Editor,

In response to your Saturday editorial, I write this letter. After serving for almost three years on the Arts Commission of Oak Harbor, I resigned in May.

For the record, I put up a huge fight and argument against the kraken. The same artist from Oregon also presented his concept of two large rocks, one for each side of the street, graced with beautiful harbor seals, kelp and water splashing.

One of the other art commissioners and I gave long and passionate reasons why harbor seals would be the best choice, especially at that important location of the beginning of the entrance to historic downtown. Two other commissioners put up an equally huge fight for the kraken and with the vote tied, the then-president of the Arts Commission cast her vote for the kraken.

I continued to try to get them to change their minds, but to no avail. So, if you like the kraken, fine. If you don’t, well, I just want it known I was dead set against it and voted for and really wanted the harbor seals on rocks concept.

I was not on the Arts Commission during any of the other votes on projects. I do like their other choices. I also voted for the acceptance and bronzing costs of Wayne Lewis’s gift to the city of the Native American with salmon. Also for his gift of the pioneers, the Barringtons, including paying for the costs of the $12,000 to bronze it.

Lewis is not making a penny on these two gifts. He should not lose money on the bronzing when the Arts Commission at this time has almost $60,000 in its account, which is accruing at about $3,500 a month now.

In the end, to cover the bronzing of Lewis’s latest gift, I raised half of the money, $6,000, of which a great deal is my own money. With great effort on my part and others, the Arts Commission decided it can pay the other $6,000.

Now it is just up to the city to endorse this and put it up downtown.

Ms. Honeycutt’s letter suggesting that Lewis is an “impatient” person is all wrong and could not be further from the truth. He is not only an excellent sculptor, but is one of the most patient people around. He waited and worked with the tribal leaders for more than two years, just to get their blessing on the Native American with salmon sculpture. A great addition and gift to the city, as will be the Barrington sculpture on Pioneer.

For consideration as a future project, Lewis has proposed to the Arts Commission a life-sized, two-tone bronze of mother and baby orca whales swimming in small waves. I hope that the Arts Commission sees fit to commission him and actually pay him for this piece, which would be a beautiful addition to downtown or waterfront.

Perhaps the kraken could be moved to the beach or new sewage treatment plant and the orcas go into that spot at the entrance to downtown instead.

Just my two bits, for what’s it’s worth.

Peggy Darst Townsdin

Oak Harbor