Letter: Painted sidewalk represents a welcome home

Published 1:30 am Saturday, June 27, 2026

Editor,

I am writing about the letter published in the June 17 edition concerning the Coupeville intersection painted with the rainbow colors in honor of Gay Pride Month.

News-Times regular readers will recognize the writer of the June 17 letter as his thoughts appear frequently in the paper and usually bring pithy responses appropriate to the writer’s intentions. I decided to take his bait if for no other reason than to let the writer and others know and perhaps understand why that particular colorful intersection during June is so important to me and many other gay/queer people (taxpayers all) when it appears during June every year.

It is worth noting that the letter writer could have taken his concerns directly to the Coupeville Town Council. Instead, he chose to write publicly about what he called the “defacing” of the intersection and to ask when it would return to its “designated use.” Just to reassure the writer, I have seen many people use the crosswalk there without any difficulty. The intersection remains fully functional, even during this supposed period of “defacement.”

I grew up in Coupeville. Being “different” was not easy in the 1940s and 1950s, but I was fortunate to have the support of a large, loving family. Years away from the island gave me a deeper understanding of my own life. I also met a wonderful man with a history of activism in the early gay liberation movement. He taught me what gay pride truly means, and it was beautiful.

And now, our federal government is working to take all that hard work away. Back to the closet. So, for people in the queer world it’s back to the fight again. Thus, Pride celebrations, gay flag painted streets and crosswalks – even in little Coupeville – continue to be important to us and those who support us.

Four years ago in June, a friend reported that the Coupeville mayor and council had painted the intersection in front of the museum at Front and Alexander Street with a full gay flag. We drove down to admire it. The painted flag and the parade that followed later in the month were a heart-felt epiphany for me. The fact that the mayor and Town Council had voted to recognize its LGBTQ+ citizens meant quite a lot to me, being a wonderful example of the message of the Christian Gospel I have heard my entire life. Making life better for those who have been on the receiving end of all the biases cultures throw at minority groups is a blessing I have learned to take very seriously. And I hope that those who insist on keeping all the biases, division and distrust alive would understand that it really is a stupid pursuit.

Coupeville government knows, thankfully, the importance of the Pride celebration and what it represents for so many people, queer and straight. Michael and I have always felt welcomed and accepted since moving here. To me, the gay flag at a town intersection is a wonderful welcome home. Thank you to all who made it happen.

Jim Sherman

Coupeville

Editor,

Please support the Oak Harbor Rotary Club’s fireworks stand in the Haggen parking lot, June 28th through July 5th. The stand sells only legal fireworks, and the proceeds stay right here in our community.

Funds raised help provide college scholarships to local students and pay for weekend food for 250 Oak Harbor elementary students who might otherwise go hungry. Since 2014, Rotary has quietly ensured students have food when school meals aren’t available.

When you purchase fireworks locally, you’re helping students succeed and making sure kids are fed. It’s a simple way to give back to Oak Harbor.

Stephanie Streitler

Oak Harbor

Editor,

In his June 13 letter, “Sheriff’s Office should have high morals,” Jack Brown says that because of his three-year-old gripe with an investigating officer (concerning a burglary), he ties Sheriff Rick Felici to insurance fraud, and he further concludes that we need to have a sheriff with “higher morals and ethics,” ergo: Chief Tavier Wasser.

I too had a break-in many years ago. A sheriff’s deputy came and asked me to fill out a police report, listing the items, their estimated costs and serial numbers. This was so the deputy could enter my items into a shared database, and I could send it to my insurance company, confirming the stolen items.

But there was no insurance fraud; why would there be? Unless, Mr. Brown seriously thinks Sheriff Felici or other officers are getting kick-backs from insurance companies!

Mr. Brown also writes: “It’s time for a new sheriff.”

He is joined here by Wanda Grone – a former county treasure, who ran (and lost) two years ago as a Republican in the commissioner’s race. She says we should listen to both candidates, and adds: “It’s time for a new approach and fresh leadership.”

And Ms. Morgan Cooper (former vice-chair of the Island County Republicans) and Ms. Maria Hazelo (who I believe is Tim Hazelo’s wife) wholeheartedly agree!

It seems that Chief Tavier – the Democrat – has the support of Jack Brown, some of the Democrats and some of the MAGA Mamas of Island Co.

None of this makes sense or seems truthful – so I invite Chief Tavier to weigh in: Does he think Rick Felici is corrupt or that he has higher morals and values – and why are some MAGA Mamas hot for Wasser?

David Freed

Clinton