island for the base and Growler mission. That’s why Oak Harbor Mayor Bob Severns is taking a petition with him to Washington, D.C. next month.

Picking a fight with Coupeville and, essentially, saying the entire town is against the base isn’t the best way to buoy Navy’s support. Rather, it highlights any anti-Navy sentiment and galvanizes those who want the Growlers to go away.

Also, it’s unprecedented to politicize the doling out of grants in the county, paving the way for current and future commissioners to consider an area’s voting records, or personal vendettas, when making decisions.

The money should go to projects that will accomplish economic development objectives. Economic development anywhere in the county helps the county as a whole.

Johnson blames Coupeville officials for the chasm. During a recent workshop, members of the Town Council were blunt in saying that they don’t want increased Growler traffic at the Coupeville Outlying Field.

One councilwoman said she doesn’t want any Growlers, and another voiced concerns the jets could make Whidbey a terrorist target.

Council members are free to state their concerns, but it behooves them to remember that Coupeville is part of a larger community.

The base supplies the economic lifeblood for Oak Harbor, and Coupeville does receive some benefit from its presence as well.

Many people in Oak Harbor, as well as Coupeville, have strong ties to the Navy.

It’s appropriate for the commissioners to express displeasure with the town’s responses, but as the group Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve has shown, employing the wrong tactics can backfire.

The commissioners should rethink the grant application and find a less divisive way of making their point.