Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve President Michael Monson has consistently maintained he never received a jet noise disclosure when he bought his home in Coupeville,
A real estate agent, however, said that’s incorrect.
After checking records a few weeks ago, a Windermere Real Estate agent said that he discovered that Monson had, in fact, initialed a noise disclosure form, apparently at the time he purchased his home.
A commanding officer of one of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s squadrons was fired Wednesday for inappropriate racial comments and other misdeeds.
Former skipper of Electronic Attack Squadron 140 Cmdr. Joe Martinez was fired by Capt. Terry Morris, commander of Carrier Air Wing 7. According to a Navy press release, Morris relieved Martinez “due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
As a result of meetings with local elected officials, the Navy has committed to minimizing the impact of touch-and-go operations at Outlying Field Coupeville.
The Navy suspended jet training at the Coupeville-based airfield in May, but resumed them Jan. 6.
Among the measures the Navy plans to adopt is avoiding weekends, school testing dates and major festivals.
Citing a lack of trust for the Navy’s public input hotline, the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve has created its own jet noise complaint hotline.
The Navy resumed touch-and-go operations Monday, Jan. 6, at Outyling Field Coupeville. Residents in the area have complained about the increase in the number of operations at OLF in recent years. COER sued the Navy in July and is calling for a closure of OLF.
“When the planes resume flying over our homes, schools, and hospital, we’ll be ready to take complaint calls,” said Michael Monson, COER president.
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will receive more than $117 million for P8-A Poseidon and EA-18G Growler squadron programs
The funding is part of the National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama over Christmas.
The act sets the policies and priorities for the Department of Defense.
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will receive more than $117 million for P8-A Poseidon and EA-18G Growler squadron programs.
The funding is part of the National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama over Christmas.
The act sets the policies and priorities for the Department of Defense.
Whidbey Island Realtors have drafted a more detailed noise disclosure after some homebuyers claimed they weren’t properly warned about Navy jet noise.
The Navy suspended operations at Outlying Field Coupeville in May, but announced plans to resume practices Jan. 6, to the chagrin of jet noise opponents on Central Whidbey.
A state agency reversed its determination about cement blocks placed at Outlying Field Coupeville, saying that they, in fact, have an “adverse effect” to the historic landscape of neighboring Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve.
More than 1,000 cement barriers were installed earlier this month at the Navy’s outlying field, part of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
The Navy uses OLF Coupeville for touch-and-go operations for the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler.
The Sierra Club and the city of Port Townsend have both released comments criticizing jet noise produced by the Navy’s EA-18G Growler.
On behalf of the Conservation Committee of the Snohomish Sierra Club, Chairwoman Rebecca Wolfe issued a letter to the U.S. Navy last week outlining the “established harms” caused by jet noise. The letter was written to be submitted as public input for the Environmental Impact Statement the Navy is currently preparing on the Growlers.
Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson has announced that she will not run for re-election next year.
Emerson represents Island County’s District 3, which comprises Camano Island and North Whidbey Island.
An economic impact study completed by the Island County Economic Development Council this month shows the impact Whidbey Island Naval Air Station has on area economies.
The base contributed $726 million dollars in salaries to Island County’s economy in 2011 and $15 million to Skagit County’s, according to the study.
The study was requested by in August by Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson.
With new P-8 Poseidon squadrons expected to arrive at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, the base hospital is expanding and improving services, according to base officials.
Primary changes include closure of the hospital’s Urgent Care Center, expansion of the Medical Home Port Primary Care Center, upgrades to the birthing center and the addition of a 24-hour nurse hotline.
