Editor,

The Jan. 1 edition of your newspaper had a front page article titled “2013: A Year in the Life of Whidbey Island.”

On page two the article describes the “Old Goats” as “haters.”

I have been attending the Old Goats meetings for many years and am personally very offended by the insinuation that I, and other attendees, are members of a group of “haters.”

Quite the contrary. The Old Goats luncheon meetings are conducted in a very civil manner and the goal is to help us citizens keep informed and educated on matters that should be of interest to all citizens.

Many of the speakers have been well known educators, Washington state and Island County elected officials, military personnel and civic leaders who attended to educate and inform us, not to spew hatred.

The “Old Goats” meetings are open to everyone, and attended by well educated and successful people, including educators, scientists, business people and many elected Island County officials, and “haters” is a truly vicious label.

The person who wrote that article is terribly misinformed and should be reprimanded.

Keith Gunnar

Langley