Editor,

I am grateful for Helen Price Johnson’s attention to and responsibility for the interests of all who value the Whidbey Island Area Fair. Our other two Island County commissioners appear more than ready to wash their hands of this county albatross, partly because most benefits accrue to South Whidbey.

But the mere eagerness of the Port of South Whidbey commissioners to take ownership of the property assures nothing for the fair’s future.

The Coupeville Port commission manages the Greenbank Farm. And the past year has been one of strife for the artist tenants there, when membership of the three-person port commission shifted its priority to one emphasizing economic management.

While Port of South Whidbey Commissioner Curt Gordon says the assurances of the Port are “not getting through,” his sincerity is not adequate to assure community rights on a political body which changes membership regularly.

Helen Price Johnson has her eye on the ball, and should be thanked.

George Rusch

Clinton